To Truong An

PhD Student, Centre for Wireless Innovation · Associate Fellow (AFHEA)
School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Queen’s University Belfast, UK

Google Scholar QUB Research Portal CSIT DTP Profile LinkedIn ORCID Email

About

I am a fully funded PhD student in the CSIT Doctoral Training Programme at Queen’s University Belfast, funded by the UK Government’s New Deal for Northern Ireland. My research develops efficient deep learning and hybrid quantum-classical machine learning for the wireless physical layer, including radio frequency fingerprint identification (RFFI) for authenticating IoT devices, automatic modulation classification, and Wi-Fi sensing. The common goal is to make these models light enough to run on resource-constrained devices in 6G networks.

I am supervised by Prof. Simon L. Cotton (primary supervisor) and Prof. Trung Q. Duong (secondary supervisor).

Contact

Email: ato01@qub.ac.uk (university) or totruonganspk@gmail.com (personal)
Centre for Wireless Innovation, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, UK

Selected Publications

J5T. T. An, G. Yin, J. Zhang, Y. Ding, T. Q. Duong, and S. L. Cotton, “A Quantum-Optimized Training Framework for Radio Frequency Fingerprint Identification,” IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, 2026. DOI [IF: 16.8]
J4T. T. An, J. Zhang, G. Yin, J. Zhang, Y. Li, T. Q. Duong, and S. L. Cotton, “Quantum-Assisted Memory-Efficient Training for Parameter-Intensive Wi-Fi-Based Human Activity Recognition,” IEEE Transactions on Network Science and Engineering, 2026. DOI [IF: 7.3]
J3T. T. An, A. Argyriou, A. A. Puspitasari, S. L. Cotton, and B. M. Lee, “Efficient Automatic Modulation Classification for Next-Generation Wireless Networks,” IEEE Transactions on Green Communications and Networking, 2026. DOI Popular paper, Jan–Oct 2026 [IF: 6.9]

Full publication list

News

Sep 2026Gave an invited lightning talk on our quantum-optimized training framework for RF fingerprint identification at the CSIT Cyber Security Summit 2026, Belfast.
Sep 2026Attended the 5th BEiNG-WISE Training School, “Cybersecurity and its Multifaceted Aspects” (COST Action CA22104), Split, Croatia.
Sep 2026My second Korean patent, “Deep Learning-Based Automatic Modulation Classification” (KR 10-3020853), was granted.
2026Our paper on efficient automatic modulation classification was listed among the popular papers of IEEE Transactions on Green Communications and Networking (January–September 2026).
Aug 2026Paper on quantum-assisted, memory-efficient training for Wi-Fi-based human activity recognition published in IEEE Transactions on Network Science and Engineering.
Jun 2026Our quantum-optimized training framework for RF fingerprint identification was published in the IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications.
May 2026Presented our paper on quantum-assisted training for RF fingerprint identification at the IEEE ICC 2026 Workshops in Glasgow, UK.
May 2026Attended the 5th Training School on Wireless and Cyber-Physical System Security (COST Action 6G-PHYSEC), Linz, Austria.
Mar 2026Awarded Associate Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA) by Advance HE.
Jan 2026Paper on quantum-assisted training for RF fingerprint identification accepted to the IEEE ICC 2026 Workshops.
Apr 2025Attended Cyber Horizons, the CSIT DTP Spring School on cybersecurity and AI, at Queen’s University Belfast.
Oct 2024Presented hybrid quantum-classical LoRa RFFI at IEEE VTC2024-Fall, Washington, DC.

Education

2023–2027
(expected)PhD, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Queen’s University Belfast, UK
Project: “Quantum machine learning for securing 6G networks,” focusing on hybrid quantum-classical optimization and parameterized quantum circuits for efficient learning and inference. Fully funded by the CSIT Doctoral Training Programme.
2021–2023M.S., Intelligent Mechatronics Engineering, Sejong University, South Korea
Thesis: “Robust Automatic Modulation Classification in Low Signal to Noise Ratio.” Advisor: Prof. Byung Moo Lee. Fully funded by the Brain Korea 21 (BK21) Scholarship.
2016–2020B.Eng., Mechanical Engineering, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education, Vietnam
Early graduation, top four in class. Exchange student at Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, 2019–2020.

Experience

2023–presentPhD Researcher, Centre for Wireless Innovation, Queen’s University Belfast, UK
Teaching assistant and lab demonstrator for programming, electrical engineering and communications modules. AFHEA (2026).
2021–2023Graduate Researcher (M.S.), Intelligent Signal Processing Lab, Sejong University, South Korea
Deep learning for wireless communications: autoencoder denoising with CNN and ResNet classifiers for modulation classification; MIMO and OFDM. Teaching assistant for Communication Systems.
2020–2021R&D Engineer, Samsung Electronics HCMC CE Complex, Vietnam
2020Intern, First Solar Vietnam Manufacturing, Vietnam
Built a web dashboard of factory data in Python to help engineers spot production-line anomalies.

Media

“Kỹ sư Việt nhận 3 học bổng toàn phần tiến sĩ” (Vietnamese engineer receives three fully funded PhD scholarships), Tiền Phong newspaper, Vietnam, July 10, 2023

Publications

Journal articles, conference papers and patents. The most up-to-date list is on my Google Scholar profile.

Google Scholar QUB Research Portal ORCID

Journal Articles

[J5]
T. T. An, G. Yin, J. Zhang, Y. Ding, T. Q. Duong, and S. L. Cotton, “A Quantum-Optimized Training Framework for Radio Frequency Fingerprint Identification,” IEEE Journal on Selected Areas in Communications, vol. 44, pp. 5327–5340, 2026. [IF: 16.8]
DOI Open access
[J4]
T. T. An, J. Zhang, G. Yin, J. Zhang, Y. Li, T. Q. Duong, and S. L. Cotton, “Quantum-Assisted Memory-Efficient Training for Parameter-Intensive Wi-Fi-Based Human Activity Recognition,” IEEE Transactions on Network Science and Engineering, vol. 13, pp. 11266–11282, 2026. [IF: 7.3]
DOI arXiv
[J3]
T. T. An, A. Argyriou, A. A. Puspitasari, S. L. Cotton, and B. M. Lee, “Efficient Automatic Modulation Classification for Next-Generation Wireless Networks,” IEEE Transactions on Green Communications and Networking, vol. 10, pp. 249–259, 2026. [IF: 6.9]
Popular paper, January–October 2026
DOI
[J2]
A. A. Puspitasari, T. T. An, M. H. Alsharif, and B. M. Lee, “Emerging Technologies for 6G Communication Networks: Machine Learning Approaches,” Sensors, vol. 23, no. 18, art. 7709, 2023. [IF: 4.0]
DOI
[J1]
T. T. An and B. M. Lee, “Robust Automatic Modulation Classification in Low Signal to Noise Ratio,” IEEE Access, vol. 11, pp. 7860–7872, 2023. [IF: 4.2]
DOI

Conference Papers

[C2]
T. T. An, G. Yin, J. Zhang, Y. Ding, T. Q. Duong, and S. L. Cotton, “Towards Quantum Efficient Training for Radio Frequency Fingerprint Identification,” in Proc. 2026 IEEE International Conference on Communications Workshops (ICC Workshops), Glasgow, UK, May 2026, pp. 1–6.
DOI Paper
[C1]
T. T. An, S. L. Cotton, J. Zhang, Y. Ding, and T. Q. Duong, “LoRa Radio Frequency Fingerprinting Identification Using a Hybrid Quantum-Classical Neural Network,” in Proc. IEEE 100th Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC2024-Fall), Washington, DC, USA, Oct. 2024, pp. 1–6.
DOI PDF

Patents

[Pa2]
T. T. An and B. M. Lee, “Deep Learning-Based Automatic Modulation Classification,” Korean Patent 10-3020853, filed Jan. 2023, granted Sep. 2026.
Assignee: Sejong University Industry-Academia Cooperation Foundation
[Pa1]
T. T. An and B. M. Lee, “Deep Learning-Based Automatic Modulation Classification with Low Complexity,” Korean Patent 10-2783589, filed Apr. 2023, granted Mar. 2025.
Assignee: Sejong University Industry-Academia Cooperation Foundation

Research

My research applies machine learning to the wireless physical layer, with a focus on making these models both accurate and practical to deploy.

My research at a glance: each device’s hardware imperfections leave a fingerprint in its signal, and compact learning models built with efficient AI and quantum machine learning read that fingerprint to identify the device on low-cost IoT hardware.

Research Areas

Radio Frequency Fingerprint Identification (RFFI)

Identifying and authenticating wireless devices from the unique hardware imperfections imprinted on their transmitted signals.

Efficient AI for Wireless Communication

Designing lightweight learning models that keep high accuracy while reducing parameters, training cost, and deployment overhead on IoT hardware.

Quantum Machine Learning for Wireless Communication

Exploring quantum and hybrid quantum-classical models as compact, expressive alternatives for physical-layer tasks.

Supervision & Funding

SupervisorsProf. Simon L. Cotton (primary) and Prof. Trung Q. Duong (secondary)
2023–2027Fully funded PhD scholarship, CSIT Doctoral Training Programme, Queen’s University Belfast, funded by the UK Government’s New Deal for Northern Ireland.

Collaborators

Junqing Zhang (University of Liverpool), Yuan Ding (Heriot-Watt University), Guolin Yin, Jie Zhang, Yanjiao Li, Byung Moo Lee (Sejong University), Antonios Argyriou, Annisa Anggun Puspitasari.

Professional Activities

Service to the research community, training and talks.

Conference Presentations

IEEE International Conference on Communications Workshops (ICC 2026 Workshops), Glasgow, Scotland, UK, May 2026
IEEE Vehicular Technology Conference (VTC2024-Fall), Washington, DC, USA, October 2024

Invited Talks

Invited lightning talk, “A Quantum-Optimized Training Framework for Radio Frequency Fingerprint Identification,” CSIT Cyber Security Summit 2026, Centre for Secure Information Technologies, Riddel Hall, Belfast, UK, 30 September – 1 October 2026

Schools & Training

5th BEiNG-WISE Training School, “Cybersecurity and its Multifaceted Aspects,” COST Action CA22104, University of Split, Croatia, September 7–11, 2026
5th Training School on Wireless & Cyber-Physical System Security, COST Action 6G-PHYSEC, Linz, Austria, May 19–20, 2026
Cyber Horizons: CSIT DTP Spring School, Queen’s University Belfast, April 9–10, 2025

Doctoral Training

CSIT Doctoral Training Programme, Centre for Secure Information Technologies, Queen’s University Belfast, 2023–present
Develop Your Leadership, a four-week programme with the QUB Graduate School, including team industry challenges set by BT Ireland Innovation Centre and Pytilia, September 2024
Public Engagement Training, May 2024
Innovate to Impact: research innovation, translation and intellectual property
Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Employability Training

Innovation & Commercialisation

Lab45, early-stage research commercialisation programme by QUBIS, Queen’s University Belfast: commercialisation strategy, customer discovery, Business Model and Value Proposition Canvas, and one-to-one sessions with commercial experts, March–May 2026

Journal Reviewer

IEEE Transactions on Communications
IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology
IEEE Transactions on Machine Learning in Communications and Networking
IEEE Communications Letters
IEEE Access

Conference Reviewer

IEEE GLOBECOM 2026, 6th Workshop on Machine Learning and Deep Learning for Wireless Security

Teaching

Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA), Advance HE, 2026
Teaching Assistant, CSC1027 Programming, Queen’s University Belfast
Teaching Assistant, ELE1056 Electrical Engineering, Queen’s University Belfast
Lab Demonstrator, ELE2040 Communications, Queen’s University Belfast
Lab Demonstrator, Computer Science, Queen’s University Belfast
Teaching Assistant, Communication Systems, Sejong University, South Korea

Leadership & Community

Contributor, Vietnamese Students’ Association in Korea (VSAK): ACVYS 2022 and Vietnamese Extended Games 2022
Vice Chairman, Vietnamese Students’ Association, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education, 2016–2018

Awards & Honors

Most recent first.

Research Recognition

2026
Popular Paper, IEEE Transactions on Green Communications and Networking
“Efficient Automatic Modulation Classification for Next-Generation Wireless Networks,” listed January–September 2026

Teaching Recognition

2026
Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA)
Advance HE, awarded March 2026, in recognition of teaching and supporting learning in higher education under the UK Professional Standards Framework

Patents Granted

2026
Deep Learning-Based Automatic Modulation Classification
Korean Patent 10-3020853, lead inventor with Prof. Byung Moo Lee
2025
Deep Learning-Based Automatic Modulation Classification with Low Complexity
Korean Patent 10-2783589, lead inventor with Prof. Byung Moo Lee

Scholarships & Grants

2026
COST Trainee Grant, BEiNG-WISE Training School
COST Action CA22104, University of Split, Croatia, September 2026; competitive grant covering travel and subsistence for selected trainees
2026
COST Trainee Grant, 6G-PHYSEC Training School
COST Action 6G-PHYSEC, Linz, Austria, May 2026; competitive grant covering travel and subsistence for selected trainees
2023
Fully Funded PhD Scholarship, CSIT Doctoral Training Programme
Queen’s University Belfast, funded by the UK Government’s New Deal for Northern Ireland
2021–2023
Brain Korea 21 (BK21) Scholarship
Korean Government, Sejong University; fully funded government research scholarship for my Master’s degree, awarded July 2021
2020
Fully Funded Exchange Scholarship
Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia; one of four recipients selected across the university
2019–2020
MITSUBA Scholarship
MITSUBA Corporation; one of 30 outstanding students honored across Ho Chi Minh City
2018–2020
Comprehensively Excellent Student
Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education; top 5% of students by GPA

Service & Leadership

2022
Excellence Personalized Achievement Award, ACVYS 2022
Vietnamese Students’ Association in Korea; top 10 contributions
2022
Excellence Personalized Achievement Award, Vietnamese Extended Games 2022
Vietnamese Students’ Association in Korea; top 10 contributions
2018
Certificate of Merit, Vice Chairman (2016–2018 term)
Vietnamese Students’ Association, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education

References

PhD Supervisor (Primary)

Prof. Simon L. Cotton

Professor, IEEE Fellow

Director, Centre for Wireless Innovation

Queen’s University Belfast, UK

simon.cotton@qub.ac.uk

PhD Supervisor (Secondary)

Prof. Trung Q. Duong

Professor, IEEE Fellow

Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada

Adjunct Professor, Queen’s University Belfast, UK

trung.q.duong@qub.ac.uk

Master’s Supervisor

Prof. Byung Moo Lee

Professor, IEEE Senior Member

Department of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

Sejong University, Seoul, South Korea

Intelligent Signal Processing Lab blee@sejong.ac.kr