Job Description

As part of the Cognitive Satellite Radios (CogSat) research project funded by the SmartSat CRC, we are looking for a Ph.D. candidate to work on the application of cognitive radio techniques to hybrid satellite/terrestrial communication networks.

The candidate will be based in the School of Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. This is a 3-year fully funded Ph.D. Scholarship (A$35,000 per year), and it is open to both domestic and international candidates.

Project Details:

Cognitive radio networks are wireless networks in which there are two classes of users, called primary users and secondary users. Transmission may occur in a geographic area over a set of available channels. Primary users may transmit on assigned channels at any time. Secondary users monitor the radio spectrum and determine which channels have no primary user transmission. Secondary users transmit over available channels. In this way, the radio spectrum, which is a valuable resource, is more efficiently utilized.

For efficient operation, the entire radio spectrum in a geographic region is monitored using receiving stations. The radio signal power at each location for each channel is estimated using received power observations from a finite set of receiving stations. The Radio Environment Map (REM) information, which is continuously updated, is stored, and distributed to secondary users. The REM information enables the secondary users to make channel selection decisions such that the interference from secondary users to primary users is bounded to an acceptable level.

In past applications to terrestrial networks, REM has been successfully used to provide efficient spectrum utilization by cognitive radio networks. In this project, the application of the REM will be extended to three spatial dimensions to apply to hybrid satellite/terrestrial networks. An objective of this project is the development of techniques for REM creation and the determination of the accuracy of the power estimates. A second objective is the creation of technology for cognitive radio networks with increased security and resilience to unauthorized access. The work will provide significant advances in bandwidth and power efficiencies and security of cognitive radio networks.

To apply, in the first instance please email A/Prof Ediz Cetin (ediz.cetin@mq.edu.au) with your CV and a cover letter.

Macquarie University Ph.D. entry requirements and application process can be found at https://www.mq.edu.au/research/phd-and-research-degrees/explore-research-degrees/doctor-of-philosophy

Follow @eurasip