Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. Established in 2019, the High-Frequency Millimeter Wave Joint Lab (JLab) between Politecnico di Milano and Huawei Technologies is a long‑term, multidisciplinary research collaboration dedicated to advancing next‑generation wireless communication technologies.
JLab conducts research across 5G/6G technologies, wireless connectivity, networking, and emerging fields such as ISAC, smart electromagnetic environments, mmWave, and sub‑THz & photonic systems. With more than 30 research projects since its foundation, the lab covers both basic research and advanced system‑level innovation, involving students, young researchers, senior researchers, and professors across multiple Politecnico di Milano departments.
The Joint Lab is led by Prof. Umberto Spagnolini (Huawei Industry Chair and Director of JLab), in collaboration with Renato Lombardi (President of the Maxwell Research Center at Huawei) and a dedicated Technical Committee. Together, they guide and promote innovative research to pave the way for the next generation of wireless technologies for 6G applications.
Main research areas
Front-Haul, Back-Haul and Smart Environment
Research focuses on Back‑Haul and Front‑Haul systems, programmable mesh architectures, and the use of active and passive relays. A key objective is the development of robust and efficient technologies for Smart Electromagnetic Environments, enabling affordable deployment of high‑frequency systems.
mmW, Sub-THz & Photonics
Involves designing photonic‑assisted wireless systems, developing passive components and packaging for mmWave/sub‑THz, building experimental platforms (High Frequency Campus Lab – HFCLab), exploring materials and nanocomposites for reconfigurable devices, researching propagation modeling across mmWave–THz to support early 6G spectrum expansion.
Timeline
Establishment of the Joint Lab between Politecnico di Milano and Huawei
Prof. Spagnolini appointed Huawei Industry Chair
30+ cooperation projects across major research areas
Development of prototypes, testbeds and demonstrators, measurement campaigns for radio‑channel characterization, software tools and advanced communication systems
References
- Politecnico di Milano e Huawei insieme per i giovani ricercatori
- Umberto Spagnolini is the Director of JLab between Politecnico di Milano and Huawei
- Politecnico di Milano e Huawei: borse di studio a giovani ricercatori
- Politecnico di Milano professor appointed Huawei Industry Chair to conduct joint high grade research for the next 10 years
- HFCLab: al Politecnico di Milano il primo laboratorio per le reti radio ad alta frequenza
- JointLAB Linkedin