Purdue University’s College of Engineering Accelerates Research and Innovation with AT&T 5G at Indiana 5G Zone

Research Centered on Advanced Manufacturing, Smart Cities, Agricultural Technology and Rural Broadband

Purdue University’s College of Engineering is working with AT&T to create a test bed for 5G-based research and development at its Purdue Research Lab. Located in the newly launched Indiana 5G Zone, the lab will use AT&T’s 5G+ millimeter wave (5G+) and commercially available Multi-access Edge Computing (MEC) technologies to help solve societal challenges like disaster recovery in rural, agricultural areas and explore new use cases for where business and community intersect – like smart cities.

“Purdue Engineering is very excited to work with the public-private ecosystem in Indianapolis on the Indy 5G Zone. Indy is speedy! This is a unique, open environment in the nation where innovators using 5G for consumer and industrial applications can test out their ideas,” said Dr. Mung Chiang, dean of the College of Engineering, Purdue University. “As a researcher in wireless networks and, for the past decade, in edge computing, I am also delighted to see the collaboration with AT&T to advance research in edge technologies as part of the Zone.”

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Build-out for the Purdue Research Lab is expected to be complete as early as Spring 2020. Once complete, the Lab will accelerate academic research already underway. Areas of focus include 5G’s potential in advanced manufacturing, smart cities and IoT, and rural broadband and agricultural technology for disaster response.

External collaborators – like businesses and outside researchers will be invited in to help further exploration and build new applications or products that could help move forward technology in these areas. AT&T’s MEC technology combined with 5G+ will power near real-time data collection and analysis to better support this innovative work. The technology is also more scalable and flexible, which is critical for today’s businesses.

“Bringing 5G and edge computing into a university lab creates an ideal environment for innovation,” said Chris Penrose, senior vice president, Advanced Mobility and Enterprise Solutions, AT&T Business. “These technologies have the potential to solve real problems and make meaningful impacts to the world around us. We look forward to seeing the exciting new ideas that emerge from Purdue’s early adoption and leadership in this space.”

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The Indiana 5G Zone is located inside the new downtown Indianapolis headquarters of the nonprofit Eleven Fifty Academy. The space serves as a 5G hub to attract businesses, universities, government and research institutions with lab space to develop next-generation 5G-enabled technology advancements.

“Indianapolis has become a leading city for technology, innovation and 5G deployment. AT&T launched our mobile 5G network in the Greater Indianapolis market offering a powerful, consistent and highly secure 5G experience to consumers and businesses,” said Bill Soards, president, AT&T Indiana. “With both state and local leaders leaning into the digital economy, Indiana is demonstrating its leadership in attracting investments that power our tech ecosystem and create economic growth.”

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