In the coming decade, we anticipate the emergence of massively connected networks of billions of devices, leading to unprecedented exponential growth in data rates and in the number of wireless users. The applications include 5G/6G, the Internet of Things, unmanned aerial vehicles, virtual reality, and WiFi imaging. The current approach is to exploit newer frequency bands (mmWave and THz) and multi-antenna structures. However, for various reasons, these solutions fall short of their intended goals.

Alireza Vahid, assistant professor of electrical engineering at CU Denver, has received two National Science Foundation grants as principal investigator for his new solutions to the ever-increasing challenges of the wireless networks. Vahid’s unique approach is to jointly design the theory and the radio frequency hardware. This allows for a more efficient integration of algorithms, reduces overhead, and enables new innovative protocols.

The first grant is through the Spectrum and Wireless Innovation enabled by Future Technologies (SWIFT) program, where new algorithms and antenna will be developed to separate desired signals from the interference in a high-dimensional space in a time- and energy-efficient manner. The second grant is through the Computer and Network Systems core program, where Vahid will incorporate reconfigurable intelligent surfaces in wireless networks to enhance channel statistics, coverage, and spectrum efficiency.

Vahid is an expert in information theory, coding theory, and theory of communications. He has received the Best PhD Thesis Award from Cornell University, Qualcomm Innovation Fellowship, and the Lab Venture Challenge Award.