Plenary Talks
Distinguished Industry Speaker Series for the 2025 IEEE AP-S / USNC-URSI Symposium
Sponsored by:
IEEE AP-S Industrial Initiatives Committee
IEEE AP-S Membership and Benefits Committee
Plenary Talks
Date: Monday, 14 July, 2025
Time: 10:00 - 11:40
Location: Rogers Centre: Canada Hall I&II
The Challenges of Arctic Communications: Past, Present and Future
David G. Michelson, LCol Ellick Pau, and Dennis Couillard
Abstract: The Arctic presents significant communication challenges due to its remote location, harsh environment, and limited infrastructure. Here, we consider the past, present, and future of communications in the Arctic environment with emphasis on the implications for defence and sovereignty, and the need and opportunities for research.
Communications Research Centre Canada – 70 Years of History
Marc Levesque
Abstract: The CRC has over 70 years of R&D innovation in radio propagation and telecommunications. Since 2012, the CRC has focused on R&D in spectrum management. The CRC applies its core capabilities in AI, cloud computing, propagation and wireless deployments to continue innovating in how spectrum is managed in Canada.
Presenters
David G. Michelson is with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of British Columbia where he leads both the Radio Science Lab and the History of Technology Project. He serves as principal investigator of the ALEASAT CubeSat project sponsored by the European Space Agency and director of the UBC CubeSat support facility. He currently serves as General Chair of IEEE AP-S/URSI 2025, Chair of the IEEE History Committee, and as the IEEE Canada Historian. Prof. Michelson is a member of the Society for the History of Technology, a member of the History and Archives Committee of the Engineering Institute of Canada, and a member of the steering committee of IEEE HISTELCON 2025.
LCol Ellick Pau joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a Radio Operator in 1992, served 18 years as a Non-Commissioned Member in the Reserve Force before transferring to the Regular Force as an Army Communication and Information Systems Specialist in 2010, and soon after, commissioned to be an Officer in 2018. LCol Pau has most recently been posted to Joint Task Force North (JTFN) in Yellowknife. He has deployed on several missions across Canada, such as MAPLE RESOLVE, JOINTEX, OP NEVUS, and the NANOOK series – as well as overseas in Bosnia-Herzegovina for OP PALLADIUM, and Afghanistan for OP ATHENA.
Denis Couillard is a graduate in Electrical Engineering and Technology Management from École Polytechnique de Montréal and has been active in the telecommunications industry for over 30 years. Involved in the development and launch of several radiocommunication products and innovation projects over the years, Denis is the author of a book on strategic technology management and holds two US patents in electronic attack and protection. Denis is currently Director, Government Strategies at Ultra Electronics TCS in Montreal. Formerly known as Canadian Marconi Company, Ultra is the designer of the industry's first cognitive radios and the supplier of high-speed tactical radios that support all major deployments of the American and Canadian armies.
Marc Levesque was appointed President of the Communications Research Centre (CRC) Canada in April of 2023. Prior to this, he held consecutive senior executive leadership roles within CRC, where he served as VP Internal, VP of Wireless Technologies, and VP of Applications and Performance, overseeing the CRC’s research teams and several key strategic initiatives. Before joining the public service, Marc gained extensive private sector experience serving as Global Account Manager/Director with Altera for 15 years. Marc is a Professional Engineer in Ontario with a Master’s degree in Engineering Management (M. Eng., University of Ottawa, 2003). He lives with his family in Ottawa.
Advancements in Smartphone Antennas and Challenges in Frequency Spectrum Expansion
Date: Thursday, 17 July, 2025
Time: 11:40 - 12:30
Location: Rogers Centre: Trillium Ballroom - Level 4
Dr. Joonho Byun
Corporate Vice President / Head of Antenna Group, Samsung Electronics
Abstract: As the mobile communications industry has experienced rapid growth through the implementation of 5G technology, new challenges have emerged, particularly with the introduction of millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequencies. This talk will focus on the evolution of smartphone antenna technologies and the physical and propagation challenges involved in integrating multiple frequency bands and antennas into mobile devices. Special attention will be given to innovative approaches aimed at overcoming the physical limitations of antenna implementation in smartphones. Additionally, the propagation characteristics of mmWave bands will be analyzed and discussed. It aims to provide valuable insights for both academia and industry and hopes to serve as a useful resource for the next generation of antenna researchers actively working in this field.
Biography: Joonho Byun is a Corporate Vice President at Samsung Electronics, leading the Antenna Engineering Group at Samsung Electronics. With over 25 years of experience in the mobile industry, he has been a key driver of innovations, including the development of the world’s first 5G smartphone and the commercialization of foldable devices. He is responsible for the strategy, technology roadmap, and architecture of antenna systems across various product lines, including smartphones, tablets, wearables, and more. He has also led the development of patent portfolios related to antenna technologies and played a key role in integrating advanced antenna systems such as satellite communication, UWB, and mm-wave into mobile devices. He has contributed to global standardization efforts, including unifying OTA requirements with telecom operators. He holds a Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in 1999.