Prof. Murat Uysal

Opening New Horizons in Communication Science

Wireless communication has brought about a profound transformation in human interactions, and Murat Uysal stands at the forefront of this field. A professor at New York University Abu Dhabi in the UAE, Uysal is a distinguished international scientist who inspires the next generation of innovators in wireless communication.
A Light in the Darkness
Murat Uysal was born in 1973 in Istanbul, Turkey. His childhood was marked by significant challenges, including the loss of his father. When his mother was just 27, she dedicated herself entirely to raising Uysal and his sister. The family survived on the modest pension of his grandparents, grappling with financial difficulties from an early age. His mother often said, “If you want something in life, you have to work hard for it.” This advice became Uysal’s life motto, fueling his determination to achieve his goals through effort and perseverance.
A Path to Success
After completing high school, Uysal enrolled at Istanbul Technical University, earning his bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering in 1995. During his undergraduate years, he worked part-time, which impacted his grades. Initially, he aimed to secure a job in the industry as an engineer after graduation. However, fate had other plans. In his final year, he met Erdal Panayirci, who introduced him to the world of wireless communication. Despite Uysal’s modest grades, Panayirci recognized his potential and encouraged him to pursue a master’s degree under his guidance. Uysal graduated at the top of his class through great effort, publishing his first academic papers. Reflecting on this, he says, “I owe my success to Panayirci; he transformed my life.”
Returning with Knowledge
After completing his master’s degree, Uysal moved to the United States for further studies. In 2001, he earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University under the mentorship of Costas N. Georghiades. Studying abroad presented numerous challenges, but Uysal found the experience immensely rewarding. After obtaining his doctorate, he began his academic career as an assistant professor at the University of Waterloo in Canada, where he lived and worked for ten years, eventually achieving the rank of full professor. This position offered him the opportunity to remain at Waterloo until retirement, but in 2011, he chose to return to Turkey to serve his homeland and embrace new professional challenges.
A Bridge from Science to Industry
In 2011, Uysal joined Özyeğin University in Turkey, where he served as the head of the Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department. At Özyeğin, he established an international research program focused on communication theory and wireless communication. In 2015, with substantial government funding, he founded the Optical Wireless Communication Technologies Center of Excellence (OKATEM). This institution, the first of its kind in Turkey and one of the few globally, is dedicated to research and development in optical wireless communication. OKATEM quickly gained international recognition, and Uysal went on to establish Hyperion Technologies, a company that successfully commercialized some of the technologies developed at OKATEM.
After a successful decade in Turkey, Uysal joined New York University Abu Dhabi in September 2023 to continue his cutting-edge research. He is now recognized as a leading scientist in visible light communication and was honored as a laureate of the 2023 Mustafa(pbuh) Prize for residents of Islamic countries in recognition of his contributions to this field. Uysal’s research primarily focuses on communication theory and signal processing, with a particular emphasis on the physical layer aspects of wireless communication systems in both radio frequency and optical bands. His work in optical wireless communication has significantly advanced the field, paving the way for practical applications across various domains.
With approximately 400 publications in scientific journals and conferences, over 20,000 citations, and an h-index of 63, Uysal has made a significant impact on the discipline.
To the Pinnacle of Honor
Uysal has received numerous accolades for his groundbreaking research. Among his notable awards is the Marsland Faculty Fellowship in 2004. In 2008, he was honored with the NSERC Discovery Accelerator Award, followed by the University of Waterloo’s Outstanding Research Award in Engineering in 2010. In 2011, he received the Young Scientist Award from the Turkish Academy of Sciences, followed by the National Instruments Engineering Impact Award in 2017. In 2018, Uysal earned two prestigious distinctions: the Outstanding Researcher Award from Özyeğin University and the Elginkan Foundation Technology Award. In 2019, he was awarded the IEEE Communications Society Best Survey Paper Award, and in 2021, he received the IEEE Turkey Section Outstanding Service Award.
Through perseverance, Uysal overcame the early challenges of his life to establish a distinguished presence in the field of wireless communication. A review of his professional journey reveals the processes involved in shaping a scientific career—a path that began with personal experiences in childhood and led to significant contributions in international research and industrial projects. His story underscores the importance of resilience, the influence of mentors and supporters, and the readiness to embrace change. Uysal’s achievements, from founding cutting-edge research centers to commercializing innovative technologies, reflect his unwavering commitment and passion for advancing knowledge and technology.
 

From Smoke Signals to Optical Wireless Communication
Ancient civilizations employed ingenious methods to transmit messages over long distances, laying the groundwork for modern communication systems. One of the earliest techniques was using smoke signals to convey messages. Fire was also utilized during times of war or danger as a signaling mechanism, while torches served a communicative role in religious ceremonies and celebrations. Additionally, in ancient times, sunlight was harnessed as a form of optical wireless communication (OWC). Greeks and Romans used polished shields to reflect sunlight and send simple messages during battles. In the late 19th century, the heliograph, or sun mirror, was employed for military communication, using mirrors to direct sunlight to distant stations.
The Beginning of a New Era
Alexander Graham Bell described his photophone as “his greatest invention,” considering it a monumental achievement. Although the device never reached commercial use, it captured the attention of the military, leading to the use of arc lamps for voice communication in military settings. Today, optical wireless communication relies on lasers or LEDs as transmitters. This approach has revolutionized how we interact with one another, and Murat Uysal stands at the forefront of this exciting field. While wireless communication primarily operates through radio frequency (RF) bands, these have limited bandwidth and capacity and are regulated by governments. In today’s world, the demand for wireless data is growing exponentially, placing significant pressure on the radio spectrum. Beyond the RF spectrum lies the vast, unregulated optical spectrum.
An Optical Revolution
In his research on optical wireless communication, Uysal has proposed solutions to address the congestion of the radio spectrum. These solutions involve using unlicensed optical bands for wireless communication and mitigating the challenges associated with RF frequencies. Uysal has played a pivotal role in advancing technologies such as Visible Light Communication (VLC) and Free-Space Optical Communication (FSOC). These technologies have diverse applications, including optical interconnects in integrated circuits, communication between buildings, and satellite links. VLC utilizes visible light beams, modulating the intensity of LEDs to enable data transmission. Uysal has focused on designing the physical layers of these systems, contributing to improved quality and coverage of domestic communication systems. He has also been instrumental in standardizing this technology internationally and in shaping a future where LED lamps provide internet connectivity.
Underwater Conversations
One of Uysal’s recent studies explores visible light communication in underwater environments. The research highlights the growing demand for communication systems underwater due to expanding human activities, such as scientific data collection, environmental monitoring, offshore oil field exploration, marine archaeology, port security, and tactical surveillance. Currently, most underwater communication relies on acoustic signals, which are insufficient for emerging applications requiring high-bandwidth, real-time transmission of images and videos. To address these challenges, Uysal proposes a technology based on modulating the intensity of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or laser diodes (LDs) for underwater communication.
Smart Cities
One of the key applications of optical wireless communication technology is the development of smart cities. Imagine a city where everything—from traffic lights to waste management systems—is interconnected, with communications occurring at high speeds and with robust security. This is the essence of a smart city, which leverages information and communication technologies to enhance efficiency and improve the well-being of its citizens. Many countries are reevaluating their urban planning strategies to build comprehensive communication technology infrastructures aimed at improving the quality of life. This includes intelligent transportation systems that utilize advanced technologies such as sensors, communication networks, and data processing to optimize transportation systems.
When Lights Speak
In recent years, the use of energy-efficient LEDs in outdoor lighting, traffic signs, advertising displays, and vehicles—such as brake lights and turn signals—has surged. The widespread presence of LEDs in outdoor environments and vehicles has created opportunities to utilize Visible Light Communication (VLC) for data transmission. Vehicles equipped with LED-based headlights and taillights can communicate with each other and with roadside units through this technology. Compared to radio frequency (RF) communication, VLC offers several advantages, including resistance to electromagnetic interference, operation in unlicensed frequency bands, and inherent security that allows for greater frequency reuse. As a result, VLC can be employed for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) networking using the LEDs already installed in vehicles. These lights can transmit data such as location and speed to other vehicles or roadside infrastructure, enhancing road safety, enabling traffic management, and helping prevent accidents. As researchers continue to explore the potential of this technology, we can look forward to a future where our vehicles are smarter and safer than ever.
In the Service of Health and Advanced Communications
Uysal has also explored the potential of optical wireless communication in medical applications. One notable use is in Wireless Body Area Networks (WBAN), which employ wearable sensors to collect health-related data. Additionally, Uysal has contributed to the development of Free-Space Optical Communication (FSOC) technologies which enable high-speed data transmission between two fixed points using narrow laser beams. With its exceptionally high bandwidth, FSOC significantly boosts data transfer speeds, making it ideal for applications such as enterprise connectivity, video surveillance, and more.
Optical wireless communication, as an emerging technology, is driving transformative changes in today’s world. From its applications in healthcare to its diverse uses in transportation networks and smart cities, this technology has effectively provided innovative solutions to complex challenges. With ongoing advancements and its vast potential, we can envision a future where faster, more secure interactions are always within reach. These developments pave the way for a significant improvement in the quality of human life.