Professor Ertugrul Basar develops wireless technologies for a more sustainable, secure and connected future

What are your main research interests? 

I work on technologies that will shape 6G and beyond, such as reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, smart panels that can control how radio waves travel, and new physical-layer methods that secure data or generate unbreakable keys that will be resilient in quantum computers in the future.

Another key direction of my work is the design of green wireless communication schemes that minimise power consumption, implementation costs, and system complexity. I am also interested in combining wireless systems with sensing so that networks not only connect us but can also ‘see’ and understand their surroundings. 

What makes your research significant?

Wireless technologies are the invisible backbone of modern life, from smartphones and smart homes to future autonomous cars and digital health systems, and they must keep pace with the growing demands. In fact, wireless communications have been one of the great engineering success stories of the last 30 years, not only from a scientific perspective but also in terms of their market size and impact on society. 

By developing solutions that reduce power consumption, enhance security, and improve reliability, my work contributes to building communication networks that will not only support future innovations like 6G and the Internet of Things but also do so in ways that benefit both people and the planet.

Photo: Jonne Renvall / Tampere University

Where do you draw inspiration for your work as a professor?

My students’ and colleagues’ energy, creativity, and fresh perspectives constantly remind me of the joy of discovery and keep my work exciting. 

At the same time, I am driven by a deep curiosity to understand how wireless systems work and how they can be improved. This curiosity has shaped my career as an innovator, leading me to develop several novel wireless communication technologies since my PhD years. 

I find great motivation in the challenge of pushing scientific boundaries while also creating solutions that can make a real difference in people’s lives. 

Most rewarding of all is seeing students grow into independent researchers and innovators themselves, knowing that together we are contributing to a future of more sustainable, secure, and connected societies. This combination of curiosity, innovation, and mentorship is what continues to inspire me every day as a professor.

What would you want to study next and why?

Looking beyond 6G, I would like to explore ideas that may seem unfeasible today but could become reality in the coming decades. These include advanced wireless transceivers and antenna technologies that are smarter and more flexible; the use of artificial intelligence, and even noise itself, as a foundation for future wireless communications; and secure communication methods that will remain resilient against future computing breakthroughs.

I am also fascinated by the challenge of designing novel communication systems for extreme environments, such as extraterrestrial networks, where entirely new approaches will be required. These directions encourage us to think differently about what communication networks can become and how they can serve humanity in the long run.

What do you do in your free time?

I enjoy spending time with my family, especially with my two daughters, which is always the highlight of my day. I also like reading, both classic novels and recent technical books, and hiking in nature, to keep my mind active. 

Since moving to Finland, I have been slowly studying the Finnish language, history, and culture, which has been both fun and rewarding. I also enjoy various types of metal music, a passion that feels right at home in Finland, the capital of metal. And as a lifelong Formula 1 fan, I rarely miss a race, I’ve probably watched every one, since the early 2000s!