Research Scholarship

There is an open call for one (1) Research Scholarship (“Bolsa de Investigação”) at Instituto de Telecomunicações, in the scope of the Project MEKaP.

**Scientific Area**:
Wireless Technologies

**Group**:
Radio Systems - Av

**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.

**Work Objectives**:
The tropospheric channel impairment above 10 GHz on fixed links is considered to be adequately characterized after multiple campaigns carried out with GEO satellites with dedicated beacons. This is not the case for MEO links where there was no propagation database. The project MEKAP involves measuring the attenuation at ka-band for satellites in the MEO o3b constellation and modelling the channel. Measuring the MEO channel is however complex and has not been done till MEKAP: it requires an antenna tracking system, detection of a phase-modulated beacon and a more complex extraction of attenuation. Data is being collected at three sites, one of which is in Aveiro. This work involves improving the receiver to extend the dynamic range and, fundamentally, exploiting the propagation data collected. The work will consist of optimizing the beacon's measurement system (software and hardware) to achieve a greater dynamic range; deriving the attenuation series, modelling the channel using the attenuation, meteorological data and concurrent complementary attenuation measured in the Ka band and Q-band.

**Applicable legislation**:
**Place of work**:
The work will be developed at the premises of Instituto de Telecomunicações at University of Aveiro, under the supervision of Prof. Armando Carlos Domingues da Rocha.

**Duration**:
3 months, with the possibility of renewal. Start date: October 2024 or soon thereafter.

**Monthly salary**:
**Selection criteria**:

- C1 (60%)
Competences on Microwave Earth Satellite Propagation
- C2 (15%)
Matlab skills: statistical data analysis, familiarity with Cell Arrays, Time Tables and Struct
- C3 (15%)
Programming skills in C/C++ and Python
- C4 (10%)
Architecture of Software Defined Radios Hardware

F = C1 x 60% + C2 x 15% + C3 x 15% + C4 x 10%

**Jury**:

- Prof. Armando Carlos Domingues da Rocha, Universidade de Aveiro (President of the jury)
- Prof. Susana de Jesus Mota, Universidade de Aveiro
- Prof. Pedro Renato Tavares Pinho, Universidade de Aveiro
- Prof. Joao Nuno Pimentel da Silva Matos, Universidade de Aveiro (Substitute)

**Communication of the results**:
**Required Documents**:

- Motivation letter explaining the interest in the position;
- Detailed Curriculum Vitae with transcripts;
- Degree certificate (if applicable);
- Proof of enrollment in a higher education course or declaration of intention to enroll in a study cycle leading to an academic degree or in a course that does not confer an academic degree.
NOTE: The proof of enrollment in a study cycle leading to an academic degree or in a course not conferring an academic degree 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**:
04-10-2024 to 18-10-2024

**Assistance**:
**Published on**:
04-10-2024