Title: Decoding of error correcting codes for IoT or URLLC applications
PhD supervisors: Karine AMIS (IMT Atlantique) – Emmanuel BOUTILLON (UBS)
Research Laboratory: LabSTICC, CNRS UMR 6285
Context:
The Internet of Things is ubiquitous in many fields, including healthcare, aviation, land, and maritime safety, and the environment. The short duration of IoT transmissions and the low cost of battery-powered transceivers impose significant system constraints. The use of low-Earth orbit satellites to provide global coverage and increase communication density further degrades reception quality. This is why the error-detection code (known by the acronym CRC, which stands for “Cyclic Redundancy Code”) is so important for verifying data integrity. Preliminary research [1,2] demonstrates how leveraging the CRC’s error-correcting capabilities would increase the message recovery rate. Further research [3] has demonstrated the potential of “Belief Propagation” decoding as an effective universal decoding algorithm for all block codes, and CRC codes in particular.
PhD project:
The Sat-AIS reception scheme developed in [1,2] is based on the application of an optimized syndrome-based CRC decoding method to a list of candidates provided by the demodulator. The results obtained with this decoder encourage us to continue in this direction to develop even more efficient CRC decoding algorithms.
The first research focus identified for this thesis project is the extension of the universal decoding strategy to the CRC code of Sat-AIS messages, with the aim of improving overall detection performance. This study will take into account constraints related to low complexity and power consumption so that the system can be practically deployed on a satellite’s payload.
The second area of research focuses on extending this study on AIS to the decoding (and potentially the construction) of short codes for other IoT standards (BLE, IEEE 802.15.4, LoRa).
Skills required of the candidate:
The ideal candidate is a student holding an engineering degree or a Master’s degree in research, with in-depth knowledge of mathematics, signal processing, algorithms/programming, and a minimum B2 level of English. Additional skills in digital communications are a plus.
Proficiency in a programming language (such as MATLAB, Python, or any equivalent) is required.
The candidate has strong oral and written communication skills and is proficient in reading and writing scientific documents. He or she is organized, curious, persistent, and motivated to conduct research.
References:
[1] L. Kanaan, K. Amis, F. Guilloud and R. Chauvat, « Efficient CRC Error Correction using List Decoders for CPM-Modulated IoT Frames, » 2025 IEEE 36th International Symposium on Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications (PIMRC), Istanbul, Turkiye, 2025, pp. 1-6, doi: 10.1109/PIMRC62392.2025.11275560.
[2] L. Kanaan, « Design of a Robust AIS Satellite Receiver for Use in a Dense Maritime Environment », PhD thesis, IMT Atlantique, Ecole Doctorale SPIN, defended on the 30/04/2026
[3] Y. Shen, Z. Li, Y. Ren, E. Boutillon, A. Balatsoukas-Stimming, C. Zhang, X. You, A. Burg, « Toward Universal Belief Propagation Decoding for Short Binary Block Codes, » in IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, vol. 43, no. 4, pp. 1135-1152, April 2025, doi: 10.1109/JSAC.2025.3536505.
Requested documents for application
Please send to karine.amis@imt-atlantique.fr and to emmanuel.boutillon@univ-ubs.fr
- An updated CV
- Motivations for this PhD position
- Official transcripts from the last three years of study
- Letters of recommendation and/or contact details of referees (lecturer, internship supervisor, technical manager…) who can recommend you for this position
