PhD Studentship

PhD Project - Indoor Coverage Study for Satellite Communication System

In satellite communications systems, the indoor coverage is a critical problem due to the penetration loss when signals propagate through the walls and windows. Femtocell is an Access Point Base Station system at homes, which deploys low transmission power Base Stations (BSs) and connects to the main network through backhauls. A Femtocell setup in the building operates in the licensed band provides indoor coverage. This project aims to deploy Femtocell technique to address the indoor coverage problems of satellite communication networks, and specifically investigate the interference, synchronisation and the transceiver design problems in the Satellite-Femto systems.

The studentship will involve theoretical analysis, computer simulation and hardware implementation, underpinned by strong theoretical understanding. It is suitable for a motivated student who has the equivalent to an UK classification (2:1) honours degree minimum, in electronic/electrical engineering, preferably with good knowledge in communication techniques. The successful candidate will work as part of a research team in close collaboration with a Satellite Communication company.

Number of awards: 1

Value: The studentship will be £20,000 per year for three years, this sum is to cover both tuition fees and maintenance.

Therefore, for a UK/EU student starting in the session 2011/12 the tuition fees would be £3,372 and the maintenance would be £16,268.

For an international student starting in the session 2011/12 the tuition fee would be £15,600 and the maintenance £4,400. International candidates please note £4,400 is not sufficient to cover living costs in the UK for 12 months, we therefore estimate you would need to provide a further £6,000 of your own funding. Further guidance on the cost of living in Leeds can be found at the International Student Calculator website.

Entry requirements:Candidates should have at least an upper second class (2:1) undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent) in communications, electronic/electrical engineering, or a related discipline.

Applicants are expected to have good experimental, mathematical and software skills, and good knowledge in communication systems. Experience in satellite communications would be beneficial.

Application deadline: 20 May 2012

Supervisor: Dr. Li X Zhang

How to apply: Formal applications for research degree study should be made on-line through the University's website. Please state clearly on the funding section of the application form that you wish to be considered for the “Indoor coverage study for Satellite Communication System” scholarship. In the research information section please state the name Dr Li X Zhang.

If you have published research papers, please list these in the 'Additional Information' section.

Please upload all the documents required as soon as possible. Scanned copies are acceptable though you will need to provide originals or certified copies at registration. These will include your degree certificate(s), transcripts of marks achieved in previous degrees, plus evidence of English language qualifications if your first language is not English and you do not hold a degree from an English-speaking country. Please do not provide school certificates, or non-academic certificates.

The Faculty will contact your named academic referees directly.

If you have any questions please contact our Graduate School Office.
e: phd@engineering.leeds.ac.uk
t: +44 (0)113 343 8000