Meet Future Needs of Antenna Measurements and RF Characterization for Changing Research Culture (MUSCAT)
Lead Research Organisation:
Queen Mary University of London
Department Name: Sch of Electronic Eng & Computer Science
Abstract
The rapid evolution of wireless technology in areas such as remote sensing, IoT devices, and autonomous electric vehicles have highlighted the growing need to foster and strengthen our skilled platform of research technical professionals (RTPs) and research software engineers (RSEs). While the Warwick Analytical Science Centre (WASC) and the TALENT programme bring together state-of-the-art instrumentation and expertise in a wide range of analytical science areas spanning Chemistry, Life Sciences and Physics, they do not encapsulate the UK's technical workforce in the Telecommunication research and industry sector.
In order to adapt to the changing research culture and meet the evolving needs of antenna measurements and RF characterization, it is essential for RTPs to stay abreast of the latest technological advancements in antenna measurements and RF characterization. One of approaches is to encourage and support interdisciplinary research projects that combine expertise in antenna measurements, RF characterization, and other relevant areas such as wireless communication, signal processing, or electromagnetic theory.
Our proposal to Meet Future Needs of Antenna Measurements and RF Characterization for Changing Research Culture (MUSCAT) aims to take on this shortfall of RTPs, which is facing a massive challenge to meet the demand of key technical skill sets, essential for the substantial investments in telecoms for a new Wireless Infrastructure Strategy, the UK Science and Technology Framework by 2030 and the upcoming surge in wireless technological advancements, namely 5G, 6G, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Sat-Comms, cloud computing, augmented reality (AR), quantum computing, AI and big data.
In order to adapt to the changing research culture and meet the evolving needs of antenna measurements and RF characterization, it is essential for RTPs to stay abreast of the latest technological advancements in antenna measurements and RF characterization. One of approaches is to encourage and support interdisciplinary research projects that combine expertise in antenna measurements, RF characterization, and other relevant areas such as wireless communication, signal processing, or electromagnetic theory.
Our proposal to Meet Future Needs of Antenna Measurements and RF Characterization for Changing Research Culture (MUSCAT) aims to take on this shortfall of RTPs, which is facing a massive challenge to meet the demand of key technical skill sets, essential for the substantial investments in telecoms for a new Wireless Infrastructure Strategy, the UK Science and Technology Framework by 2030 and the upcoming surge in wireless technological advancements, namely 5G, 6G, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Sat-Comms, cloud computing, augmented reality (AR), quantum computing, AI and big data.
Organisations
- Queen Mary University of London (Lead Research Organisation)
- ABERYSTWYTH UNIVERSITY (Collaboration)
- National Physical Laboratory (Collaboration)
- Keysight Technologies (Collaboration)
- Rohde & Schwarz UK Limited (Project Partner)
- University of Glasgow (Project Partner)
- Queen's University Belfast (Project Partner)
- University of Nottingham (Project Partner)
- uWaveEng Ltd (Project Partner)
- University of Kent (Project Partner)
- Keysight Technologies (International) (Project Partner)
- University of Ulster (Project Partner)
- Aberystwyth University (Project Partner)
- Heriot-Watt University (Project Partner)
- University of Birmingham (Project Partner)
- Loughborough University (Project Partner)
- ChaKana Solutions (Project Partner)
- Cardiff Metropolitan University (Project Partner)
- Next Phase Measurements LLC (Project Partner)
- Brunel University London (Project Partner)
- Royal College of Art (Project Partner)
- University of Leeds (Project Partner)
| Description | Skills development in spectrum technologies |
| Organisation | Aberystwyth University |
| Department | Department of Physics |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We will provide complementary test equipment to organise training events on antennas and propagation, and spectrum management. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Radio Spectrum Engineering research group of Aberystwyth University and the National Spectrum Centre (NSC) will provide a forum for early-stage research to execute test plans in indoor and outdoor environments through facilitating access to testing sites, and the provision of technical support. This collaborative initiative will foster and support research, innovation, and skills development in spectrum technologies to optimize the use of the radio spectrum. |
| Impact | This year we will be organising industry and workshop/training activities alongside the Radio Spectrum Engineering research group of Aberystwyth University and the National Spectrum Centre (NSC). The workshop activities are initially programmed for the third quarter of the current year. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Technology Company that specializes in electronic design and test solutions |
| Organisation | Keysight Technologies |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | We have provided our research testing facilities to accommodate different round of trainings on different topics |
| Collaborator Contribution | Keysight Technologies is a prominent company in the field of electronic design and test solutions. They provide the tools (both hardware and software) that engineers and scientists use to design, simulate, and test electronic devices and systems. Some examples of such instruments are signal analysers, programmable network analysers, and software for simulation and analysis. |
| Impact | They provide various forms of technical education, from training on specialized test and measurement equipment to software training that support the operational control on different application packages. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | Training and Knowledge Transfer for measurement standards, scientific research, and technology development |
| Organisation | National Physical Laboratory |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | We have strengthen our collaboration with The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) to have joint training and knowledge exchange activities. We have also shared our expertise not only on measurement techniques, but also from research outcomes. Engaging on mutual/collaborative efforts are important not only to improve calibration techniques and measurement accuracy, but also for the development of the Next-Generation Wireless Technologies RF devices. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has enabled a multi-disciplinary collaboration from RF engineering and Material Science to metrology measurements and electrical characterisation. They house cutting edge technology and they provide a good link between academic research and industry collaboration, in particular for future technologies in 6G, IoT and AI spectrum sensing technologies. |
| Impact | The collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has resulted in a variety of valuable outputs and outcomes, supporting access to test facilities, technical training and research in future telecom and digital technologies. They have a wide range of specialized training programs on RF metrology, antenna characterization, and 5G technologies. We have active collaboration with NPLs team and we have also used their anechoic chambers for research prototype testing to validate their operation following precision time-frequency measurement standards. |
| Start Year | 2024 |
| Description | EME Hub Training Module |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | We have delivered a lecture on software defined radios followed by a hands on workshop building radio jammers using SDRs. This was a condensed version of the Summer School activities described in a previous entry. The attendees were introduced to SDR concepts, and gained hands on experience building software for various reconfigurable radio jammers. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| Description | EME summer Hub |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | The event was organised and hosted a week-long summer school based on Electromagnetics and Software Defined Radio aimed at early career professionals working within the defence sector, as well as PhD students working on related research. Each morning consisted of a series of lectures, which were mainly focussed on teaching, covering topics such as EM regulations, Communication systems, Radar, Software defined radios, and Electromagnetics in Defence. In the afternoons, the attendees participated in a week-long hands-on practical in the style of a "hackathon", where they worked in groups to build communication jamming systems using software-defined radios, culminating in a competition and demonstration of their work. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| Description | ESA - Industry Space Days |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The Industry Space days is a valuable platform to foster cooperation, partnerships and business opportunities with various stakeholders, including businesses (especially small and medium-sized enterprises - SMEs), investors, and institutional partners. The event also includes 1-on-1 meetings, various exhibitions, keynotes speakers, and workshop |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
| URL | https://isd.esa.int/ |
| Description | Online Presence |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | We have establish a dedicated online portal to advertise and promote project activities, such as hands-on training for professionals, PG/UG students and other cross-functional users to participate in the training/educational sessions on cutting-edge devices used in the current and future wireless communications industry. The users come from diverse backgrounds not only to enhance existing skills, but also to learn new skills, so they transition to a different role or industry. This is an on-going activity which aims to deliver interactive, remote access to specialized hardware and software, so participants engage in practical exercises, simulations, and real-world scenarios. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2025 |
| URL | https://muscat.qmul.ac.uk/ |