Signal Processing

Our faculty and students improve national security through our expertise in areas of research that influence the future of communications. From radio frequency and microelectronics to quantum computing, we create technological innovations to improve communications in the field and help intercept and interpret potentially harmful information.

Centers, Institutes, Labs and Facilities

Integrated Circuits and Systems Lab

Hosted in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, the Integrated Circuits and Systems Lab (iNcs2) researches radio frequency and millimeter-wave circuits and systems for wireless communications, imaging, and radar applications. 

Commercial Leap Ahead for Wide Bandgap Semiconductors (CLAWS)

CLAWS is a DOD-funded regional hub specializing in wide bandgap semiconductors, which offer higher voltage and temperature capacity than traditional silicon chips. These chips are used in power electronics, but also in RF and wireless devices for communications and radars, as well as photonic devices for sensing, communications, artificial intelligence, and future quantum technology applications. CLAWS works with its partners in higher education and industry to explore next-generation ultra-wide bandgap materials with even greater voltage and temperature capabilities, including diamond and gallium oxide electronics.

FREEDM Systems Center

The Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management (FREEDM) Systems Engineering Research Center is building a more secure, sustainable environmentally friendly electric grid.

PowerAmerica

PowerAmerica, a proud member of Manufacturing USA, brings together the brightest minds in the wide bandgap (WBG) semiconductor world. Semiconductor manufacturers and companies that use power semiconductors in their products are working together to accelerate the adoption of next-generation silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN) power electronics.

Education

Communications and Signal Processing

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Research in the Communications and Signal Processing area focuses on issues regarding the efficient processing and transmission of data. Some examples of sources of data include sound, images, and sensor output signals. Signal processing algorithms deal with efficiently transforming the signals resulting from these sources into digital data streams. Communications research focuses on efficiently transmitting streams of data from one location to another. One important example of communications research is the investigation of techniques that transmit ever-increasing data rates with multiple users while consuming less radio frequency spectrum and transmitted signal power.

Initiatives

AERPAW 5G Technology

Ultra-fast speed meets unparalleled responsiveness. That’s the promise of fifth-generation (5G) wireless networks. Based at NC State, Aerial Experimentation and Research Platform for Advanced Wireless (AERPAW), is the first wireless research platform to study the convergence of 5G technology and autonomous drones. AERPAW is supported by Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research (PAWR).

Quantum Initiative

Quantum computing, materials and information science are emerging fields that could change the world, and North Carolina is at the epicenter of this change. At NC State, our faculty are working in quantum computing, materials and networking alongside our industry and government partners to bring that quantum future to fruition.