Alamouti Code inventor wins 2022 Marconi Prize

The Marconi Society has announced it is awarding the 2022 Marconi Prize to Siavash Alamouti, in recognition of his contribution to global wireless device accessibility. The society envisions a world in which everyone can create opportunity through the benefits of connectivity, and awards the Marconi Prize annually to innovators who have made significant contributions to increasing digital inclusivity through the advancement of information and communications technology.

Born in Iran in 1962, Alamouti has devoted his career to developing wireless technology that improves people’s lives. He designed his eponymous Alamouti Code in 1996, refining past efforts to improve mobile signal reception without significantly increasing device costs. His elegant solution, mathematically proven to optimise reception, adds transmitters to cell base stations or access points rather than adding them to each device. This code is now part of the foundation of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology, an essential component of contemporary wireless standards. Billions of devices in use today rely on the code to ensure better quality of communication at lower cost and reduced energy usage.

Throughout his career at major technology companies, including AT&T, Intel and Vodafone, Alamouti has remained passionate about open wireless standards and technology that prioritises the end user’s needs and interests. His leadership on open wireless standards can be seen in current standards adopted by the IEEE that continue to govern internet usage and protocols.

More recently, Alamouti has become an advocate for the decentralisation of the cloud and data sovereignty. As co-founder, former CEO and Executive Chairman of mimik, he has helped create and commercially deploy what is claimed to be the industry’s first hybrid edge cloud platform that allows consumers to control how their data is stored, shared and monetised. He also worked for Wells Fargo bank as executive vice president of research and development, focusing on the development of a data custodian platform for consumers and enterprises, and recently started his own company to accelerate this mission.

“It is incredibly humbling to be recognised by the Marconi Society, whose mission and values have been a guiding light for my efforts to democratise the internet and provide equal access to information to every single individual globally,” Alamouti said.

“We have a long way to go to make the internet available to every child and adult across the globe, and an even more challenging path to ensure that the internet does not become a channel for the spread of disinformation, conspiracy theories and propaganda.

“Regardless, I have learned that there are no challenges that cannot be overcome by exploration, experimentation and hard work. I look forward to collaborating with the Marconi Fellows to explore creative ways to ensure a future internet that is sustainable, equitable, private, secure and fuels a thriving digital economy.”

The Marconi Society is currently chaired by 1998 Marconi Fellow Vint Cerf, regarded as one of the creators of the internet for the invention of the TCP/IP protocol. He said, “Siavash has brought connectivity to billions of people by making wireless devices more efficient and affordable without reducing reception quality. Throughout his career, he has been a vital advocate for technology as a democratising force in the world.”

Andrea Goldsmith, Chair of the Marconi Prize Selection Advisory Committee, added, “Siavash’s invention of the first space–time code, his championing of an open standard for worldwide broadband access and his work to decentralise the cloud have profoundly impacted the wireless networks and devices ubiquitous today. As a role model to future generations of communication technologists, he is profoundly deserving of the Marconi Award.”

Image caption: Siavash Alamouti, Executive Chairman of mimik Technology and recipient of the 2022 Marconi Prize. Image credit: Business Wire.

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