B-0013-25 - Research Grant (Bi) - 17/01/2025 - Route 25 - Projeto N. 29 (Candidatura N. C645463824-00000063). Bil Listen-before-talk in An Sdr Platform

A research position for one Research Grant (“Bolsa de Investigação“) is open at Instituto de Telecomunicações, in the scope of the Project project Route 25 - PRT - Route 25: Agenda for Autonomous, Intelligent, Interoperable and Inclusive Mobility. This project is funded by the European Union / Next Generation EU, through Programa de Recuperação e Resiliência (PRR) [Project Route 25 with Nr. C645463824-00000063]. This work is within the scope of Work Package 2: "Digital Experience & Adaptive Connectivity for Cooperative Mobility" and Work Package 7: "Communication, Dissemination and Exploitation". **Scientific Area**: Networks and Services **Group**: Networked Systems - Po **Admission Requirements**: Research grants are intended: - for students enrolled in a degree-conferring course to carry out R&D activities with the aim to consolidate their scientific training through the development of research work leading to the attainment of the respective academic degree or completion of the course (integrated or not in R&D projects). - for students enrolled in courses that do not confer an academic degree but which are integrated in an educational project of a higher education institution and are developed in association or cooperation with one or several R&D units. In what concerns the admission requirements for this research grant in particular: **Work Objectives**: Main Objective: Implement listen-before-talk in an SDR platform (FPGA) Workplan: 1. Get to know IT Porto's 5G non-public network, and state-of-the-art on energy consumption of the split RAN gNodeB and previous work in the group 2. Develop and integrate a clear channel assessment (CCA) hardware module within the USRP B210’s FPGA (Verilog-based, Xilinx Vivado) to continuously measure the communication channel energy, compare it against a predefined threshold, and cancel transmissions when occupancy is detected, interfacing seamlessly with the existing signal processing pipeline. 3. Conduct thorough testing and validation of the FPGA-based CCA solution, benchmarking its performance metrics against the existing MAC-layer channel occupancy assessment process currently implemented at the UE and gNB, which will now be shifted to the USRP B210 for enhanced hardware-level integration. 4. (If time): Extend the CCA module to implement a Listen Before Talk (LBT) mechanism with a Contention Resolution phase, using random backoff to minimize collisions. When the channel is busy, introduce adaptive retransmission delays before rechecking for availability. Validate performance improvements (e.g., reduced collisions, higher throughput). 5. Document procedures, results, and lessons learned, providing guidelines for future refinements and optimization efforts. **Applicable legislation**: **Place of work**: The work will be developed at the premises of Instituto de Telecomunicações - Porto, under the supervision of Professor Ana Aguiar. **Duration**: 6 months, with the possibility of renewal (according to the regulations defined by FCT). Start date: February 16th, 2025 or soon thereafter. **Monthly salary**: The payment will be made by bank transfer. **Selection criteria**: - C1 (70%) - C2 (30%) F = C1 x 70% + C2 x 30% **Jury**: - Prof. Ana Cristina Costa Aguiar, Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto (President of the jury) - Prof. Filipe Lemos Peixoto, Instituto de Telecomunicações Lisboa - Prof. Rui Pedro de Magalhaes Claro Prior, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto - Prof. Sérgio Armindo Lopes Crisóstomo, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto (Substitute) **Communication of the results**: **Required Documents**: Cover letter explaining the interest in the position and relevant background, detailed Curriculum Vitae with transcripts, Copy of the relevant certificates (Copy of the Degree Certificate(s), if applicable); and proof of enrollment (or proof of acceptance) in a higher education course or declaration of honour confirming that complies with the conditions to enroll in the required/preferable higher education course. NOTE: The proof of enrollment in a higher education course must be made until the contract is signed. All the selection process is conducted through the IT web portal. No actions outside this platform are valid. **Application Period**: 20-01-2025 to 31-01-2025 **Assistance**: **Published on**: 17-01-2025