METU Research Group on Communication Networks

What METU Research Group on Communication Networks does

METU Communication Networks Research Group (CNG) is an academic research group within the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey, led by Prof. Dr. Elif Uysal. Founded in 2016, the group conducts fundamental and applied research at the intersection of networking and communication theory, with a stated vision of redesigning communication networks around goal-oriented communication for 6G and beyond. Its core research portfolio encompasses Age of Information (AoI) optimization — including pioneering age-optimal transmission formulations since 2015 and the Threshold ALOHA, MiSTA, and MuMiSTA protocol families that reduce average AoI by up to 79% compared to slotted ALOHA — alongside Non-Terrestrial Networks research spanning LEO satellites, High Altitude Platform Stations, NB-IoT, and small data transmission. The group also operates large multi-project platforms such as the TUBITAK 1004-funded SUIT (Sustainable Urbanization Through Innovative Technologies) Platform and the ERC Advanced Grant-funded GO-SPACE deep space networks project.

The group's outputs are theoretical results, algorithms, and prototype demonstrations disseminated through peer-reviewed publications at top venues (IEEE INFOCOM, ICC, ISIT, MobiHoc), Cambridge University Press book chapters, conference workshops (MOSC, WiOpt), and 11 pending patent applications. It does not produce commercial products; instead, it is funded through competitive research grants from TUBITAK (2247-A, 2247-B, 1004 programs) and the European Research Council. Its "customers" in the academic and industry sense are peer universities (National University of Singapore, National Chiao Tung University Taiwan, Chalmers University Sweden), industry partners such as ASELSAN, Huawei, and TANAP, and emerging application partners in healthcare (Bilkent City Hospital Radiology). Technology transfer to telecom and aerospace partners via patents is positioned as a future commercialization pathway, and Prof. Uysal's participation in 6G standardization panels alongside NTT DOCOMO, InterDigital, and Ericsson indicates active engagement with industry shaping.

The business model is non-commercial grant funding rather than product sales or licensing royalties. With approximately 15 employees anchored at a single research laboratory in Ankara and a brand recognition signalled by the 2026 IEEE INFOCOM Test of Time Paper Award, the group operates primarily as an academic R&D unit whose scale is constrained by grant cycles and headcount, with any future commercial upside contingent on licensing its 11 pending patents and continued technology transfer to industry partners.

Name

METU Research Group on Communication Networks

Legal name

METU Communication Networks Research Group

Website

https://cng-eee.metu.edu.tr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

METU Communication Networks Research Group is an academic research laboratory at Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey, focused on Age of Information optimization protocols, goal-oriented communication, and non-terrestrial networks for 6G and deep space applications. Funded primarily via competitive TUBITAK and ERC grants, it disseminates findings through academic publications, patents, and collaborations with telecom, aerospace, and academic partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Communication Networks Research

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Computer Communications Equipment (3576)

akta.pro primary industry

Telecommunications & Network Engineering Consulting (BPAHAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Virtual & Cloud Routing (vRouters/CNF Routing) (HDAFABAF)

Keywords

• Communication networks research
• Age of information
• Goal-oriented communication
• Non-terrestrial networks
• Wireless protocol design

Headquarters

HQ city

Ankara

HQ country

Türkiye

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Research Grants: The group operates as an academic research unit funded through competitive research grants from TUBITAK (Turkish Scientific and Technological Research Council), including TUBITAK 2247-A and 2247-B programs, and the European Research Council (ERC) Advanced Grant for the GO-SPACE project.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

METU Communication Networks Research Group (CNG) is an academic research group at Middle East Technical University that conducts fundamental and applied research at the intersection of networking and communication theories. The group produces theoretical results, algorithms, and prototype demonstrations aimed at enabling information freshness and goal-oriented communication for 6G and beyond, with particular emphasis on Age of Information (AoI) optimization protocols and Non-Terrestrial Networks. Outputs include peer-reviewed publications, patented protocols, and funded research projects targeting scalability of massive IoT and machine-type communications.

Product overview

METU Communication Networks Research Group (CNG) is an academic research group at Middle East Technical University focusing on advancing communication network theory and practice. Their research portfolio centers on goal-oriented communication as a key enabler for 6G scalability, with specialized work in Age of Information (AoI) optimization protocols (Threshold ALOHA, MiSTA, MuMiSTA, LoRaFRESH®), Non-Terrestrial Networks including satellite and HAPS communication, and large-scale research platforms like SUIT and GO SPACE (ERC-funded). The group produces theoretical results, algorithms, and prototype demonstrations aimed at enhancing information flow across future networks, rather than commercial products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SUIT: Sustainable Urbanization Through Innovative Technologies Platform - a research platform focused on urban technology solutions
• GO SPACE
• GÖREV
• FRESHDATA
• Threshold ALOHA
• MiSTA
• MuMiSTA
• LoRaFRESH

Quantifiable outcome

• 48% improvement in average age of information with Threshold ALOHA compared to slotted ALOHA
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Bilkent City Hospital Radiology DepartmentminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 April 2025Prof. Uysal and researcher Çağrı Arı visited Bilkent City Hospital to present on the role of goal-oriented communication in healthcare, focusing on robotic surgery and remote monitoring applications.
• National Chiao Tung University (Taiwan)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 March 2025Prof. Stefano Rini from National Chiao Tung University visited CNG. The visit included presentations on mutual work and accomplishments. Prof. Rini also gave a seminar to the group.
• ASELSAN (Satellite and Space Technologies Directorate)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2024ASELSAN's Satellite and Space Technologies Directorate team visited CNG. Both sides presented current projects and explored collaboration opportunities. Director Özgür Karadeniz and team members Mutlu Akıncı, Defne Küçükyavuz, Bekir Ahmet Doğrusöz, Ahmet Demirel, and Oğuz Alkış participated. Dr. Defne Küçükyavuz also gave a seminar on satellite communications at METU.
• Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 November 2023Prof. Uysal gave a seminar titled "Goal Oriented Communication for the Scale-up of MTC" as part of the CS Distinguished Seminar Series organized by Chalmers University.
• TANAP (Trans-Anatolian Gas Pipeline Project)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 August 2023SUIT Founder Prof. Dr. Elif Uysal and SUIT Project Managers met with TANAP team to explore opportunities for collaboration. Prof. Uysal introduced the SUIT Platform focusing on sustainable urbanization technologies.
• National University of Singapore (NUS)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 May 2023Assoc. Prof. Vincent Y. F. Tan from NUS visited CNG lab and held a seminar titled "Wyner's common information can be strictly less than its exact counterpart".
• Huawei - IEEE ITSoc HK Joint WorkshopminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 May 2022Prof. Uysal gave a talk on "Query Age of Information: An Operational Metric for Semantic Communication" at the joint workshop. The workshop focused on semantic information theory and future communication technologies.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@metucommunicationnetworkgr6798/featured
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/metu-research-group-on-communication-networks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about METU Research Group on Communication Networks