5G-based Indoor Positioning System (5G-IPS)

George Mason University (GMU), in collaboration with Virginia Tech, and Arlington County Fire Department (ACFD), proposes to design, prototype and demonstrate a highly precise 5G-based Indoor Positioning System (5G-IPS) that addresses three long-standing and difficult challenges in emergency environments (i) global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and traditional global positioning system (GPS) do not work reliably in indoor setting, (ii) reliable communication infrastructure may not always be available, and (ii) accurate mapping and visualization of the building map may not be available.

UAVs mounted with 5G base stations will be utilized for enabling cellular-based (viz. 5G NR) positioning along with specific enhancements to precisely localize firefighters within a building. Shah and his collaborators will then utilize a key 5G capability, called network slicing, to securely, reliably, and timely disseminate the time-critical position information (and other important audio/video or sensor information) from firefighters to the safety stakeholders that need to know it. Following this, a mapping and visualization tool will be prototyped to accurately track the position of firefighters within the visual 3D map of the building. The 5G-IPS system will be demonstrated in-lab using NextG Wireless Lab@Mason’s 5G O-RAN testbed and two other 5G wireless testbeds at Virginia Tech, followed by in-field building test setting in collaboration with Arlington County Fire Department.

The proposed 5G-IPS system will enable a new capability that allows much greater situation awareness of first responders that are in harm's way by knowing their precise location, collaborating in indoor map building, and communicating seamlessly among key first responders.


More information about 5G-IPS can be found here: https://www.nist.gov/ctl/pscr/funding-opportunities/past-funding-opportunities/psiap-2022/5g-enabled-indoor-positioning


Postdoc and PhD Positions Available

NextG Wireless Lab@Mason is looking to hire a motivated postdoctoral fellow and a PhD student to conduct high-quality experimental wireless research, starting August 2022 (or earlier). The successful candidate will contribute to the NIST-funded 5G-IPS system and will also have the opportunity to collaborate with other teammates at NextG Wireless Lab@Mason, and our academic and industry partners on the exciting topics of 5G/NextG communications, Open AI Cellular (OAIC), and spectrum sharing.

For Postdoc Applicants

Required Qualifications

  • PhD degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Telecommunications or related areas.

  • Excellent knowledge of 5G/NextG wireless. Knowledge of machine learning will be a plus.

  • Hands-on experience with at least one of the SDR platforms and FPGA programming.

  • Very good publication record in top academic conferences and journals

  • Excellent team player and good communication skills while being able to work independently.

Your application must include:

  • A research statement (max. 2 pages) indicating your research interests, achievements, plans and how these fit with the above position requirements and our ongoing research

  • Curriculum vitae including the list of publications, R&D skills, awards, fellowships, grants etc.

  • Names of at least two references

How to Apply?

Potential postdoc candidates send the required documents as a single pdf file directly to vshah22@gmu.edu, with Subject="Postdoc-application-FirstName-LastName".


For PhD Applicants

Required Qualifications

  • Hold a M.S. (or B.S.) degree in ECE, CS, IT, Cybersecurity, or other related disciplines.

  • Strong programming skills (e.g., Python, Matlab etc.)

  • Solid background in mathematics and analytical thinking

  • Excellent written and communication skills

  • Ability to work in an inter-disciplinary team

Preferred Qualifications

  • Strong background in wireless communications and networking, particularly, 5G and next-G technologies

  • Hands-on experience with open-source cellular software, e.g., srsRAN, and software-defined radios, e.g., USRP X310.

  • Hands-on experience with experimental research in communications and with communications testbeds

  • Research experience and good publication record

  • Hands-on experience with network simulators, such as, ns-3 and OMNET++ is a plus.

Your application must include:

  • Curriculum vitae including R&D skills, awards, fellowships, grants, list of publications (if any) etc.

  • bachelor/master transcripts

  • GRE and/or TOEFL/IELTS score

  • Any relevant documents that will support your application

How to Apply?

Please send the required documents as a single pdf file directly to vshah22@gmu.edu, with Subject="PhD-application-FirstName-LastName". Formal application must be submitted to the Volgenau School of Engineering Graduate School.