PhD position - Applications of Visible Light Communications (VLC) to the IIoT

The focus of the PhD consists in proposing, designing and validating applications of Visual Light. As the existing RF spectrum becomes more crowded, new frequency bands are needed. mmWave is the next band to explore but light (visible and non-visible) can offer even higher bit rates using different transmitter and receiver technologies. Light based communications, in addition to the data rate improvement are more suitable for industrial scenarios since they are no prone to RF interference and are easier to confine avoiding leaking information and being jammed. Light Communications feasible and valuable for Industrial IoT environments. The PhD will investigate on energy-efficiency technologies and the use of hybrid VLC-RF solutions to improve indoor positioning.

The selected candidate will carry out a PhD at the Mobile Wireless Internet group in i2CAT, Barcelona. The topic of the PhD is “Applications of Visible Light Communications (VLC) to the IIoT” and is funded by the ITN MSCA H2020 project 5GSmartFact (webpage-TBD). The selected candidate will be part of a network of 14 Early-Stage Researchers (ESR) funded by the project, benefiting from multiple training and research activities.

The objectives of the PhD include:

• Design, implementation and validation of energy self-sufficient VLC IoT motes tailored for industrial environments
• Design, implementation and validation of VLC-only and hybrid RF-VLC prototypes.
• Design of energy-efficient and harvesting solutions.
• Development of cm-level tracking and positioning algorithms that use VLC emitting devices as reference markers in a 3D environment.
• Development of positioning solution that can be used in dark spaces based on Time Difference Of Arrival (TDOA). This solution is able to work with photodiodes instead of cameras and provide location even without line of sight. This solution is going to be compared with mmWave based solution
• Study and implement precise synchronization system needed to implement scalable and precise TDOA
• Characterization of mmWave technology to achieve high precision localization through AoA and ToF in industrial environments.
• Algorithms to fuse localization data coming from RF and VLC systems, robust to non-LoS situations, that will be used for assisting robot navigation, and tools tracking.

The expected outcomes of the PhD include:

• The design and validation of two energy self-sufficient VLC IoT motes, including one RF-VLC hybrid mote, where VLC is used to wake up the device but communication is done using an RF modem, and one pure VLC where both wake-up and communications are done using VLC. Devices using photovoltaic panels will be used to harvest energy and receive downlink data.
• Demonstration of cm-level tracking positioning solutions using VLC emitting devices.
• Demonstration of positioning mechanisms based on hybridation of RF and VLC applied to industrial environments
• Publications in top-tier conferences and journals.
• Patents in collaboration with the industrial advisors.

As part of the PhD the selected candidate will take part in two secondments of 9 months each, where the student will develop complementary research also focusing on fusion of VLC with mm-Wave-based positioning. Secondments will be hosted by BOSCH in Germany, and ING in Portugal.

The student will be enrolled in the Doctoral degree(s): UPC doctoral programme “Network Engineering”.

Supervisors at I2CAT will be: Dr. Josep Paradells Aspas (I2CAT) and Dr. Marisa Catalan Cid (i2CAT) 

Supervisor at BOSCH: Dr. Andreas Muller

Supervisor at ING: Dr. Micael Couceiro

In addition to this platform, please submit your application also through the project website (https://5gsmartfact.upc.edu/job-offers), following the instructions there.

Who we are:

i2CAT Foundation is a non-profit research and innovation centre that promotes mission oriented R&D activities on advanced Internet architectures, applications and services. The centre stands for a new open innovation framework, fostering the collaboration between companies, public administration, the academic environment and end-users.

i2CAT's activities span the areas of Research, playing a key role in the EU Framework Program for Research and Innovation; Strategic Projects, leading local initiatives that strengthen the digital policies of public administration, and Technology Transfer, fostering R&D collaboration with companies to develop innovative market-oriented solutions.

Want to know more? Visit our webpage!

What do we offer:

- You will be part of a multicultural team. We have a fun loving and friendly international work environment.
- Be in contact and work with cutting-edge technology
- Work in challenging R&D projects
- Flexible working schedule - We know you have a life outside of work and we will work with you to make sure it's kept that way
- Fridays afternoon off
- Intensive work schedule in July & August
- Home-office option
- Open space office in Barcelona
- Discounted Gym-access
- 25 vacation days per year
- Casual dress code
- Let us know which trainings you need
- You will have the opportunity to attend tech conferences and events.

The i2CAT Foundation seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and, therefore explicitly, encourages women to apply.

The i2CAT Foundation seeks to increase the number of persons with disabilities among its workforce, and therefore explicitly encourages this collective to apply.