"I am honoured to be chosen for the Marconi Prize and join such an illustrious group of pioneers. It has taken efforts of thousands of engineers and researchers to make MIMO technology a reality. My role, in comparison, is indeed small," Paulraj said in the statement.

MIMO boosts data rate by creating multiple parallel spatial data streams and is the key to the latest wireless broadband networks like 4G cellular.

"MIMO will soon be pervasive in all wireless devices as Paulraj's work has provided fertile ground for thousands of researchers to explore and advance its potential to enhance wireless spectrum efficiency," Payne, who is also director of the opto-electronics research centre at University of Southampton, asserted.

The 69-year-old scientist from Coimbatore in northwest Tamil Nadu, about 360 km from here, was also honoured with the IEEE Alexander Graham Bell Medal in 2011 for his profound work on theoretical foundations of MIMO.

"Paulraj is the only India-born scientist to receive both the Marconi Prize and the Bell Medal -- the two top global IT technology awards," IndiaTechOnline.com.

On Paul, as he is popularly known in tech circles, bagging the latest prize, Infosys co-founder and chairman N.R. Narayana Murthy said Paulraj's brilliance and perseverance have revolutionized wireless technology bringing a lasting benefit to mankind.

"Paul is a wonderful role models for researchers the world over," Murthy said here.

Paulraj has been a strong proponent for reviving India's telecom technology industry, noting the high cost to the nation for its near total dependence on telecom imports.
READMORE:
Immigration Bill Giving 'Sleepless Nights' To Indian IT
Indian-American Named Deputy Chair of Dallas Federal Board