Dr. Zhengjia Xu, Cranfield University, United Kingdom
Dr. Zhengjia Xu is an accomplished Electronic and Embedded Software Engineer with a rich blend of academic and industrial experience. He holds a Ph.D. in Aerospace from Cranfield University, where his research focused on cognitive communication and intelligent DSP for drone applications. Dr. Xu has a strong track record of over 25 peer-reviewed publications, including influential journal articles and conference papers in fields such as intelligent signal processing and aerospace engineering. Currently, he serves as a Research Fellow at Cranfield University, specializing in position, navigation, and timing systems, and has led several high-profile projects funded by ESA and EPSRC. His prior roles include Senior RF Engineer at Drone Defense Services Ltd, where he made significant advancements in passive RF radar and SDR-based receivers, and Electronic and Embedded Software Engineer at ASH Wireless (Captec LTD), where he developed advanced NB-IoT products and embedded firmware.
Professional Profile:
Summary of Suitability for the Best Researcher Award
Zhengjia Xu has a comprehensive technical and research background, demonstrating expertise in both industrial and academic settings. His experience spans a range of areas including embedded software development, digital system design, RF analysis, and intelligent signal processing.
Education
Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering
Cranfield University, Cranfield, UK
September 2017 – March 2021
- Research Area: Cognitive communication, intelligent DSP, drone communication
- Thesis: “Cognitive Communication for UAV Applications”
- Proposed a DSP algorithm enabled by deep learning for RF fingerprint identification, simulated air-to-ground communication performance, and proposed system architectures for UAV communications.
M.Sc. in Vehicle Operation Design
Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, China
September 2014 – June 2017
- Research Area: Aircraft modeling and control, fault-tolerant control
- Simulated aircraft aerodynamic models, developed aircraft control algorithms, and analyzed real flight data. Involved in PCB layout design and the development of flight simulators.
Bachelor in Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing, China
September 2010 – June 2014
- Thesis: “Research on Stability and Control of Quadratic Aircraft Based on STM32F407”
- Designed PID-based flight control software on a self-designed PCB board with STM32 MCU.
Work Experience
Research Fellow in Position, Navigation, and Timing
Cranfield University, Bedford, UK
March 2023 – Present
- Managed projects with stakeholders including Telespazio – Thales UK, European Space Agency, and others.
- Co-supervised over 10 MSc and PhD student projects.
- Main researcher for two ESA-funded projects and one EPSRC-funded 6G project.
- Delivered lectures and developed course materials for 13 hours across four modules.
Senior RF Engineer
Drone Defense Services Ltd, Retford, UK
March 2022 – March 2023
- Developed passive RF radar products, including software refactoring and hardware integration.
- Improved radar detection range significantly and led the design of an SDR-based OFDM receiver.
- Proficient in SDR developments and GPU platform optimization.
Electronic and Embedded Software Engineer
ASH Wireless (Captec LTD), Southampton, UK
March 2021 – March 2022
- Developed an NB-IoT product for air-to-ground communication.
- Customized IoT protocol suite and performed schematic design and RF validation.
- Experienced in STM ARM Cortex-based embedded application developments.
Volunteer, IET Aerospace TN Committee
Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
September 2022 – Present
- Participated in strategic planning and board meetings for the aerospace technical network.
Publication top Notes:
CITED:15
CITED:13
CITED:12
CITED:8
CITED:8