Communications, Circuits, and Sensing-Systems

The Communications, Circuits, and Sensing-Systems (CCSS) Program is a grant that supports innovative research in various fields such as hardware circuit and system, signal processing techniques, and network architectures for communications and sensing. The aim of the grant is to advance next-generation cyber-physical systems. These are systems that integrate computation, communication, and sensing with physical domains.

To achieve this, the CCSS Program invests in a number of specific technologies such as micro and nano-electromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS), physical, chemical and biological sensing systems, neurotechnologies, and communication & sensing circuits. The intention is to develop new, complex systems that range in size from the nano to the macro scale.

These new systems would be grounded in innovative engineering principles and solutions, and would have a variety of applications which could impact many industries such as healthcare, environmental and biological monitoring, communications, disaster mitigation, intelligent transportation, manufacturing, energy, and smart buildings.

The CCSS Program encourages research proposals that are based on both emerging technologies and applications for communications and sensing. Some examples of this include high-speed communications of terabits per second, microwave to terahertz frequency sensing and imaging, personalized health monitoring, secured wireless connectivity for the Internet of Things, and real-time sensing and learning for dynamic-data-enabled autonomous systems.

The program is managed by CCSS Program Directors, who are interested in a variety of cutting-edge research areas. These range from RF circuits and antennas, to micro, nano and bio systems, wearable and implantable sensing systems, and even neuroengineering and brain-inspired designs. Those interested in applying are urged to contact the program directors to discuss areas of mutual interest.