In the faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science of the University of Twente, we are starting the WALNUT project (Wireless Ad-hoc Links using robust Noise-based Ultra-wideband Transmission).
Research project description
Wireless sensor networks are seen as a key enabling technology for creating the "internet of things", which can support numerous new applications in for instance health care, logistics, and agriculture. The nodes in such a network should consume only very low power, so that they either have very long battery lifetimes, or can even operate without batteries, through energy harvesting. This is particularly challenging because of the radio links between the nodes, which have to be maintained in interference-rich environments with harsh propagation conditions.
The aim of the WALNUT project is to develop new techniques for establishing robust radio links in wireless sensor networks that operate in an extremely crowded radio spectrum, at very low power. These techniques are based on transmitted-reference modulation using wideband noise carriers, implemented in novel CMOS chips, and combined with dedicated medium access mechanisms and network protocols.In the project we work in a cross-disciplinary way, with three PhD students in three neighboring but distinct fields: physical layer aspects, communication protocols, and the low-power IC design of the radio transceiver.
Our offer
We offer a contract for four years. The extent of each position is a maximum of 38 hours per week (1 fte) according to the Dutch university rules. The monthly salary of a PhD student, in accordance with the collective labor agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU), ranges from EURO 2042 gross in the first year to EURO 2612 gross in the fourth year. Additionally, the University of Twente provides excellent facilities for professional and personal development, a holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus, and a number of additional benefits.
Your main responsibility will be to carry out research, but you will be given the opportunity to acquire some teaching experience. We offer our PhD students the opportunity to broaden their knowledge by joining international exchange programs, by participating in national and international conferences and workshops, and by visiting other research institutes and universities worldwide.
PHD Physical Layer Aspects of Noise-based transmitted-reference Modulation
