MSc thesis work: Characterization of radar cross section for 6G radio communications and radar...

The Department of Electronics and Nanoengineering conducts research and arranges related courses in the field of electromagnetics, micro and nanotechnology, radio engineering, and space technology featuring an international team of over 150 Researchers and Research Assistants. The Department is part of the Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering (Aalto ELEC) with world-class research facilities and instruments.

The Antennas and Propagation group of Aalto University School of Electrical Engineering is looking for a

Master’s thesis worker to implement experimental and numerical methods for characterizing radar cross sections needed in 6G communications and radar systems

Job description
The fifth-generation (5G) cellular wireless has started its roll out in many countries. Now research on future generation radio communications started to aim at defining sixth-generation (6G) technical features, applications and ecosystems. One of the most distinguishing features of 6G radios is the more aggressive use of millimeter-wave bands;  the deployments are presently limited to lower millimeter-wave frequencies.  Due to the availability of wider bandwidth, the higher end of millimeter-wave frequencies, i.e., above-100 GHz, gains attention in the research community. Within the community a common question about the use of above-100 GHz radios is, “is it even possible to deliver power from a base station to a mobile station in cellular settings, given the significant link blockage and diffraction losses?” The work in this position addresses this question in terms of electromagnetic field scattering. Numerical and experimental approaches are sought, hoping to create a mathematical model that describes electromagnetic-wave scattering from typical objects found in cellular sites. Such a model also has strong relevance to radar systems operating in above-100 GHz band for safety and security applications.

Our group is building a channel sounder at 140 GHz radio frequency for characterization of material-wave interaction. The sounder is used as a monostatic and a bistatic radar system, in order to observe scattered fields from objects and to derive their radar cross sections. In parallel, the radar cross sections are studied through full-wave electromagnetic simulations. The numerical simulation results are validated with the experiments, to show the efficacy of the simulation-based approach. The chosen candidate is expected to accomplish the following tasks:

1.    Using the 140 GHz channel sounder, including assembly of instruments and microwave components, acquisition of scattering parameters with best possible signal-to-noise ratio, and performing radar measurements;
2.    Establishing a simulation framework in a full-wave solver such as CST Studio for electromagnetic scattering from an object, and verifying simulation results through comparison with measurements;
3.    Determining the radar cross section for various objects, e.g., human body, cars and trees, to develop their mathematical model describing, e.g., dimension dependency; and finally
4.    Writing a scientific report about the realized simulation framework, measurement results and the mathematical model of the radar cross section.

The study will be performed in close collaboration with a doctoral student who operates the channel sounder and leads millimeter-wave measurements. The candidate is expected to communicate with international academic institutions and wireless industry committed to the development of 6G radio systems.

Research group
Associate Professor Katsuyuki Haneda leads the Antennas and propagation research group , which has been involved into several EU FP7 and Horizon 2020 projects about 5G-and-beyond physical layer studies and hence is known internationally to scientific and industrial research communities. Applications of the developed knowledge and experimental facilities about 5G-and-beyond cellular to industries are one of the key research missions of the group.

Requirements
Basic knowledge of electromagnetic field, as well as experience of electromagnetic field simulations, is necessary. It is advantageous if the applicant also has the following knowledge and skills:
•    Experience in characterizing antennas and microwave components, using e.g., network analyzer, spectrum analyzer and signal generator.
•    Experience in simulating electromagnetic-wave propagation using numerical tools such as CST Studio and MATLAB.
•    Basic knowledge of 5G radio communications and radar systems.

Only students studying for a master’s degree can apply for this position. Applicants who already have a master’s degree are not eligible.

Salary and contract
This position will be filled up to six (6) months. A full-time work contract is granted if the candidate has finished all the other master level courses, while a part-time work is granted if the candidate needs to attend other courses in parallel to this employment. The salary follows the standard salary level of research assistants in the School of Electrical Engineering, based on the acquired study credits. We prefer that the work starts in September at the latest.

How to apply
Please submit your application through our recruiting system and include the following documents as one pdf package in English:
•    Course transcripts of master’s study
•    Curriculum Vitae
Deadline for applications is July 31, 2021 but we will start reviewing candidates immediately upon receiving new application documents.

More Information
For additional information, please contact Associate Professor Katsuyuki Haneda, katsuyuki.haneda(at)aalto.fi.

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