Projects

This program is a pioneering initiative that seeks to redefine the boundaries of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in secure sensor connectivity and signal processing. It is a collaboration between leading research institutions, the defence industry, agriculture, government, the energy sector, and satellite operators, united by the common goal of addressing the challenges of next-generation wireless sensor networks and data processing.

Our approach hinges on the development of innovative algorithms and systems that merge the principles of efficiency, security, and agility. The overarching concept recognises that robust and secure wireless sensor networks demand a holistic approach, fusing the intricacies of sensor networking design and deployment with data-aware spectrum access and data processing. To ensure the seamless functioning of these sensors and networks, we are introducing a cognitive approach to AI-enabled radio spectrum access, promoting autonomous radio resource utilisation.

This vision of connectivity extends to the novel integration of satellite and terrestrial networks, creating a unified and uninterrupted network across diverse geographic regions. We envision the deployment of these sensors as an autonomous process, optimising data detection and collection. This data collected from agricultural and energy sensors will be subject to AIenabled signal processing, securely transmitted through robust networks.

Number of scholarships: 13

Participating universities: RMIT, Central Queensland, Federation, UTS

Industry partners: Singtel Optus, Consunet, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Praetorian Aeronautics, Botanical Food Company, McCormick Foods Australia, Single Agriculture, Connect AUZ, BuzzBay Energy, RedgridGPT, Blue Spiral, Outlook Industries Australia, Datellite

Funded by CSIRO: link here

The project aims to develop a miniaturised sensory device for event perception inspired by human vision and brain. The project expects to utilise an interdisciplinary approach combining optically active materials, nanofabrication of a broadband light sensor with in-built memory, and spiking neural networks to create real-time, event-based detection and tracking capability while reducing redundant data and latency. The expected outcome is an autonomous vision device that highlights changes in the scene using visible and infrared wavelengths. This should provide significant benefits to the security, defence, intelligence and space sectors through integrated stealth detection and tracking of targets real-time even in poor lighting. 

Prof Sumeet Walia (Lead CI); A/Prof Akram Hourani; Prof Arnan Mitchell; Prof Margaret Lech 

This is a 3 years project to develop and adopt advanced cognitive radio techniques for satellite communications to make satellite communication system intelligent and adaptive. The project aims to  improve the spectral efficiency of commercial satellite systems and to maximise the throughput and availability of critical communication systems under congested and contested situations . (The project partners: Australian Defense, Airbus, RMIT University, Deakin University, Macquarie University, University of Technology Sydney.

• Prof Kandeepan Sithamparanathan (overall project lead)

• A/Prof  Akram Al-Hourani (Lead CI for RMIT group)

Funded by: SmartSat CRC

This is a 3 years project investigating the use of machine learning methods to model and mitigate interference on spaceborne Synthetic Aperture Radar.

Funded PhD student:

• Mrs Nermine Hendy

Chief Investigators:

• A/Prof Akram Al-Hourani (Lead CI)

• Dr Haytham Fayek

Funded by: SmartSat CRC (2021 to 2023)  

This is a project aims to develop a novel time-series modelling approach for the V-band satellite channel based on empirical measurements. The produced time-series model will be further implemented to predict the satellite channel behaviour under different propagation scenarios. This will allow more accurate link performance prediction, and will further facilitate the development of fading mitigation techniques to enhance network service availability. The project is in collaboration with our industry partner OneWeb. The project is supported by SmartSat CRC, Satellite Applications Catapult, UK Science and Innovation Network, Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) and the Australian Space Agency as part of the Space Bridge Framework aimed at enhancing cooperation between UK and Australian space industries. 

Funded by: SmartSat CRC (2021 to 2022)

Chief Investigators (RMIT):

• A/Prof Akram Al-Hourani (Lead CI)

• Dr Phillip Conder

• Dr Ke (Desmond) Wang

• Prof Kandeepan Sithamparanathan

• A/Prof Wayne Rowe 

Research Fellow:

• Dr Bassel Al Homssi

Industry partners:

• Dr Ben Allan (OneWeb)

• Mr Ben Moores (OneWeb)

See the announcement by RMIT University below:

Funded by: Automotive Engineering Graduate Program (2019 to 2023) 

In collaboration our industry partner Bosch Australia for investigating and developing next-generation wireless systems for vehicular access, security and safety. The project supports 4 PhD student scholarships

Chief Investigators:

• A/Prof Wayne Rowe (Lead CI)

• Prof Kandeepan Sithamparanathan

• Dr Akram Al-Hourani

• Prof Bill Moran (UniMelb)

This is a ~6 month project investigating a practical terrestrial access systems for hybrid satellite connectivity

Funded by: SmartSat CRC (2021 to 2021)  

Funded by: Smart Cities and Suburbs Program (2019 to 2020) 

The Northern Melbourne Smart Cities Network, enabling data to drive change project will provide an IoT-based Smart Cities network to drive the first steps towards smart cities transformation for City of Whittlesea, Moreland City Council, Banyule City Council, Mitchell Shire Council and Nillumbik Shire Council.

The project developed and implemented a LoRaWAN network that enabled the integration of 5 different types of sensors to collect data on a wide variety of aspects of everyday life in the cities and allow Councils to monitor and improve efficiency of services provided and support potential delivery of new services. The project attracted two prestigious industry awards: Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) Smart City Awards for 2020, and IoT Alliance Australia (IoTAA) Smart Cities Award for 2020.

In collaboration with 5 Victorian councils:

• City of Whittlesea

• Moreland City

• Banyule City

• Mitchell Shire

• Nillumbik Shire

Chief Investigators (at RMIT):

• Dr Akram Al-Hourani (Lead CI)

• Prof Kandeepan Sithamparanathan

• Dr Ke (Desmond) Wang

Research Project Team (at RMIT):

• Dr Bassel Al Homssi (Research officer)

• Mr James Delaney (Research Officer)

• Mr Neil Tom

• Dr Kagiso Magowe (Post-Doc)

The link to the official webpage of the smart cities 2 project

Funded by: Yarra Valley Water and City West Water - (2017) 

Helping two Victorian water utilities: Yarra Valley Water and City West Water to develop the policy on deciding which IoT technology to adopt for their massive rollout of digital water meters. The plan is to gradually replace all mechanical meters with wireless digital meters that report water measurements and quality periodically to the system and to the end-user. This is a major engagement with the public sectors in solving society’s needs, creating sustainable environment for millions of people living in Victoria.  

RMIT team  has made a significant impact through his engagement by investigating the feasibility of multiple IoT access technologies to be used for the new digital water meters. Based on the recommendation from RMIT team, the two water utilities were able to make an informed decision  on which IoT technology to use in the current large-scale roll-out of digital water meters, this would create a positive impact for millions of Victorian residents and improve their day-to-day water efficiency.

Chief Investigators:

• Prof Kandeepan Sithamparanathan (Lead CI)

• Dr Akram Al-Hourani

• Dr Karina Gomez

• Mr David Taylor

Funded by: Smart Cities and Suburbs Program - (2018 to 2019) 

A major project is with the Local Australian Government through three Victorian councils: Port Phillip, Brimbank and Kingstone, helping these councils to solve public needs in providing more-efficient resource utilization. Our role in this project as a chief investigator includes the development of wireless communication system and Internet-of-Things system to monitor facilities’ utilization and to monitor environmental metrics, helping in creating more sustainable use patterns. 

Chief Investigators: 

• Prof Sujeeva Setunge (Lead CI) 

• Prof Kandeepan Sithamparanathan

• Dr Karina Gomez

• Dr Akram Hourani

• Dr Kagiso Magowe

• Prof Kevin Zhang