EE/CSE - SigCap Wi-Fi Data Platform and Analysis

With the explosion of wireless devices, the radio spectrum has become a highly constrained resource. We bridge the gap between wireless engineering and public policy through real-world spectrum measurements. By analyzing actual usage patterns and performance limits, our lab provides the critical data that policymakers and industry leaders need to build a faster, more accessible wireless future.

We are seeking motivated students to analyze multi-year Wi-Fi signal datasets captured by SigCap, a platform capturing real-world cellular and Wi-Fi signals to inform future spectrum usage and policy decision. Students will be expected to utilize existing analysis frameworks (Jupyter, NumPy, Pandas, etc) or create new analytical pipelines on the SigCap Data Platform.

We are looking to answering the following research questions:

  • How has Wi-Fi deployment evolved throughout the years, in terms of standards and spectrum band utilization?
  • Are there any difference in deployments of enterprise vs. consumer-grade Wi-Fi access points?
  • How does different spectrum deployment strategies affected real-world Wi-Fi deployments between countries?
Name of research group, project, or lab
GHOSH Lab
Why join this research group or lab?

This project gives students hands-on experience with wireless research and analysis using real-world Wi-Fi datasets. Students will gain experience with end-to-end large data cycle: retrieving real-world data, processing it for analysis (cleaning, transforming, and engineering features), as well as data analysis and modeling. This project will also be published, giving students exposure to technical writing and academic publishing process.

 

Representative publication
Logistics Information:
Project categories
Computer Science & Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Student ranks applicable
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Student qualifications
  • Strong interest in data science or technology policy.
  • Basic understanding in wireless technologies, particularly Wi-Fi.
  • Proficiency with (or a strong willingness to learn) Python-based data analysis framework. Familiarity with other analytical frameworks (e.g., machine learning/AI) is also welcome.
  • Web development experience is required for candidates choosing to work directly on the SigCap Data Platform architecture.
Hours per week
1 credit / 3-6 hours
2 credits / 6-12 hours
Compensation
Research for Credit
Number of openings
1
Techniques learned
  • Python/Jupyter-based data processing and visualization.
  • Deeper understanding of real-world Wi-Fi implementations.
  • Web development and collaborative software development, if candidates choose to work on SigCap Data Platform.
  • Technical writing and preparation of results for publication in a research conference or journal.
Project start
2026 Fall Semester
Contact Information:
Mentors
mrochman@nd.edu
Postdoc Researcher
mghosh3@nd.edu
mghosh3
ecase@nd.edu
Name of project director or principal investigator
Monisha Ghosh
Email address of project director or principal investigator
mghosh3@nd.edu
1 sp. | 0 appl.
Hours per week
1 credit / 3-6 hours (+1)
1 credit / 3-6 hours2 credits / 6-12 hours
Project categories
Electrical Engineering (+1)
Computer Science & EngineeringElectrical Engineering