Objective
The objective of the Vodafone Chair Mobile Communications Systems at the TU Dresden is to carry out leading-edge research which adds to the
advancement of wireless communications technology, by working on industry relevant problems related to next generation wireless systems. Thorough
fundamental research as well as close industry cooperation are key to the success of our projects. Wireless/mobile communications is mainly driven by
three branches of industry, namely
- network operators,
- equipment manufacturers and
- semiconductor manufacturers
with each branch having a different view on problems and solutions. It is highly important that each of these different viewpoints is addressed in
the research work, to ensure that the results have practical relevance and significance. The Vodafone Chair therefore welcomes industry contacts and
partnerships to help meet this objective.
The chair's current focus lies on physical layer research, with a special emphasis on wireless radio network problems (wireless networks capacity),
wireless modems (baseband algorithms), RF imperfections ("Dirty RF"), and IC implementation architectures. Of particular interest are problems and
solutions which are found in a tradeoff between these focus areas. Chair projects shall also enable researchers to start-up their own company after
obtaining their degree, based on the work performed at the chair.
The chair was founded in September 1994 by an endowment of Mannesmann Mobilfunk GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany. After the acquisition of Mannesmann Mobilfunk
by Vodafone Group Ltd. in 2000, the chair changed its name to Vodafone Chair. We would like to thank Vodafone not only for its continuing commitment,
but also for providing valuable technical and business insight during our repeated
interactions.
Approach
The goal of research lies in providing solutions for challenges in the design of next generation mobile communications systems. By carrying out high-end research
on physical layer systems as well as hardware architectures, the chair closes the gap between baseband algorithms and hardware (RF and IC) implementation issues.
Advanced software engineering tools together with highly-developed methodologies are enabling capabilities to realize integrated solutions for our partners.
The topics addressed by the system level group range from network deployment, sectorization and power control, to strategies for efficient coordinated multi-point (CoMP)
communication and scheduling. New concepts and algorithms developed in this group will improve spectrum and energy efficiency as well as network capacities for radio
transmission.
The algorithms and coding group specializes in study of the impairments of RF-hardware and the corresponding baseband compensation algorithms, as well as novel error
correcting coding techniques.
The hardware and tools group focuses on architectures for modem signal processing. Ongoing research comprises heterogeneous multi-processor SoCs,
including programming paradigms, load distribution strategies, system interconnect and programmable system components.
In addition to this, the design methodology and tool framework dedicated to design, implementation and exploration of low-power, flexible, high-performance SoCs is developed.
The Team:
- 1 Vodafone Chair Professor
- 5 Senior Scientists (lecturers)
- 2 Project Managers
- 2 Secretaries
- 4 Sys/Lab-Admin
- 31 PhD Students
- 15+ Masters Students
Accomplishments:
- Scientific
- 44 Ph.D. Graduates
- 175+ Master Graduates
- 500 publications
- 40+ patents
- 40+ research projects
- Startups
-
Systemonic AG, now NXP, founded 1999 and successfully acquired by Philips Semiconductors in 2002. Product: Broadcast chipsets.
- Radioplan GmbH, now Actix Ltd. (www.actix.com),
founded 2000 and acquired by Actix in 2006. Product: Network planning and optimization tools for cellular systems.
- Signalion GmbH (www.signalion.com) founded 2003.
Signalion offers LTE test mobiles for FDD and TDD.
- In-Circuit GmbH (www.in-circuit.de) founded 2004
is an outsourcing partner for DSP systems on PCB level.
- Dresden Silicon GmbH founded 2005 and acquired by Signalion in July 2007.
- Freedelity GmbH (www.freedelity.com) founded 2007
offers wireless communications implementation expertise.
- Radioopt GmbH (www.radioopt.com) founded 2008 delivers measurement
software products for cellular KPI analysis.
- Blue Wonder Communications GmbH (www.bluwo.com) founded 2008 delivers
LTE system modules for semiconductor vendors.