Communication Technologies Projects

The main objective of this research project is to design next generation wireless communication and network architectures and systems. Our academics have wide expertise in wireless communications, physical layer communications, energy harvesting, networking, information-centric networking, optical networks, multimedia communications, machine learning for communications, channel coding, computer security, privacy, signal processing, and applied mathematics.

Considerable efforts have been expended on investigating how health conditions can be monitored with wireless telemetry. Several physiological parameters (glucose level, blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, etc.) might be observed as precursors to continuous monitoring. For these telemetry systems, antennas play a critical role in the communication between the implant and the main controller (base station). In particular, implant antennas could be used with a biosensor and an interface circuit. Such a circuit could contain a transceiver, a microprocessor, power supply, operational amplifier and mode-switching components. Subsequently, the data could be transmitted to the main controller by using an implantable antenna. Exterior monitoring would then be provided using an external wearable device or personal computer placed close to the patient.

The rapid growth in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the power of the Internet have continued to make a strong impact on the service delivery models of today’s global digital environment, such as e-learning, e-government, e-commerce, e-health, e-business, e-banking, etc. In accordance, it is a crucial research objective to implement e-learning technologies in the education sector to improve the quality of content. In addition, E-health technology applications such as Hospital Information Systems (HIS), Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system, internet-based telemedicine, and m-health are essential tools of information technology that improve the quality of healthcare delivery, increase patient safety, and reduce healthcare costs

Our labs are managed by an experienced and dedicated team of academic staff who can assist students with the most practical aspects of the curriculum. The computers run either Windows 7 or are dual boot with Linux. Various software is common to both systems (e.g. Java, Prolog, C++, Perl, Mysql, Matlab, DB2), but there is also platform-specific software such as Microsoft Office, Visual Studio and Project. We also provide Linux systems for remote connection through either a secure shell (SSH) connection or via a remote Xsession (a Windows-like graphical interface). There is also specialized software installed such as computer-aided design tools and computer networks (VPI Transmission Maker and OPNET). Commercial software used in the laboratory includes ADS, HFSS, TLM, and Microwave Studio.

Our Access Networks Laboratory has state-of-the-art wireless and system measurement tools. These include a 10GHz desktop RF spectrum analyzer, 4G software defined radio base station and fiber optic transmission system.

Topics we are researching are:

1- Optical-Wireless communication systems, 4G and 5G communication systems, physical layer design and analysis, multi-band communication, distribution techniques of radio signals over optical access networks, and cost and energy efficient optical network architecture design.
2- Research topics on miniaturized antenna design for multi-band communication systems, biocompatible and miniaturized implant antenna design and analysis for continuous health monitoring systems.
3- Research topics on the implementations of Information Technologies for higher education and health systems in developing countries and form theoretical frameworks.

Prof. Dr. Mehmet Toycan (Director), Asst. Prof. Dr. Devrim Seral (Research Staff), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Öztoprak (Research Staff) and Dr. Ademola Kaka (Research Staff). In addition, there are currently 1 research assistant and 5 PhD students who are currently working in the laboratory.