Telecommunications
The revolution in transmitting technologies such as telephones (wired and wireless), microwave communications, fiber optics, satellites, radio and television broadcasting, and the Internet, has had a significant social, cultural and economic impact on modern society. Telecommunication has transformed social relationships and interactions, and the way people receive news and access entertainment content. In an information service-dependent economy, telecommunications technology has a strong positive impact on business development. Without it, a company cannot grow, compete or survive.
Research at ITACA in this field aims to obtain a better understanding of these technologies, regardless of their end application, in an industrial environment, in the generation of new businesses or in response to any of the challenges that our society is facing.
Our current research in this field is grouped into the following topics.
Traffic Engineering
ITACA has extensive experience in the development and application of models to analyze and evaluate performance of communications networks, and, in general, of systems in which a concurrent demand of resources is to be managed. For example, models for tracking and locating mobile telephones, and traffic models for M2M communications specific to smart cities and Internet of Things scenarios.
Telecommunications Economics and Regulation
ITACA works on the Economics and Legislation of Telecommunications, specifically on the analysis and evaluation of business models of network operators and competitive services in both regulated and unregulated sectors.
Industrial Networks
ITACA develops efficient solutions to address low-level communications in control systems. This means communications between sensor, processing and actuation elements. These solutions can be either wired or wireless in environments based on embedded systems, Programmable Logic Controllers, or general purpose systems (PCs and industrial PCs).
Researchers leading this area: JC Campelo
Wireless Sensor Networks
Wireless Sensor Networks form the basis of many new technologies termed “Smart” technologies (smart cities, smart meters, smart factories, etc.). ITACA has been working on high-performance low-energy-consumption wireless sensor networks for many years, and has developed applications for precision agriculture, environmental monitoring (including marine environments), fire detection, heritage conservation and industrial equipment control, among others.
Researchers leading this area: S Blanc, Angel Perles, JJ Serrano
Radiofrequency and Microwave Metrology
We conduct theoretical and experimental research to develop basic metrology and specific and accurate measurement devices. Our facilities include a comprehensive range of electromagnetic measurement and calibration equipment to handle different materials and applications. Measurement services are provided for power, noise, impedance, dielectric and magnetic material properties, and other basic quantities from low frequencies to more than 50 gigahertz.
Researchers leading this area: JM Catalá-Civera
Microwave RF Subsystems
Our research on this topic is dedicated to the least energetic portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, lying between 3 kilohertz and 300 gigahertz. Our research is focused on the design and development of new microwave devices and circuitry to improve performance. This research extends to all possible applications of radiofrequency energy, including radar, radiocommunications and electronic devices.
Researchers leading this area: Juan V Balbastre-Tejedor