Invited Speakers

 

Keynote Speakers (Opening and Closing Sessions):

 

      

    Professor Josef Hausner

  

     ''Wireless Communications approaching 5G: Implication on Radio and    
       Semiconductor Technologies''

 

 

Abstract

As mobile broadband (MBB) technologies evolve via LTE-Advanced Pro towards “5G”, terminals need to support exponentially growing data rates on fragmented spectrum. Next to those MBB systems, massive and reliable machine-type communications – also known as the Internet of Things – will get developed under the umbrella of “5G” technologies. This talk will elaborate on challenges of related radio and semiconductor technologies, and highlight architectural opportunities that can enable wireless communication systems of the next decade.  

About the Speaker:

After receiving his Dr.-Ing. degree in the field of microwave technology from the Technische Universität in Munich, Josef Hausner traversed the telecommunications universe, starting with ISDN and DSL development and its international standardization at various Siemens divisions. Next, as Vice President Concept Engineering at Infineon he took responsibility for cellular and connectivity algorithms, chip architectures and complete system-on-chip wireless systems.

In 2004 he became Full Professor for Integrated Systems at Ruhr-Universität-Bochum, researching on Integrated Systems and Circuits for Multi-Standard Wireless Communications, speaking and chairing sessions and symposia at conferences and technical and industrial fora.

He is now with Intel Mobile Communications, supervising the successful product definition for Wireless Communications where he already arrived at the 5th generation of wireless standards, pioneering implementation in terminals. 

Professor Hausner is a member of the IEEE, VDE, and ITG, serves as curator of the Fraunhofer Heinrich Hertz Institute (HHI) and is elected board member of the ITG Germany.

 

       

    Professor Ke Wu 

     FIEEE, FCAE, FRSC

     "Enabling Ambient Electromagnetic Energy Harvesting"

 

   Canada Research Chair in RF and Millimeter-Wave Engineering
   Poly-Grames Research Center
   Department of Electrical Engineering
   Center for Radiofrequency Electronics Research (CREER) of Quebec
   Ecole Polytechnique (University of Montreal), Canada

Abstract

The roadmap evolution and historical milestones of electromagnetic energy conversion and recycling techniques and related breakthroughs are reviewed with emphasis on low-density energy harvesting technologies. Ambient radiofrequency (RF) energy sources are examined in connection with omnipresent wireless system deployment. The effective use and recycling of such an ambient electromagnetic energy are the most relevant and critical issue for the current and future practicability of wireless energy harvesting. In this talk, a set of performance criteria and development considerations, required to meet the need of applications of ambient energy harvesting is derived. A technological outlook of the performances that can be expected from different device technologies is assessed. Promising devices and emerging solutions in the development of ambient energy harvesters are also presented and discussed with a special highlight of our proposed disruptive schemes, which include hybrid energy harvesting approaches and cooperative system design platforms.    

About the Speaker:

Dr. Ke Wu is Professor of electrical engineering, Canada Research Chair in RF and millimeter-wave engineering, and NSERC-Industry Endowed Future Wireless Chair at the Ecole Polytechnique (University of Montreal). He has been the Director of the Poly-Grames Research Center and was the Founding Director (2008-2014) of the Center for Radiofrequency Electronics Research of Quebec. He has authored/co-authored over 1000 referred papers, and a number of books/book chapters and more than 30 patents.

Dr. Wu has held key positions in and has served on various panels and international committees including the chair of technical program committees, international steering committees and international conferences/symposia. In particular, he was the general chair of the 2012 IEEE MTT-S (Microwave Theory and Techniques Society) International Microwave Symposium. He has served on the editorial/review boards of many technical journals, transactions and letters as well as scientific encyclopedia including editors and guest editors.

Dr. Wu is an elected IEEE MTT-S AdCom member and has served as the chair of many standing committees including Transnational Committee, Member and Geographic Activities (MGA) Committee and Technical Coordinating Committee (TCC). He is the 2016 IEEE MTT-S President. He also serves as the inaugural North-American representative in the General Assembly of the European Microwave Association (EuMA).

He was the recipient of many awards and prizes including the inaugural IEEE MTT-S Outstanding Young Engineer Award, the 2004 Fessenden Medal of the IEEE Canada, the 2009 Thomas W. Eadie Medal from the Royal Society of Canada (The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada), the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, the 2013 Award of Merit of Federation of Chinese Canadian Professionals, the 2014 IEEE MTT-S Microwave Application Award, the 2014 Marie-Victorin Prize (Prix du Québec – the highest distinction of Québec in the Natural Sciences and Engineering), the 2015 Prix d’Excellence en Recherche et Innovation from Polytechnique Montreal (University of Montreal) and the 2015 IEEE Montreal Section Gold Medal of Achievement.

He is a Fellow of the IEEE, a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE) and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. He was an IEEE MTT-S Distinguished Microwave Lecturer from Jan. 2009 to Dec. 2011. 

      

    
    Dr. Sherif Sayed Ahmed 

    

     ''A New Era for Microwave Imaging Systems''

 

Affiliation: Rohde & Schwarz, Munich, Germany

Abstract:

Microwave imaging technology with millimeter-waves is witnessing a new era in addressing the requirements of many applications, e.g., personnel security screening. This is achieved due to the advances in the hardware integration as well as the signal processing techniques involved. Many efforts have been accomplished to bring microwave imaging methods from their conventional lab environment to the real applications space. Many more methods are still yet struggling to see the light apart from the lab bench and the computer simulators. The state-of-the-art technological capabilities of active scanning with wide-band signals in real-time operation is highly attractive for non-destructive testing (NDT) in the industrial applications as well. However, the migration of security imaging systems towards NDT applications is not trivial; as many adaptations and customizations have to be performed. In this talk, an overview on the advances of microwave imaging solutions to serve in the security and industrial domains is presented; followed by a discussion on the associated challenges to extend these technologies further.

About the Speaker:

Dr.-Ing. Sherif S. Ahmed is with Rohde & Schwarz in Munich, Germany, where he is currently specialized in modern microwave imaging technologies. For several years, Dr. Ahmed has been working on advancing personnel screening methods for the airport security sector. His current R&D activities include: near-field microwave imaging, stand-off imaging, along with the non-destructive testing, multistatic radar, advanced signal-processing techniques and last but not least terahertz technology. 

Dr. Ahmed received the B.Sc. degree with Honors in electronics and communication engineering from Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt, in 2004, the M.Sc. degree in microwave engineering from the Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany, in 2007, and the doctoral degree (Dr.-Ing) with Honors from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany, in 2013. He was the recipient of the University Academic Award of the Technische Universität München in 2007, the Innovation Award of Rohde & Schwarz in 2009, and the IEEE MTT Microwave Prize Award in 2013. 

Dr. Ahmed has coauthored several conference and journal papers in the topic of microwave imaging with multistatic techniques. He is also an IEEE reviewer for the Transactions on Terahertz Science and Technology and a conference co-chair of the SPIE conference on Millimetre Wave and Terahertz Sensors and Technology.

 

 

    Professor Herbert Zirath

 

     "Design of millimeterwave multifunction integrated circuits for data     
       communication and remote sensing applications''

 

   Fellow IEEE, Professor, head of Microwave Electronics Laboratory
   Dept. of Microtechnology and Nanoscience, MC2
   Chalmers University of Technology

 

Abstract

The transmission rate of wireless data in the mobile networks is doubling every year due to the increased usage of mobile multimedia services like streaming video, music, television, data transfer in smartphones and laptop-computers etc. This tendency will require continuously improved telecom infrastructure regarding both base-stations and the backhaul communication links. Today, the E-band (71-76, 81-86, 92-95 GHz) is employed increasingly in the networks, allowing multi Gbps data rate.  In a near future however, the E-band will be crowded, and novel, higher frequency bands can to be employed as well. Several hundred Gigahertz bandwidth is available for new communication and sensing applications just waiting to be exploited at frequencies above 100 GHz. Until now, components for making such ‘THz-systems’ have been too expensive, too bulky, too power hungry and nonsufficient in terms of generating enough power for communication systems. With newly developed RFIC-processes, it is now possible to design multifunctional integrated circuits, realizing a full ‘frontend on a chip’ at frequencies well beyond 100 GHz. Recent results from ongoing projects aiming at enabling new applications for next generation mobile infrastructure, 5G, and imaging, up to 340 GHz will be reported. So far, critical building blocks such as LNA, PA, VCO, modulator and demodulator, frequency multiplier, power detector and mixer have recently been developed, and results will be reported. Multifunction front-end circuits such as complete receive and transmit RFICs, mixed signal designs for co-integrated baseband/frontend ICs, and radiometer ICs have also been developed and will be reported as well, including the newly developed D-band frontend chipset demonstrating state-of-the-art bitrate of beyond 40 Gbps.

About the Speaker:

Herbert Zirath (M’ 86-SM’08-F’11) was born in Göteborg, Sweden, on March 20, 1955.  He received the M. Sc and Ph. D. degree in electrical engineering from Chalmers University, Göteborg, Sweden, in 1980 and 1986, respectively. From 1986 to 1996 he was a researcher at the Radio and Space Science at Chalmers University, engaged in developing a GaAs and InP based HEMT technology, including devices, models and circuits. In the spring-summer 1998 he was research fellow at Caltech, Pasadena, USA, engaged in the design of MMIC frequency multipliers and Class E Power amplifiers. He is since 1996 Professor in High Speed Electronics at the Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience, MC2, at Chalmers University. He became the head of the Microwave Electronics Laboratory 2001. At present he is leading a group of approximately 40 researchers in the area of high frequency semiconductor devices and circuits. His main research interests include MMIC designs for wireless communication and sensor applications based on III-V, Graphene, and silicon devices. He is author/co-author of more than 530 refereed journal/conference papers, and holds 5 patents. He is research fellow at Ericsson AB, leading the development of a D-band (110-170 GHz) chipset for high data rate wireless communication. He is a cofounder of Gotmic AB, a company developing highly integrated frontend MMIC chip-sets for 60 GHz and E-band wireless communication.

 

Invited Speakers (Topical Sessions):

 

     

    Professor Maurizio Bozzi
 

    ''3D-Printed, Textile, and Paper-based Substrate Integrated Waveguide Components for
       the Internet of Things''
 

University of Pavia, Italy

Abstract

A completely new approach to the development of wireless microwave systems is required by the advent of Internet of Things (IoT). The next generation of microwave systems demands a technology that guarantees easy integration of complex wireless nodes, combination of multiple functions in a single device, low development cost, compact size and low weight.

Among the available technologies for the implementation and integration of microwave components and systems, the substrate integration waveguide (SIW) technology looks a very suitable approach, able to satisfy the requirements of the future IoT systems. In fact, SIW technology allows to implement a variety of passive components, active subsystems, and antennas in a simple and cost-effective way, and to integrate entire systems in a single dielectric substrate, thus avoiding complex transitions and undesired parasitic effects.

The choice of the substrate material represents another key point for IoT systems: in fact, depending on the specific application, different requirements are posed. The use of paper, for instance, guarantees the implementation of eco-friendly systems (required in specific fields, e.g., agriculture), a very low material cost, and structure conformability. The use of textile, on the other hand, appears very suitable for the implementation of wearable systems, which can be directly integrated into garments (important, e.g., in biomedical applications). Finally, additive manufacturing techniques like 3D printing represent a rapidly emerging area, which allows the low-cost and ease manufacturing of fully three-dimensional structures.

This presentation will cover the perspectives of microwave systems in the new scenario of the IoT, with particular emphasis on implementation of SIW components and antennas with different substrate materials, including the material characterization, the fabrication process, and the implementation of some prototypes.

About the Speaker:

Maurizio Bozzi was born in Voghera, Italy, in 1971. He received the Ph.D. degree in electronics and computer science from the University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy, in 2000. He held research positions with various universities worldwide, including the Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, Germany; the Universitat de Valencia, Valencia, Spain; and the École Polytechnique de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada. In 2002 he joined the Department of Electronics (now Department of Electrical, Computer and Biomedical Engineering), University of Pavia, Italy, where he is now an Associate Professor of Electromagnetic Fields. He is also a Guest Professor of the Tianjin University (China) for the term 2015-2017.

His main research interests concern the development of numerical methods for the electromagnetic modeling and design of microwave and millimeter-wave components with a particular focus on frequency-selective surfaces and substrate integrated waveguides. He has authored or co-authored more than 80 journal papers and 220 conference papers. He co-edited the book Periodic Structures (Research Signpost, 2006) and co-authored the book Microstrip Lines and Slotlines (Artech House, 2013).

Prof. Bozzi was the General Conference Chair of the IEEE International Conference on Numerical Electromagnetic Modeling and Optimization (NEMO2014), Pavia, Italy, 2014, and the General Chair of the IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Workshop Series on Millimeter Wave Integration Technologies, Sitges, Spain, 2011. He is the Secretary of the IEEE Microwave Theory and Technique Society (MTT-S) for 2016 and a member of the General Assembly of the European Microwave Association (EuMA) for the term 2014–2016. He is an associate editor for IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters, IET Microwaves, Antennas and Propagation, and IET Electronics Letters.

He received several awards, including the 2015 Premium Award for Best Paper in IET Microwaves, Antennas & Propagation, the 2014 Premium Award for the Best Paper in Electronics Letters, the Best Young Scientist Paper Award of the XXVII General Assembly of URSI in 2002, and the MECSA Prize at the Italian Conference on Electromagnetics (RiNEm) in 2000.    

   

   

    Professor Maciej Krawczyk

   

      ''Nonreciprocal properties of GHz frequency surface spin waves in      
       nanopatterned ferromagnetic films''
   
   Faculty of Physics
   Adam Mickiewicz in Poznan, Poland

 

   Abstract:

Nonreciprocal properties of spin waves propagating in ferromagnetic thin films are of potential use in designing miniaturized isolators and circulators, essential elements in microwave technology. Here we study surface spin waves propagating perpendicularly to the external magnetic field in homogeneous or regularly patterned ferromagnetic thin films, the latter representing magnonic crystals. We establish the influence of the periodic pattern on the localization properties of the spin-wave amplitude, showing that the surface character decreases at wavenumbers related to the symmetry points in reciprocal space. We demonstrate that the nonreciprocity can be enhanced by modification of the surface or surrounding of the ferromagnetic film resulting in a strong asymmetry between the dispersion relations of spin waves propagating in opposite directions. Nonreciprocity of surface spin waves allows the formation of band gaps in the spin-wave spectrum. However, nonreciprocity is observed to shift magnonic band gaps to higher frequencies and larger wave vectors, far beyond the boundary of the Brillouin zone. Potential applications of spin-wave nonreciprocity are discussed as well. We acknowledge the financial assistance from the National Science Centre of Poland, Project DEC-2-12/07/E/ST3/00538 and from the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 644348(MagIC).

   About the Speaker:

Maciej Krawczyk was born in Poland on April 1st, 1971. He received the Ph.D. degree from Faculty of Physics, Adam Mickiewicz University (AMU) in Poznan, Poland in 2001. From 2011 he is head of Nanomaterial Physics Division in AMU and since 2015 Professor at the same University. He is co-author over 90 refereed scientific papers and book chapters. His research interests include wave phenomena in artificial crystals, magnetization dynamics and spin wave dynamics in magnetic nanostructures. His current research efforts are focused on study spin wave dynamics in magnonic crystals, molding the flow of spin waves, generation and applications of spin waves.

 

   

    Professor Jerzy Krupka

     
    ''Resonance methods for characterization of dielectrics, semiconductors,           superconductors and metamaterials''
 
 
  Central Office of Measures, Elektoralna 2, 00-139 Warszawa
  Institute of Microelectronics, Warsaw University of Technology, Koszykowa 75, 00-662 Warszawa

Abstract

Overview of microwave resonance techniques intended for measurements of the complex permittivity and the complex permeability of various materials intended for electronic applications are presented. Contactless methods of measurements of resistivity and the surface resistance of broad energy gap semiconductors such as Gallium Nitride and Silicon Carbide and graphene are describes and ready to use fixtures intended for such measurements are demonstrated. Methods of the sheet resistance measurements of individual layers in multilayer semiconductor structures, employing the single post dielectric resonator and capacitance techniques, are described. Special attention is given for presentation of new measurement results of high loss dielectrics, ferro-fluids, superconductors and metamaterials.

About the Speaker

Jerzy Krupka was born in Cracow, Poland on April 7, 1949. He completed his studies at the Department of Electronics, Warsaw University of Technology in 1973. He received Ph.D. and habilitation (D.Sc.) degrees from the same University in 1978 and 1989 respectively. Since 1973 he has been associated with the Institute of Microelectronics and Optoelectronics, Department of Electronics and Information Techniques, Warsaw University of Technology working on teaching positions (recently as a professor). During his career he have had lectures, classes, seminars and laboratories on different areas of electronics in Poland, France, Germany, USA, China and Australia. In his research work his interests are concerned with development of methods intended for measurements of electromagnetic properties of dielectrics, ferrites, metals, semiconductors, conductive polymers, superconductors and metamaterials at microwave frequencies. He is also an expert in numerical methods of electrodynamics. He has conducted several research grants on this subjects. Many of these projects were international including institutions form several countries such as USA, Australia, UK, France, Sweden, Slovenia and Germany. As the result of his research work several new very accurate measurement methods have been developed and implemented at more than 200 research institutes, universities and industrial companies worldwide. Since 2001 resonators and other products designed and programmed and by J. Krupka are manufactured by Polish Company QWED. Currently prof. Krupka is considered as a one of the top world experts in the area of measurements of electromagnetic properties of materials at microwave frequencies. He has published more than 300 papers, conference papers, textbooks, and research reports, several of them in all over the world known journals. His papers have been cited more than 2500 times, according to the Science Citation Index and his h-index is equal to 22. He was invited speaker on international conferences, and had lectures at different universities and research institutes. For the achievements in his research work he obtained several awards including one from the Prime Minister of Poland (2007) and the Gold Cross Medal from the President of Poland (2006). In 2012 Jerzy Krupka was elevated to the grade IEEE Fellow with the following citation: "for contributions to high frequency measurements of electromagnetic properties of materials". 

 

 

     

     Dr. Holger H. Meinel

      Independent Automotive Radar Expert

      ''Automotive Radar and ADAS on its way to Autonomous Driving''

 

Abstract:

Automotive radar and thus ADAS based on radar has been in development over decades – in1998 Mercedes-Benz was first to go into series production for premium cars. Until mid 2015 Infineon had sold 10 million 77 GHz chipsets worldwide, Valeo and Hella have sold each more than 2.5 million 24 GHz BSD (Blind Spot Detection) units in 2015 and Mercedes-Benz installed more than 2.5 Million radar units (77 & 24 GHz) into cars in 2015. New cars out of today’s production are widely equipped with a lot of different ADAS units - based on radar (most importantly), lidar or cameras.

In 2012 the “Drive Me” project in Sweden was started by Volvo Cars to put 100 autonomously driven vehicles on the urban roads of Gothenburg until 2017. The aim is to pinpoint the societal benefits of autonomous driving and position Sweden and Volvo Cars as leaders in the development of future mobility. In 2015 the Yutong “iBus” - the intelligent urban bus - has shown its unique capabilities on urban streets. On August 29th 26 km were driven entirely autonomously, incl. stops for passenger getting out and in, respecting traffic lights and passing other vehicles on its way.

The actual status in this entire field, the pro’s and con’s of the different sensor types, as well as their availability and performance will be discussed in general. The trends of future development directions leading towards autonomous driving will be discussed.

 

About the Speaker:

Holger H. Meinel joined the AEG-TELEFUNKEN Advanced Technology Department in Ulm, Germany, in 1973 after graduating with a Diploma in Microwave Engineering from the RWTH AACHEN in Aachen, Germany. He started to design mm-wave components, among others for a 35 GHz collision avoidance radar. Never changing company but only their names over the last 40 years, he switched his location and role of work nearly every 5 years. However, working in the US or France in the 1980s, and again the US in the 1990s he normally was located in Germany. Coming full circle in his career, from May 2010 to December 2012 he has been responsible for external contacts of Daimler AG within the EU-Project MOSARIM (More Safety for All by Radar Interference Mitigation); thus finally coming back-to-his-roots again: ACC radar for cars.

Holger H. Meinel is author and co-author of over 175 technical papers, mostly on millimeter-wave integration and application. He holds or has held 14 patents and among other things has been involved in key-functions with the European Microwave Association (EuMA). During the restructuring of the European Microwave Conference (EuMC) from 1996 to 1998 he served in the newly founded Steering Committee, and became one of the 6 founder members of EuMA. He especially fostered application oriented contributions to EuMW, as well as he supported and enhanced the student involvement in EuMA. In 2011 – during the EuMW in Manchester, UK, - he was awarded with the EuMA Distinguished Service Award for his lifelong contributions to the microwave community.

Since September 2014 he officially is in retirement. However, since then he has been actively involved in different conferences and events, concerning automotive radar and autonomous driving, such as: EuRAD 2014 in Rome (Oct.), Telematics Munich 2014 (Nov.), TMSC 2014 in Munich (Dec.) or recently Automotive Tech.AD 2015 in Berlin (Feb.). In January 2015 Holger H. Meinel was appointed by the EuMA BOD to be the speaker of the EuRaMIG (European Radio and Microwave Interest Group), one of three core groups within EuMA, for the next 3 years. EuRaMIG being the body to hold contact with the EU-Commission for EuMA on behalf of innovative technology related EU calls.

 

 

     

       Professor Luca Perregrini

       

        "Bridging millimeter-wave biophysics, safety and imaging"

 

Abstract:

Knowledge of tissue dielectric properties in the millimetre-wave spectral range is needed as a starting point for biophysical modelling, to guide future exposure studies, to contribute to the evidence base for regulatory decision-making, and to provide insight into the potential alternative uses of this spectral band. In prior studies, these information were derived by extrapolation using existing models based on measurements at microwave frequencies, but the predictions of these models for higher frequencies were not tested in detail.

In this presentation, the experimental study of ex-vivo tissues at mm-wave frequencies (5- 50 GHz) is reported, which lead to the determination and modelling of the dielectric properties of healthy and tumorous tissues. The results of the study demonstrate a consistent contrast between tumorous and normal breast tissue, supporting the use of ultra-wideband millimetre-wave systems for breast imaging, and offering a potential order of magnitude improvement in spatial resolution over microwave-based systems.

These measurement results have also been used in simulations of the energy deposition in tissues by millimetre-wave devices, thus assessing the safety issues, and in predicting the performance of an archetypal imaging system. The results of these activities will be reported and discussed during the presentation.

 

About the Speaker:

Luca Perregrini received the Laurea degree in electronic engineering and Ph.D. degree in electronics and computer science from the University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy, in 1989 and 1993, respectively. In 1992, he joined the Department of Electronics of the University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy, where he is now an Associate Professor of electromagnetics. He was an Invited Professor at the Polytechnic University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada, in 2001, 2002, 2005, and 2006.

His main research interests are in numerical methods for the analysis and optimization of waveguide circuits, frequency-selective surfaces, reflectarrays, printed microwave circuits, substrate integrated circuits, large reflector antennas, and industrial and medical applications of microwaves. He has authored or co-authored more than 80 papers published in international journals, more than 220 conference papers, six book chapters, a textbook on electromagnetic waves, and an exercise book on electric circuits. He was the co-editor of the book Periodic Structures (Research Signpost, 2006)

Prof. Perregrini is associate editor of the IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques, associate editor of the International Journal of Microwave and Wireless Technologies, and associate editor of the IET Electronic Letters, and has been an associate editor of the IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters. He was the Technical Program Chair of the European Microwave Conference (EuMC 2014) and of the IEEE International Conference on Numerical and Electromagnetic Modeling and Optimization (NEMO2014), and he has been a member of the Technical Program Committee of several international conferences.

He received several awards, including the Best Paper Award at the 15th Mediterranean Microwave Symposium (MMS2015), the Second Award in the Best Student Paper Competition at the 27th Int. Review of Progress in Applied Computational Electromagnetics (ACES 2010), and the Best Student Award at the 4th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation (EuCAP 2010).

Prof. Perregrini is a Fellow of the IEEE, a member of the Board of Directors of the European Microwave Association, and was a member of the General Assembly of the European Microwave Association (2011–13).

 

     

    Prof. Dominique Schreurs 

     

     "Impact of Measurement Uncertainty on Modelling"

 

Abstract:

Modelling at gigahertz frequencies is often based on (non)linear microwave/millimeter wave measurements. These measurements are usually considered ideal in modelling procedures. In this work, we demonstrate how measurement uncertainty may impact model extraction in two application areas: biofluidic modelling and large-signal transistor modelling.

About the Speaker:

Dominique Schreurs received the M.Sc. degree in electronic engineering and Ph.D. degree from the University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium. As post-doc fellow, she was visiting scientist with Agilent Technologies (USA), Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich (Switzerland), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (USA). She is now full professor at KU Leuven. Her main research interests concern the nonlinear characterization and modelling of microwave and millimeter wave devices and circuits, as well as circuit and system design for telecommunications and biomedical applications.

Prof. D. Schreurs is IEEE Fellow. She serves on the IEEE MTT-S AdCom since 2009, after election by the membership-at-large. She was Distinguished Microwave Lecturer for the term 2012-2014. Presently, she is editor of the IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques.

Prof. D. Schreurs also serves on the Executive Committee of the ARFTG organization, presently as Vice-President. She was General Chair of the 2007 and 2012 Spring ARFTG Conferences. In 2002, she was one of the initiators and is now still co-organizer of the successful NVNA Users’ Forum.

Prof. D. Schreurs was co-chair of the European Microwave Conference in 2008 and initiated the IEEE Women in Microwaves event at the European Microwave Week. She is also Associate Editor of the International Journal of Microwave and Wireless Technologies.

Prof. D. Schreurs is TPRC member of IMS and RWW and reviewer for many IEEE journals and microwave conferences. She has been session chair at conferences regularly, and acted as judge for student competitions.

Prof. D. Schreurs is co-editor of four books, contributor to seven books, and (co-)author of over 100 journal papers and 350 contributions at international conferences.

 

 

     Professor Kam-Weng Tam

 

      "Theory and Demonstration of Non-Linear Communication System                                               with Harmonic Diversity"
      
 
   Wireless Communication Laboratory
   Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering       
   Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau, Macao SAR, China

Abstract:

This talk presents the concept, theory and demonstration of harmonic diversity for wireless communication, which makes use of multiple harmonic radiofrequency (RF) channels with respect to the carrier frequency. Unlike the well-documented frequency and space diversities, the proposed scheme does not require multiple RF transceiver front-ends. The advantages of inherent nonlinear characteristics of RF devices are harnessed to produce and process harmonics within single transceiver. The use of harmonic RF channels allows for a significant cost reduction of building blocks so as to lower the system development and manufacturing expenditure compared to current communication systems. Even though distinct harmonic channels will exhibit different order of phase shifts, the analysis shows that such phase offsets can be compensated by adjusting the phase of local oscillator (LO) at receiver end. Extending the framework of the Shannon theorem, an M-channel harmonic communication system is shown to reduce the minimum required signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the input of receiver by M-times. In addition, this new technique indicates that the power consumption of transmitter can be significantly reduced up to 66%. Through the analysis of channel capacity, the harmonic system is proved to outperform the single channel counterpart especially when SNR is low.

About the Speaker:

Professor Tam received the joint Ph.D. degrees in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of Macau  and Instituto Superior Tecnico (IST), Technical University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal, 2000. From July 2000 to December 2001, he was the Director of the Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores (INESC)-Macau. In addition to founding few HiTech Startups like RFID, in 2001, he cofounded the microelectronic design house Chipidea Microelectrionica, Macau, China, where until 2003 he was the General Manager. Since 1996, he has been with the University of Macau, where he is currently a Professor and the Associate Dean (Research and Graduate Studies) with the Faculty of Science and Technology. He has authored or coauthored over 200 journal and conference papers. His research interests are multifunctional microwave circuits with focus on miniaturized planar microwave filters. He supervised two IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society (MTT-S) Undergraduate Scholarship recipients in 2002 and 2003. He was founder of the IEEE Macau AP/MTT Joint Chapter in 2010 and was chair in 2011-2012. He was a member of the organizing committees of 21 international and local conferences including co-chair of APMC2008, co-chair of the Technical Program, IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Workshop Series on Art of Miniaturizing RF and Microwave Passive Components (2008), and co-chair of ISAP2010.

 

 

     Dr. Shingo Tamaru

     

        ''Recent progress toward the use of spin torque oscillators in real                 electronics systems''  

 

Abstract

Spin torque oscillator (STO) is a newly emerging device that can generate a radio frequency (RF) signal in microwave frequency range simply by injecting a DC current. It has many attractive features such as simple structure, nano-scale dimension, low power consumption and compatibility with semiconductor fabrication processes, thus is expected to bring significant benefits when used as a microwave signal source in RF integrated circuits.

Since the initial experimental demonstrations, many research groups have been working on developing a high performance STO1-5, and in fact made significant progresses during the last decade. Our research group within AIST is specialized in magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) film stack, which shows much larger magnetoresistance (MR) effect compared with a conventional all metallic giant MR (GMR) film stack. Using the MTJ stack, we have fabricated various types of STOs as well as a phase locked loop (PLL) to achieve good enough performance for practical applications6-8.

In this talk, the basic principle of STO is first explained, then recent progresses for developing a high performance STO are reviewed with an emphasis put on research efforts within AIST. Lastly, future research directions to mature this device for the use in real commercial applications are discussed.

  1. Kiselev, S. I. et al., Nature 425, 380 (2003).
  2. Rippard, W. H. et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 27201 (2004).
  3. Krivorotov, I. N. et al., Science 307, 228–231 (2005).
  4. Rippard, W. H. et al., Phys. Rev. B 70, 100406 (2004).
  5. Tulapurkar, A. A., et al., Nature 438 339 (2005).
  6. Deac, A. M. et al., Nature Physics 4, 803 (2008).
  7. Maehara, H. et al., Appl. Phys. Express 7 023003 (2014).
  8. Tamaru S. et al., accepted for publication in Sci. Rep. (2015).

About the Speaker:

Shingo Tamaru received the Ph.D. degree from Electrical and Computer Engineering Department of Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in Pittsburgh, USA, in 2005. He then joined Seagate Technology Pittsburgh research center as a research staff member, where he was first engaged in ferroelectric probe storage technology and next heat assisted magnetic recording technology projects. He moved back to CMU as a project scientist in 2009, where he studied spin wave physics and spin torque oscillator. He moved from the USA to Japan in 2012, and joined Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) in Tsukuba, Japan, as an invited senior researcher. His research interests include high frequency spintronics, magnetization dynamics and magnetic recording technology. His current research efforts are focused on practical applications of spin torque oscillators, such as realization of a very small yet highly stable microwave generator or ultra-high sensitivity magnetic field sensor based on spin torque oscillator, next generation magnetic recording technology utilizing microwave magnetic fields generated by a spin torque oscillator (microwave assisted magnetic recording technology) and so on.