‘Advances in mm-wave wireless links’

Professor Stuart D. Walker, School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, University of Essex

Abstract

The mm-wave spectrum between 24 GHz and 90 GHz has long been attractive for line-of-sight (LoS), high-capacity, wireless communications because of the wide channel bandwidth available. Recent events such as the European Commission’s large-scale funding of 5th Generation wireless research, a.k.a. “5G” , ratification of the IEEE802.11ad standard and OFCOM’s recognition of the higher-frequency bands have now served to galvanize industrial and academic interest.

However, non-line-of-sight (NLoS) links are still problematic and non-waveguide based technology is still emerging. Furthermore, commercially-available chips are, in reality, not in plentiful supply and generally require complex additional circuitry if USB3.0, GbE or HDMI interfaces are to be used.

This seminar will review the technical and regulatory background to mm-wave wireless systems and describe some of the more recent commercial developments. Some examples of the research work at the University of Essex will then be presented. Finally, a selection of current issues, including possible solutions to the NLoS problem, will be discussed.

Bio

Stuart D. Walker was born in Dover, U.K in 1952. He received the B.Sc. (Hons) degree in physics from Manchester University, Manchester, U.K., in 1973, the M.Sc. degree in telecommunications systems and Ph.D. degree in electronics from Essex University, Colchester, U.K., in 1975 and 1981 respectively. From 1981-82, he was a post-doctoral research assistant at Essex University. From 1982-87, he was a research scientist at BT Research Lab, and from 1987-88 he was promoted to Group Leader of Submarine Systems Design. He joined Essex University in 1988 as a Senior Lecturer, and was promoted to Reader in 2002 and to Full Professor in 2004. At Essex University, he manages a laboratory concerned with all aspects of Access Networks. Prof. Walker been involved in many EPSRC and European Union research projects over the years, recent examples being: e-Photon-I and II, BONE, MUSE-I and II, UROOF, STRONGEST, FIVER, OASE and SODALES. He has published over 250 peer-reviewed journal and conference papers and holds 4 patents. He has served as a reviewer for IET, IEEE, IOP and OSA Journals, as well as Dutch, Polish, American Government and UK EPSRC research proposals. His current work on EPSRC and EU H2020 projects such as NIRVANA, iCIRRUS and CHARISMA has kept him closely in touch with photonic and wireless system developments.