Communications Engineering PhD/MPhil: University of Briminghum

They have a broad range of research centred on the applications of microwave technology into communications and sensor systems, and on novel aspects of network design with research funding from the EU, research councils, MoD and  industry. We have a long tradition of excellence in electromagnetics and its applications, with exciting growth areas in microwave systems and networks.

The Antennas and Applied Electromagnetics Laboratory has world-leading work on antennas and propagation for body-centric communications and antennas for vehicles. It has extensive facilities, including two 12m2 microwave anechoic chambers, a millimetric anechoic chamber, a microwave reverberation chamber, network and spectrum analysers up to 110GHz, access to a 70m2 class 10,000 clean room, and a large suite of commercial software for simulation of microwave structures.

The MCI Laboratory is specialised in microwave active circuits and antennas and in the application of computational intelligence to control and adapt them. Facilities include a digitally modulated signal generator and vector signal analyser for the analysis of signal integrity in linearised transmitters and active antennas, interfaced to a PC for 'hardware in the loop' development of control algorithms.

The Microwave Integrated System Laboratory is active in emerging radar technology for remote sensing. In addition to the electrical engineering microwave facilities it has a 40-metre long flight imitator, unique for UK universities, positioned on the building roof, which can carry a 50kg payload.

The Networks Laboratory is engaged in the modelling of large-scale complex networks and is actively developing novel adaptive routing and MAC protocols for wired and wireless networks. It has a range of computationally intensive workstations, a wireless networking testbed and is currently setting up a wired network simulator.

Work in the optics area includes: analysis and modelling of novel optical devices such as optical amplifiers, optical filters, optical transmitters and optical receivers; generation of new codes for optical code-division multiple access (OCDMA) to minimise the multi-user interference and analysis of soliton propagation in optical fibre communications.
Current projects

Projects underway include:

• Antennas and propagation for on-body communications systems
• Low-profile sensors for vehicle radar and communications
• Metamaterial antennas
• Antennas and propagation for medical implants
• Linear microwave transmitter architectures using computational intelligence techniques
• Antennas and front ends for vehicle millimetric communication systems
• Wireless Forward Scattering Radar network for situation awareness
• Space Surface BSAR with non-cooperative transmitter for surface monitoring
• UWB radar for concealed weapon and explosive detection
• Modelling data-loss in large packet switched networks
• Game theoretic MAC protocols
• Distributed soft security in wireless networks
• Vehicle ad-hoc networks
• Reduction of multi-user interference in optical CDMA
• Ultra-short pulse propagation in optical amplifiers
• Novel optical filters for WDM applications

Funding

They currently have funding from: EPSRC, DTI, Highways Agency, EMRC DTC, US Air Force EOARD, BAE Systems ATC, Samsung, Toyota, QinetiQ, Eudyma, Semelab, and Xilinx.

• Contact: Professor Peter Hall
• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 4294
• Email:
• Website: http://www.eee.bham.ac.uk/com_test

Research

They offer research for the MPhil, MRes and PhD degrees in the mainstream areas of communications, control engineering, power, solid-state devices, digital systems, human-centred technology and human interface technologies, and also in specialist areas such as acoustics and sonar, speech and image processing, microwave circuits, materials and high-critical temperature superconductivity.

• Website: http://www.postgraduate.bham.ac.uk/programmes...

Entry requirements

The normal entrance requirements for MPhil or PhD study are a first degree of at least good UK upper second-class Honours standard, an appropriate standard of English and adequate financial support. The requirements also allow for entry based on comparable ability, as indicated by a good UK MSc performance or a lower first degree performance plus substantial relevant experience.

For more information about Entry requirements visit

• Website: http://www.postgraduate.bham.ac.uk/entry/

How to apply

Online applications

If you submit an online application, please write your ID number on your supporting documents when you send them to us. You will receive an ID number by email on the day after you submit your application (apart from applications submitted on Friday, Saturday or Sunday when the email will arrive on Monday).

If you send in your supporting documents before completing the online application form, please make sure that you write your full name, date of birth and the programme you are applying for on all the documents.

Paper application form

If you apply using the paper application form, please include, where possible, your supporting documents with the application.

Where to send supporting documents

• Address: Admissions
  Aston Webb Building
  University of Birmingham
  Edgbaston
  Birmingham
  B15 2TT
  UK

Tuition fees and costs

The University charges an annual tuition fee. This covers the cost of your tuition, examination and graduation, and includes membership of the Guild of Students. Fees are payable at the start of your programme.

When you accept the offer of a place, you are also accepting responsibility for the payment of your tuition fees, even if you are sponsored or in receipt of an award and the sponsor fails to pay. It is therefore very important that you have sufficient funds available to you. Unfortunately, if you fail to pay the fees, you will not be permitted to continue your studies.

For more information about tuition fees visit

• Website: http://www.postgraduate.bham.ac.uk/finance/fees.shtml

For general information about open days

• 3 December

Their Postgraduate Open Day is the ideal opportunity to visit the University and find out more about the research areas or programmes that interest you.

• Contact person: Steve Allmark
• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 5430
• Fax: +44 (0)121 414 3850
• Email:

For more information about other tours and visits:

• Contact: Student Recruitment and Outreach Office
• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3374
• Email:

Contact details

Main University Switchboard

• Postal Address: University of Birmingham
  Edgbaston
  Birmingham
  B15 2TT
  UK
• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3344
• Fax: +44(0)121 414 3971

Postgraduate Admissions

• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 5488
• Fax: +44 (0)121 414 6378
• Email:

International Applicant Enquiries

• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 3694
• Fax: +44 (0)121 414 3850
• Email:

Financial Support Office

• Tel: +44 (0)121 414 6720
• Fax: + 44(0)121 414 7926
• Email: