Workshop on Standards-driven Research

Ms. Pamela Kumar has taken up the role of Chief Strategy Advisor (Telecom and Data) at the Foundation for Science, Innovation and Development (FSID) after completing a stint of 6years as the Director General of TSDSI. A major accomplishment has been the incorporation of Indian requirements and innovation for Rural Broadband in the 5G standards. An alumnus of PEC Chandigarh, Rutgers University and IIM Bangalore, Pamela brings with her an experience of 35+ years in the communications, computers and semiconductor industry. Prior to TSDSI, she has spent the first 10 years of her career at AT&T, Bell Labs in USA and at C-DOT in Bangalore. Later, she held leadership positions in Texas Instruments, IBM, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, R&D labs in India. She also did a short stint with 2 startups, setting up the R&D centers of Network Programs and Alliance Semiconductors. She holds 3 Patents granted by USPTO and has 5 patent applications pending in the Networking Accelerators domain. She has been instrumental in creating new businesses of upto $ 2.5 Billion. She has been a Keynote/ invited speaker in 100+ Local and Global forums. Pamela is the Founding Chair and former President of Cloud Computing Innovation Council of India (CCICI). She is the Bharti Chair for IT Research, UIET, Panjab University. She also mentors a few Startups in the ICT space. She is on the Governing Board of ESDS. She has been on the Governing Board of Indian Financial Technologies and Allied Services (IFTAS) and PEC University of Technology.

Title: Democratising Technology using Open Source and Open Standards
Democratising Technology is "about broadening the set of people able to participate in technologies that impact our lives" An attempt will be made to make a case for why Democratising Technology is the only way to achieve the vision of UN SDGs and Atma Nirbhar Bharat. The trends in Standards Development and the emerging importance of Open Source will be presented. Some case studies will be presented to highlight the importance of embracing the new "OPEN paradigm", hence democratizing Technology.

Kiran Kuchi is a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad. He leads 5G-advanced and 6G research and standards development efforts at 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Program), a global body that develops cellular communications specifications. He is a key member of TSDSI and Bharat 6G Alliance, leading efforts to develop 6G standards in India at 3GPP and ITU-R WP 5D. Prof. Kuchi works closely with the Government of India to shape the country’s 6G plans. Professor Kuchi is the author of more than 200 international patents, some of them are declared as 5G standards essential patents (SEPs) to TSDSI and 3GPP. Prof. Kuchi founded WiSig Networks Pvt Ltd, at IITH technology incubator. IITH and WiSig jointly developed and commercialized 5G base station and user equipment (UE) IPs and NB-IoT SoC.

Talk Title: Transforming Research Concepts into Commercial Success: A Journey through Standards.

Sumit Roy (Fellow IEEE) received the B. Tech. (EE) degree from the IIT Kanpur in 1983, and M. S. (1985) and Ph. D. (1988) degrees from the University of California (Santa Barbara) in Electrical & Comp. Engineering as well as an M. A. in Statistics and Applied Probability (1988). He has been a faculty member in Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Washington since 1998 where he was appointed to a Distinguished Term Professorship for Integrated Systems (2014-19) in recognition of his scholarly accomplishments. He continues to direct the Fundamentals of Networking Laboratory (FUNLaB) https://wp.ece.uw.edu/funlab/, the long-standing maintainer/manager of the Open Source network simulator ns-3 project www.nsnam.org, recognized via the ACM SIGCOMM Networking Systems Award 2020 for "development of a networking system that has had a significant impact on the world of computer networking." His expertise spans analysis/design and prototyping of future wireless communication systems/networks: next-Gen wireless LANs, 5G New Radio and beyond 5G/6G standards, with an emphasis on terrestrial and airborne (vehicular) applications, multi-standard inter-networking/coexistence and dynamic spectrum access solutions for spectrum sharing. He spent 2001-03 on academic leave at Intel Wireless Technology Lab as a Senior Researcher/Standards Architect engaged in systems architecture and standards development for ultra-wideband systems (Wireless PANs) and next-generation high-speed wireless LANs (802.11n). His 2014-15 sabbatical year involved stints at Microsoft Research, Bangalore, India, as Erskine Fellow at University of Canterbury, New Zealand and as Short Term Visiting Foreign Expert at Shanghai JiaoTung University. He has/continues to serve as academic advisor to various Indian institutions (IIIT-D, SNU-Noida, Ahmedabad U) on matters related to research and academic aspects of institution building. He was elevated to IEEE Fellow by ComSoc in 2007 for "contributions to multi-user communications theory and cross-layer design of wireless networking standards." He has served two terms as IEEE ComSoc Distinguished Lecturer (2014-15, 17-18) and has been a frequent invited speaker @ various 5G forums such as IEEE 5G Summit. He is currently Distinguished Lecturer for IEEE Future Networks Technical Community.

Talk title: Network Simulation of WiFi 6/7 using ns-3
Abstract: The talk will first present overview of key new features of (recent) IEEE 802.11ax (WiFi6) and (emerging) 802.11be (WiFi7) standard, aligned with desired improvement of network efficiency in dense deployment scenarios (enterprise and residential). Thereafter, it will focus on ongoing implementation of some of these features and their use in performance evaluation studies using the open-source network simulator ns-3 (www.nsnam.org), managed my UW Fundamentals of Networking Lab (https://wp.ece.uw.edu/funlab/). Achieving efficient cross-layer network simulation as networks scale - both in topology size as well as inherent complexity of the underlying PHY/MAC - is itself an ongoing challenge; advances on this front led by UW FunLaB and collaborators over the past years will be highlighted, with examples drawn from 2 broad classes: a) Enhanced Spatial Reuse (such as enabled by BSS Color in 11ax) and b) Multi Link Operation (MLO) defined in 11be. Further, optimization/management of such dense networks naturally invites application of AI/ML approaches within (evolving) WLAN control/management architectures. We will highlight the potential of ns3-ai – a framework for fast/flexible interfaces between ns-3 and Python based open-source AI/ML algorithm suites – for automating cross-layer network simulation and highlight consequent trade-offs (benefits in network throughput achieved at the cost of increased simulation run-times) in ns-3. Finally, this talk is also intended as a call for greater participation by Indian academic and industry R&D community in the ns-3 WiFi project.

Subhas leads the R&D efforts for 5G product development at HFCL as a senior vice president. In this role, Subhas works with academia, standards development organizations, and technology partners. The portfolio of products include O-RAN based Macro RU, indoor small cell, medium range outdoor small cell, and Transport Products for interconnecting disaggregated RAN nodes. Prior to joining HFCL, Subhas served as the Chief Architect of Wipro’s organization-wide 5G initiative from 2018 to 2021. He was recognized as a Wipro Fellow for his technical contributions. Subhas has served as a member at large, IEEE SA Board of Governors and is currently the chair-elect for IEEE Communication Society, Bangalore Chapter. Subhas holds an engineering degree from IIT Kharagpur in Electronics and Electrical Communication Engineering.

Title: Decoding the 5G NR Radio specifications
The 3GPP normative specifications are prescriptive and has evolved over years of research, debate, simulation, and consensus building in 3GPP working group meetings. Evolution of system for better performance necessitates clear understanding of the technology behind the specification. This talk will focus on 5G radio transceiver specifications, the technology behind the specification and an approach to investigate further to improve system performance.

Vishnu, Consultant TSDSI, has hands-on experience in the field of Telecom industry for more than 25 years, developing and implementing standards, and holds many international granted patents. He is a senior member of IEEE, an active member of NWG13 (National Working Group 13) in India and Vice Chair of ITU-T focus group on Autonomous Networks and co-convener of ITU-T Correspondence Group on datasets (cg dataset). He holds a Masters degree in Computer Science and Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi His current passion includes coordinating standards initiatives, industry bodies, open source and academia, mentoring student projects and coordinating the ITU “AI/ML in 5G“ Challenge across the globe. He also curates and moderates webinars under the ITU Machine learning 5G webinar series and AI for Good. Vishnu was nominated as Scientific Advisory Board Associate (SABA) member of Motorola Networks and is a senior member of IEEE.

Title: How to mess up a standardization opportunity ?
Abstract: This presentation follows the journey of a (purely fictitious) character, called Humpty Dumpty (HD), trying to scale the "global standardization wall". The trials and tribulations of HD as he maneuvers across different hurdles are sketched with (purely fictitious) case studies. Ignoring the best practices and lack of collaboration with a thriving local standards community, brings HD down. The moral of the story includes key points from our experiences at TSDSI, mentoring and handholding global contributions to standards, as we collectively scale the wall and aim for pioneering innovations in global standards.

Vishnu, Consultant TSDSI, has hands-on experience in the field of Telecom industry for more than 25 years, developing and implementing standards, and holds many international granted patents. He is a senior member of IEEE, an active member of NWG13 (National Working Group 13) in India and Vice Chair of ITU-T focus group on Autonomous Networks and co-convener of ITU-T Correspondence Group on datasets (cg dataset). He holds a Masters degree in Computer Science and Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi His current passion includes coordinating standards initiatives, industry bodies, open source and academia, mentoring student projects and coordinating the ITU “AI/ML in 5G“ Challenge across the globe. He also curates and moderates webinars under the ITU Machine learning 5G webinar series and AI for Good. Vishnu was nominated as Scientific Advisory Board Associate (SABA) member of Motorola Networks and is a senior member of IEEE.

Title: How to mess up a standardization opportunity
Abstract: This presentation follows the journey of a (purely fictitious) character, called Humpty Dumpty (HD), trying to scale the "global standardization wall". The trials and tribulations of HD as he maneuvers across different hurdles are sketched with (purely fictitious) case studies. Ignoring the best practices and lack of collaboration with a thriving local standards community, brings HD down. The moral of the story includes key points from our experiences at TSDSI, mentoring and handholding global contributions to standards, as we collectively scale the wall and aim for pioneering innovations in global standards.

Kishor is Technology Advisor, Mentor, Design Strategist & Architect in Electrical, Electronics & ICT with over 45 years of professional experience in education, research, design and consulting running an Independent Design House – NARNIX since 1981. Over 30years of hardcore Research and Design Development Experience in Solutions, Systems, Products, Hardware, Software & Firmware (Embedded Software) across diverse technology & application domains, and over 10 years of Consultancy Experience to different segments of business & industry. He has over 250 Research & Design Mentees in the Electronics, ICT & STI Ecosystems. Currently, mentoring many Deep Tech & Disruptive Tech Startups.
For the last 10 years, he has been deeply involved in standardization in the electrical, electronics, communications, information technology and cyber security domains with a focus on identifying gaps in standards to bring harmonization through standardized interfaces to ensure end-to-end Interoperability. With focus on ubiquity & comprehensive interoperability in Digital Infrastructures, he has been pursuing applied research in last Mile Communication and 5G Communication Architectures developing some unique approaches resulting in National & Global Standards. Proactively contributing in IEC, ISO, ITU, IEEE & BIS along with various industry consortia.

Title: How to mess up a standardization opportunity ?
Abstract: This presentation follows the journey of a (purely fictitious) character, called Humpty Dumpty (HD), trying to scale the "global standardization wall". The trials and tribulations of HD as he maneuvers across different hurdles are sketched with (purely fictitious) case studies. Ignoring the best practices and lack of collaboration with a thriving local standards community, brings HD down. The moral of the story includes key points from our experiences at TSDSI, mentoring and handholding global contributions to standards, as we collectively scale the wall and aim for pioneering innovations in global standards.

Niranth Amogh is the Head - 6G Ecosystem and Standardization - Nokia Standards Department. He is also the Vice Chair of Study Group- Services and Solutions, TSDSI. Prior to this, he was Chief Architect - Standards at the Huawei India R&D Center at Bengaluru. He is a Senior Expert in the domain of telecom and information networks research and industry standards with over 20 years of experience in pre-research, standardization and product development activities. His research areas include 5G Advanced and 6G vertical industry applications and platforms for Mission Critical Communications, Edge Computing, API/Server enabler frameworks, V2X, UAV communications, Smart Factory, M2M/IoT and NGSON. He is an active contributor to global and regional standards bodies/forums (3GPP, IEEE, ITU, 5GAA, 5GACIA, GSMA OPG, TSDSI, TEC).

Dr. Amar D. Chaudhari, a post-doctoral research associate at IIT Delhi, possesses over one year of experience in 5G standardization. He earned his MTech degree in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering from Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI), Mumbai, in 2017, and later obtained a PhD in Electronics Engineering from Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT), DRDO, Pune, in 2022. He served as a visiting/ad hoc faculty in the Electrical Engineering Department at VJTI, Mumbai, India, for a duration of 6 months. His current work includes contributions to 5G standardization and the design and development of antennas for 5G base stations. He has authored or co-authored more than 25 research papers published in international/national journals and conference proceedings. He has contributed 4 noted/approved technical documents in 3GPP RAN4 meetings. His research interests include phased antenna array design, multiplexing antennas, miniaturized MIMO antennas, and printed directional antennas.

Dr. Ashish Singh Patel is currently working with the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Mizoram as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. Prior, to joining NIT Mizoram, he was associated with Indian Institute of Technology as Post-doctoral Research Associate where he worked on development of Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) system in Indigenous 5G testbed and standardization aspects of MEC where he directly contributed to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) (a global standardization body) and Telecommunication Standard Development Society India. He was also associated with Cisco Systems for around 4 years where he worked on next generation networking switches. He has published several research papers in reputed International journals/conferences, and filed multiple Indian patents. He is also an active contributor in Telecommunication Standard Development Society, India where he contributed on several study item and work items.

Dr. K Sowjanya, a post-doctoral researcher, at IIT Delhi, has standardization experience in 5G and beyond network security for more than one year. She contributed to the SA3 3GPP meeting and also two study items are in continuation under SGSS TSDSI. She has published 13 research papers (5 SCI-indexed journals and 8 Scopus-indexed conference papers). She holds a Ph.D. degree in Computer Science and Engineering from the National Institute of Technology Raipur and has one year plus post-doc experience from the Indian Insitute of Technology Hyderabad. Her current work includes a contribution to standardization concerning security in 5G and beyond networks. She also works in post-quantum migration for 5G and beyond networks.

Satish Kanugovi is part of Nokia Strategy and Technology division and heads the Standardization and Industry Engagements in APAC, focussing on India, Japan, and Korea regions. He is a Distinguished Member of Technical Staff (DMTS) and Senior Member IEEE. In his earlier roles, he has been part of Robotic Systems Research at Nokia Bell Labs and contributing to wireless research and standardization in the Mobile Networks CTO organization. His current research interests include 6G communication systems with focus on sustainable and secure networking. He did his engineering in electronics and communication from Delhi College of Engineering and masters in Nyaya and Vaisheshika from Karnataka Samskrit University.