UTICA, NY – SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) is proud to announce that Dr. Arjun Singh, a leading professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has been awarded two grants totaling $150,000 from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Mid-Atlantic HUB and the National Science Foundation (NSF). These grants will advance research in next-generation wireless communication technologies and support a national workshop on cutting-edge wireless systems.

“We are extremely proud of Dr. Arjun Singh’s exceptional contributions to cutting-edge research, supported by both the AFRL and the NSF,” said SUNY Poly Vice President for Research Dr. Michael Carpenter. “His innovative work spans critical advancements in terahertz technologies, as well as organizing a national conference that will shape the future of next-generation communication and sensing systems.”

Pioneering Intelligent Reflecting Surfaces (IRS) for Extreme Environments
Dr. Singh, in collaboration with fellow SUNY Poly faculty member Dr. Priyangshu Sen, has been awarded $100,000 in the AFRL Mid Atlantic HUB Phase 1 for their work on commercializing intelligent reflecting surfaces (IRS) in extreme environments. This groundbreaking research focuses on the development of novel devices operating at terahertz (THz) frequencies, aiming to significantly improve the reliability of wireless communications in both industrial and defense sectors.

The project, featured as part of SUNY Poly’s Wireless and Intelligent Next Generation Systems (WINGS) research center where Dr. Singh serves as director, addresses challenges associated with establishing robust sub-THz links, which are hindered by low-power signal sources, high path losses, and signal blockage. To overcome these challenges, the team will utilize large-aperture antennas and intelligent reflecting surfaces. These innovations, integrated with near-field electromagnetic techniques such as Gaussian beams and Bessel beams, offer promising solutions for wireless communications.

"Our work with intelligent reflecting surfaces at THz frequencies is poised to revolutionize wireless communication systems, enabling highly reliable links even in harsh conditions," said Dr. Singh. "This research is a significant step toward the future of wireless communications, with immense potential for both commercial and defense applications."

As part of the project, the team will utilize the advanced communication and electronics sensing (ACES) testbed at SUNY Poly, as well as the advanced terahertz communications testbed at the Innovare Advancement Center in Rome, NY, to measure and model key channel metrics, including path loss, delay spread, and the effects of weather on THz links. These measurements will inform the design of a broadband, polarization-insensitive IRS that will enhance the performance of THz links in challenging environments.

Leading National Workshop on 6G and Beyond Wireless Communications
Dr. Singh has also secured a $50,000 grant from the NSF to organize a national workshop at SUNY Poly. The conference, also supported under WINGS, will bring together top researchers from across the country to explore the future of wireless communication, focusing on how wavefront engineering techniques, such as beamshaping and non-diffractive beams, can unlock the potential of 6G and beyond.

The workshop will address key challenges in wireless systems, including the development of high-capacity, wideband wireless communications using THz frequencies. Participants will discuss the integration of exotic wavefronts—such as Bessel, Airy, and vortex beams—into next-generation wireless networks. These advanced wavefronts have the potential to mitigate the effects of obstacles, enhance link robustness, and improve overall communication capacity without the need for heavy digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms.

“Our goal is to foster collaboration between leading experts in electromagnetics, communications, and AI/ML to push the boundaries of wireless technologies,” said Dr. Singh. “The insights from this conference will guide the development of future wireless standards and create a roadmap for scientific exploration in this emerging field.”

The workshop will also emphasize broader impacts, including education and community outreach. In collaboration with Florida International University (FIU), the team will engage underrepresented minorities in STEM fields, offering educational programs and mentorship opportunities to students. The findings from the conference will be incorporated into hands-on projects for local high schools and made available through online lectures hosted on SUNY Poly’s IEEE Club website.