Research team
Expertise
My research focuses on the design and optimization of energy-efficient wireless communication systems for the next generation of the Internet of Things (IoT). I develop networking solutions that enable sustainable, scalable, and low-power connectivity, with particular emphasis on battery-free Ambient IoT, energy harvesting, and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), including satellite, high-altitude platform, and UAV-based communications. My work combines wireless network architecture, communication protocols, and resource management to address the challenges of ultra-low-power operation, energy-aware scheduling, localization, and ubiquitous connectivity. I have extensive expertise in Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11), LoRaWAN, LR-FHSS, Wake-up Radio (WuR) systems, and other low-power wireless technologies, as well as in the design and experimental evaluation of next-generation IoT networks. Through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) LUNA project at IDLab (University of Antwerp – imec), I investigate the convergence of Ambient IoT and Non-Terrestrial Networks to enable globally connected, battery-free devices for future 6G ecosystems. My broader research interests include energy-efficient networking, low-power protocol design, wireless performance evaluation, and sustainable communication technologies for large-scale IoT deployments.
Low-power ubiquitous NTN for ambient IoT (LUNA).
Abstract
The Internet of Things (IoT) is experiencing unprecedented growth, with connected devices expected to rise from 13.2 billion in 2022 to over 34.7 billion by 2028. Yet, this expansion is constrained by a heavy reliance on batteries, which limits scalability and generates significant environmental concerns. Ambient IoT (A-IoT) offers a breakthrough alternative: devices that operate without batteries by harvesting energy from their surroundings, such as light, vibration, or radiofrequency signals. While this paradigm promises sustainable, large-scale deployments, it faces major barriers, including limited and unpredictable energy availability and restricted communication range. LUNA (Low-power Ubiquitous NTN for Ambient IoT) addresses these challenges by pioneering the integration of A-IoT with Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs). By combining the self-powered operation of A-IoT devices with the global coverage of satellites, High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS), and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), LUNA envisions a new generation of batteryless, globally connected devices and applications seamlessly embedded in the 6G IMT-2030 ecosystem. This integration enables connectivity and services in remote and underserved areas, where self-sustainable, maintenance-free devices are especially valuable. The project tackles three core challenges: (i) the absence of a standardized framework to connect A-IoT devices to both terrestrial and non-terrestrial infrastructures, (ii) unpredictable duty cycles and lack of precise timekeeping in A-IoT, which complicate coordination with fast-moving non-terrestrial platforms, and (iii) the need for accurate localization to schedule communications with passing satellites and support various tracking applications. By addressing these issues, LUNA aims to deliver large-scale connectivity, precise localization, and ultra-low-power device design, transforming IoT into a sustainable, truly global infrastructure.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Famaey Jeroen
- Fellow: Sanchez Vital Roger
Research team(s)
Funding
- EU-KADER
Project type(s)
- Research Project