IIT Delhi engineer built India’s sonar in 1971: How his MIMO changed 4G, 5G

AI Summary

Indian engineer Arogyaswami Paulraj developed India's indigenous sonar system in 1971 and later pioneered MIMO technology, which is foundational for 4G, 5G, and Wi-Fi wireless communications. His work illustrates the significant impact of fundamental research on technological advancement.

Indian engineer and scientist Arogyaswami Paulraj’s journey from developing indigenous sonar for the Indian Navy to pioneering MIMO technology illustrates the far-reaching impact of research. His APSOH sonar project strengthened India’s underwater detection capabilities, while his later work at Stanford transformed wireless communication. MIMO became a foundation of high-speed connectivity used in 4G, 5G and Wi-Fi. Paulraj’s career highlights how persistence, fundamental research and unexpected discoveries can produce technologies that reshape everyday life.