Is it possible to improve performance in mobile data communication by combining different technologies such as Wi-Fi with 4G and 5G? Stefan Alfredsson wants to find out through his research at Karlstad University.
It is difficult to imagine life without a mobile phone. It is our primary link to social media and government and provides us with constant access to entertainment, shopping and essential community services. In addition, more and more digital health services are now being developed. Therefore, the need for reliable wireless connections is unlikely to decrease.
- Traditionally, our connections rely on just one connection, says Alfredsson. But his research shows that with adaptations of the software it is possible to communicate simultaneously in several channels at the same time to increase stability and capacity.
Major challenges in the health sector
Stefan project leads the part of Karlstad University's efforts in the project that deals with computer science.
- The challenges are resource shortages in the health sector, longer care queues and an aging population that will require a different type of care in the future. We believe that digitization is a way to meet these challenges, as it can provide better efficiency and resource utilization. Take, for example, the staff shortage. If we can find ways to make it more efficient there, I think we can make big profits. There are already digital doctor services that mean you don't have to go to the health center and infect others. We can also imagine a digital system in the home that automatically detects if a person has not moved for a while and calls for help. Then it is important that there is a reliable connection with sufficient capacity to transmit images or sound, or to talk to someone at the other end, says Stefan.
Three doctoral positions
To strengthen its commitment to the digitalization of health services, Karlstad University has established three doctoral positions in data communication, data security and software development.
- These are areas we believe are central to digitization. Reliable communication solutions are needed. Another important area is data security and personal privacy. When handling health information, it is usually sensitive personal information. Therefore, we investigate who is allowed to share the information and how it can be done in a privacy-friendly way. We also need good software. Therefore, we are investigating how the health sector works with software development and software architectures and how to ensure good quality, says Stefan.
AI can provide more personalized care
In the future, Stefan believes that we will benefit greatly from AI to create more individually adapted care and to tailor, for example, medication.
- Today, medicines are usually tested on an average group, then the medicine may not work for people who fall outside the average range. But if, with the help of AI and machine learning, we can follow up all the factors that influence how your treatment should look, then we will be able to offer better and more individually tailored care.
Important investment
DigitalWell Arena gives Värmland opportunities for development.
- Major players such as Region Värmland, Vinnova and Karlstad University, together with the business community, are allocating resources because they think this is an important investment for the entire region. It is proof that we have the skills required to push this through, concludes Stefan.
