Stanford Professor Awarded IET Faraday Medal for Groundbreaking MIMO Wireless Invention
Renowned Stanford University Professor Emeritus and Celesta Capital Advisor, Dr. Arogyaswami Paulraj, has been awarded the prestigious 2023 Faraday Medal by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) in the UK. The award ceremony took place in London, where Dr. Paulraj became the 100th recipient of the medal for his groundbreaking invention of MIMO Wireless. The Faraday Medal is widely recognized as one of the most prestigious awards honoring engineers and scientists who have made significant contributions to advancing technologies with global impact.
MIMO Wireless, which stands for multiple-input and multiple-output, utilizes multiple antennas at both the transmitter and receiver ends of a wireless link. By combining signal encoding and decoding techniques, MIMO Wireless effectively enhances wireless data rates. Its impact has been recognized by thousands of researchers and engineers across the globe, with over 400,000 research publications and 450,000 patents dedicated to advancing the technology in the US, China, and Europe.
The Faraday Medal, named after Michael Faraday, a pioneer in the field of electromagnetism, has been awarded since 1922 and is the longest-standing global recognition in science and technology. Dr. Paulraj joins an illustrious list of medalists that include renowned scientists and innovators like Oliver Heaviside, J.J. Thompson, E. Rutherford, V. Zworykin, and R. N. Noyce. In recent years, the award has also acknowledged outstanding business leaders, such as Azim Premji, the founder of Wipro from India.
Expressing his gratitude for the honor, Dr. Paulraj stated, I am extremely honored to receive the IET Faraday Medal. I firmly believe that digital access can be an equalizer in creating opportunities, and with the advent of 5G, India has the potential to excel in deep technology industries. As these industries heavily rely on innovation and intellectual property ownership, it is crucial for India to thoroughly understand all the industry dynamics and pave a successful path forward.
Dr. Paulraj, who currently serves as an emeritus professor at Stanford University, has received numerous accolades for his contributions to MIMO technology. He also works as a Senior Advisor to Celesta Capital, a venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley that focuses on supporting deep tech ventures within the India-US corridor. Dr. Paulraj is actively involved in various advisory committees, including his role as the Fabless Committee Chair with the Indian Semiconductor Mission.
Born in Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, India, in 1944, Dr. Paulraj joined the Indian Navy at the age of 16 and served for 25 years before transitioning to Stanford University. During his naval career, he made significant mathematical breakthroughs in signal estimation and high-resolution parameter estimation. He also played a key role in developing advanced anti-submarine sonar systems, with the APSOH sonar being one of India’s most successful military technology achievements.
In addition to his academic and research contributions, Dr. Paulraj founded or co-founded three national laboratories in India, focusing on AI and robotics, military electronics, and high-performance computing. However, he eventually left India in 1991 and joined Stanford University, where he invented the MIMO technique while working on a DARPA project for US defense.
The recognition bestowed upon Dr. Arogyaswami Paulraj highlights his immense contributions to the field of wireless technology, particularly with his groundbreaking invention of MIMO Wireless. His extensive knowledge and experience continue to inspire and pave the way for technological advancements that shape our modern world.
