SpectrumX 2026 Summer School and a Hackathon

Overview. The Summer School on wireless communications is designed to promote early research by engaging students in fun and interactive learning about wireless networks and the radio spectrum they use. This will be a four-day camp including activities that will introduce students to the radio spectrum as a precious natural resource that fuels various applications. The school will delve into wireless network architectures and existing technologies (e.g. Cellular, Wi-Fi and Phone-to-Phone). We will also discuss key shortcomings in these technologies that require further innovation. The school will also introduce students to non-commercial uses of the spectrum such as climate monitoring, weather prediction and radio astronomy. Hands-on activities will introduce students to wireless network measurement tools and analysis. 

About the NSF SpectrumX Center: SpectrumX, the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) Spectrum Innovation Center, is the world’s largest academic hub where all radio spectrum stakeholders can innovate, collaborate, and contribute to maximizing social welfare of this precious resource. The Center was initiated by a five-year, $25M NSF center grant. You can learn more about SpectrumX on our website: https://www.spectrumx.org/. 

What to expect. At the completion of this camp, students will receive Certificates of Achievement signed by Center leadership, which they can append to their resumes. Students will have the opportunity to interact virtually and in-person with multiple faculty members of the Center. Students will also stay connected with professional opportunities through the center upon completion of the school. Finally, lunch and refreshments will be provided on each day of the Summer School.

A tentative program for the Summer School is listed below. A detailed program can be found on the Agenda page.

Day 1: Wireless networks architectures and technologies overview. Spectrum regulations and economics.

Day 2: Wi-Fi and Cellular networks – what they are, how they work and how to measure them.

          Point-to-point networks – wireless for rural areas; emergency response.

          Hands-on activity: Make a network – break a network.

Day 3: The future of wireless – harmonious spectrum coexistence.

          Hands-on activity: Hackathon – RF scavenger hunt and spectrum data science.

Day 4: Hackathon continued.

Prerequisites. There are no prerequisites for this school. We will perform multiple wireless network measurement activities, instructions for which will be posted before the camp begins. Students are required to bring their own laptop to install measurement tools and participate in the activities we have designed. Students will be provided with additional hardware and software tools to complete planned hands-on activities. 

Registration (deadline Friday, May 22): Registration for this summer camp is free, thanks to the NSF's support. Please visit our Registration page for more details on how to register.