Abstract: Advanced wireless networks research is driven by the exponential increase in user demand driven by low-latency and high data rate requirements of emerging applications such as augmented/virtual reality. A fundamental challenge is that the wireless spectrum is a finite and valuable resource that supports a variety of services and applications including WiFi, broadband cellular, GPS and military/government/public safety communications. This mandates a natural evolution of spectrum policy regulation, from exclusive static spectrum licensing and sharing, to a more dynamic and multi-layered licensing that targets increasing spectrum utilization/agility, and co-existence with passive users such as radar. Debates surrounding recent regulatory rulings have shown that there is still a lot to be learned in terms of the fundamental techno-economics of dynamic spectrum policies.

In this talk, I present some of my research group’s recent results on the development of new mathematical modeling approaches to study the techno-economic aspects of spectrum licensing policies, with a focus on layered/tiered licensing architectures. This research develops abstractions that enable the analysis and fundamental understanding of different spectrum sharing policy frameworks. I’ll also provide a brief overview of some of our recent work in spectrum policy enforcement and privacy-aware detection of spectrum violators.

Biography: Dr. Alhussein Abouzeid is a Professor in the Department of Electrical, Computer, and Systems Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York. He received his Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington, Seattle, in 2001 and 1999, respectively, and his B.S. degree with honors from Cairo University, Egypt, in 1993. He held appointments with Allied Signal (now Honeywell) Redmond, WA, Hughes Research Labs (HRL), Malibu, CA and Alcatel Telecom. Dr. Abouzeid’s research focuses on computer networking, with an emphasis on wireless systems. His work has been supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). He served as a Program Director in the Computer and Network Systems (CNS) Division of the Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE) Directorate from 2008–2010, 2020–2022 (part-time), and 2022–2025. At NSF, he co-founded and managed multiple advanced wireless and networking initiatives, including the EARS, RINGS, and VINES programs. He has served as Associate Editor for IEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications, and IEEE Transactions on Mobile Computing, and on numerous organizing and technical program committees for major conferences in his field. His honors include the NSF Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award in 2006 and a Finnish Distinguished Professor (FiDiPro) Fellowship from Tekes (now Business Finland) in 2014. His work received multiple best paper awards.