Researchers at the Tomsk University of Control Systems and Radioelectronics (TUSUR) are advancing a technology aimed at doubling the effective connections for Internet of Things (IoT) networks to a single base station. The update came from representatives linked to Interfax, a major news service in the region.
The new approach addresses a common challenge faced by IoT deployments that operate in the unlicensed 768 MHz band. In this spectrum, a large number of devices can create chaotic and overlapping transmissions. Most commonly, asynchronous data transfer methods are used, where devices send data whenever they have something to report, without waiting for a coordinated moment to transmit. This leads to unpredictable timing and a higher risk of signal interference.
To explain the problem, one of the researchers from the Department of Fundamentals of Telecommunications and Radio Engineering at TUSUR noted that each device may attempt to communicate at a random moment. When many devices try to send at once, the chances of collisions increase, which can degrade network performance and reliability. This is a particular pressure point as IoT ecosystems scale and more devices come online in homes, offices, and industrial settings.
The team proposes a shift toward a more synchronized operation. By coordinating devices to align transmissions with a base station’s schedule, data can be sent at precise, pre-arranged times. This synchronization reduces the probability of simultaneous transmissions and thus lowers the frequency of collisions. The researchers emphasize that this shift from purely asynchronous to semi-synchronous or fully synchronous communication can preserve energy efficiency while enhancing throughput and predictability for IoT applications.
In practice, the effort at TUSUR involves adapting existing IoT concepts to create a system that can manage timing more effectively across a dense network. The strategy relies on establishing a common timing reference that devices can use to plan their transmissions. When devices know exactly when to speak, the base station can receive data more reliably, with fewer retransmissions and less wasted spectrum. The approach is designed to be compatible with current IoT devices and infrastructure, while offering a clear pathway to improved performance as networks expand and new devices are added.
The broader goal of these developments is to support a growing array of IoT applications, from smart cities and industrial automation to health monitoring and environmental sensing. As the number of connected devices rises, achieving stable, high-quality connections becomes essential for real-time data collection, control, and analytics. By reducing transmission collisions through synchronization, networks can deliver more consistent latency and higher data integrity, which is critical for time-sensitive tasks and automated decision-making.
Industry observers note that progress at TUSUR aligns with a global push toward more efficient spectrum use in unlicensed bands. If the synchronization framework proves scalable, it could be adopted by IoT deployments beyond the university, offering practical benefits to technology companies that design sensor networks and intelligent devices. The research team is reportedly continuing its work to refine synchronization protocols, evaluate performance under varied traffic patterns, and assess the energy impact for battery-powered devices. As IoT ecosystems become denser, such innovations may help keep networks resilient and responsive in the face of growing demand. The international community watches with interest as Tomsk researchers pursue a path that promises to smooth the often noisy operation of large-scale IoT deployments.