A Brief History
In 1983, the introduction of the single chip digital signal processor heralded the widespread use of this technology. The wireless communications revolution had begun! With 5,000,000 US cellular subscribers by the end of the decade, researchers at Virginia Tech identified the need for a research and educational program that would meet the requirements of the burgeoning wireless industry, in terms of research, education, and professional development of technical staff.
In 1990, some of the world's largest telecommunications firms provided early seed funding for MPRG founder Professor Ted Rappaport to establish one of the first wireless research programs in the country. The MPRG Industrial Affiliates Program was also founded in 1990 with charter members AT&T, FBI, GTE, and Motorola. Within a year, the affiliate program included Apple Computer, BNR (Nortel), BellSouth, Rockwell, and Southwestern Bell .
In 1991, MPRG hosted its first Annual Symposium on Wireless Personal Communications Established to facilitate the transfer of knowledge from academia to industry, the symposium has grown from the presentation of paper and poster sessions and debates of crucial wireless issues, to include a “wireless summer school.” The summer school provides an opportunity for exposure to both basic and recent breakthroughs in specific areas of communications. The yearly symposium and summer school continually attract a worldwide audience.
The core faculty of MPRG provide the group with a foundation of wireless expertise unsurpassed in the research community. The group includes numerous associated faculty members whose diverse expertise provides additional breadth and depth to the wireless research program at Virginia Tech.
Since its inception, MPRG has attracted over $30 million in funding, and is ranked as one of the largest and most reputable university laboratories of its kind. MPRG has graduated over 200 undergraduate and graduate students, who have taken positions of leadership in the rapidly expanding wireless communications industry. MPRG graduates remain in high demand, and are heavily recruited by major wireless companies.
MPRG continues to implement its vision for worldwide communications, by developing solutions for a wireless world through education, research, and industrial partnerships.
