Nikhil Kundargi
About Nikhil Kundargi
Nikhil Kundargi is a Senior Group Manager at NI (National Instruments) in the Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area, with extensive experience in wireless research and prototyping, particularly in 5G and ORAN technologies.
Professional Role at NI (National Instruments)
Nikhil Kundargi is currently serving as a Senior Group Manager at NI (National Instruments) in the Austin, Texas Metropolitan Area. In this capacity, he leads and oversees various initiatives and projects, leveraging his extensive expertise in advanced wireless technologies and FPGA wireless prototyping. His role involves managing collaborative research efforts with universities in Europe and the United States, with a focus on 5G and ORAN technologies.
Former Roles and Experience
Prior to his current position, Nikhil Kundargi held several key roles. He served as Vice Chair for the Technical Program Committee IF&E Globecom 2014 for IEEE, and as a Staff Wireless Platform Architect at National Instruments. His experience also includes a tenure as an Interim Engineering Intern at Qualcomm Corporate R&D and as an RF Communications and Software Radio Research Intern at National Instruments. He has also been involved with the University of Texas at Austin as a PhD Candidate and co-founded 3 Day Startup Austin.
Educational Background
Nikhil Kundargi holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin, completed between 2010 and 2012. He earned his Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Electronics and Telecommunications from the University of Minnesota and Savitribai Phule Pune University respectively. His academic foundation in science was laid at Fergusson College and Symbiosis Secondary School, where he achieved his High School and Secondary School Certification.
Research and Technical Contributions
Nikhil Kundargi has co-authored multiple research papers focusing on 5G NR and mmWave technologies, contributing significantly to the field. He played a pivotal role in the development of the Test UE project, concentrating on Layer 1 Control and Protocols. His expertise spans over a decade in wireless research and prototyping, with specialization in Massive MIMO and Multi-User MIMO technologies. He is actively involved in initiatives related to mmWave beam management, aiming to enhance the performance and reliability of 5G networks.
Involvement with 3GPP
Nikhil Kundargi currently participates as a RAN1 & RAN4 Delegate for 3GPP Cellular Standards. This involvement underlines his continued commitment to advancing global wireless standards and contributing his expert knowledge to the development of next-generation wireless technologies. His role includes engaging in high-level discussions and contributing to the formulation of standards that shape the future of wireless communication.