Rod Waterhouse
This article features an interview with Dr Yihong Qi, president and chief scientist of General Test Systems, Inc., Shenzhen, China, about his perspectives and experiences.
Editor’s Note
In this edition of the column, I “sat down” with Dr. Yihong Qi, president and chief scientist of General Test Systems, Inc., Shenzhen, China. Yihong Qi has founded several antenna technology companies throughout the world and has made significant contributions to the realization of the present day smartphone. Dr. Qi is an IEEE Fellow, a Distinguished Lecturer of the IEEE Antenna and Propagation Society (AP-S), and is also the Distinguished Industry Speaker at the 2023 IEEE AP-S Flagship conference in Portland, Oregon, USA. I hope you find the following an interesting and informative read.
Rod Waterhouse: Over your career, you have worked at many exciting companies in many roles. Describe for us the first job you undertook as an antenna engineer. Were there any important lessons you can share with us that you learned in that role that are still relevant to your work now?
Yihong Qi: During my 15 and a half years as an engineer at Research In Motion (now Blackberry), I had the privilege of witnessing the company’s remarkable growth from a small team of around 20 individuals to a workforce of approximately 18,000 employees by 2010. Throughout my tenure, I faced various intriguing technical challenges, one of which centered around designing multiband smartphone antennas.
Before 2005, cell phones and early smartphones followed an inverted patch concept, with the antenna positioned on the back of the device. However, as smartphones began to widen, a new issue emerged: the wider the phone, the higher the antenna’s quality factor (Q), resulting in a narrower potential bandwidth. This presented a problem as the emerging trend in smartphones was to support quad- or pentaband functionality.
To address this challenge, I designed a pentaband “printed inverted F antenna” that omitted a ground plane on the inverted F section of the antenna. This design innovation allowed for improved bandwidth characteristics, making it suitable for smartphones with wider physical dimensions.
Prior to 2005, cell phone antennas were typically located on the top of the device for wireless communication. However, without a ground plane, the multiband antenna encountered different boundary conditions when the phone was in various talking modes, such as against the ear, using earphones, or in speakerphone mode. These conditions could lead to detuning of the antenna and, more importantly, noncompliance with regulatory requirements for specific absorbing rate (SAR) and hearing aid compatibility (HAC). To mitigate these concerns, positioning the multiband antenna on the opposite side of the earpiece receiver proved to be a practical solution, resolving detuning, SAR, and HAC issues.
This new antenna positioning arrangement brought forth additional challenges. First, wireless carriers’ white papers or “standards” stipulated that the antenna should be positioned on the top of the phone. Second, this change would impact the overall design of the smartphone, including considerations related to electromagnetic (EM) compatibility. Overcoming these challenges necessitated collaboration with the management team and carriers to establish a new antenna arrangement “standard” and involved assisting RF [radio frequency] and mechanical engineering teams in the overall redesign of the phone. Antenna engineering is not a solitary task; effective communication and hands-on work from an RF and system perspective are vital to making inventions applicable.
My experience with this invention taught me that solving antenna design challenges is just one aspect; equally important is to establish new standards and supporting other teams for overall system design. Antenna engineering is a multidisciplinary effort that requires effective communication and a comprehensive understanding of RF and system considerations to successfully implement innovations. It brings me great pride to witness the widespread utilization of this engineering design in the majority of smartphones. What truly uplifts my spirits is knowing that this design effectively mitigates the risk associated with RF radiation and aids individuals dependent on hearing aids. The ultimate measure of a superior product lies in its ability to positively impact people’s lives.
Waterhouse: A classic term often used in the startup world is having “an exit strategy” (note, not my favorite term!). You have been involved with several companies; did you have one for each, or was it more another opportunity arose that you decided to pursue?
Qi: When it comes to launching startup companies, every entrepreneur has their own approach. In my case, I focus on selecting areas where significant challenges, essential needs, and a massive market exist. These are the criteria that guide my decision-making process. Leveraging my knowledge and experience, I aim to assist the team in establishing a unique and advantageous position within the market. By identifying and addressing these key factors, I strive to create a solid foundation for the success of the startup venture.
When a company is operating smoothly and enjoys certain advantages in the market, various opportunities arise. Whether the company chooses to go public, remain privately held, pursue a merger, or be acquired by a larger company depends not only on market opportunities and positioning but also on the vision and execution capabilities of the team.
Market conditions and the company’s competitive position play a significant role in determining the available opportunities. However, the ultimate “exit strategy” decision regarding the company’s direction is influenced by the team’s vision for the future and their ability to execute strategic plans effectively. During the early stages of a startup, the focus is often on building the business, establishing a strong foundation, and achieving sustainable growth. Exit strategies tend to be decisions made at a later stage when the company has reached a certain level of maturity and market presence. By remaining agile and adaptable, the company can navigate the evolving business landscape and seize opportunities that arise, ultimately contributing to its long-term success and the betterment of society.
Factors such as long-term growth potential, financial stability, synergies with potential partners or acquirers, and the overall alignment of goals and values are considered when evaluating these opportunities. It is crucial for the team to assess the market landscape, weigh the potential benefits and risks, and align their vision and capabilities with the chosen path forward.
As a company founder, I firmly believe that growth can only be achieved by helping others. By prioritizing the needs and goals of customers and stakeholders, and by providing value and solutions to their challenges, a company can foster its own growth and success in the market.
Waterhouse: Looking through the diverse set of companies you have worked at (diverse for an antenna engineer!), was your line of thought, “There is a gap in the technology needing to be addressed: I’ll start a company in that area,” or were you approached to be involved with these new companies due to your previous experience?
Qi: My experience in entrepreneurship, as an engineer, typically begins by identifying market needs through thorough research and analysis. If there is a noticeable gap between existing technology and market demands, an opportunity arises to form a team and develop new technologies based on theoretical understanding. These new technologies then serve as the foundation for product development.
In this process, the business model plays a critical role in determining how the products will be marketed and sold. Creating an effective and viable business model is essential for successfully bringing the products to market and generating revenue.
There have been instances where my previous experience and expertise have attracted opportunities, leading to the realization that a new team is necessary to pursue those opportunities. This recognition often arises from understanding the specific requirements and challenges of the new opportunity and realizing that assembling a diverse and capable team will be crucial to its success.
Waterhouse: Over the years, have you had close collaborations with universities? If so, can you give us an example?
Qi: In the realm of technology companies, a profound understanding of theoretical breakthroughs is of utmost importance. Collaborating with universities plays a significant role in the success of high-tech companies. I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with several universities as an adjunct professor, including the Missouri University of Science and Technology Electromagnetic Compatibility Laboratory, Western University in Canada, Hunan University, and others.
University collaborations offer a multitude of benefits. First, they provide access to deep theoretical research conducted by academic experts. This enables technology companies to stay informed about the latest advancements and cutting-edge knowledge in their respective fields. Such collaborations foster an environment of continuous learning and ensure that companies remain at the forefront of innovation.
Additionally, university collaborations offer a valuable pipeline of talent. Graduate students who are well-trained and equipped with the latest academic knowledge can serve as a potential new workforce for technology companies. By engaging with universities, companies can establish connections with talented individuals who may bring fresh perspectives and contribute to the growth and success of the organization.
Moreover, university collaborations facilitate knowledge exchange between academia and industry. These partnerships allow for the transfer of practical industry insights to academia, ensuring that academic research aligns with real-world applications and industry needs. Simultaneously, companies benefit from the theoretical expertise and research conducted within the academic realm, which can inspire and inform their innovation and product development processes.
Waterhouse: With the different companies, what’s been the hardest challenge? Looking back, were the challenges the same, or unique?
Qi: Technology companies face stiff competition if their products or business models are similar to those of their competitors. The key challenge for these companies, in my opinion, is to innovate either their technology or business models to solve real-world problems. Each company may have its own unique problems to solve, but innovation is crucial to differentiate themselves from the competition and stay ahead in the market. Finance, marketing, sales, and management are very important if the company wants to grow fast.
Waterhouse: In your talk at [the IEEE Antenna and Propagation Society] AP-S this year, you make an observation about academia versus real-world engineering. Both have exciting elements to them, but as you hint, publishing is not considered important for the career of a typical industry engineer. Can you elaborate further on this?
Qi: The goals and priorities of universities, research institutes, and industries significantly differ. Universities and research institutes heavily rely on government funding for fundamental research and industrial projects, which supports their financial needs. Consequently, their focus is often on publishing academic papers and theoretical research, rather than developing real-world products.
In contrast, industries primarily aim to generate revenue in the market. Engineers in industry are typically occupied with solving practical engineering problems, leaving them with limited time to engage with academic papers. Additionally, factors such as intellectual property protection, resource constraints, and confidentiality requirements further limit their ability to dedicate time to writing papers.
As a result, there exists a gap between theoretical research and real-world applications. On the one hand, engineering-related academic research often remains disconnected from real-world engineering practices. On the other hand, engineers working in real-world applications are in need of reliable, cost-effective solutions to address their specific problems. They seek guidance from solid theoretical foundations and practical engineering concepts.
Waterhouse: There is a lot of talk these days about “digital twins.” How close to this are we, or do you think experimental tweaking will always be part of antenna engineering?
Qi: The term digital twin has gained significant attention in the technology landscape and is being widely discussed across various industries. It encompasses the concept of using digital representations to mirror and simulate real-world systems or phenomena. This concept has practical applications in diverse sectors, including manufacturing, health care, transportation, and infrastructure. Furthermore, I believe it will also find its way into electromagnetic applications, such as integrated measurement-based computational emulation.
Integrated measurement-based computational emulation involves leveraging critical physical measurements as a basis for employing computational modeling to emulate and simulate real-world systems. This approach combines the benefits of accurate measurements with the flexibility and scalability offered by computational modeling. In the field of antenna measurement, for instance, we utilize an “electromagnetic environment twin” to replicate the real-world MIMO [multiple input/multiple output] channel model within a controlled environment, such as an anechoic chamber. By accurately reproducing the signals and noise that exist in the real world, a controlled environment provides a fast, precise, and cost-effective solution for evaluating integrated systems. This approach, such as the radiated two-stage method for MIMO measurement, allows for efficient and reliable assessments of MIMO radio performance in complex scenarios. This advancement significantly enhanced the accuracy and affordability of measurements for 5G/6G, intelligent connected vehicle, and satellite application.
With respect to “antenna tweaking,” owing to the lack of a well-defined common mode return path for the antenna, as well as the nonlinearity exhibited by the system and the uncertainties associated with component modeling, there is a perpetual requirement for experimental fine-tuning in RF and antenna designs. Furthermore, the field of EM engineering is increasingly dependent on simulations, complemented by advancements in theoretical breakthroughs.
Waterhouse: With the companies you have been involved with, was there a common funding approach, for example venture capital funding? Or was each endeavor a different approach?
Qi: The best approach starts with product market fit and market traction. What matters most is growth, customer acquisition, and sales. All of my companies share this common characteristic, as they have been able to scale through revenue and customer fit. Financial funding is a stimulant to accelerate growth, but that can only be achieved after revenue and sales channels have been established.
That said, we worked closely with financial institutions for growth and initial public offerings. The relationship with financial institutions offers two things: expertise and credibility.
For expertise and networking, financial institutions bring valuable expertise and industry knowledge to the table. They have experience working with growth companies and can provide guidance on strategic decisions, business development, and operational efficiency. Additionally, financial institutions often have extensive networks that can connect with potential partners, customers, and other industry influencers, a valuable resource during initial public offering and growth stages.
Financial institutions offer validation and credibility to attract other investors, customers, and key stakeholders. Their endorsement can validate business model, traction, market potential, and team. I’ve found in my experience financial partners become an essential part of a road show, and in the end, a critical ingredient for growth.
Waterhouse: What’s the next big thing in the antenna world?
Qi: Metasurface antennas have garnered significant research interest over the past decade. Despite extensive research in this field, their practical applications have not yet achieved widespread implementation on a large scale. However, it is reasonable to anticipate that new developments and advancements in metasurface technology, along with related antenna technologies, will soon enter the marketplace.
Antenna engineers have made significant contributions to the development of innovative antenna structures that are widely utilized in various systems. Examples of such antennas include the Yagi-Uda antenna, log-periodic antenna, corrugated horns, microstrip patch antenna, and phased array antennas. These antennas have demonstrated their usefulness, leading to their widespread application. The continuous innovations in these areas are still the mainstream application focus.
About Yihong Qi
Yihong Qi is an engineer, scientist, inventor, and entrepreneur. He is president and chief scientist of General Test Systems, Inc., Shenzhen, China. He is founder of Pontosense Inc., Mercku Inc., Canada and Link-E, Zhuhai, China. He is an honorary professor at Xidian University and Southwest Jiaotong University. He is also adjunct professor in the Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Laboratory, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, USA, and Western University, Ontario, Canada.
Qi is an inventor of more than 500 published and pending patents. He has published 150 academic papers. His smartphone antenna design patent significantly reduced harmful radio-wave radiation to the human head, which could potentially help billions of smartphone users reduce potential hazardous electromagnetic radiation. His invention also resolved the hearing aid compatibility issue; there are more than 20-million cell phone users who depend on hearing aid devices. His standards related inventions has have made the certification process for 4G, 5G, and potentially 6G wireless communications and autonomous cars more efficient and cost-effective.
Qi was an associate professor in Southeast University, China, in 1992. From 1995 to 2010, he was with Research in Motion (Blackberry), Waterloo, ON, Canada, where he was the director of advanced electromagnetic research. He was founding Chairman of the IEEE EMC Society Technical Committee-12. He is associate editor of IEEE Internet of Things and IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility. He is Distinguished Lecturer of the IEEE Antenna and Propagation Society and was a Distinguished Lecturer of IEEE EMC Society. He has received an IEEE EMC Society Technical Achievement Award. His inventions won 2019, 2020 CES innovation awards, the 2021 CES Network Product Award, the 2022 CES Wellbeing Product Award, the Red Dot Award, and the IEEE Technical Committee on Hyperintelligence Industrial Award, among other awards. He is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, and a Fellow of IEEE.
In recent work, I collaborated with Dr. Lidong Chi and Dr. Zibin Weng to invent a linear array that achieved an approximate bandwidth of 80%. This significant improvement surpassed the classic Yagi-Uda antenna’s bandwidth of 10%. Moreover, we successfully reduced the maximum antenna dimensions. These advancements in developing a high-quality, wideband linear array have showcased their immense benefit across various scenarios, which used to be demonstrated by the remarkable performance of the Yagi-Uda antenna over 100 years.
Another noteworthy aspect is the growing prominence of antennas as key system blocks, such as antenna in package, in various applications. This development is expected to gain significant traction. The concerns related to system design, testing, mass production, and time to market will act as driving factors for innovation in this domain.
Waterhouse: How important have community relationships been for you to achieve all the goals you have met to date?
Qi: Throughout my career, I have gained invaluable knowledge and experience from various sources, including my supervisors, mentors, coworkers, students, and partners. The collaborative environment, discussions, and academic explorations have fostered mutual trust, leading to long-term relationships with the shared objective of enhancing the overall well-being and development of the community.
We come together with shared interests, tackling challenges, celebrating discoveries, and finding joy in the engineering profession. It is through our collective efforts and synergy that a group of people can achieve remarkable progress and go far in their endeavors.
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/MAP.2023.3280839