Imagine trying to hold a conversation at a rock concert. That overwhelming noise is the same challenge wireless devices face when interference floods their communication channels. Whether caused by environmental factors or intentional attacks, these disruptions can push smart machines toward unpredictable or unsafe behavior.
Dedicated to solving this critical problem are Dr. Eman Hammad, assistant professor in the Electronic Systems Engineering Technology (ESET) program and head of the iSTAR lab, and Dr. Jaewon Kim, research scientist in the Texas A&M Global Cyber Research Institute (GCRI). With ESET students Luis Barajas ‘25 and Colin Jeardoe ’25, the team developed an adaptive communication architecture that allows autonomous systems to detect interference and maintain reliable wireless links in complex environments.
The researchers began by creating controlled interference scenarios using software-defined radios and developing a real-time monitoring system to evaluate communication quality. They integrated these tools into a robotic vehicle platform and implemented adaptive decision-making logic that enables the system to switch to clearer wireless channels or alternative modes, such as infrared or ultrasonic signaling. Their approach follows a test-driven process that validates each step under realistic conditions, ensuring the final system reflects the engineering needs of modern autonomous technologies.
Many current wireless systems rely on fixed communication modalities or fallback mechanisms that cannot respond in time to evolving interference. The architecture developed gives machines a level of situational awareness. Devices can recognize degradation early and transition smoothly to more resilient communication pathways. The work connects communication engineering, autonomous system design, and cybersecurity in a unified framework.
“This research shows how resilience-by-design engineering can transform the trustworthiness of cyber-physical systems,” said Hammad.
"Reliable communication is essential for mission-critical autonomy,” added Kim. “From national infrastructure to public safety, we cannot afford systems that fail when interference appears. This work demonstrates how next-generation engineers can create technologies that remain dependable when it matters most.”
The implications of this work extend far beyond the laboratory. Autonomous and remote-operated platforms often operate in areas with intense radio frequency activity, such as disaster zones, industrial sites or crowded cities. Ensuring trustworthy links under these conditions supports safer and more resilient operations for drones, robots and self-driving vehicles. The team’s work contributes to systems that remain stable in the face of heavy noise or cyberattacks.
“This project advances the frontier of cyber-secure and resilient communication while giving students the chance to solve problems that directly affect industry and society,” said Kim. “The results reflect technical depth and a commitment to real-world impact.”
For Barajas and Jeardoe, the project was an opportunity to contribute to technologies with long-term global relevance.
“We are motivated by the challenge of designing systems that can operate safely in crowded or adversarial communication environments,” said Jeardoe.
“Ultimately, our goal is to help create a future where safety and reliability in wireless communication are the standard, not the exception,” said Barajas.
The team presented a live demonstration of their work at the GCRI Summit 2025 and is preparing to share their findings at leading Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) conferences to reach a global audience.
“We are deeply grateful to the Computing Research Association, UR2PhD program, the Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution, the ESET program and GCRI for providing an environment where creativity meets critical thinking,” said Hammad. “The collective support created an incredible platform for students to explore advanced research. This shows how the right support and mentorship can spark impactful innovation.”
Looking ahead, the GCRI and iSTAR initiative aims to scale this “resilience-by-design” philosophy across increasingly complex multi-agent swarms and heterogeneous networks, such as interacting robots and drones. The goal is to move beyond individual device security toward a holistic approach for smart cities and industrial ecosystems. As this research evolves, GCRI and iSTAR will continue to serve as collaborative hubs where academic rigor meets real-world application.
For students and partners eager to tackle the next generation of cyber-physical challenges, this effort offers a blueprint for how interdisciplinary teamwork can build a more reliable foundation for the critical infrastructures essential to modern society.