Kenneth Zdunek

Kenneth Zdunek joined Illinois Institute of Technology in 2008 after a career at Motorola, Inc. where he was VP of Networks Research in Motorola Labs. He rejoined Illinois Tech in 2021 after working as CTO of Roberson and Associates, LLC, a spin-off of Illinois Tech’s Wireless Network and Communications Center, WinCom.

Education

Ph.D. Electrical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, 1991

M.S. Northwestern University, 1975

B.S. Electrical Engineering with distinction, Northwestern University, 1974

Research Interests

Spectrum Management and Policy, Spectrum Sharing and Dynamic Spectrum Assignment, Efficient Spectrum Utilization, 5G and Unlicensed Spectrum Standards, Satellite Communications, Wireless Network Modeling, Public Safety Communications.

Awards

Fellow of IEEE (for leadership integrating voice and data communications, 2009)

Publications

“Measurements and Analysis of Aggregate Interference in Satellite-Terrestrial Spectrum Sharing,” K.J. Zdunek, A. Wilson, B. Passwaiter, 2018 IEEE 88th Vehicular Technology Conference: VTC2018-Fall 27–30 August 2018, Chicago, USA.

"Global spectrum observatory network setup and initial findings," w. T. Taher et al, 2014 9th International Conference on Cognitive Radio Oriented Wireless Networks and Communications (CROWNCOM), Oulu, 2014, pp. 79-88.

“Statistical Modeling Framework of Live Spectrum Observation Data for Opportunistic Spectrum Sharing,” with Dennis Roberson. 2013 IEEE Conference on Cognitive Radio Oriented Networks and Communications (CROWNCOM), Washington, D.C., 2013

“An RF Spectrum Observatory Database based on a Hybrid Storage System,” with G. Noortes, J. Engel, J. Taylor, D. Roberson, R. Bacchus, and T. Taher.  2012 IEEE Conference on Dynamic Spectrum Access Networks, DySPAN 2012, Bellevue, Washington.

“Empirical Modeling of Public Safety Voice Traffic in the Land Mobile Radio Band,” with R. Bacchus, T. Taher, and D. Roberson, 2012 Conference on Cognitive Radio Oriented Networks and Communications (CROWNCOM), Stockholm, Sweden, June 2012

“Long-term Spectral Occupancy Findings in Chicago," with T. Taher, R. Bacchus, and D. Roberson, 2011 IEEE Conference on Dynamic Spectrum Access Networks (DYSPAN 2011), Aachen, Germany.

“Public Safety Priority Access to Shared Commercial Networks,” with Suresh Borkar and Dennis Roberson, ECFS Filing, FCC Ex Parte Presentation, WT Docket No. 06-150; PS Docket No. 06-229; GN Docket No. 09-51, March 2, 2011.

"Dynamic Spectrum Access Opportunities for Public Safety in Land Mobile Radio Bands," with T. Taher, R. Bacchus, and D. Roberson, 2011 Conference on Cognitive Radio Oriented Networks and Communications (CROWNCOM), Osaka, Japan, 2011

“Priority Access for Public Safety on Shared Commercial LTE Networks,” with Suresh Borkar and Dennis Roberson, ITU World Conference Technical Session, July 2011

“Nationwide Broadband Priority Access Network for Public Safety,” with Suresh Borkar and Dennis Roberson, 2011 Oklahoma Public Safety Conference, Tulsa, OK, October 2011.

“Introduction to a Nationwide Broadband Network for Public Safety and Emergency Management,” with Suresh Borkar and Dennis Roberson, IIT Real Time Communications Conference, Chicago, Oct 2011

"Spectrum Utilization Study in Support of Dynamic Spectrum Access for Public Safety, with R. Bacchus, T. Taher, and D. Roberson, 2010 Conference on Dynamic Spectrum Access, DYSPAN 2010, April 2010.

“A Two-Tiered Cognitive Radio Detection Module Using a Software Radio,” with Kunal Rele, Bingjian Zhang, Li Li, Ying Bing Yap, Tanim Taher, and Dennis Roberson, 2010 IEEE CrownCom Conference, Las Vegas, NV.

Patents

Partial list

• Radio Frequency Signal Transmission Detector and Locator (10698076)
• Method of providing an alert of a financial transaction (5530438)
• Shared data/voice communication system with programmable data priority (5115233)
• Method for dynamically regrouping subscribers on a communications system (5014345)
• Method and apparatus for controlling access to a communication system (4992783)
• Secure trunked communications system (4882751) 1990 Motorola business patent of the year
• Subscriber unit for a trunked voice/data communication system (4837858) 2002 Motorola business patent of the year
• Trunked communication system with nationwide roaming capability (4833701) 1999 Motorola business patent of the year

Professional Activities

Regulatory Activities

Participant and contributor, ITU-R Working Party 5A, Nov 2017 – May 2019, Geneva, Switzerland.

Participant and contributor, WRC-19 preparatory meetings. Geneva, Switzerland.

Author and Co-Author of technical analyses submitted to the FCC.

Expertise

Wireless networks system design, measurements, and modeling; terrestrial and satellite spectrum sharing; spectrum regulations and policy; public safety communications networks