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Professor (Research) of Electrical Engineering, Emeritus

Arogyaswami Paulraj

Professor (Research) of Electrical Engineering, Emeritus
Prof. Arogyaswami Paulraj is an Emeritus Professor at Stanford University. Paulraj's legacy is deeply intertwined with the evolution of wireless communication. His groundbreaking work on MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) technology laid the foundation for today's ubiquitous 4G/5G networks and high-speed Wi-Fi.

Paulraj's journey began in the Indian Navy, where he served from 1965 to 1991. During this time, he led the development of the APSOH anti-submarine sonar system and established three key R&D labs for the Indian government. His contributions earned him the prestigious Padma Bhushan award, India's third highest civilian honor.

Following his naval career, Paulraj joined Stanford University as a postdoctoral researcher. His research focus shifted to wireless communication, where he made groundbreaking contributions to MIMO technology. MIMO enables data transmission using multiple antennas, significantly increasing network capacity and data rates.

Paulraj's innovation has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the 2024 Royal Acad. Eng. Prince Philip Medal, the 2023 IET Faraday Medal, the 2014 Marconi Prize, and the 2011 IEEE Alexander Graham Bell Medal. He is also a fellow of nine national academies in engineering, sciences, and the arts, and an inductee of the US Patent Office’s National Inventors Hall of Fame.

Currently, Paulraj continues to contribute to technological advancement. He chairs several committees for the Government of India, focusing on the Indian Semiconductor Mission and Core ICT initiatives. His dedication to research and development continues to shape the future of wireless communication.

Education

BE, Naval College of Engineering, Lonavala, India, Elect. Engg. (1966)
PhD, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India, Elect. Engg. (1973)