Stanford University’s  Paulraj Honored With IET Faraday Medal

India-West Staff Reporter

PALO ALTO, CA – The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) in the United Kingdom bestowed the prestigious 2023 Faraday Medal upon Dr. Arogyaswami Paulraj, Professor Emeritus at Stanford University and Celesta Capital Advisor. The award was presented during a ceremony held in London, marking Dr. Paulraj as the 100th recipient of this esteemed accolade. The citation accompanying the award acknowledged his remarkable contributions “For the invention, advancement, and commercialization of MIMO Wireless.” The Faraday Medal, renowned globally, recognizes the outstanding achievements of engineers and scientists who have made significant strides in the advancement of technologies with a profound global impact.

In a statement following the presentation, Paulraj expressed his gratitude, stating, “I firmly believe that digital access acts as a great equalizer in terms of creating opportunities. With the advent of 5G technology, India possesses the potential to venture into and succeed in deep technology industries. Given that the primary value addition in these industries arises from innovation and intellectual property ownership, they pose substantial barriers to entry. In the coming years, it is imperative for India to comprehensively comprehend the dynamics of this industry to chart a successful path forward.”

MIMO (Multiple In, Multiple Out) wireless technology has played a pivotal role in powering 4G, 5G mobile networks, and Wi-Fi infrastructure, leaving a profound and extensive impact. This technology has revolutionized high-speed wireless access, bridging the digital divide for not only the 6.5 billion smartphone users but also an additional 12 billion personal and machine-type devices connected to the internet.

Presently affiliated with the Department of Electrical Engineering at Stanford University, Dr. Paulraj earned his Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi, India. His illustrious career has garnered several awards, including induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), the Marconi Prize and Fellowship in 2014, and the IEEE Alexander Graham Bell Medal in 2011. He holds the distinction of being a fellow of eight scientific and engineering national academies, including those of the United States, China, India, and Sweden. Additionally, he is a fellow of the IEEE and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

In 1999, Dr. Paulraj founded Iospan Wireless Inc., a company that played a pivotal role in developing and establishing MIMO-OFDMA wireless as the core technology for 4G networks. Iospan was subsequently acquired by Intel Corporation in 2003. In 2004, he co-founded Beceem Communications Inc., which ascended to a position of market leadership in 4G-WiMAX semiconductor technology and was acquired by Broadcom Corp. in 2010.