Chia-Chan Chang
©SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/SUWIN
December is a month filled with joy and celebration. In addition to cultural festivals and holidays, it is a time for people to express gratitude for their accomplishments throughout the year and welcome the new year. In keeping with the tradition of IEEE Microwave Magazine, we are delighted this month to present a focus issue celebrating the upcoming 2024 IEEE Radio and Wireless Week (RWW2024).
RWW upholds its reputation as the most significant winter technical event. Serving as a platform for various IEEE societies, such as the IEEE Microwave Theory and Technology Society, IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society, IEEE Aerospace and Electronic Systems Society, and IEEE Geosciences and Remote Sensing Society, it fosters multidisciplinary research in emerging application fields utilizing wireless technologies. RWW2024 brings together five technical conferences that delve into different aspects of wireless technology, complemented by a wide range of exceptional events. While it may not rival the size of some other conferences, RWW2024 leverages its advantage to create an engaging environment that encourages personal interactions and provides attendees with opportunities to stay updated on the latest advancements in the microwave field.
This focus issue aims to showcase the diverse offerings of RWW2024. Through three exceptional feature articles, it provides a glimpse into the highlights of RWW. These articles discuss technological advancements and future trends, representing the scope and purpose of different topical conferences within RWW2024. In addition to the feature articles, this focus issue encompasses a collection of columns authored by the RWW2024 Steering Committee members. These columns cover various topics, including conference themes, technical programs, workshops, and related activities, providing readers with a comprehensive overview of upcoming events and sessions.
The first feature article, “Developing Sustainable Networks: Demystifying Radio Technologies,” authored by Chuang et al. [A1], addresses the dual challenge engineers face today. They must tackle the advanced infrastructure needed for cellular network development while also addressing concerns related to climate change and environmental sustainability. This article offers a comprehensive overview of future trends in cellular networks, covering aspects such as infrastructure, spectrum, power amplifiers, and radio transceiver systems on chips. The ultimate goal is to improve energy efficiency and foster the creation of a greener telecommunications industry.
The second feature article echoes the environmental concerns addressed in the first article, but shifts its focus to the realm of public transportation. Authored by Reissland et al. [A2], the article “A Cross-Correlation Based Velocity Estimation Radar for Rail Vehicles” introduces a range of measurement techniques for determining the speed of trains. However, the diverse environments in which rail vehicles operate pose challenges to achieving accurate measurements. The article begins with a comprehensive survey of true-speed overground measurement approaches specifically developed for railway applications, followed by the details of a cross-correlation–based radar sensing system developed by the authors’ group.
Written by Giofrè et al. [A3], the third feature article, titled “Power Amplifiers for Ka-Band Satcom Applications: Requirements, Trends, and the Way Forward,” provides an overview of the current state-of-the-art gallium nitride (GaN)-based power amplifiers (PAs) in Ka-band satellite communication. It explores several crucial aspects, including PA architectures and power-combining techniques. This comprehensive article offers insights into the present and future possibilities of energy-efficient GaN-based PAs in space applications, helping readers understand recent advancements and potential developments in this field.
We hope this special issue of IEEE Microwave Magazine provides you with valuable insights and a taste of the multifaceted experience awaiting you at the exciting upcoming RWW2024. I hope you find great enjoyment in reading this issue. Please join us in San Antonio to actively participate in this remarkable event.
[A1] K. Chuang, H. Yektaii, N. Outaleb, A. Raslan, S. Bhal, and P. Forbes, “Towards sustainable networks,” IEEE Microw. Mag., vol. 24, no. 12, pp. 44–59, Dec. 2023, doi: 10.1109/MMM.2023.3314319.
[A2] T. Reissland, R. Weigel, A. Koelpin, and F. Lurz, “High-accuracy true-speed-over-ground measurement approaches for rail vehicles,” IEEE Microw. Mag., vol. 24, no. 12, pp. 60–73, Dec. 2023, doi: 10.1109/MMM.2023.3314320.
[A3] R. Giofrè, A. Piacibello, P. Colantonio, and V. Camarchia, “Gallium nitride power amplifiers for Ka-band SatCom applications,” IEEE Microw. Mag., vol. 24, no. 12, pp. 74–86, Dec. 2023, doi: 10.1109/MMM.2023.3314321.
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/MMM.2023.3313780