PhD Project in Scalable Wi-Fi-based localization and trajectory tracking with AI

Wi-Fi-based wireless sensing has recently gained significant attention thanks to its non-invasive and device-free nature. Instead, it harnesses the distortions in wireless signal, along with advanced AI techniques, to infer environmental and human-related activities.

Wi-Fi-based wireless sensing has recently gained significant attention thanks to its non-invasive and device-free nature. Instead, it harnesses the distortions in wireless signal, along with advanced AI techniques, to infer environmental and human-related activities. Additionally, the wireless signals can propagate through walls, enabling sensing even in non-line-of-sight (NLoS) scenarios. Wi-Fi-based contactless localization and trajectory tracking systems can localize and track persons without requiring them to carry or wear any sensors. However, despite its potential, existing methods are still limited in their robustness when applied to real-world indoor environments. The key challenges include noisy Wi-Fi-based measurements caused by multipath and hardware imperfections, as well as signal pattern inconsistency from human activities like hand swings and head movements during walking. These factors can degrade the performance of Wi-Fi-based localization and tracking systems, highlighting the need for further research and development to enhance their reliability and accuracy in diverse indoor settings.

This PhD project aims to explore the use of commodity Wi-Fi devices for real-time target localization and trajectory tracking. By leveraging state-of-the-art signal processing and machine/deep learning techniques, the project will seek to enhance the accuracy, robustness and scalability of Wi-Fi-based localization and tracking systems. The project offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge wireless sensing research, and collaborate with leading experts in AI, wireless technology and signal processing.

Funding Information

To be eligible for consideration for a Home DfE or EPSRC Studentship (covering tuition fees and maintenance stipend of approx. £19,237 per annum), a candidate must satisfy all the eligibility criteria based on nationality, residency and academic qualifications.

To be classed as a Home student, candidates must meet the following criteria and the associated residency requirements:

• Be a UK National,
or • Have settled status,
or • Have pre-settled status,
or • Have indefinite leave to remain or enter the UK.

Candidates from ROI may also qualify for Home student funding.

Previous PhD study MAY make you ineligible to be considered for funding.

Please note that other terms and conditions also apply.

Please note that any available PhD studentships will be allocated on a competitive basis across a number of projects currently being advertised by the School.

A small number of international awards will be available for allocation across the School. An international award is not guaranteed to be available for this project, and competition across the School for these awards will be highly competitive.

Academic Requirements:

The minimum academic requirement for admission is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI Higher Education provider in a relevant discipline, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University.

Entrance requirements

Graduate
The minimum academic requirement for admission to a research degree programme is normally an Upper Second Class Honours degree from a UK or ROI HE provider, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Further information can be obtained by contacting the School.

International Students

For information on international qualification equivalents, please check the specific information for your country.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.0, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required (*taken within the last 2 years).

International students wishing to apply to Queen’s University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.