After GETWEBS: Virginia Tech Geography's continuing research into spatial modeling for wireless systems

The Geographic Engineering Tool for Wireless (GETWEBS) project began in 1999 under NSF sponsorship. The major purpose of the project was to provide a broad perspective on the design and implementation of wireless systems. When the course was first taught, we focused on LMDS (local multipoint distribution services), an up and coming broadband licensed system operating between 28 and 32 GHz., but the project has had wide applicability to other frequency bands as well. The classes and research funded under GETWEBS brought together students from engineering, business, and the social sciences to evaluate implementation strategies for modern wireless communications. A significant outcome of this project has been a diverse group of Virginia Tech graduates with a set of engineering, business, and spatial skills that are not being taught in combination anywhere else in the United States. These students have left the program with important science skills, spatial awareness and financial savvy to work in new multi-disciplinary occupations in 4G wireless telecommunications within the United States and around the world. The paper outlines the history of the project and describes the spatial analysis projects being carried out, based on NSF GETWEBS sponsorship.