Projects

Title

Networks and Communication Technologies for Smart Cities IX.

Code

SP2026/004

Summary

Subject of the research are selected problems in the field of sensor, 5G/6G and quantum networks, which are in line with the research activities and needs of the expert group “Network Technologies and Applications” led by Prof. Vozňák, who acts in the project as a key co‐investigator and editor. The proposed project builds on long‐term research carried out in previous years and in 2026 will further develop in particular the results in the areas of sensor networks and IoT infrastructure, 5G/6G networks and cyber security. Newly, the research will also be directed towards the needs of the defence industry and towards the development of quantum networking technologies in connection with a new HE project. These areas have been systematically developed within the group over the long term and represent key directions of its specialization. Competence of the research team The team’s competences are supported by projects carried out in recent years, funded both from international research programmes such as HE Questing, H2020 OpenQKD, NATO Quantum5 or H2020 Tetramax, and from national programmes such as MVČR NESPOQ, IZSafe or SIoT, see projects.vsb.cz. Over the long term, the research team has been achieving results published in leading journals such as IEEE Communications Surveys and Tutorials, IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, IEEE Wireless Communications and IEEE Network. In the period 2016–2025, a total of 20 PhD students successfully completed their doctoral studies with support from previous SGS projects. Subject of the research The project’s research activities focus on three mutually interconnected areas: Sensor networks and IoT infrastructure, 5G/6G networks, and Cyber security with a focus on the protection of transmitted information in networks. During the project, we anticipate active involvement in international research initiatives, in particular the ongoing HE Questing project and, in addition, the submission of at least two project proposals to EU calls (e.g. HE, EDF or Eureka). Ad 1. Sensor networks and IoT infrastructure In the area of sensor networks and IoT infrastructure, the project will focus in particular on: development of the existing IoT infrastructure with an emphasis on the deployment of edge computing solutions for real‐time data processing, integration of AI/ML algorithms to optimise selected IoT tasks (e.g. setting transmission power levels and communication parameters of sensors), design and validation of hybrid architectures combining LoRaWAN, 5G NB‐IoT, etc., development of adaptive protocols for energy‐efficient communication in heterogeneous sensor networks, design, innovation and measurement of antenna systems of IoT devices in the newly built anechoic chamber of FEI. Ad 2. Research on 5G/6G technologies In the area of 5G/6G networks, the research will focus primarily on the following directions: analysis of ultra‐HD video (8K) transmission and AR/VR applications with high throughput and latency requirements, measurement of QoS parameters (latency, jitter) on the L4 layer using CESNET infrastructure, use of network slicing for guaranteed QoS between different types of services, implementation of a campus network using OpenCore (Open5GS) and OpenRAN (OpenAirInterface), integration of AI/ML mechanisms for dynamic optimisation of radio and backbone network parameters, design of intelligent reflective surfaces (IRS) using deep reinforcement learning for optimal configuration, use of non‐orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) and advanced channel models (Nakagami‐m, Rayleigh, Rician), development of adaptive algorithms for network resource allocation in environments with variable load. Ad 3. Cyber security The third area focuses on cyber security with an emphasis on quantum key distribution, quantum communications and post‐quantum cryptography: development of post‐processing emulation in geographically distributed QKD networks, integration of quantum‐safe cryptographic algorithms using the liboqs library, development of models for optimising QKD infrastructure and related post‐processing, implementation of lattice‐based cryptographic schemes, design of hybrid cryptographic solutions combining classical and post‐quantum mechanisms.

Start year

2026

End year

2026

Provider

Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports