Patent ID: 7787567

Claim:
A method comprising: splitting input data into N spatial streams to perform spatial multiplexing MIMO, where N is a positive integer greater than one; for each spatial stream, assigning data symbols to data subcarriers of a multicarrier band; and at a transmit time, transmitting data symbols from N transmit antennas for some data subcarriers in said multicarrier band and transmitting data symbols from less than N transmit antennas for at least one other data subcarrier in said multicarrier band, in response to control information, wherein transmitting data symbols from less than N transmit antennas for at least one other subcarrier is performed to increase channel capacity in a corresponding MIMO channel; wherein transmitting data symbols from N transmit antennas for some subcarriers includes transmitting data symbols from N transmit antennas for a first subcarrier that has been assigned a total transmit power of P a , wherein a power level of P a /N is transmitted from each of said N transmit antennas for said first subcarrier; and wherein transmitting data symbols from less than N transmit antennas for at least one other subcarrier includes transmitting data symbols from L transmit antennas for a second subcarrier that has been assigned a total transmit power of P b , where L is less than N, wherein a power level of P b /L is transmitted from each of said L transmit antennas for said second subcarrier.