Michigan State University electrical engineering professors are leading a new United States-Ireland research partnership to improve wireless communications through location-specific communications pockets for more private, secure and efficient wireless systems, according to MSU Today.

The project has potential to improve next-generation wireless systems including 5G and 6G networks.

Mauro Ettorre, professor of electrical and computer engineering, and Jeffrey Nanzer, a Michigan State University Research Foundation distinguished professor, will use a $600,000 (€518,694) National Science Foundation grant for faster and more targeted intelligent wireless communications.

Ettorre said the Multi-Bessel Antenna System for Angle-Range Spatial Multiplexing project represents a major shift in wireless system design for near-field communication. "We aspire to research a millimeter-wave radio system that can create dedicated spatial radio pockets, limited in both angle and range, centered on individual users, enabling high-data-rate communications using non-diffractive beams," he stated.

The pockets will be created individually around each user, eliminating communication leakage and allowing multiple simultaneous in-band transmissions with high-level security, even if eavesdroppers are in the receiver's proximity.

The project builds upon collaboration between Michigan State University, Tyndall National Institute in Cork, Ireland, and Queen's University Belfast in Northern Ireland. Tyndall and Queen's University Belfast will be supported by their national agencies for this project.

The research aims to develop millimetre-wave radio systems creating dedicated spatial radio pockets tailored to individual users, enabling high-data-rate communications using non-diffractive beams. This approach differs from conventional wireless system design by focusing on near-field communication capabilities rather than traditional broadcast methods.

The partnership demonstrates continued transatlantic collaboration in advanced telecommunications research, leveraging expertise from American and Irish institutions to address emerging challenges in wireless network security and efficiency.

Explore comprehensive details on the wireless communications research partnership and technical objectives in the complete report.