Review

Ubiquity, applications, and potential of emerging MIMO technologies

Number: 064 March 30, 2026

Ubiquity, applications, and potential of emerging MIMO technologies

Abstract

Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) technologies utilize multiple antennas at the transceivers and enable enhanced diversity or multiplexing gain. The first implementations of MIMO technology appeared in cellular communication and Wi-Fi systems. One of the main problems with early MIMO systems is their limited performance in meeting the requirements of next generation communication systems. Specifically, the parameters like peak data rates, spectrum efficiency and energy efficiency constraints cannot be met with existing MIMO architectures. Hence, early MIMO techniques evolved to massive MIMO (mMIMO) type of communication as the number of antennas at both transmitters and receivers increased. Included in 5G New Radio standard, mMIMO enabled an increase the spectral efficiency and coverage compared with earlier MIMO techniques. Nowadays, there exists an ever-increasing interest in the application of advanced MIMO technologies in 6G networks. These applications include ultra massive MIMO (mMIMO), holographic MIMO and intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) assisted MIMO. These new advanced MIMO techniques either employ larger number of antennas or extremely large aperture arrays compared with mMIMO and are named as extremely large-scale MIMO. This paper presents a detailed overview of all these techniques. Joint design of wireless communication and radar sensing, named as integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) as well, has shown to improve spectrum efficiency and reduce power consumption. Recent novel research on ISAC exploits the application of MIMO technology specifically in joint communication and radar sensing (JCS) systems. In this aspect, the other objective of this work is to exploit MIMO communication and MIMO radar coexistence. After summarizing the current state of the art on MIMO radar systems, this paper exploits joint application of advanced MIMO communication and radar sensing. Finally, it aims to offer a perspective on future research directions and the potential of overall MIMO systems discussed in the paper.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

N/A

Project Number

N/A

Ethical Statement

This study does not require study-specific approval by the appropriate ethics committee for research involving human subjects and/or animals.

Thanks

We would like to thank to editor for handling the review process of our manuscript.

References

  1. [1] P. K. Bondyopadhyay, "The first application of array antenna," Proceedings 2000 IEEE International Conference on Phased Array Systems and Technology (Cat.No.00TH8510), Dana Point, CA, 2000, pp. 29-32, doi:10.1109/ PAST.2000.858903
  2. [2] L. R. Kahn, “Ratio squarer,” Proceedings of the IRE (Correspondence), vol. 42, no. 11, pp. 1698–1704, 1954, doi: 10.1109/JRPROC.1954.274666
  3. [3] R. Adams, “Simplified baseband diversity combiner,” IRE Transactions on Communications Systems, Vol.8 no.4, pp. 247-249, 1960. doi: 10.1109/TCOM.1960.1097634
  4. [4] A. Wittneben, “Base station modulation diversity for digital simulcast,” IEEE Veh. Techn. Conf. (VTC’91), pp. 848-853, May 1991. doi: 10.1109/VETEC.1991.140615
  5. [5] N. Seshadri, C. W. Sundberg and V. Weerackody, “Advanced techniques for modulation, error correction, channel equalization, and diversity,” in AT&T Technical Journal, vol. 72, no. 4, pp. 48-63, July-Aug. 1993. doi: 10.1002/j.1538-7305.1993.tb00550.x
  6. [6] S. M. Alamouti, “A simple transmit diversity technique for wireless communications,” IEEE J. Sel. Areas Commun., vol. 16, no. 8, p. 1451-1458, 1998. doi: 10.1109/49.730453
  7. [7] J. Winters, “Optimum combining in digital mobile radio with cochannel interference,” IEEE J. Sel. Areas Commun., vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 528-539,1984. doi: 10.1109/JSAC.1984.1146095
  8. [8] G. J. Foschini, “Layered space-time architecture for wireless communication in a fading environment when using multi-element antennas,” in Bell Labs Technical Journal, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 41-59, Autumn 1996. doi: 10.1002/bltj.2015

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Wireless Communication Systems and Technologies (Incl. Microwave and Millimetrewave)

Journal Section

Review

Publication Date

March 30, 2026

Submission Date

October 13, 2025

Acceptance Date

January 26, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: 064

APA
Yılmaz, M., Baştürk, İ., & Kalkan, Y. (2026). Ubiquity, applications, and potential of emerging MIMO technologies. Journal of Scientific Reports-A, 064, 90-105. https://doi.org/10.59313/jsr-a.1802717
AMA
1.Yılmaz M, Baştürk İ, Kalkan Y. Ubiquity, applications, and potential of emerging MIMO technologies. JSR-A. 2026;(064):90-105. doi:10.59313/jsr-a.1802717
Chicago
Yılmaz, Mümtaz, İlhan Baştürk, and Yılmaz Kalkan. 2026. “Ubiquity, Applications, and Potential of Emerging MIMO Technologies”. Journal of Scientific Reports-A, nos. 064: 90-105. https://doi.org/10.59313/jsr-a.1802717.
EndNote
Yılmaz M, Baştürk İ, Kalkan Y (March 1, 2026) Ubiquity, applications, and potential of emerging MIMO technologies. Journal of Scientific Reports-A 064 90–105.
IEEE
[1]M. Yılmaz, İ. Baştürk, and Y. Kalkan, “Ubiquity, applications, and potential of emerging MIMO technologies”, JSR-A, no. 064, pp. 90–105, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.59313/jsr-a.1802717.
ISNAD
Yılmaz, Mümtaz - Baştürk, İlhan - Kalkan, Yılmaz. “Ubiquity, Applications, and Potential of Emerging MIMO Technologies”. Journal of Scientific Reports-A. 064 (March 1, 2026): 90-105. https://doi.org/10.59313/jsr-a.1802717.
JAMA
1.Yılmaz M, Baştürk İ, Kalkan Y. Ubiquity, applications, and potential of emerging MIMO technologies. JSR-A. 2026;:90–105.
MLA
Yılmaz, Mümtaz, et al. “Ubiquity, Applications, and Potential of Emerging MIMO Technologies”. Journal of Scientific Reports-A, no. 064, Mar. 2026, pp. 90-105, doi:10.59313/jsr-a.1802717.
Vancouver
1.Mümtaz Yılmaz, İlhan Baştürk, Yılmaz Kalkan. Ubiquity, applications, and potential of emerging MIMO technologies. JSR-A. 2026 Mar. 1;(064):90-105. doi:10.59313/jsr-a.1802717