Postgraduate Studentships
Proposed Project Title: Wireless Channel Characteristics of Dynamic Intelligent Transportation Systems
Principal Supervisor: Dr Simon Cotton

Project Description:

Increasing numbers of road users, congestion, rising fuel and road tax costs will mean that a new generation of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) are required which will improve road safety, traffic management and introduce a fair pricing for road usage. Recent years have already seen significant interest generated towards the study of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-roadside (V2R) communications, e.g. dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) for use in ITS. Due to the vast number of road users and the dynamic nature of traffic, the topology of these networks can change dramatically in short spaces of time, meaning that they are extremely complex to set up and manage.

Central to the design of robust hardware and protocols optimised for ITS will be an understanding of the wireless channel characteristics for these systems. Using both field measurements and simulation, this PhD study will investigate the wireless channel for ITS under realistic operating conditions ranging from dense urban and city centre environments through to more spatial, higher velocity highway/motorway scenarios. It is anticipated that the outcomes of the project will make strong contributions to physical layer communications for ITS and beyond.

Objectives:

The main objectives of this research are:

• To investigate emerging technologies for Intelligent Transportation Systems.
• To develop a new measurement test bed to characterise various aspects of the V2V and V2R channels.
• To determine the impact of mobility and varying traffic densities on these emerging communications channels
• To evaluate existing channel models for ITS, identify deficiencies and develop new channel models
• To disseminate research findings at top national and international conferences, and publish in leading IET/IEEE journals.

Academic Requirements:

A minimum 2.1 honours degree or equivalent in Electrical and Electronic Engineering or relevant degree is required.

GENERAL INFORMATION

This 3 year PhD studentship, potentially funded by the Department for Employment and Learning (DEL), commences on 1 October 2015.

Eligibility for both fees and maintenance (£13,863 in 2014/15, 2015/16 TBC) depends on the applicants being either an ordinary UK resident or those EU residents who have lived permanently in the UK for the 3 years immediately preceding the start of the studentship. Non UK residents who hold EU residency may also apply but if successful may receive fees only.

Applicants should apply electronically through the Queen’s online application portal at:
https://dap.qub.ac.uk/portal/

Further information available at:
http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/eeecs/StudyattheSchool/PhDProgrammes/

Contact details:

Supervisor Name: Dr Simon Cotton                                         

QUB Address:

01/54 ECIT
The Institute of Electronics, Communications and IT (ECIT)
Queen’s University Belfast
NI Science Park
Queen’s Road
Queen’s Island
Belfast
BT3 9DT                                                             

Tel: 028 9097 1749
Email: simon.cotton<στο>qub.ac.uk
Web: http://www.eeecs.qub.ac.uk/wcl/

Deadline for submission of applications is 27 February 2015

For further information on Research Area click on link below:
http://www.eeecs.qub.ac.uk/wcl/