Resilient Distributed ISAC for UAV Communication and Localization

About this position

Resilient Distributed ISAC for UAV Communication and Localization

This PhD project develops and experimentally validates resilient communication and localization methods for UAVs in dynamic, congested and adversarial electromagnetic environments, including 5G/6G systems. Research covers spectrum and spatial sensing, interference management, adaptive beamforming, distributed antenna arrays, synchronization, ISAC and AI-assisted signal processing. Algorithms will be evaluated with software-defined radios, antenna hardware and over-the-air field measurements.

The project will address the following key areas:

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) communication systems must operate reliably in dynamic, congested and potentially adversarial electromagnetic environments. The increasing use of higher-frequency bands, 5G/6G technologies, distributed antenna systems, advanced beamforming and integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) creates new opportunities for improving link reliability, while introducing challenges related to propagation, blockage, interference, synchronization, hardware impairments and system integration.

The research aims to develop and experimentally validate methods for improving the resilience of UAV communication under realistic operating conditions. Resilience includes the ability to detect changing electromagnetic conditions, maintain communication and localization performance, adapt to interference or blockage, tolerate hardware and synchronization imperfections.

Potential research topics include spectrum and spatial sensing, interference and coexistence management, adaptive beamforming and distributed antenna arrays, synchronization and calibration, communication-assisted localization, ISAC, fault-tolerant communications, AI/ML-assisted signal processing, and resilient multi-UAV communication. The selection and emphasis of individual topics may evolve with technological developments and emerging research opportunities.

A particular emphasis will be placed on bridging theoretical and simulation-based research with practical implementation and reproducible measurement. Selected algorithms and architectures will be evaluated using software-defined radio, antenna/array hardware, over-the-air (OTA) and field measurements. The research will investigate how realistic propagation conditions and hardware imperfections affect resilience and how simulation and experimental models can be reconciled.

The expected outcome is a set of scientifically validated methods, models and evaluation methodologies for designing and assessing resilient UAV communication links

Responsibilities and (foreseen) tasks:

• Undertake research for specific doctoral research project.
• Present and publish research in both academic and non-academic audiences. Attend and participate in academic and non-academic conferences, events and seminars.
• Full-time employment (40 hours per week), temporary contract for 3 years.
• The above job descriptions are not exhaustive, the PhD candidate may be required to undertake other tasks, which are broadly in line with the above duties and responsibilities.

Applicants should fulfil the following requirements:

• The candidate should hold a master’s degree (or equivalent) in telecommunication, electronics, or in a related field of electrical engineering.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Strong analytical thinking, teamwork, and communication skills (written and oral) are required.
• Motivation to work in an interdisciplinary, innovation-driven research environment is essential.

The following experience is beneficial:

• A strong foundation in communication engineering and signal processing.
• Experience in publishing articles and technical reports.
• Experience in writing flight test protocols and following them through.
• Experience with experimental design and controlled testing of algorithms or systems.
• Familiarity with modern drone communication technologies.
• Ability to develop quantitative metrics for evaluating algorithm performance and operational limitations.

We offer:

• Full-time employment.
• Access to laboratory facilities and equipment for numerical, laboratory and flight testing.
• Opportunity to work with UAV-based experimental platforms and relevant communication technologies.
• Practical experience in designing, constructing and validating experimental test equipment.
• Support for publishing scientific articles and presenting research results at conferences

Supervisors:

Main supervisor: Senior Lecturer Ivo Müürsepp, School of Information Technologies: Thomas Johann Seebeck Department of Electronics: Communication System Research Group

Co-Supervisor: Researcher Ahti Ainomäe, Metrosert AS

Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) is an international scientific community with approximately 9,000 students and 2,000 employees; it is one of the largest universities in Estonia, the leading EU country in digitalisation. The university's strengths are broad multidisciplinary study/research interests, a modern research environment, and strong collaboration with international educational and research institutions. TalTech is aiming to be an organisation leading the way to a sustainable digital future.

The Drone Technologies Unit of Metrosert AS is interested in the research of interference-resilient distributed array systems and reproducible OTA validation for reliable UAV links in electromagnetically congested environments, where interference from coexisting services is both unavoidable and potentially adversarial. The scientific core is distributed wireless communication/sensing systems (i.e. the concept of Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC)) such as UAV distributed arrays, hybrid ground-air arrays, and distributed Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) arrays for 5G/6G communications.

For information about the admission process, please visit the PhD Admission homepage

Applications can be submitted from 01.10.2026 to 15.11.2026