Equipment: MRI: Track 1: Acquisition of InSpect: Instrument for Research and Education in Spectrum Science

The project supports acquisition and maintenance of an instrument that will create a state-of-the art shared facility at the University at Albany, supporting multi-institutional, interdisciplinary research in spectrum science serving the central New York region. The instrument is unique in its ability to operate in extreme bandwidths (up to 50 GHz) covering a wide range of frequencies: sub-6 GHz, X, Ku, K, Ka, D, H bands and optical frequencies. The advanced capabilities of the proposed system is anticipated to enable transformative research in electromagnetic spectrum utilization for all users including various applications, like wireless communication, sensing and imaging. The instrument will stimulate interdisciplinary, multi-institutional collaborative experimental research in spectrum science, which is currently infeasible due to lack of a testbed that can perform communication, sensing and imaging in a wide range of frequencies from lower sub-6~GHz up to Terahertz bands to exploit the unique physical characteristics of each of the bands. This equipment will facilitate novel research on problems that manifest only in experiments. This approach will bridge the gap between theory and practice and shorten the time for adoption of these novel techniques. The ability to rapidly prototype and test new algorithms will accelerate scientific discoveries. The proposed instrument will provide researchers and students in the central NY area access to a unique state-of-the-art wireless testbed. The research enabled by this testbed will facilitate efficient use of a vital national resource, electromagnetic spectrum, to enhance the quality of life for all Americans. Local colleges will play a significant role in introducing undergraduates to research and training in this instrument, leading to potentially improving the retention of students. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.