Sensing and Communications for Tactical Radio: Mapping the RF Weather. This project investigates sensing, localisation and communication strategies to improve the performance of modern tactical radio networks. Such networks face all of the well-known design challenges of mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) but with added complication of a contested and adversarial operating environment. By exploiting the power of radio nodes to sense the radio spectrum, as well as to communicate over it, a distribut ....Sensing and Communications for Tactical Radio: Mapping the RF Weather. This project investigates sensing, localisation and communication strategies to improve the performance of modern tactical radio networks. Such networks face all of the well-known design challenges of mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) but with added complication of a contested and adversarial operating environment. By exploiting the power of radio nodes to sense the radio spectrum, as well as to communicate over it, a distributed network of nodes can create a detailed picture of the surrounding radio-frequency (RF) environment: the nodes can work together to map the “RF weather”. In this project we will design advanced sensing and localisation methods to accurately map the RF spectrum, and then exploit this map in communication system design.Read moreRead less
Supervised autonomy for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) using limited bandwidth communication channels. The project aims to improve the feedback link between an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) and an operator by developing novel acoustic communication schemes that exploit developments in machine learning, network, and communication theory and represents a step towards truly autonomous and intelligent surveying using AUV systems.
Opening a New Era of High-Performance Microwave Devices. We propose a conceptually new method of manufacturing high-performance microwave components at the low-cost and short lead time using liquid form conductors and 3D printing technology. Innovation consists in developing surface roughness free waveguide- and coaxial-based RF and microwave devices, in one-single-piece. This technique can be further extended to create high-performance reconfigurable RF and microwave devices such as filters, an ....Opening a New Era of High-Performance Microwave Devices. We propose a conceptually new method of manufacturing high-performance microwave components at the low-cost and short lead time using liquid form conductors and 3D printing technology. Innovation consists in developing surface roughness free waveguide- and coaxial-based RF and microwave devices, in one-single-piece. This technique can be further extended to create high-performance reconfigurable RF and microwave devices such as filters, antennas, directional couplers, phase shifters and switches by manipulating the locations of the liquid conductors. Furthermore, the method will enable the management of heat generated in high-power applications. Australian telecommunication industry and defence will benefit from the outcome of this project.Read moreRead less
Reconfigurable Conformal Antenna Arrays for Broadband in the Sky Networks. The project aims to develop the theory and technology for a novel type of antennas, namely, reconfigurable conformal antenna arrays, for future broadband in the sky networks (BISNets). BISNets are essential to providing digital services to users on the move and in remote areas. The antenna would be conformal to the surface of the mounting platform, and its elements would be reconfigured in situ to generate the optimum rad ....Reconfigurable Conformal Antenna Arrays for Broadband in the Sky Networks. The project aims to develop the theory and technology for a novel type of antennas, namely, reconfigurable conformal antenna arrays, for future broadband in the sky networks (BISNets). BISNets are essential to providing digital services to users on the move and in remote areas. The antenna would be conformal to the surface of the mounting platform, and its elements would be reconfigured in situ to generate the optimum radiation characteristics to suit the radio environment. It is expected that the project would advance the scientific knowledge of space-borne wireless communications and sensing in general, and antennas in particular, and significantly enhance the performance and reduce the cost of BISNets.Read moreRead less
Safeguarding Future Wireless Communications with Physical Layer Security. Wireless communication is vulnerable to eavesdropping attacks since the transmitted signal enters an open wireless medium allowing anyone to overhear it. This project tackles the challenging problem of secure wireless transmissions through the advancement of a new security technology termed physical layer security. Theoretical frameworks are expected to be developed to understand how this new technology extracts the intri ....Safeguarding Future Wireless Communications with Physical Layer Security. Wireless communication is vulnerable to eavesdropping attacks since the transmitted signal enters an open wireless medium allowing anyone to overhear it. This project tackles the challenging problem of secure wireless transmissions through the advancement of a new security technology termed physical layer security. Theoretical frameworks are expected to be developed to understand how this new technology extracts the intrinsic security from the wireless medium to protect the confidentiality of information transmission. The research outcome is expected to provide for innovative solutions to safeguard Australia's future commercial, government and military wireless networks, and to give pivotal insights into the impact of this new technology on national security.Read moreRead less
RAINBOW - RAdIo Networks Based On machine learning for situation aWareness. This project aims to develop software-defined and cognitive radio networks (SDR) to detect adversarial communications and achieve situation awareness on radio frequency (RF) spectrum. The project will generate novel SDR architectures and new attack-resistant detection algorithms through innovative approaches combining machine learning and game theory. Expected outcomes include a strategic alliance between the University ....RAINBOW - RAdIo Networks Based On machine learning for situation aWareness. This project aims to develop software-defined and cognitive radio networks (SDR) to detect adversarial communications and achieve situation awareness on radio frequency (RF) spectrum. The project will generate novel SDR architectures and new attack-resistant detection algorithms through innovative approaches combining machine learning and game theory. Expected outcomes include a strategic alliance between the University of Melbourne and the Northrop Grumman Corporation. Among significant benefits, the project will improve cybersecurity of RF spectrum as a national asset, help protect critical infrastructure relying on wireless networks such as telecommunications and defence, and build skills in cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence.Read moreRead less
Co-design and dynamic mission optimisation of hypersonic flight vehicles. This project aims to deliver fundamental knowledge by integrating the modelling and control with the design of next generation hypersonic platforms. In an era where Australia's national security reliance on geographic isolation and support from allied forces are being challenged, the research outcomes of this project will play an important role in understanding the capabilities of hypersonic systems. The project will also ....Co-design and dynamic mission optimisation of hypersonic flight vehicles. This project aims to deliver fundamental knowledge by integrating the modelling and control with the design of next generation hypersonic platforms. In an era where Australia's national security reliance on geographic isolation and support from allied forces are being challenged, the research outcomes of this project will play an important role in understanding the capabilities of hypersonic systems. The project will also have significant spillover benefits into other complex system domains, where computational tools can be used to aid in design leading to high embedded-IP products for Australian industry. Furthermore, the proposal encompasses a strong research training aspect, with graduates exposed to leading edge industry and academia.Read moreRead less
The dynamics of goal-oriented leader behaviour in action teams. Organisations increasingly rely on action teams - those that form swiftly to tackle urgent, potentially dangerous incidents that unfold rapidly in uncertain environments. Effective leadership is critical for managing teams in such dynamic situations. However, little is understood about the dynamic behaviours required of action team leaders to effectively manage goal-directed action. The project will integrate self-regulation, team l ....The dynamics of goal-oriented leader behaviour in action teams. Organisations increasingly rely on action teams - those that form swiftly to tackle urgent, potentially dangerous incidents that unfold rapidly in uncertain environments. Effective leadership is critical for managing teams in such dynamic situations. However, little is understood about the dynamic behaviours required of action team leaders to effectively manage goal-directed action. The project will integrate self-regulation, team leadership and team theories to propose when team leaders should perform various behaviours and for how long, in order to develop the team states required for effectiveness. The project will then test the model with Incident Command and Surgical teams. Results aim to uncover prescriptive guidelines for the training and management of action team leaders.Read moreRead less
Advanced coverage control techniques for mobile networked systems. This project aims to efficiently control individual mobile sensors and actuators to achieve network-wide coverage quality for monitoring and control of industrial and environmental processes. Coverage control of mobile networked systems is important in control engineering due to the growing use of mobile robots and mobile wireless networks for sensing coverage and monitoring. The project will develop techniques for coverage contr ....Advanced coverage control techniques for mobile networked systems. This project aims to efficiently control individual mobile sensors and actuators to achieve network-wide coverage quality for monitoring and control of industrial and environmental processes. Coverage control of mobile networked systems is important in control engineering due to the growing use of mobile robots and mobile wireless networks for sensing coverage and monitoring. The project will develop techniques for coverage control of mobile networks which are expected to solve industrial control problems in the defence, communications and robotics industries and manage the environment.Read moreRead less
Control and state estimation in the next-generation interconnected systems. This project aims to develop a systematic and efficient approach to address fundamental challenges in control and secure state estimation in the next-generation interconnected systems. Control and state estimation in high-tech systems is an emerging area of control engineering. The importance of this area is quickly increasing due to the growing use of the next-generation interconnected systems, in which physical and hig ....Control and state estimation in the next-generation interconnected systems. This project aims to develop a systematic and efficient approach to address fundamental challenges in control and secure state estimation in the next-generation interconnected systems. Control and state estimation in high-tech systems is an emerging area of control engineering. The importance of this area is quickly increasing due to the growing use of the next-generation interconnected systems, in which physical and high-tech components are interacting in complex networks. The project is expected to have direct applications in the management of energy networks, and in industrial control and secure state estimation problems in the defence, communications, and automobile industries.Read moreRead less