Academic environment:
Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is one of Europe's top technological universities, situated in the heart of one of Europe's largest high-tech innovation ecosystems. Research at TU/e is characterized by a combination of academic excellence and a strong real-world impact. This impact is often obtained via close collaboration with high-tech industries. 

The project:
Future self-driving vehicles will often need to communicate wirelessly with other vehicles, for example to drive cooperatively in a platoon. In such settings safety-critical information (e.g. on obstacles that surface ahead of the platoon) needs to be communicated with high reliability and small latency. The current wireless communication standard, IEEE 802.11p, does not fulfil this requirement in e.g. highly congestive situations. 

For cooperative driving, also accurate localization of vehicles is of great importance. For this purpose, vehicles are increasingly equipped with radar systems, e.g. as a parking aid or for automatic cruise control. The main objective of this project is to investigate whether communication functionalities can be added to automotive radar systems, so as to overcome some of the limitations of 802.11p.

Automotive radar systems are currently typically based on frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) signals in which frequency-modulated pulses (chirps) are transmitted. To use these systems for communication, the frequency modulation of the chirps can be changed or one out of K different chirps can be used depending on the information that needs to be communicated. A disadvantage of these methods is that the achievable data rate is limited. Alternative modulation approaches such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) permit higher data rates but strongly limit the radar performance (e.g. ranging accuracy, tracking of movements). The key scientific challenge of the project is therefore to investigate how reliable radar communication can be achieved without degrading radar functionality. This will involve advanced modulation and signal-processing schemes, possibly combined with using multiple radar antennas.

The project will build on an advanced experimental automotive radar platform made available by NXP, one of the global leaders in automotive radar. The project will be carried out in part in the research laboratories of NXP Research, also in Eindhoven, and will be supervised by leading TU/e and NXP experts.

We are looking for candidates who

- have a strong MSc degree in signal processing for communications, information theory, or a related discipline; 

- can bridge the distance between advanced fundamental concepts and theories on the one hand and practical implementation and evaluation of these concepts on the other hand; 

- can think out of the box, distinguish main lines from details, and provide structure to their work; 

- have excellent multidisciplinary team working and communication skills.

A challenging job in a dynamic and ambitious university

Full-time temporary appointment for 4 years

A gross salary per month of € 2222,- (first year) as a PhD up to € 2840,- (final year). A gross salary per month between € 3111,- and € 4084,- per month is offered for the PostDoc position, depending on knowledge and experience (based on salary scale 10 of CAO Dutch Universities)

TU/e offers moreover an excellent package of fringe benefits (annual holiday allowance and end of year allowance, excellent technical infrastructure, the possibility of child care, reimbursement for moving costs, excellent sports facilities, and assistance in finding accommodation)