Marie Curie Doctoral Research Fellow

About the role

With currently 3 billion people lacking access to broadband internet worldwide, European operators are struggling to fill the white areas with insufficient or non-existent connectivity. In light of the early promises of 6G wireless networks, it is tempting to consider non-terrestrial networks as complementary to the ground-based radio and fiber infrastructure. However, radio frequency-based satellite systems are nearing their capacity limits and cannot be scaled further. Free-space optical technology is a natural alternative to deliver greater capacity and to better address data security needs by leveraging quantum key distribution. The first optical intersatellite links are being deployed in commercial networks at relatively low data rate (10 Gbps). However, once the most important remaining research challenges are resolved, they could rapidly expand and serve as a catalyst for the development of a new communication backbone in the sky, consisting of aerial and space optical nodes at different altitudes.

The overarching aim of the FOCAL project is to train a new generation of highly qualified doctoral candidates in developing innovative aerial and space optical wireless technologies that will provide future telecommunication networks with ubiquitous connectivity, resilience, and quantum-proof security. In addition to contributing to the fundamental understanding and technical know-how of such networks through co-supervised individual research projects, FOCAL will train talented and innovative researchers with multidisciplinary expertise and skills that are desirable in this European industrial sector. This will be achieved through a combination of theoretical and hands-on research training provided by a unique consortium of 16 academic and 10 industrial partners from 8 countries, resulting in collaborative research including co-supervision and secondments, as well as transferable training skills, which is necessary for prosperous careers in this prominent R&I area.

More information on the project can be found on the following URL: cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101169042

The role is fixed term for a duration of 36 months.

The role of this position is to design adaptive transmission schemes based on Software Defined system architectures to develop a highly reconfigurable free space optics (FSO) network for inter-satellites (ISL) and satellite to optical ground station (OGS) links, offering hardware flexibility and reduced system size. Machine Learning-based methods will be developed to enable optimal link adaptability under varying channel conditions. Main Objectives include: 

• Channel modelling and adaptive signalling design for LEO-OGS or LEO ISLs to optimize link availability. 
• Proposing ML-based methods to enable link adaptability under varying channel/PE conditions.
• Investigating software defined-based platforms and software defined networking solutions to offer flexibility and reconfigurability for practical implementation of adaptive transmission techniques.
• Design of adaptive signalling techniques through adaptive modulation and coding for optimal performance under different channel conditions and addressing a wide range of channel coherence times.

The candidate will work closely with other DCs and industry partners including Airbus, Nokia, DLR, TESAT, TNO. Months of secondment will be spent with Archangel Lightworks (UK Oxford), University of Edinburgh (UK Edinburgh), and Ecole Centrale Mediterranee (France Marseille). A series of training sessions, conferences, and meetings will require the candidate to be able to work towards deadlines. The successful candidate may be sponsored for a work visa or a Global Talent visa, subject to individual eligibility and conditions.

Further information is available in the role description.

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