Enhancing Networks and Wireless Research at Loughborough University's Communications Research Group - A Case for Platform Grant Support
Lead Research Organisation:
Loughborough University
Department Name: Electronic, Electrical & Systems Enginee
Abstract
Loughborough University's Communications Research Group has developed an international reputation in the fields of networks and wireless technologies. To enhance our operations, three of the group's senior members are seeking a Platform Grant to fund four leading researchers in advanced research at particular boundaries of our current activities. The aim of this Platform Grant is to underpin and enhance the long term strategic development of the Communications Research Group through:* retention of key researchers in the group to help sustain our critical mass of expertise.* deployment of resources to undertake opportunistic feasibility studies that will generate future cross-disciplinary research.* establishment of a number of international strategic alliances developed from study tours by key academic staff.* strengthening of collaboration activity and awareness between staff within the Communications Research Group.Our group undertakes research programmes across a broad agenda within the larger context of analogue and digital electronic communications research. We believe an amalgamation and extension of key areas will produce significantly beneficial synergies for both the wider communications community and the Communications Research Group itself. One example may be perceived in opportunities with our activities in microwave antenna design and in communication network performance measurement. These two internationally recognised activities are not currently integrated in a research sense and each is supported by its own specialist research staff. By linking and relating our experimental measurement technology for microwaves and communication networks, we could resolve invaluable questions on minimising the microwave radiation exposure to an individual when, for example, watching a video at a given quality. This submission will support three specific areas for exploratory investigation. In addition to measurement research, our activities in the areas of network abuse detection and signal processing offer significant prospects for collaborative exploration. We are also uniquely placed to further our metamaterials research by applying it to efficient mobile antennas in order to limit human interaction impact on broadband wireless service quality.By strengthening collaboration internally and externally to the group, we see a timely opportunity to challenge and stimulate our leading research staff in support of the next generation of communications research. We view the establishment of these new research activities as extremely valuable to the emerging high performance mobile computing community. We therefore propose to investigate these new ideas to maximise the effectiveness of our research portfolio, which in turn will lead to technology transfers direct to regulatory bodies, equipment developers and the network security industry.
Organisations
Publications
Angrisani L
(2011)
Experimental assessment of the effects of cross-traffic on Wi-Fi video streaming
in Measurement
Angrisani L
(2010)
An experimental analysis of the effects of noise on Wi-Fi video streaming
Kontogeorgos A
(2009)
Plasma generation in silicon-based inductive grid arrays
in Optics and Lasers in Engineering
Kyriakopoulos K
(2010)
Applying wavelets for the controlled compression of communication network measurements
in IET Communications
Whittow W
(2008)
The Energy Absorbed in the Human Head Due to Ring-Type Jewelry and Face-Illuminating Mobile Phones Using a Dipole and a Realistic Source
in IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation
Whittow W
(2009)
Effects of averaging procedures for electrical properties at the interface of dissimilar tissues in the human head with finite-difference time-domain modelling
in IET Science, Measurement & Technology
Description | This Platform Grant investigated three areas: Cross-Layer Measurement This work investigated how multiple and cross-layer measurement could be undertaken on hybrid networks. These are networks which include wired and wireless subnets and the measurements taken on such networks can be used to understand issues such as protocol problems and interactions. The work concentrated on how such measurements can be made repeatably and reliably and used this to understand the impact of noise signals present at the transmitter and receiver ends of a WiFi connection carrying video signals. A key aspect of this work was its collaboration which occured mainly wit a leading measurment group at Naples, Italy. Signal Processing for Security This section of the research investigated algorithms for use in identifying attacks on communication networks. It used the cross-layer work described above as a data source and identified potential fusion algorithms of use in anomaly detection systems. Metamaterials This part of the project investigated how advanced antenna designs can be realised for difficult applications by using materials with unusual electrical properties. |
Exploitation Route | The results of the work would influence standards bodies and, in the case of the metamerials work, may eventually influence such diverse areas as fashion design by providing wearable antennas which can be made as part of a garment. The cross-layer measurement work would be exploitable by radio network equipment manufacturers. The security aspects would be relevant to network security organisations. The results could improve the performance of network attack detection systems. The metamaterals work would enable antennas to be designed for difficult environments such as on the body, or embedded into garments. |
Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Electronics Retail Security and Diplomacy |
URL | http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/el/research/communications/networks/enhancingw2networks.html#tab=abstract |
Description | Results from the research programme have been incorporated into teaching materials used on M.Sc and M.Eng. programmes to show students how measurements can be collected from wireless networks. |
First Year Of Impact | 2010 |
Sector | Education |
Impact Types | Policy & public services |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £175,351 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/H005005/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | EPSRC |
Amount | £175,351 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/H005005/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start |
Description | Exchange visits with Universities in Naples |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Participants in your research and patient groups |
Results and Impact | Papers. Membership of Conference organisation committees Exchange of Ph.D students More positive industry interest in working with partnership |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010,2012,2013,2014 |
Description | IISc. |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Participants in your research and patient groups |
Results and Impact | Exchange talks and visits Collaborative research work. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009,2010,2011 |