Meghalaya Scientists Study Sohra's Record Rainfall to Improve 5G/6G Networks

Scientists from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Meghalaya and the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) have embarked on an innovative research project that leverages the extreme weather of Sohra (formerly Cherrapunji), one of the wettest places on Earth, to advance future telecommunication technology. The initiative aims to study how the region's characteristic massive raindrops and intense downpours disrupt high-frequency communication signals. The core objective is to use these unique environmental conditions as a "natural laboratory" to gather data that will inform the development of more robust, rain-resilient 5G and 6G connectivity systems.

The project was inspired by direct observation. After moving to their permanent campus, researchers noted frequent signal disruptions caused directly by the sheer size and force of Sohra's raindrops. Dr. Anup Dandapat, Dean of Academic Affairs at NIT Meghalaya, explained that the unique nature of the rainfall presents a unique research opportunity. Instead of viewing the signal loss as a mere obstacle, the team aims to systematically study the interaction between rainfall and high-frequency signals. The ultimate goal is to design next-generation networks capable of withstanding such extreme meteorological conditions. While the project is in its early stages and tangible outcomes will take time, its success could pave the way for significantly improved network reliability, which would be particularly beneficial for hilly and remote areas across India that commonly experience monsoon-induced communication blackouts.

In a parallel and significant technological achievement, NIT Meghalaya has marked a state milestone by successfully designing and fabricating Meghalaya's first integrated chip (IC). This development occurred under the central government's Special Manpower Development Programme (SMDP). A team led by Dr. Prabir Saha, Dr. Shubhankar Majumdar, and Dr. Pradeep Kumar Rathore, along with PhD scholars, created a Finite State Machine (FSM) chip. This chip was manufactured at the government's Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) foundry using a 180-nanometer process technology. Designed to provide precise control in irrigation systems and tensiometers, the chip's significance was highlighted when it was presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the SEMICON India 2025 summit. This achievement underscores the critical role academic institutions play in advancing India's domestic semiconductor and electronics manufacturing ambitions.

Dr. Dandapat connected these two initiatives, stating that they collectively demonstrate how research institutions in India's Northeast are increasingly aligning their work with national goals of technological innovation and self-reliance. He emphasized the institute's philosophy of "turn[ing] regional challenges into solutions that can serve the entire country." The rain-impact study addresses the regional challenge of extreme weather to create nationally applicable communication solutions, while the chip design contributes directly to the national mission on electronics.

Building on this momentum, the NIT team is already developing a second chip. This upcoming chip is designed to study various environmental factors that influence plant growth, indicating a focused effort to boost agricultural technology within the region. Together, these projects in telecommunications, semiconductor design, and agricultural tech illustrate a dynamic and growing research ecosystem in Meghalaya, one that is strategically converting local geographical and climatic peculiarities into engines for national technological progress.