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On 23 May, CHEDDAR brought together 12 shortlisted researchers from a competitive pool of 52 applicants for an intensive one-day sandpit event in London. This was a call for new partnerships supported by the CHEDDAR New Partnership Fund aimed to discover fresh thinking and visionary ideas for the future of telecoms research. Condensing a traditional UKRI style week long sandpit into a single day was no small feat. But thanks to the dedication and agility of the CHEDDAR team and our exceptional participants, the day was both dynamic and highly productive. The event began with seven invited stakeholders leading voices [...]

CHEDDAR Hub, is thrilled to share and celebrate an extraordinary milestone in the distinguished career of Dr. Mallikarjun (Mallik) Tatipamula, at Ericsson, Sillicon Valley, USA, member of CHEDDAR Advisory Board and keynote speaker at our upcoming Friends of CHEDDAR and Industry Day on 15-16 July. Dr Tatipamula has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), the World’s oldest and most prestigious scientific academy, founded in 1660. This is a rare and historic recognition that celebrates both technical and global leadership in science and innovation. With this honour, Dr Tatipamula becomes the first person of Indian descent to [...]

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) have developed a cutting-edge millimetre-wave (mmWave) testbed operating in the unlicensed 60 GHz band, enabling real-time, high-speed wireless communication with enhanced security features. This innovative system integrates a beam-steerable metasurface antenna and low-frequency software-defined radios to dynamically direct communication signals toward intended users while avoiding potential eavesdroppers. The system’s capability to create single or multiple directed beams positions it as a powerful and intelligent platform for short-range, high-frequency applications, including smart factories and indoor healthcare settings. GCU in partnership with the University of Glasgow, have successfully demonstrated secure high-definition video transmission at 60 GHz with low [...]

On the 14th of May, Birmingham City University BCU team had the pleasure to host the 3rd face-to-face meeting for the collaborative project, EPSRC CHEDDAR Hub ORAN-TWIN, which brought together three partner universities: University of Surrey (Lead), University of York and University of Leeds, to showcase how ORAN-TWIN tackles the challenge by building a network digital twin (NDT) for ORAN. ORAN-TWIN has been productive and creative: 10 months now, with 10+ IEEE Trans journal publications, 15+ high-rank Conference presentations, organised 3 international workshops, and supported demo in MWC25 and 2 more successful bids; This time we have also invited and introduced “new" industrial partners, including Keysight Technologies, Digital Catapult, TrainFX Ltd and Black Space Technology, [...]

Presenting at IEEE INFOCOM 2025: Advancing Resilience in Next-Gen Networks I am pleased to share that I recently had the honour of presenting my research at IEEE INFOCOM 2025, held in London, United Kingdom—one of the most prestigious conferences in the field of computer communications and network research. My paper, titled “DYNAPARC: AI-Driven Predictive Path Failure Management for Industrial IoT-Fog Networks”, was presented as part of the INFOCOM Workshop on Resilience in Next Generation Networks (NGResNet 2025). This workshop focuses on advancing resilient networking technologies and strategies for future communication systems. More details can be found here: https://sites.google.com/view/ngresnet2025/home?authuser=2 The research [...]

We are thrilled to announce that Prof Imran and Prof. Abassi have been elected as Board Members of the one6G Association, a global initiative driving the evolution of next-generation wireless communication technologies. Founded in 2021, one6G brings together experts from academia, industry, and government to shape the future of 6G. The association focuses on developing, testing, and promoting advanced cellular and wireless communication solutions to accelerate 6G adoption and address societal and industry-driven needs . As Board Members, Prof Imran and Prof. Abassi will contribute to one6G's mission by providing strategic guidance and fostering collaboration across sectors. Their leadership will [...]

The telecommunications landscape is undergoing a profound transformation as we move toward 6G and beyond. With increasingly blurred boundaries between physical, network, and application layers, the need for integrated, intelligent, and adaptive communication systems is greater than ever. Hosted as part of IEEE INFOCOM 2025, this inaugural international workshop brings together leading researchers and practitioners to tackle the pressing challenges and opportunities in building next-generation telecom networks that are: Intelligent – harnessing the power of AI to optimise systems Sustainable – minimising environmental impact Secure – protecting data and infrastructure Resilient – ensuring robust performance in dynamic conditions The event [...]

The workshop on "Open RAN and open networking in the age of AI-native networks" organised in the prestigious EUCNC conference, and has been accepted in a competitive process. This workshop is organised by Cheddar funded ORAN-Twin project investigators Dr Ahmadi and Dr Shojafar, and professor Simoenidou and Professor Burr (PIs of REASON and YO-RAN projects). The workshop has 7 invite-only talks by speakers representing UK, European and USA funded projects, and a panel on modern AI approaches and their application in O-RAN. Dr. Zaidi (Cheddar investigator) will represent Cheddar in this panel. This is the second time this workshop is [...]

AI-driven applications are increasingly seen as a key enabler for economic development due to their ability to enhance and automate network management, reduce development costs, and democratise access to innovative applications for future networks. One of the main drivers for utilising AI is its effectiveness in dealing with complexity and the rapidly evolving nature of real-world network environments. In the context of Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN), Large Language Models (LLMs) can leverage their few-shot properties to synthesise Near-Real-Time Applications (xApps). These xApps can interpret and output management policies with minimal network knowledge hence reducing the need for extensive network [...]

The upcoming workshop on Emerging Metaverse and 6G Massive/Immersive Communications (6G Metaverse 2025) has attracted strong global interest, with 52 submissions from 11 countries and regions. Of these, 24 high-quality papers have been accepted for presentation. The event is set to welcome over 50 in-person attendees and expects to reach over 100 participants both physically and remotely. The workshop is co-chaired by active members of CHEDDAR and ORAN-TWIN, e.g., Dr De Mi, Dr Adel Aneiba, Dr Umar Daraz (BCU) and Dr Chuan Foh (Surrey) and HASC, i.e., Dr Bruno Clerckx (Imperial). Their leadership reflects the ongoing contributions of CHEDDAR to [...]

On 26 March, CHEDDAR researchers from Imperial College London and the University of Leeds took part in the Connected Futures Festival at Digital Catapult’s Central London headquarters, presenting their latest work on next-generation connectivity. Professor Syed Ali Zaidi started the event with a keynote speech. He gave an illustrative overview of the trajectory of future cellular network architecture and provided examples of how Large Language Models could be used to optimise network security and performance. Researchers Sarat Ahmad from Leeds and Michael Breza from Imperial presented a demo using mmWave radar to estimate a person’s pose and control a robot [...]

Dr Syed Zaidi from CHEDDAR is organising a panel at the IEEE Conference on AI Standards 2025. The panel bring leaders in telecom and AI to discuss standardisation pathways for future radio access networks. The panel will focus on GenAI and specific challenges faced by AI-Native RAN architecture. In particular, the panel will deep dive into safety, monetisation, energy efficiency and deployment issues. If you are in Bay area then join the panel on 7th of May: https://cai.ieee.org/2025/panels-3/ . The panellists include Mischa Dohler VP Emerging Technologies at Ericsson Inc. in Silicon Valley, Richard Tong, Chair of IEEE AI Standards, Prof Jie Xu, [...]

This week we focus on Dr. Zeinab Nezami, Research Fellow, University of Leeds, Department of Computing who shares her path into science, her ground-breaking work in wireless communications, how her interest in science was sparked at an early age and how  her research in AI-driven communication technologies encourages out of the box thinking. Your Journey into Science Can you tell me a bit about what sparked your interest in science? Was there a particular moment or experience that set you on this path? My interest in science was sparked at an early age by my curiosity about how things work. [...]

We are excited to announce the 5th International Workshop on Connecting All Things for Enabling Smart Cities (CONTEST), which will be held in conjunction with the prestigious IEEE/CIC International Conference on Communications in China (ICCC) 2025, taking place from 10–13 August 2025 in Shanghai, China. CONTEST aims to bring together researchers, industry practitioners, and policymakers to explore innovative technologies and solutions that drive the future of smart cities. With a special focus on connectivity, sustainability, and emerging digital infrastructures, this workshop provides an excellent platform for sharing cutting-edge research, fostering collaboration, and advancing the state of the art. We warmly [...]

Dr. Lubna recently joined Imperial College London as a Research Associate. She brings extensive expertise in Telecommunication Engineering, with a specialization in RF Sensing and Microwave Engineering. Dr. Lubna earned her PhD in Telecommunication Engineering with a focus on "Design, Fabrication and Analysis of RFID Tag Antennas for IoT Applications." She has contributed to numerous research projects involving RF sensing technology, including contactless health monitoring, smart parking systems, and IoT-enabled vehicle recognition. Prior to joining Imperial College London, Dr. Lubna worked as a Research Assistant at the University of Glasgow on the CHEDDAR-EPSRC Project, where she contributed to research in [...]

We are delighted to welcome Dr Hira Hameed to Imperial College London, where she has joined as a Research Associate specialising in practical RF sensing with a focus on healthcare applications. Dr Hameed earned her PhD in Electronic and Electrical Engineering from the University of Glasgow in February 2024. Her doctoral research focused on lip reading using RF sensing technologies, developing novel methods to interpret speech through wireless signals a pioneering approach with significant implications for assistive communication and healthcare. Following her PhD, she continued at the University of Glasgow as a Postdoctoral Researcher until March 2025, where she worked on RF sensing for healthcare and contributed [...]

Deadline: 25 April 2025 (no extensions) Are you a UK-based academic working in Next Generation Telecoms—but not yet part of CHEDDAR? This is your opportunity to join an exciting, collaborative research network shaping the UK’s digital future. We’re inviting proposals to join our CHEDDAR New Partner Sandpit, a fast-paced event designed to spark new collaborations and bold research ideas. Successful applicants will receive seed funding to develop high-impact research in telecoms with real-world applications. Why Apply? ✅ Funding for new, cross-institutional collaborations ✅ A place in CHEDDAR’s growing research network ✅ A platform to shape innovation in telecoms and digital [...]

In this edition of our Spotlight on Principal Investigators, we feature Professor Weisi Guo, a pioneering voice in AI-driven telecoms and a researcher motivated by a passion for tackling some of the world’s most complex challenges. What inspired you to pursue a career in academia and engineering? I was born into an academic family—biologists and material scientists. Growing up, I was surrounded by science and constantly encouraged to make breakthroughs. While part of me wanted to do something different, academia is just in my blood! What excites you most about your work? I love solving big problems—whether they’re technological or [...]

At the recent 6G Symposium, Prof. Muhammad Imran chaired a thoughtful panel constituted of global experts in the field of wireless communications including Prof. Julie McCann and Prof. Imran himself, both Principal Investigators with CHEDDAR who shared their perspectives on the evolving landscape of communication technologies, particularly in the context of the UK’s research and innovation ecosystem. The core message was clear: we must strike a careful balance between near-term opportunities and long-term innovation. While it’s essential to focus on technologies that are edging closer to commercialisation, we should not lose sight of exploratory research that may shape the communications [...]

Professor Abassi has been appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE), Scotland’s National Academy, as part of its 2025 cohort of new Fellows. ​Professor Abbasi was elevated as Fellow of Royal Society of Edinburgh. An institution that includes legendary figures such as James Clerk Maxwell and James Watt among its ranks. Professor Abbasi is a leading authority in integrated communication and sensing technologies. Based at the James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, his research focuses on developing next-generation wireless communication systems and intelligent health monitoring solutions to enhance quality of life. Driven by interdisciplinary collaboration, [...]

Congratulations to Prof. Qammer H Abbasi who has been appointed as SSAC Scottish Science Advisory Council member - Scotland’s highest level science advisory body,  that supports Julie Fitzpatrick the Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland in her work with Scottish Ministers. The SSAC supports the Scottish Government to make effective use of science advice, knowledge and techniques when formulating and implementing policies, further enhancing Scotland's status as a science and innovation nation, and supporting Scotland’s Economic Strategy’s two mutually supportive goals of increasing competitiveness and tackling inequality.

In recognition of International Women’s Day we are launching a special series to highlight the journeys, challenges, and achievements of women in science. Through these conversations, we aim to celebrate their contributions, inspire future generations, and explore how we can foster a more inclusive scientific community. This week we focus on Eman Maali, Research Postgraduate, Department of Computing, Faculty of Engineering who shares her path into science, her ground-breaking work in wireless communications, and her thoughts on empowering women in STEM. Your Journey into Science Can you tell me a bit about what sparked your interest in science? Was there [...]

In this edition of our Spotlight on Principal Investigators, we feature Professor Muhammad Imran, a leading researcher shaping the future of wireless communications and digital connectivity. His work focuses on energy-efficient networking, frugal sensing, and equitable access to communication technologies, particularly for underserved communities.   What motivates you to continue innovating and exploring in your field? I am driven by a passion to push the boundaries of knowledge in communication systems, aiming to develop energy-efficient and frugal sensing and networking solutions that benefit society. Recognizing that connectivity is integral to daily life, I am committed to ensuring equitable access for [...]

Experience the Future of Cloud and AI with CHEDDAR Watch our latest animated video, launched at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, to see how CHEDDAR is transforming cloud-based AI and telecoms infrastructure. This short, engaging animation breaks down our cutting-edge research and its impact on the future of connectivity. 🔹 Discover how CHEDDAR is shaping the next generation of networks🔹 See how our research is driving innovation in AI and telecoms🔹 Join us in rethinking the future of cloud and edge computing 🎬 Watch the video now and be part of the conversation! 🚀

In recognition of International Women’s Day, we’re launching a special series to highlight the journeys, challenges, and achievements of women in science. Through these conversations, we aim to celebrate their contributions, inspire future generations, and explore how we can foster a more inclusive scientific community. We begin with Siling Wang, Research Fellow at the University of Leeds, who shares her path into science, her groundbreaking work in wireless communications, and her thoughts on empowering women in STEM. Your Journey into Science Can you tell me a bit about what sparked your interest in science? Was there a particular moment or [...]

In this edition of Spotlight on Principal Investigators, we feature Professor Qammer Abbasi, a pioneering researcher shaping the future of communication, sensing, and policy-driven innovation. His work spans cutting-edge 6G technologies, Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS), and Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC)—driving breakthroughs that ensure connectivity is not only faster but also more intelligent, sustainable, and equitable. Watch the interview on YouTube here What motivates you to continue innovating and exploring in your field? The pursuit of advancing future communication and sensing technologies to create transformative societal impact drives my passion. Whether it’s enabling seamless connectivity or developing intelligent systems that [...]

Leading experts in technology and finance including CHEDDAR’s Muhammad A. Imran and Qammer H. Abbasi have come together to launch a new Scottish Centre of Excellence for digital trust, designed to enhance the safety and resilience of the digital world. Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) will host the Scottish Centre of Excellence in Digital Trust and Distributed Ledger Technology in partnership with the University of Edinburgh, the University of Glasgow, and Fintech Scotland, with initial funding provided by Scottish Enterprise. The Centre is part of a broader vision to establish Scotland as a global leader in digital trust innovation, benefiting industries such as [...]

The SYSTRON Lab recently hosted a successful two-day workshop, with one day dedicated to 6G communications. The event took place on 20th–21st November at the Piazza Building, drawing an engaged audience eager to explore the latest advancements in 6G technology. Dr. Poonam Yadav opened the workshop with a warm welcome and introduction, followed by brief remarks from Dr. Rob Davis and Dr. Arjuna Sathiaseelan—two distinguished academics who recently joined the group. The agenda featured a diverse range of presentations, highlighting ongoing research projects, including CHEDDAR and REMOTE, as well as broader research themes within the field. Vijon Baraku’s presentation on [...]

Engineers from the University of Glasgow are teaming up with colleagues from the Tyndall National Institute’s Wireless Communications Laboratory (WCL) for the project, called Active intelligent Reconfigurable surfaces for 6G wireless COMmunications or AR-COM. They will work with key industry partners to improve the design of smart materials – intelligent reconfigurable surfaces (IRS) which are expected to play a key role in the ultrafast 6G wireless networks of the future. Tyndall’s WCL, based at University College Cork, was founded in 2020 by three former scientists from Nokia Bell Labs – Holger Claussen, Lester Ho and Senad Bulja - to boost [...]

The University of Leeds team enjoyed a dynamic and inspiring week, highlighted by two key events: ORAN-TWIN Project Meeting On 16th of December, we were honoured to host the face-to-face meeting for the ORAN-TWIN project, a part of the Communications Hub for Empowering Distributed Cloud Computing Applications and Research. This productive session brought together researchers from our collaborating institutions: University of Surrey University of York Birmingham City University University of Leeds (host) Key discussions during the meeting included updates on project progress from each partner, brainstorming sessions, and a roadmap of next action points to accelerate our shared goals. It [...]

Innovations in Security Protocols At SEFM24, Dr. Ye presented the paper titled "User-Guided Verification of Security Protocols via Sound Animation", a collaborative work with Dr. Metere and Dr. Poonam Yadav. This research addresses the challenges of making formal verification more accessible to security protocol designers. By introducing sound animation, the team developed an iterative workflow that enables designers to identify bugs early in the design process, with the assurance that detected issues represent real flaws. The innovation lies in the automatic generation of animators from security protocol models, streamlining the process and allowing designers to deliver secure protocols efficiently without [...]

As part of the University of Glasgow’s celebrations for Lord Kelvin’s 200th anniversary, the event titled “Empowering Diverse Voices: Shaping Pathways for a Sustainable Future” brought together researchers and professionals from across disciplines. Sponsored by the IEEE Communications Society TC Innovation Fund, IEEE ComSoc UK & Ireland, IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society UK&I, and IEEE WICE, the event focused on pressing themes like net-zero initiatives and smart Sessions covered topics like smart cities, smart buildings, healthcare, space, energy management, Researchers showcased their work through dynamic poster presentations. Congratulations to the Best Poster Winners: 1st Prize: Reyna Victoria Jaime Arellano (Edinburgh [...]

This research is pivotal for understanding how next-generation wireless technologies can enhance UAV operations, particularly in high-demand environments where consistent communication quality is essential. Performing QoS measurements in UAV field trials with 5G-advanced communications at various altitudes | IET Conference Publication | IEEE Xplore

The event brought together prominent experts from leading UK universities, including Professors Harald Haas (TITAN), Julie McCann (CHEDDAR), Dominic O’Brien (HASC), and Dimitra Simeonidou (JOINER), to discuss how 6G will shape the future of critical sectors including: 6G for Healthcare Transformation Aligned with the government’s new £1.5 billion commitment to the NHS, the Federated Telecoms Hubs are pioneering advancements in 6G to support real-time data sharing, telemedicine, and healthcare AI applications. These technologies aim to enhance patient outcomes and streamline NHS productivity. Symposium attendees will gain insight into how 6G connectivity can create faster, more secure networks essential to the [...]

This breakthrough could revolutionise health monitoring, providing a seamless, non-invasive solution for tracking vital signs. “These advances could help provide clinicians with round-the-clock monitoring of their patients without the use of invasive or uncomfortable wearable sensors, and strengthen infection control measures in cases where patients have a communicable illness. Professor Muhammad Imran, Head of Glasgow University’s Communications, Sensing and Imaging Hub, and a co-author of the paper said: “This paper shows that radar can be used to monitor heart sounds with remarkable precision, which could make it invaluable for use in clinical settings and at home in the future” Imagine [...]

We're pleased to announce a significant milestone for Pillar 3 of our research. The USRP (Universal Software Radio Peripheral) equipment has been successfully procured, and our team is in the process of setting up an advanced demo in our lab. This demo will play a pivotal role in showcasing our cutting-edge research and practical implementations in the field.

This comprehensive report provides a strategic overview of the UK’s telecommunications landscape, addressing emerging challenges, opportunities, and innovative solutions for future network infrastructure. The whitepaper offers valuable guidance for industry leaders, researchers, and policymakers invested in building resilient and forward-thinking networks across the UK. Explore the full report here: Future Networks Whitepaper This publication marks a significant step in CHEDDAR’s commitment to impactful research and strategic collaboration, supporting the next generation of UK telecoms.

By fostering innovation and supporting industry-wide collaboration, UKTIN is dedicated to building a robust telecoms infrastructure that addresses current and future connectivity challenges. Their initiatives are paving the way for cutting-edge developments in the telecom sector, highlighting the importance of engineering expertise in driving sustainable growth. Discover how UKTIN is shaping the future of UK telecoms. Learn more about UKTIN's latest efforts here

This accolade highlights his dedication and leadership in advancing telecoms engineering and his commitment to impactful research and innovation. A true testament to teamwork and collaboration, this award underscores the efforts of Professor Imran and his team to drive forward engineering excellence. Congratulations to Professor Imran and the entire team for their hard work and dedication! Read more about this achievement here

Both DiveIn and CHEDDAR share a commitment to equipping the next generation of researchers with the tools and knowledge to innovate in fields ranging from smart grids to healthcare systems, transport, and security. This CDT programme is designed to bridge the gap between academia and real-world application, offering PhD candidates a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge research, industry partnerships, and external collaborations. DiveIn is focused on bringing together diverse teams to tackle interdisciplinary, mission-driven challenges at the forefront of research. During the 4-year PhD, students will take part in a training programme which integrates didactic, self-directed, empirical, and peer [...]

Professor Muhammad Ali Imran leads the Communication, Sensing and Imaging (CSI) Hub at the University of Glasgow’s Department of Engineering where he's particularly interested in energy-efficient cellular systems and frugal networking solutions. Here, we explore Muhammad's role and why he enjoys working in telecoms: Read more here

Leveraging advanced RAG techniques, this research enhances how network specifications are generated by integrating intelligent retrieval systems with generative AI. This approach ensures that 6G networks can meet evolving demands with accuracy and adaptability, addressing the unique requirements across industries like healthcare, smart cities, and transport. This innovative method represents a significant leap forward in preparing 6G networks to support the complex and highly varied applications of the future. For further details, read the full article in IEEE Communications Magazine Link

Authored by leading experts, this publication provides an in-depth look at how IRS can facilitate dynamic control of wireless environments, ensuring enhanced signal quality, security, and energy efficiency. As 6G moves from concept to reality, this book offers invaluable insights for researchers, engineers, and industry leaders focused on shaping the next generation of wireless communications. For more information, visit the book’s page on Wiley’s website: Intelligent Reconfigurable Surfaces (IRS) for Prospective 6G Wireless Networks.