EECS Professor Secures $600K NSF Award for Rural Cellular Network Performance Study

Collecting accurate cellular network performance data in rural areas poses challenges due to factors like sparse populations, limited adoption of network performance apps, and vast measurement areas featuring challenging terrains. The utilization of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) offers a promising solution to gather more dependable and comprehensive data on a larger scale.

To address this issue, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has allocated substantial funding for a pioneering research initiative. The initiative's intended award totals $600,000.00, and thus far, it has received $310,000.00 in funding.

Leading this research initiative is Dr. Morteza Hashemi, an assistant professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS). Collaborating closely with Dr. Victor Frost, a professor in EECS and an expert in wireless communication, and Dr. Shawn Keshmiri, a professor in aerospace engineering and an expert in guidance, navigation, and control of multi-agent unmanned aerial systems, the project aims to achieve significant breakthroughs. Its primary objective is the development of innovative hardware and software tools tailored for the purpose of gathering precise cellular network performance data in rural regions. This endeavor is poised to leave a lasting impact within the research community.