Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channels are a mathematically convenient representation of many diverse physical communication systems, ranging from multi-antenna wireless systems to cable systems. The design of transceiver structures (i.e., transmitter and receiver structures) for MIMO channels has been the subject of research for the past three decades. However, it was not until the popularization of multi-antenna wireless channels in the mid-to-late 1990s that there was a concerted research effort on the design of MIMO transmission schemes. This effort has generated substantial insight into the fundamental principles of MIMO transceiver design for certain simplified models of the communication environment, such as complete or completely absent channel state information (CSI), absence of interference generated by other users in the network, and persistent, homogeneous traffic from the physical layer point of view.

While the insight generated by designs for these simple models is invaluable, most MIMO communication systems operate in a more general context that may involve, among other things: i) broader classes of CSI (e.g., designs with limited feedback); ii) multiuser network issues (e.g., interference from competing users and potential collaboration with cooperative users), and iii) interactions between the physical layer and higher protocol layers (e.g., bursty and differentiated traffic and cross-layer optimization). The challenge is to develop efficient transceiver design methods that exploit the combination of the MIMO concept and the opportunities provided by awareness of this more general context.

The focus of this J-SAC issue is, therefore, on the optimization of MIMO transceiver structures that are aware of the inherent realistic characteristics of the system. Original contributions, previously unpublished and not currently under review by another journal, are solicited in relevant areas including (but not limited to) the following.

• Diverse nature of CSI in different applications
  • Design of linear/nonlinear MIMO transceivers robust to imperfect CSI
  • Effects of mobility in the design of MIMO systems
  • Space-time coding and processing based on partial CSI
  • Design of MIMO transceivers with limited rate feedback
• Multiuser nature of systems
  • Centralized/distributed and cooperative/competitive design of multiuser MIMO
  • Fairness and quality of service control in MIMO networks
  • Multihop MIMO networks
  • Energy-constrained MIMO networks
  • MIMO techniques in sensor networks
• Multi-layer nature of systems
  • Impact of MIMO on resource management, scheduling, and routing protocols
  • Cross-layer design for MIMO systems
  • Cross-layer MIMO optimization for ad hoc networks

Prospective authors should follow the IEEE J-SAC manuscript format described in the Information for Authors. All papers should be submitted in PDF format via email to Daniel P. Palomar at danielp@princeton.edu, according to the following timetable: