Research

Welcome to the Center for neXt Communications (CXC), a global research hub dedicated to exploring the frontiers of communication across physical, biological, and cosmic scales. 

Our mission is to redefine the fundamental limits of communication. Rather than focusing only on the next generation of wireless systems, we investigate the neXt physical layers of reality through which information can be exchanged. By bringing together information theory, communication engineering, biology, quantum physics, and space sciences, CXC aims to develop the scientific and technological foundations for the connectivity fabric that will support humanity's future.

What the "X" Stands For

In conventional telecommunications, progress is often described in terms of generations: 4G, 5G, 6G, and beyond. While this generational roadmap remains important, CXC's vision goes further. The “X” in CXC represents the unknown, the cross-disciplinary, and the extreme:

• It refers to the unknown variable in communication research: the next medium, mechanism, or physical principle that has not yet been fully harnessed for information exchange. This may include biological communication between living systems, quantum state manipulation, or communication mechanisms for extreme terrestrial and extraterrestrial environments.
• It also represents a deeply cross-disciplinary approach. CXC brings together engineering, biology, physics, information theory, machine learning, and space sciences to understand communication as a universal phenomenon rather than a technology confined to radio networks.
• Finally, the “X” reflects communication across eXtreme scales: from nanoscale interactions inside cells to global intelligent infrastructures, from dense wireless environments to satellites, planetary surfaces, and deep-space systems.
   

Research Scope

Our work is organised around several interconnected frontiers of neXt communications.

• Wireless Communications: We contribute to the development of 6G and beyond wireless systems, with a focus on robust, energy-efficient, intelligent, and sustainable communication technologies. Research in this area includes Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC), green wireless systems, broadband and mobile networks, adaptive communication architectures, and the theoretical and practical foundations for shaping future global standards.
• Space Communications: As humanity moves toward a multi-planetary future, communication systems must operate reliably across extreme distances, harsh environments, and highly dynamic network conditions. We develop theories, protocols, and architectures for satellite, deep-space, planetary, and beyond-line-of-sight communication systems. Our research includes high-frequency and THz satellite links, Martian and planetary environmental sensing and space-air-ground integrated networks.
• Quantum Communications: We explore quantum principles as the basis for secure, high-capacity, and fundamentally new forms of communication. Our research includes quantum state manipulation, entanglement-based communication, quantum networking, and the integration of quantum systems with future communication infrastructures. This research aims to understand how quantum information can extend or transform the limits imposed by classical communication theory.
• Molecular & Biological Communications: We investigate communication mechanisms inspired by, embedded in, or directly implemented through biological systems. Our research includes molecular, ion-based, bacterial, neural, and bio-nano communication paradigms. By studying how information is exchanged within and between living systems, we lay the foundations for the Internet of Bio-Nano Things, with potential applications in healthcare, synthetic biology, biotechnology, targeted sensing, and intelligent therapeutic systems.
• Machine Learning for Communications: We develop machine learning methods for spectrum management, resource allocation, channel modelling, network optimisation, sensing, and autonomous decision-making. This research supports communication systems that can adapt to complex environments, learn from data, and operate efficiently across diverse physical and network conditions.

Evolution of Our Research Vision

The Center for neXt Communications represents the latest stage in a long-term research vision led by Professor Özgür B. Akan.

The journey began at the Next-generation and Wireless Communications Laboratory (NWCL) at Middle East Technical University (METU), where foundational work was carried out in wireless sensor networks, cognitive radio, and next-generation wireless systems.

As communication research expanded toward pervasive connectivity, the vision evolved into the Internet of Everything research direction at Cambridge and Koç University. This stage broadened the scope from connecting devices to connecting humans, processes, data, biological entities, autonomous systems, and intelligent environments.

Today, CXC reflects the next evolution of this vision. While the label "Internet of Everything"  has become industry standard, our work now extends beyond connected systems to the deeper scientific question of communication itself. CXC explores how information is exchanged across Molecular, Quantum, Biological, and Space domains, moving from the connection of “things” toward the understanding of communication as a fundamental process in nature.