![Dr Tom Barratt](/media-library/sites/cdt-communications/images/Tom Barratt V2_500.jpg)
"The taught year gave me a good understanding of the world of wireless communications and the opportunity to experience a wide range of new topics, many of which I had not consider previously as a possibility for research."
Alumni Profile: Tom Barratt
What am I doing now and how the CDT helped
I am currently working for Blu Wireless Technologies, experts in providing millimetre wave baseband solutions for advanced wireless access.
My PhD in Communications Engineering provided me with the opportunity to gain an in depth understanding of wireless communications. I chose to specialise my research in the area of propagation, with my PhD being partially funded by my current employer who, during my PhD gave me access to their facilities, millimetre wave devices and provided me with technical advice.
Why I chose the CDT
I joined the Centre for Doctoral Training in Communications with a BSc in in Software Engineering from De Montfort University. The CDT provided me with an entry into wireless communications and developed my enthusiasm for the subject The taught year gave me a good understanding of the world of wireless communications and the opportunity to experience a wide range of new topics, many of which I had not consider previously as a possibility for research. Another benefit of being on the CDT, rather than a traditional style PhD, programme was the strong ethos of working together as a member of a close-knit cohort and providing one another with support. My time at Bristol also aligned with our first access and use of channel sounding equipment from Keysight Technologies. This was key to my PhD and provided me with a unique training experience.