AWRI (Advanced Wireless Research Initiative)

Last updated on Mar 1, 2023

The Advanced Wireless Research Initiative (AWRI) is a U.S. government-funded program aimed at accelerating the development of advanced wireless technologies that can support the next generation of wireless networks, including 5G and beyond. The program is led by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and involves a partnership between government agencies, industry, and academia.

The goal of the AWRI is to create a network of wireless research platforms that can support the development and testing of advanced wireless technologies in real-world settings. These platforms, known as Advanced Wireless Research Platforms (AWRPs), will be used to test new wireless technologies and applications in a controlled environment, allowing researchers to better understand how they will perform in the real world.

The AWRI is part of a larger effort to support the development of advanced wireless technologies in the U.S. and maintain the country's leadership in this field. The U.S. government sees wireless technology as a critical enabler of economic growth and innovation, and is investing heavily in research and development to ensure that the U.S. remains at the forefront of this industry.

History of the AWRI

The AWRI was launched in July 2016 with an initial investment of $400 million from the U.S. government. The program was created in response to the growing demand for advanced wireless technologies, including 5G, which are expected to support a wide range of new applications and services, including the Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous vehicles, and virtual reality.

The program was also launched in response to concerns about the U.S. falling behind other countries in the development of advanced wireless technologies. In particular, countries like China and South Korea have been investing heavily in the development of 5G networks, and there was a concern that the U.S. could fall behind in this critical area.

Goals of the AWRI

The AWRI has several goals, including:

Developing and testing new wireless technologies: The program is aimed at accelerating the development of advanced wireless technologies that can support the next generation of wireless networks. This includes technologies like millimeter-wave radio frequency (RF) systems, massive multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) antenna systems, and network function virtualization (NFV) technologies.
Creating a network of wireless research platforms: The AWRI is creating a network of Advanced Wireless Research Platforms (AWRPs) that can be used to test new wireless technologies and applications in a controlled environment. These platforms will provide researchers with a real-world testing environment that can help them better understand how new wireless technologies will perform in the real world.
Encouraging collaboration between industry and academia: The AWRI is designed to encourage collaboration between industry and academia, with the goal of accelerating the development and commercialization of advanced wireless technologies. This collaboration is critical to the success of the program, as it will help ensure that new wireless technologies are practical and meet the needs of industry.
Developing the workforce: The AWRI is also focused on developing the workforce needed to support the development of advanced wireless technologies. This includes training and educating the next generation of wireless engineers, as well as developing new curricula and programs to support this field.

Advanced Wireless Research Platforms (AWRPs)

The heart of the AWRI is the network of Advanced Wireless Research Platforms (AWRPs) that the program is creating. These platforms are designed to provide researchers with a controlled testing environment where they can test new wireless technologies and applications in a real-world setting.

The AWRPs will be located in urban, suburban, and rural areas across the U.S. and will be designed to support a wide range of wireless research activities. Each AWRP will be equipped with the latest wireless technologies, including millimeter-wave radio frequency (RF) systems, massive multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO antenna systems, and network function virtualization (NFV) technologies, allowing researchers to test and evaluate new wireless technologies and applications in a variety of scenarios.

The AWRPs will also be connected to a national backbone network that will provide researchers with high-speed connectivity and access to advanced computing resources. This will allow researchers to collaborate on large-scale experiments and data analysis, and share their results with others in the field.

The AWRPs will be managed by a consortium of industry, academia, and government organizations, which will be responsible for overseeing their operation and maintenance. The consortium will also be responsible for ensuring that the AWRPs are used in a way that supports the goals of the AWRI and advances the field of wireless technology.

The AWRPs are expected to have a significant impact on the development of advanced wireless technologies in the U.S. By providing researchers with a real-world testing environment, the AWRPs will help to accelerate the development of new wireless technologies and applications, and ensure that the U.S. remains at the forefront of this field.

Collaboration between Industry and Academia

One of the key goals of the AWRI is to encourage collaboration between industry and academia. By working together, industry and academia can ensure that new wireless technologies are practical and meet the needs of industry, and can accelerate the commercialization of these technologies.

To facilitate this collaboration, the AWRI is creating a public-private partnership model that will bring together industry, academia, and government organizations. This partnership model will be used to manage the AWRPs and will be responsible for overseeing their operation and maintenance.

The partnership model will also be used to encourage industry to invest in the development of advanced wireless technologies. By working with academia, industry can identify new technologies and applications that have commercial potential, and can provide the resources needed to bring these technologies to market.

Developing the Workforce

The AWRI is also focused on developing the workforce needed to support the development of advanced wireless technologies. This includes training and educating the next generation of wireless engineers, as well as developing new curricula and programs to support this field.

To support this effort, the AWRI is working with universities and other educational institutions to develop new programs and curricula that focus on wireless technology. These programs will be designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in this field, and will help to ensure that the U.S. has the workforce needed to maintain its leadership in wireless technology.

Conclusion

The AWRI has several goals, including developing and testing new wireless technologies, creating a network of wireless research platforms, encouraging collaboration between industry and academia, and developing the workforce needed to support the development of advanced wireless technologies.