About me
Dr. Ali Khalighi received the PhD degree from the National Polytechnic Institute of Grenoble (INPG), France, and currently serves as an Associate Professor at the Ecole Centrale Med and the Fresnel Institute research lab, Marseille, France.
He has supervised several MSc and PhD students and has published extensively in leading journals and major conference proceedings in the areas of communication theory, channel modeling, optical wireless communications (OWC), wireless sensor and body-area networks, cooperative and multi-user communications, as well as AI-based and bio-inspired optimization methods. His current research focuses on OWC-based underwater and non-terrestrial networks, as well as quantum-secure communications.
Dr. Khalighi has served on the Organizing and Technical Program Committees of numerous IEEE conferences. He was also Editor-at-Large on Optical Communications for the IEEE Transactions on Communications from 2019 to 2024, and a Guest Editor for the IEEE Open Journal of the Communications Society and Elsevier Optik. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE.
Research
My research spans across multiple domains in Optical Wireless Communication and Digital Signal Processing, with a focus on Optical Satellite, Underwater Communications and Wireless Body Area Networks.
Optical Satellite Communications
Exploring high-speed data transmission via optical links between satellites and ground stations.
Underwater Optical Communications
Developing robust communication systems for underwater environments using optical signals.
Wireless Body Area Networks
Designing efficient and secure networks for health monitoring and wearable devices.
Wireless Networks for Cyber Security
Developing adaptive behavior-based wireless networks for secure communications.
Projects
Current Projects
- Free-space Optical Communications for 6G Aerial-satellite Networks (FOCAL) (2024-2028)
Horizon Europe Doctoral Networks (DN) Marie Skłodowska-Curie project, Coordinator
Project website: FOCAL - Integrated Blue Light Phased Arrays Enabling Underwater Optical Wireless Networks: Towards a New Era of Internet of Underwater Things (BlueArray) (2024-2027)
Horizon Europe EIC PathFinder Open project
Project website: BlueArray - Optical and Wireless Sensors Networks for 6G Scenarios (OWIN6G) (2023-2026)
Horizon Europe Doctoral Networks (DN) Marie Skłodowska-Curie project
Project website: OWIN6G - Behavioral Next Generation in Wireless Networks for Cyber Security (BEiNG-WISE) (2023-2027)
Working Group member, COST Action CA22104
Recent Projects
- European Network on Future Generation Optical Wireless Communication Technologies (NEWFOCUS) (2020-2024)
COST Action CA19111, Action Chair
Project website: NEWFOCUS - European Training Network on Visible Light Based Interoperability and Networking (VisIoN) (2017-2021)
H2020 Innovative Training Network (ITN) Marie Skłodowska-Curie project, Coordinator
Research Activities
- Member of the Scientific Advisory Board, “FREE” Project (Optical Wireless Superhighways) (2021-2026)
NWO (Dutch Research Council) Perspective Program, Netherlands
Selected Publications
Journal Papers
- M. W. Eltokhey, M. A. Khalighi, Z. Ghassemlooy, V. Jungnickel, "Handover-Aware Scheduling for Small- and Large-Scale VLC Networks," IEEE Transactions on Network and Service Management, vol. 21, no. 5, pp. 5106-5117, Oct. 2024.
- S. Huang, D. Chitnis, C. Chen, H. Haas, M. A. Khalighi, R.K. Henderson, M. Safari, “Single-Photon Counting Receivers for Optical Wireless Communications in Future 6G Networks,” IEEE Communications Magazine, vol. 62, no. 3, pp. 54-60, Mar. 2024.
- V. K. Papanikolaou, S. A. Tegos, K. W. S. Palitharathna, P. D. Diamantoulakis, H. A. Suraweera, M. A. Khalighi, G. K. Karagiannidis, "Simultaneous Lightwave Information and Power Transfer in 6G Networks," IEEE Communications Magazine, vol. 62, no. 3, pp. 16-22, Mar. 2024V.
- K. G. Rallis, K. Papanikolaou, P. D. Diamantoulakis, S. A. Tegos, A. Dowhuszko, M. A. Khalighi, G. K. Karagiannidis, "Energy Efficient Cooperative Communications in Aggregated VLC/RF Networks With NOMA," IEEE Transactions on Communications, vol. 71, no. 9, pp. 5408-5419, Sept. 2023.
- Shakil, M. A. Khalighi, P. Pudlo, C. Leclerc, D. Laplace, F. Hamon, A. Boudonne, “Outlier detection in non-stationary time series applied to sewer network monitoring,” Elsevier Internet of Things, Vol. 21, 2023,100654.
- T. Kamalakis, Z. Ghassemlooy, S. Zvanovec, L.N. Alves, M. A. Khalighi, "Optimization and design of a diffuse optical wireless sensor network," Applied Optics, vol. 61, pp. 6599-6608, 2022.
- Ijeh, M. A. Khalighi, M. Elamassie, S. Hranilovic and M. Uysal, "Outage probability analysis of a vertical underwater wireless optical link subject to oceanic turbulence and pointing errors," Journal of Optical Communications and Networking, vol. 14, no. 6, pp. 439-453, June 2022.
- M. J. Hasan, M. A. Khalighi, V. Jungnickel, L. N. Alves and B. Béchadergue, "An Energy-Efficient Optical Wireless OFDMA Scheme for Medical Body- Area Networks," IEEE Transactions on Green Communications and Networking, vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 1806-1818, Sept. 2022.
- O. Haddad, M. A. Khalighi, S. Zvanovec, “Performance analysis of optical extra-WBAN links based on realistic user mobility modelling,” SPIE Optical Engineering, Vol. 61, No. 2, 026113, Feb. 2022.
- Z. Nazari Chaleshtori, S. Zvanovec, Z. Ghassemlooy, M. A. Khalighi, "Visible light communication with OLEDs for D2D communications considering user movement and receiver orientations," Applied Optics, vol. 61, pp. 676-682, 2022.
- M.W. Eltokhey, M. A. Khalighi, Z. Ghassemlooy, “Optimization of Receivers Field-of-Views in Multi-User VLC Networks : A Bio-inspired Approach,” IEEE Wireless Communications, vol. 29, No.2, Apr. 2022, pp. 132-139.
- M. W. Eltokhey, M. A. Khalighi, Z. Ghassemlooy, "UAV Location Optimisation in MISO ZF Pre-coded VLC Networks," IEEE Wireless Communications Letters, Vol . 11, No.1, Jan. 2022, pp.28-32.
Conference Papers
- M. Nennouche, M.A. Khalighi, A. Dowhuszko, D. Merad, "Semantic Underwater Optical Wireless Communication Using Variational Autoencoders," CommNet 2025, Accepted
- A.Pouralizadeh, S.M.Mana, K.L.Bober, V.Jungnickel, A.Tonello, C.Giachoudis, M.A.Khalighi," Characterization of LiFi-over-Powerline Channels for Industrial Internet-of-Things Applications," IEEE International Conference on Factory Communication Systems (WFCS), Rostock, Germany, June 2025.
- C. Giachoudis, M. A. Khalighi, S. Zvanovec, V. K. Papanikolaou, S. A. Tegos, G. K. Karagiannidis, “Investigation of Suitable MAC Protocols for Optical Wireless Body-Area Networks,” International Symposium on Communication Systems, Networks and Digital Signal Processing (CSNDSP), Rome, Italy, July 2024.
- M. Nennouche, M. A. Khalighi, A. Dowhuszko, D. Merad, J.-M. Boi, “Application of Machine Learning to Signal Detection in Underwater Wireless Optical Communication Links,” International Symposium on Communication Systems, Networks and Digital Signal Processing (CSNDSP), Rome, Italy, July 2024.
- N. Mohan, Z. Ghassemlooy, S. Zvanovec, O. I. Younus, M. A. Khalighi, T. Kamalakis, “SDN-Based Mobility Architecture for the FSO Train-Trackside Communication,” International Symposium on Communication Systems, Networks and Digital Signal Processing (CSNDSP), Rome, Italy, July 2024.
- S.K. Modalavalasa, A.F.Usmani, A.Pouralizadeh Gelehpordesari, C.Giachoudis, L.Miguel-Giraldo, R. Zamorano-Illanes, Z. Ghassemlooy, S. Zvanovec, V. Jungnickel, M. A. Khalighi, L. Nero Alves, J. Perez, P. Fonseca, “Evolution of OWC : A Collaborative Contour Across Various Sectors,” International Symposium on Communication Systems, Networks and Digital Signal Processing (CSNDSP), Rome, Italy, July 2024.
- C. Giachoudis, K.G. Rallis, V.K. Papanikolaou, S. A. Tegos, P.D. Diamantoulakis, M. A. Khalighi, R. Schober, G.K. Karagiannidis, “On the application of Slotted-ALOHA in optical wireless body-area networks,” International Balkan Conference on Communications and Networking (BalkanCom), Ljubljana, Slovenia, June 2024.
- F. B. Okumus, E. Panayirci, M. A. Khalighi, "Channel Estimation and Physical Layer Security in Optical MIMO-OFDM based LED Index Modulation," IEEE Statistical Signal Processing Workshop (SSP), Hanoi, Vietnam, 2023, pp. 641-645.
- K. G. Rallis, V. K. Papanikolaou, S.A. Tegos, A. Dowhuszko, P.D. Diamantoulakis, M. A. Khalighi, G.K. Karagiannidis, "RSMA Inspired User Cooperation in Hybrid VLC/RF Networks for Coverage Extension," IEEE Wireless Communications and Networking Conference (WCNC), Glasgow, United Kingdom, 2023, pp. 1-6.
- Z. Htay, B.R. Karanam, C. Guerra-Yánez, Z. Ghassemlooy, S. Zvanovec, M. A. Khalighi, M. M. Abadi, "Demonstration of an Optical Wireless Communication System using a Software-Defined Ecosystem," International Symposium on Communication Systems, Networks and Digital Signal Processing (CSNDSP), Porto, Portugal, 2022, pp. 836-840.
- O. Haddad, M.A. Khalighi, Z. Ghassemlooy, A.A. Dowhuszko, S. Zvanovec," Performane Analysis of Multiple Access m-CAP for Optical-Based Intra-WBAN Links," International Symposium on Communication Systems, Networks and Digital Signal Processing (CSNDSP), Porto, Portugal, 2022, pp. 595-600.
- I. C. Ijeh, M. A. Khalighi, M. Elamassie, S. Hranilovic, M. Uysal, "Bit-Error-Rate Performance of an Underwater Wireless Optical Link Under Misalignment and Turbulence Effects," International Symposium on Communication Systems, Networks and Digital Signal Processing (CSNDSP), Porto, Portugal, 2022, pp. 21-25.
- N. Mohan, Z. Ghassemlooy, H. A. Rahman, M. A. Khalighi, "Software-Defined Networking for Free Space Optical Communications," International Symposium on Communication Systems, Networks and Digital Signal Processing (CSNDSP), Porto, Portugal, 2022, pp. 235-239.
- V. Javiero, M. Ijaz, S. Ekpo, B. Adebisi, C. Chen, P. Palacios, C. Azurdia, I. Soto, M. A. Khalighi, "Investigation of Indoor Atmospheric Attenuation in Visible Light Positioning for Industrial Applications," International Symposium on Communication Systems, Networks and Digital Signal Processing (CSNDSP), Porto, Portugal, 2022, pp. 801-80518 .
- T. Essalih, I. C. Ijeh, M. A. Khalighi, "Influence of MPPC Parameters on the Performance of Underwater Optical Links," 4th West Asian Symposium on Optical and Millimeter-wave Wireless Communications (WASOWC), Tabriz, Iran, 2022.
- I. C. Ijeh, O. Haddad, M. A. Khalighi, "Ergodic Capacity of a Vertical Underwater Wireless Optical Communication Link Subject to Misalignment," 4th West Asian Symposium on Optical and Millimeter-wave Wireless Communications (WASOWC), Tabriz, Iran, 2022.
Post-Doctoral Researchers
Past
- Pedro Salcedo Serrano (2025)
- Oussama Haddad (2021–2023)
- Ferdaouss Mattoussi (2014–2015)
PhD Students
Current
- Agustin GONZALEZ URIARTE (2025-2028)
Diversity techniques and transceiver design for robust optical space links
Co-supervisor: Dr. N. Perlot (Institut Fraunhofer HHI, Germany) - Mahmudul Hasan ABID (2025-2028)
Integrated communication and sensing for resilient non-terrestrial networks
Co-supervisor: Prof. M. Safari (University of Edinburgh, UK) - Iffat Ara TALIN (2025-2028)
Robust Optical Transmission Solutions and PAT Techniques for Marine Biodiversity Monitoring
Co-supervisor: Prof. Hao Hu (Technical University of Denmark - Electro) - Ashraf HAFEZ (2025-2028)
Low-Intensity Underwater Optical Transmission for Environmental Monitoring
Co-supervisor: Prof. Hao Hu (Technical University of Denmark - Electro) - Christos GIACHOUDIS (2023-2026)
High-reliability and energy-efficient scheduling and routing for medical body-area networks
Co-supervisor: Prof. S. Zvanovec (Czech Tech. Univ., Prague) - Mohamed NENNOUCHE (2023-2026)
Optical Wireless Communication for Underwater Data Muling: Channel Modeling and AI-based Approaches
Co-supervisor: Dr. J.-M. Boï
Past
- Ali SHAKIL (2021-2024)
Study of Fouling Dynamics in a Sewer Network: Methodologies for Sensor Data Processing and Analysis
Co-supervisor: Prof. P. Pudlo - Md Jahid HASAN (2018-2021)
Multi-user Data Transmission in Optical Wireless Body-Area Networks for Medical Applications
Co-supervisor: Dr. Luis N. Alves (Instituto de Telecomunicações, Aveiro, Portugal) - Mahmoud ELTOKHEY (2018-2021)
Multi-user Interference Mitigation in Visible-Light Communication Networks
Co-supervisor: Prof. Z. Ghassemlooy (Northumbria University, Newcastle, UK) - Oussama HADDAD (2018-2021)
Channel Modeling and Multiple Access Solutions for Medical Wireless Body-Area Networks based on Optical Wireless Technology
Co-supervisor: Prof. M. Adel - Ikenna IJEH (2018-2021)
Investigation of Random Channel Effects on the Performance of Underwater Wireless Optical Communication Links
Co-supervisor: Prof. S. Hranilovic (McMaster University, Canada) - Taha ESSALIH (2017-2021)
High Spectral-Efficiency Signaling Schemes for Underwater Wireless Optical Communication Systems
Co-supervisor: Prof. H. Akhouayri - Norhanis MOHD NOR (2014-2017), Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Study of All-Optical Relay-Assisted Free-Space Optical Systems Under the Influence of the Atmospheric Turbulence Channel
Co-supervisors: Prof. Z. Ghassemlooy (Northumbria University), Prof. S. Zvanovec (Czech Technical University, Prague) - Tasnim HAMZA (2013-2016)
Underwater Wireless Optical Communications: Long-range High-data-rate Transmission and Performance Analysis - Shihe LONG (2013-2016), ECM
Indoor Channel Modeling and High Data-Rate Transmission for Visible-Light Communication Systems - Guowei YANG (2010-2013)
Space-Diversity Free-Space Optical Systems: Performance Analysis under Correlated Fading Conditions - Chadi GABRIEL (2010-2013)
Channel Characterization and Performance Analysis for an Underwater Optical Transmission System - Yi ZHANG (2009-2012)
Channel Estimation for Wireless Relay Networks Using Cooperative Diversity Techniques - Fang XU (2007-2010)
Development of Transmission Methods for a High Data Rate Free Space Optical Communication System
MSc Students
- Wei CHEN (M2, 2024)
Applications des techniques d’intelligence artificielle aux liaisons optiques sous-marines - Norhan TAMARZADEH BALKAN (M1, 2023)
Practical Solutions for the Amplification of High-Intensity Difference Optical Signals in Satellite QKD Networks - Miftah CHOWDHURY (M1, 2019)
Experimental set-up for underwater optical communications - Semere BEYENE (M1, 2017)
Orbital Angular Momentum for optical communications - Miressa FIKADU (M1, 2017)
Background noise effect on underwater optical communications - Shihe LONG (M2, 2013)
Amélioration de la robustesse des liens de transmission optique aérienne contre les effets adverses du canal - Thomas VIRIEUX (M2, 2011)
Architectures MIMO pour les Systèmes FSO - Yacine JAAFAR (M2, 2009)
Traitement du signal et techniques de diversité pour améliorer les performances des canaux FSO - Naziha AITAMER (M2, 2008)
Optimisation des méthodes de détection pour les transmissions sans-fil - Patrice CAUSSÉ (M2, 2007)
Traitement du signal pour la transmission de données par des faisceaux optiques
Internships
- Titouan MÉRIC-MAGE (2021)
Transmission du signal pour une liaison optique sans-fil sous-marine - Samuel PAYEN (2020)
Préparation d’un banc d’essai pour une liaison de communication optique sans-fil sous-marine - Yacine BARHOUMI (2020)
Banc d’essai pour un réseau de capteurs corporel
Teaching
3rd year of the engineering program
- Signal Theory (Tutorials + Lab sessions)
- Innovation Projects (4-7 students/project)
- Scientific Outreach Week on IoT and 5G/6G Networks
4th year of the engineering program
- Telecommunication Networks (Information Science and Digital Society -SISN- Program)
- SISN Projects (2-4 students/project)
- Thematic Group Projects (4-6 students/project)
- Scientific Outreach Week on Li-Fi
5th year of the engineering program
- Telecommunications & IoT (Lecture + Tutorials + Lab sessions)
- Embedded Systems (Lecture + Tutorials + Lab sessions)
- PICSEL Project (1-4 students/project)
MSc program: Complex Systems - Biomedical Engineering
- TeleMedicine & Remote Patient Monitoring (Lecture + Tutorials)
Contact Information
Ali.Khalighi@fresnel.fr
🏙 Institut Fresnel Office
Domaine universitaire de Saint-Jérôme, 13397 Marseille cedex 20, France
🏙 Centrale Marseille Office
Technopôle de Château-Gombert, 38 rue Juliot Curie, 13451 Marseille cedex 20, France