Tampere Wireless Research Center (TWRC)

In the field of wireless communications, we have several focal research themes which are shortly described on this site.

We study and develop optimized physical (PHY) layer, medium access control (MAC) layer and networking layer methods and protocols for different radio access networks, with a specific emphasis on 5G and 6G mobile communications. Radio network planning and optimization is also one essential expertise area. All these aim to meet the increasing requirements in terms of peak data-rates, latency, capacity and number of supported devices, while taking also the sustainable energy consumption into account in a modern society. ​

In this research area, we study networks of tiny embedded computing devices, based on nanomaterials such as graphene or metamaterials, as well as biomaterials, having scales ranging from one to a few hundred nanometers, called nanothings. We study and develop methods to enable such nanothings to cooperatively perform sensing, actuation, processing, and networking. One key application area is the so-called Augmented Human, where networked nanomachines are used to complement basic human senses or facilitate highly personalized health-care and wellbeing.​

In the positioning and sensing/radar research area, we seek to develop not only high-efficiency positioning algorithms for various use-cases through sophisticated data fusion and signal processing solutions, but also location-aware methods utilizing the positioning information in order to enhance the network functionalities by means of proactive radio resource management and location-based beamforming, for instance. ​

We also study and develop new radar and other radio-based sensing technologies, with applications in commercial and defense/security domains. New waveforms and signal processing solutions in time, frequency and spatial domains are studied, developed and demonstrated. We also study and develop the concept of RF convergence or multi-functional RF systems, where radar and radio communication functionalities are merged to same frequencies and/or hardware platforms. ​

In this area, we develop new radio transmitter and receiver architectures and related signal processing solutions for efficient interfacing between the antennas and the digital baseband in communication, positioning and sensing devices. We also develop methods to model and digitally correct different imperfections of RF components, antennas and data converters, with digital predistortion (DPD) being one good example. We also design, fabricate and measure new radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs) for communications and sensing systems, while also develop new energy- and hardware-efficient embedded computing solutions. ​

Our research focuses both on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and emerging Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) algorithms, signal and constellation optimization, as well as positioning receiver signal processing and hardware implementation. This includes also resilience against jamming and spoofing. This research area is part of larger activities in space technology and space economy at TAU and on national level.

Within UAV communications research theme, we study the radio connectivity of UAVs with specific emphasis on getting the UAVs and other flying objects connected to the mobile networks. The work covers optimizing the radio access methods, radio protocols as well as networks deployments to simultaneously serve both UAVs as well as the more ordinary devices on the ground through the same network. Additionally, the use of UAVs as flying base-stations is studied. Finally we also study communication and sensing methods for dense drone swarms. ​

Wireless for verticals research theme adopts and tailors the latest wireless technologies for the benefit of different vertical industries, such as future factories, future harbours and smart energy distribution networks (smart grids). This is the best breed of wireless Industrial Internet, covering also vertical industries related radio positioning and radio sensing solutions. Concrete examples include, e.g., remote control of harbour cranes through private 5G networks, or highly accurate positioning and tracking of moving autonomous robots in future factories.