MARCY, N.Y. — SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s Arjun Singh, an electrical and computer engineering professor, was recently awarded two grants totaling $150,000 from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Mid-Atlantic HUB and the National Science Foundation (NSF).
He will use the grants for advanced research in next-generation wireless communication technologies and support a national-workshop on cutting-edge wireless systems, according to a news release from SUNY Poly.
Singh, in collaboration with fellow faculty member Priyangshu Sen, was awarded $100,000 in the AFRL Mid-Atlantic HUB Phase 1 for their work on commercializing intelligent reflecting surfaces in extreme environments. The research focuses on the development of novel devices operating at terahertz (THz) frequencies, aiming to significantly improve the reliability of wireless communications in both industrial and defense sectors.
“Our work with intelligent reflecting surfaces at THz frequencies is poised to revolutionize wireless communication systems, enabling highly reliable links even in harsh conditions,” Singh contended. “This research is a significant step toward the future of wireless communications with immense potential for both commercial and defense applications.”
The project is part of SUNY Poly’s Wireless and Intelligent Next Generation Systems (WINGS) research center, where Singh serves as director. The team will utilize the advanced communication and electronics sensing (ACES) testbed at SUNY Poly, as well as the advanced terahertz communications testbed at the Innovare Advancement Center in Rome.
Singh also secured a $50,000 grant from NSF to organize a national workshop at SUNY Poly to bring together top researchers from across the country to explore the future of wireless communication, focusing on how wavefront engineering techniques can unlock the potential of 6G and beyond.
The workshop will address key challenges in wireless systems, and participants will discuss the integration of exotic wavefronts into next-generation wireless networks.
“Our goal is to foster collaboration between leading experts in electromagnetics, communications, and AI/ML (artificial intelligence/machine learning) to push the boundaries of wireless technologies,” Singh said. “The insights from this conference will guide the development of future wireless standards and create a roadmap for scientific exploration in this emerging field.”