Advisors: E. Veronica Belmega (UGE, ESIEE Paris), Anne Savard (IMT Nord Europe)
Collaborators: Rodrigo C. de Lamare (PUC-Rio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Univ. of York, UK), Dinh-Thuy Phan Huy (Orange Chatillon)
1. Scientific context and objectives
The energy consumption of the Information and communication technologies (ICT) sector – the backbone of our modern and digital society – has become a global and major issue.
In this context, jointly with reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS), backscattering communications have attracted a lot of attention thanks to their ability to shape the wireless environment to increase network capacity in a sustainable manner [1-3,8,9]. Backscattering, as opposed to classical relaying, does not introduce additional electromagnetic waves, having thus zero added electromagnetic field exposure, and relies on low-cost and low-energy consumption devices (no RF active components), which can either send information by riding on the ambient RF signals or harvest their energy for operations.
In our prior work, we have derived the fundamental rate regions achievable in a multi-user non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) network assisted by a backscatter device and then optimized its energy efficiency under minimum quality of service constraints [4]. We have also investigated multiple backscatter devices assuming that they do not send any information, but are in full cooperative mode [5,6].
In this project, the main goal is to move towards multiple separate or joined backscattering devices, which form reflective intelligent surfaces (RIS), that can transmit their own information while enhancing the ambient wireless communications. Also, we will explicitly consider in our new models, and optimize, the harvesting capabilities of the backscattering/RIS devices. Thus, our main objectives are:
OBJ1. Derive the fundamental achievable Shannon rates in multi-user, multi-backscatter/RIS networks via information theory;
OBJ2. Develop efficient algorithms that jointly tune the transmit strategy (input covariance matrices, power allocation over the users and carriers) and the backscattering/RIS strategy (reflection coefficients, energy harvesting) via machine learning and optimization.
Two types of contributions are targeted within the two objectives: i) fundamental: derivation of information theoretical achievable Shannon rates when they are not readily available; ii) algorithmic: design of efficient optimization algorithms to tune the transmission strategies jointly with that of the backscattering/RIS devices. The obtained results will be published in top-tier international journals (IEEE Trans. on Wireless Commun, IEEE Trans. on Signal Processing, IEEE Trans. on Green Commun. and Networking) and international conferences (IEEE ICC, IEEE GLOBECOM, etc).
2. Funding, duration, salary
The 18 month post-doctoral research project is funded within the PEPR 5G project on the « Development of advanced technologies for 5G and future networks” and within the JEN scope – “Just Enough Networks”. The candidate will receive a gross salary depending on their prior experience: for example a candidate having less than 3 years of experience after the PhD diploma will receive around 2875 euro gross per month. The postdoc duration can be further extended beyond the 18 months.
The PEPR 5G project budget includes further research related expenses such as: participation to international conferences, short mobilities, publication fees, laptop, etc.
3. How to apply ?
a. Applicant requirements
The applicants should hold a PhD degree (BAC+8) and have a strong background in either electrical engineering (with a focus on telecommunications and/or signal processing) or applied mathematics. A good English level in writing, reading and speaking is also required. Finally, having a strong mathematical background (analysis, probability and statistics, optimization, machine learning, etc.) and/or computer literacy skills (Python, C++, MatLab, etc.) is a definite plus.
b. Applications: will be received via the online application form below until the position is suitably filled.
NB: no applications will be received via email.
The application dossier should include: a short motivation letter (1 page max), an academic oriented CV (5 pages max), the PhD diploma (or proof of), the academic track records for the M.Sc. and B.Sc. (post-BAC) including rankings, Master diploma or equivalent, and two relevant reference letters.
Online application form: https://forms.gle/aukMHT3pzk4M4EjcA
Contact: anne.savard@imt-nord-europe.fr
c. Starting date: as soon as possible for a duration of 18 months, which can be further extended.
