Array signal processing techniques were traditionally limited to military applications. Researchers recently found that these techniques could be applied to significantly expand channel capacity and improve quality of wireless communication systems through exploitation of spatial diversity. Despite significant research activities in array processing during the last decade, conversion of such military technology to cost sensitive commercial technology is not trivial. A significant amount of research and development effort is required to realize these techniques in a wireless communication system. This research is developing innovative antenna array processing techniques and fast implementation schemes for various wireless communication systems. The program scope is not limited to algorithm development, theoretical analysis, and simulation studies; our ultimate objective is to implement the resulting algorithms in real hardware. Industry specializing in digital signal processing and its applications in telecommunications has experienced rapid growth in this world due to high demand for information access and processing. To respond to such a growth, new courses in these areas and innovative teaching methodology must be developed so that students can quickly adapt to various challenges. During the proposed period, the principal investigator plans to develop several new courses in these areas including undergraduate lab courses, continue involving undergraduates in industry sponsored projects, design more computer projects, create opportunities for minority students and students with disabilities, and, what is more important, develop a multimedia teaching method drawing on advanced technology, e.g., live audio, video, and graphical illustrations and real hardware demonstrations.
