Research - Giovanni Geraci (UPF)

Full list of publications

Full list of patents

Jump to: AI and Radio Digital Twins · Wi-Fi · UAV Communications and NTN

AI and Radio Digital Twins

AI for Wireless

S. Beyraghi, M. Sadeghian, F. Bin Ismail, A. Lozano, P. Almasan, and G. Geraci, "Site-Specific MIMO Channel Generation via Diffusion and Flow Matching: Fidelity, Efficiency, and Downstream Utility", 2026.
B. Guler, G. Geraci, and H. Jafarkhani, “PilotWiMAE: Pilot-Native Representation Learning for Wireless Channels“, 2026.
B. Guler, G. Geraci, and H. Jafarkhani, “A Multi-Task Foundation Model for Wireless Channel Representation Using Contrastive and Masked Autoencoder Learning“, in IEEE JSAC, 2026. [model weights and training pipeline]
B. Guler, G. Geraci, and H. Jafarkhani, “Robust Channel Representation for Wireless: A Multi-Task Masked Contrastive Approach“, in NeurIPS AIML4NextG, 2025. [Best Paper Runner-Up Award]
A. Giuliani, R. Nikbakht, G. Geraci, S. Kang, A. Lozano, and S. Rangan, “Spatially Consistent Air-to-Ground Channel Modeling via Generative Neural Networks”, IEEE Wireless Commun. Letters, 2024.
W. Xia, S. Rangan, M. Mezzavilla, A. Lozano, G. Geraci, V. Semkin, and G. Loianno, “Generative Neural Network Channel Modeling for Millimeter-Wave UAV Communication”, IEEE Trans. Wireless Commun., 2022. [code and dataset]

Agentic AI in Telecom

GenAINet Emerging Technology Initiative, “Large-scale AI in telecom: Charting the roadmap for innovation, scalability, and enhanced digital experiences“, White Paper, 2025.
R. Nikbakht, M. Benzaghta, and G. Geraci, “TSpec-LLM: An Open-source Dataset for LLM Understanding of 3GPP Specifications“, in Proc. IEEE Globecom, 2024. [public HF dataset]

Data-driven Cellular RAN Optimization

M. Benzaghta, S. Ammar, D. Lopez-Perez, B. Shihada, and G. Geraci, “Data-driven Design of 3GPP Handover Parameters with Bayesian Optimization and Transfer Learning“, in IEEE Trans. Machine Learning for Commun. and Networks, 2026.
S. Beyraghi, J. Shabanpour, G. Geraci, P. Almasan, and A. Lozano, “Data-Driven Deployment of Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces in Cellular Networks“, in IEEE JSAC, 2026.
M. Benzaghta, G. Geraci, D. Lopez-Perez, and A. Valcarce, “Cellular Network Design for UAV Corridors via Data-driven High-dimensional Bayesian Optimization“, in IEEE Trans. Wireless Commun., 2025.
D. Lopez-Perez, N. Piovesan, and G. Geraci, “Capacity and Power Consumption of Multi-Layer 6G Networks Using the Upper Mid-Band“, in Proc. IEEE ICC, 2025. [Best Paper Award]
S. Karimi-Bidhendi, G. Geraci, and H. Jafarkhani, “Optimizing Cellular Networks for UAV Corridors via Quantization Theory”, IEEE Trans. Wireless Commun., 2024.

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Wi-Fi

F. Wilhelmi, B. Bellalta, G. Geraci, L. Galati-Giordano, F. Meneghello, A. Kijanka, I. Val, D. Lopez-Perez, “A Tutorial on IEEE 802.11bn Multi-AP Coordination for Wi-Fi 8: From Standardization to Performance Evaluation“, 2026.
G. Geraci, F. Meneghello, F. Wilhelmi, D. Lopez-Perez, I. Val, L. Galati-Giordano, C. Cordeiro, M. Ghosh, E. Knightly, and B. Bellalta, “Wi-Fi: 25 Years and Counting“, in Proceedings of the IEEE, 2026.
I. Abou Shehada, B. Bellalta, G. Geraci, and L. Galati-Giordano, "Autoencoder-Based CSI Compression for Beyond Wi-Fi 8 Coordinated Beamforming", IEEE ICMLCN, 2026.
E. Oughton, G. Geraci, M. Polese, M. Ghosh, W. Webb, D. Bubley, “The Future of Wireless Broadband in the Peak Smartphone era: 6G, Wi-Fi 7, and Wi-Fi 8“, IEEE Wireless Commun. Magazine, 2025.
D. Nunez, F. Wilhelmi, L. Galati-Giordano, G. Geraci, and B. Bellalta, “Improving Wi-Fi 8 Latency with Coordinated Spatial Reuse”, IEEE Commun. Standards Magazine, 2025.
B. Bellalta, F. Wilhelmi, L. Galati-Giordano, and G. Geraci, “Modelling and Performance Analysis of Non-Primary Channel Access in Wi-Fi Networks”, IEEE OJCOMS, 2025.
M. Carrascosa-Zamacois, L. Galati-Giordano, F. Wilhelmi, G. Fontanesi, A. Jonsson, G. Geraci, and B. Bellalta, “XR Streaming Performance with Wi-Fi 7 Multi-Link Operation”, IEEE OJCOMS, 2025.
L. Galati Giordano, G. Geraci, M. Carrascosa, and B. Bellalta, “What Will Wi-Fi 8 Be? A Primer on IEEE 802.11bn Ultra High Reliability,” IEEE Commun. Magazine, 2024.
M. Carrascosa, G. Geraci, E. Knightly, and B. Bellalta, "Wi-Fi Multi-link Operation: An Experimental Study of Latency and Throughput", IEEE/ACM TNET, 2023.
B. Bellalta, M. Carrascosa, L. Galati Giordano, and G. Geraci, “Delay Analysis of IEEE 802.11be Multi-link Operation under Finite Load”, IEEE Wireless Commun. Letters, 2023.
A. Garcia-Rodriguez, D. Lopez-Perez, L. Galati Giordano, and G. Geraci, “IEEE 802.11be: WiFi 7 Strikes Back,” IEEE Commun. Mag., 2021.

What Will Wi-Fi 8 Be?

Driven by the strict requirements of emerging applications, next-generation Wi-Fi is set to prioritize Ultra High Reliability (UHR) above all. In video, we explore the journey towards IEEE 802.11bn UHR, the amendment that will form the basis of Wi-Fi 8.

Wi-Fi 7: All You Need to Know

As hordes of data-hungry devices challenge its current capabilities, Wi-Fi strikes again with 802.11be, alias Wi-Fi 7. This brand-new amendment promises a (r)evolution of unlicensed wireless connectivity as we know it, unlocking access to gigabit, reliable and low-latency communications, and reinventing manufacturing and social interaction through digital augmentation. More than that, time-sensitive networking protocols are being put forth with the overarching goal of making wireless the new wired. With its standardization process being consolidated, we provide an updated digest of 802.11be essential features, place the spotlight on some of the must-haves for critical and delay-sensitive applications, and illustrate their benefits through standard-compliant simulations.

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UAV Communications and NTN

M. Bernabè, D. Lopez-Perez, N. Piovesan, G. Geraci, and D. Gesbert, “Massive MIMO for Aerial Highways: Enhancing Cell Selection via SSB Beams Optimization”, IEEE Open Journal Commun. Society, 2024.
S. Kang, G. Geraci, M. Mezzavilla, and S. Rangan, “Terrestrial-Satellite Spectrum Sharing in the Upper Mid-Band with Interference Nulling”, in Proc. IEEE ICC Workshops, 2024.
G. Geraci, D. López-Pérez, M. Benzaghta, and S. Chatzinotas, “Integrating Terrestrial and Non-terrestrial Networks: 3D Opportunities and Challenges”, IEEE Commun. Magazine, 2023.
M. Benzaghta, G. Geraci, R. Nikbakht, and D. López-Pérez, “UAV Communications in Integrated Terrestrial and Non-terrestrial Networks”, in Proc. IEEE Globecom, 2022. [Best Paper Award] [Connecting the World from the Skies Forum Runner-up Paper Award]
S. Kang, M. Mezzavilla, A. Lozano, G. Geraci, S. Rangan, V. Semkin, W. Xia, and G. Loianno, “Coexistence of UAV and Terrestrial Users in Millimeter-Wave Urban Networks”, in Proc. IEEE Globecom Workshops, 2022.
G. Geraci, A. Garcia-Rodriguez, M. M. Azari, A. Lozano, M. Mezzavilla, S. Chatzinotas, Y. Chen, S. Rangan, and M. Di Renzo, “What Will the Future of UAV Cellular Communications Be? A Flight from 5G to 6G”, IEEE Commun. Surveys and Tutorials, 2022. [#6 most accessed article upon publication]
Y. Zeng, I. Guvenc, R. Zhang, G. Geraci, and D. W. Matolak (Eds.), “UAV Communications for 5G and Beyond”, Wiley – IEEE Press, Dec. 2020. [IEEE ComSoc Best Readings]
A. Garcia-Rodriguez, G. Geraci, D. López-Pérez, L. Galati Giordano, M. Ding, and E. Björnson, “The Essential Guide to Realizing 5G-Connected UAVs with Massive MIMO,” IEEE Commun. Mag., 2019.
M. M. Azari, G. Geraci, A. Garcia-Rodriguez, and S. Pollin, “Cellular UAV-to-UAV Communications”, in Proc. IEEE PIMRC, 2019. [Best Paper Award]
G. Geraci, A. Garcia Rodriguez, L. Galati Giordano, D. López-Pérez, and E. Björnson, “Understanding UAV Cellular Communications: From Existing Networks to Massive MIMO,” IEEE Access, 2018. [IEEE ComSoc Best Readings]

Integrating Terrestrial and Non-terrestrial Networks: 3D Opportunities and Challenges

In a quest for anything, anytime, anywhere connectivity, next-generation wireless networks are envisioned to break the boundaries of the current ground-focused paradigm and fully embrace aerial and spaceborne communications. In this lecture, we will discuss the key opportunities and challenges arising from such a 3D (r)evolution by presenting some of its disruptive use-cases, reviewing recent results, and pointing to open research problems.

What's the Story with UAV Cellular Communications?

What will it take for UAVs—and the associated ecosystem—to take off? Arguably, ubiquitous high-capacity links paired with hyper-reliable command and control all along. And indeed, meeting these aspirations may entail a full-blown mobile network support. While the understanding of UAV cellular communications has been advancing, many fundamental challenges remain to be addressed, with new applications demanding original solutions. In this talk, we blend academic and industrial views, navigating from 4G to 6G UAV use cases, requirements, and enabling technologies.

New book on “UAV Communications for 5G and Beyond” by Wiley – IEEE Press (Dec. 2020), coedited with:

Prof. Yong Zeng, Southeast University, China
Prof. Ismail Guvenc, North Carolina State University, USA
Prof. Rui Zhang, National University of Singapore
Prof. David W. Matolak, University of South Carolina, USA

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