PHD Studentship in reduction/avoidance of Electro-magnetic field exposure for 5G communication systems. (034517)

University of Surrey

Faculty of Engineering & Physical Sciences

 

5G Innovation Centre

 

The 5G Innovation Centre, which forms part of the Institute for Communications Systems (ICS), is the world’s first dedicated to the next generation of mobile communication systems and an international hub for telecommunication research and innovation. The Centre collaborates with key ICT service providers, network and device manufacturers and test equipment solution providers to develop innovative solutions and standards for 5G networks.

 

We are recruiting a PhD student with the drive and vision to be a part of this exciting new venture. The student is expected to develop innovative and collaborative research that is world leading and addresses the challenges associated with 5G wireless communications networks. One of which is the reduction/avoidance of Electro-magnetic field exposure for 5G communication systems.

 

In the next generation of communication networks, i.e. 5G, a large amount of access points, i.e. antennas, will have to be deployed, on top of the existing ones, to support the exponential rise in traffic demand. Given that mobile communication relies on electromagnetic (EM) waves to operate, having more antennas in the network will increase the amount of EM radiation that the general public is exposed to, also known as passive exposure (exposure generated from the communication network to any person, using or not its mobile phone). In turns, it is very likely to raise concerns amongst the general public. However, in terms of exposure to EM radiation, having more antennas is not only a drawback, but it can be turned into an advantage in terms of reducing active exposure (generated from the mobile phone to its user body/head). Indeed, having more antennas in the networks give more choice in terms of connection and transmission to different receivers. Thus, we propose here to take advantage of the densification of access points, i.e. multiplicity of antennas, to reduce active EM exposure for mobile phone users.

 

The aim of this project is to design new innovative techniques that will make the mobile phone to avoid transmitting/radiating EM energy towards the user body/head by connecting only to antennas that are not in the direction of the user body/head. By doing this, the performance of the overall communication systems might be adversely affected, so the novel techniques should reduce the EM but without compromising other performance indicators, such as the spectral efficiency (SE). The main tasks of the projects will be as follows:

Building a theoretical framework for quantifying the trade-off between EM exposure and spectral efficiency (SE)/rate; how much SE/rate will be lost by not connecting/transmitting to the AP(s) with the best channel condition(s).  To use our theoretical framework to develop a robust EM exposure-aware user association scheme based on the EM exposure-SE trade-off and beamforming in a multi-user dense APs deployment scenario. To understanding practical limitations related to beamforming and cooperation (information exchange limitation, latency, etc.) for making our scheme implementable in a real system.

 

Academic Requirements

Candidates should hold a first or upper-second class Bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree at distinction level (or equivalent experience/qualifications) in an appropriate discipline. They will have an aptitude and suitable background for conducting research in the field of future wireless communications systems in areas related to advanced radio access techniques, new network architecture, interference and spectrum management techniques for future wireless communication systems.

 

Eligbility Requirements

For a full award students must have a relevant connection with the UK (usually established by residence).

 

Studentship Value and Application Process

The award will be for a period of 3 years and include Home tuition fees plus a stipend (approx £14 296p.a)

 

Applications should include

1) a cover letter; 2) a curriculum vitae; 3) an outline research proposal;  4) contact details of two academic referees;  5) copies of acedemic transcripts and qualification certificates.

 

Please send your application to Dr Fabien Hélioton email: f.heliot@surrey.ac.uk

 

Please use 034517 in the subject line.

 

We acknowledge, understand and embrace diversity.

  

Closing Date: 31 May 2017
Category: PhD Studentships