Short Courses, Tutorials and Workshops

Presented by: Shahid Ahmed, Aishah Al-Batool

As electrical and electronic systems become increasingly complex, driven by advancements in 5G/6G communications, autonomous vehicles, aerospace, and radar technologies, the need for advanced computational methods to model, simulate, and visualize electromagnetic (EM) behavior has never been more critical. The integration of ultrawideband applications, antenna arrays, and large-scale systems demands precision in design and verification long before physical implementation. This workshop, "Advances in Electromagnetics: Computational Modeling, Simulation, and Visualization," provides an in-depth exploration of state-of-the-art simulation techniques to address these challenges. Participants will gain hands-on experience with various EM simulation methodologies in areas including antenna array design for base stations and handheld devices, radar cross-section (RCS) analysis, high-power RF device reliability, radome design, and advanced radar systems for autonomous driving. In addition, the workshop will delve into the use of Python scripting for automating simulations. By the end of the session, attendees will be equipped with the skills to tackle complex EM problems across industries, leveraging simulation tools for optimal design and performance. Whether designing next-generation antennas, optimizing radar systems or ensuring the reliability of RF devices, this workshop will offer valuable insights and practical knowledge to enhance design processes in the evolving landscape of electromagnetics.

Presented by: William Kozma Jr, Christopher Anderson

Radio wave propagation models are developed to predict expected signal loss between a transmitter and a receiver. Historically, consideration of terrain effects (diffraction) and atmospheric effects (time variability, hydrometeors, etc.) dominated modeling approaches. For decades, improvements in modeling these effects, combined with time and frequency management, supported the growth of spectrum utilization. With the continuing explosion of high-bandwidth mobile networks, historical modeling and spectrum management methods are no longer sufficient to support increases in spectrum demand. This has renewed focus on improving propagation modeling accuracy through the inclusion of losses due to the presence of buildings and vegetation (collectively referred to as ‘clutter’). The near simultaneous explosion of high-fidelity data sources, such as sub-meter level resolution lidar, that are being made freely available to the public has supported improved clutter modeling techniques. This tutorial introduces participants to modeling mid-band propagation loss due to clutter through a hands-on, interactive workshop. Participants will spend the morning becoming familiar with measured radio propagation data, lidar data, and existing propagation models. They will learn how to ingest, process, and utilize these resources. In the afternoon, participants will learn how to develop statistical and site-specific clutter models, including data analysis and model evaluation. The workshop will provide participants with tools, data, and resources to continue to explore the field of mid-band clutter modeling and engage in existing open-source modeling efforts led by NTIA/ITS. _Requirements and Prerequisites_ All participants will need a laptop with internet access. Tutorial resources will be accessed via a web browser, with no software installation required. Although the tutorial will utilize the Python programming language, no prior knowledge of Python is required as participants will be guided through the tutorial and provided with everything they need.

Presented by: Maokun LI, Marco Salucci

In recent years, research in artificial intelligence techniques comprising both optimization and machine learning methodologies has attracted much attention. In particular, with the help of big data technology, massively parallel computing, and fast optimization algorithms, deep learning has greatly improved the performance of many problems in speech and image research. In this short tutorial, the presenters will share some of their learnings in artificial intelligence and deep learning techniques and discuss the potential and feasibility of applying them in computational electromagnetics. After discussing the fundamentals of such paradigms, the presenters will explore the characteristics, feasibility, and challenges of these methods in computational electromagnetics through examples of solving electromagnetic forward modeling and inverse problems.

Presented by: Matteo Nerini, Bruno Clerckx

Reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) is expected to be a key technology in 6G to enhance wireless systems by efficiently and cost-effectively manipulating the propagation environment. In conventional RIS, each RIS element is independently controlled by a tunable load disconnected from the other elements. Thus, conventional RIS results in a diagonal scattering matrix, also known as a phase shift matrix, which has limited passive beamforming and wave control capabilities. To enhance the flexibility of RIS, beyond diagonal RIS (BD-RIS) has been introduced as a generalization of conventional RIS, in which the scattering matrix is not restricted to being diagonal. In this talk, we review the emerging concept of BD-RIS, showing its promising benefits in terms of performance, coverage, deployment, and flexibility in wave manipulation over conventional RIS. We discuss the modelling and architectures of BD-RIS, and compare the performance and circuit complexity of BD-RIS architectures with conventional RIS. We also discuss potential applications of BD-RIS in various wireless communications and sensing systems and its implementation in stacked intelligent metasurfaces (SIM), and outline future research directions.

Presented by: Martin Vogel, C.J. Reddy

In an ever-more connected world, a good understanding of RF propagation is essential to design properly functioning modern communication networks that enable high-speed data transfer amidst interference from other networks, data links, radio and radar systems. Environments such as offices, campuses, industrial sites, cities and rural areas, are always large-scale and complicated and require computationally efficient and accurate propagation analysis. In this tutorial, we will teach the physics behind many simulation methods for RF propagation, from empirical models, via ray-tracing and shooting and bouncing rays, to the Parabolic Equation Method. The tutorial will also provide insight into the trade-offs of the many simulation methods that exist, and teach which to choose depending on the application at hand. Many practical examples will be presented and demonstrated.

Presented by: Alireza Baghai-Wadji

Transform and inverse transform techniques, such as the Fourier, Laplace, Wigner-Weyl, and wavelet transforms enable scientists and engineers to conduct research and design in transformed domains where the work is simpler. Subsequently, the results are converted into the real domain where they can be applied or actualized. The latter stage in this process, the inverse transform, ordinarily poses significant challenges. Developing new transform/inverse transform techniques carries the potential to produce revolutionary new computational science and engineering solutions. Discrete Taylor Transform and Inverse Transform (D-TTIT) presents the groundbreaking discovery of a new transform technique. Placing a novel emphasis on the “position variable” and “derivative operator,” incidentally as main actors in quantum physics, D-TTIT facilitates the calculation of mixed derivatives of multivariate functions to any desired order. D-TTIT is an index-based algorithm. D-TTIT enables the inversion of the involved matrices simply by inspection, i.e., virtually at no cost. The finite difference formulas can be generated on uniform, non-uniform, and diffeomorphic rectangular grids in 1D, 2D, and 3D. Each (D-TTIT)-based finite difference formula is accompanied by its error estimate formula. The D-TTIT promises to create new applications in computational electromagnetics, acoustics, and computational engineering.

Presented by: Vincent Lee

TMYTEK is pioneering advancements in antenna technology for 5G/B5G and SATCOM, focusing on the development of Phased Array Antennas (PAA) solutions. Our approach includes revolutionizing mmWave RF front-end systems and introducing a comprehensive beamforming development kit, which significantly enhances the functionality and performance of our antenna offerings. A pivotal element of our research is the Dynamic Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) technology, which represents a paradigm shift in wireless communication. By intelligently manipulating the wireless environment, the reflector and Dynamic RIS enhance signal quality and coverage, mitigating challenges such as interference and multipath propagation. Furthermore, our FR2 NextGen Wireless Education Kit provides an invaluable resource for hands-on learning and experimentation with antenna systems for attendants, facilitating rapid prototyping and algorithm testing. This integrated approach positions TMYTEK's antenna solutions at the forefront of next-generation wireless communication, enabling the development of adaptable platforms for a wide array of applications in the evolving landscape of 5G and 6G technologies.

Presented by: Jordan Budhu

This course will provide a solid foundation of numerical modelling of metasurfaces based on integral equations. Numerical design, analysis, and synthesis techniques for metasurfaces will be built up starting from Maxwell’s equations. Both 2D and 3D algorithms will be presented. Rapid optimization schemes based on the Adjoint variable technique will also be presented. The student will leave with the ability to write their own integral equation based codes for metasurface design.

Presented by: Thomas E. Roth, Dong-Yeop Na, Weng C. Chew, Paolo Rocca, Zhen Peng, Gabriele Gradoni

There is currently an explosive advancement in quantum information processing technology underway that has the potential to revolutionize society through the use of quantum computers, quantum communication systems, and quantum sensors that can outperform the best classical technologies. Antenna and propagation technologies are no exception, with many longstanding challenges potentially becoming addressable using these new quantum technologies. Further, because these emerging devices significantly involve electromagnetic effects there is an important role that classically-trained electromagnetic engineers can play in making these quantum technologies a reality. This course looks at both sides of this emerging technology space with the assumption that the students have no prior background in quantum physics. Specifically, the course introduces different paradigms of quantum computation and discusses how each approach can be used to solve electromagnetic analysis and optimization problems. Sample applications include the analysis and design of antenna arrays and the beamforming optimization of large reconfigurable intelligent surfaces. A hands-on training is also included to begin learning how to use quantum computers for these applications. We also discuss the fundamentals of quantum theory, with application toward building a description of the quantization of electromagnetic fields. These fundamentals are then extended to look at numerical algorithms for modeling various quantum electromagnetic effects in dispersive inhomogeneous media with applications for quantum communications and quantum sensors. The interactions of electromagnetic fields with superconducting circuit qubits are also covered to provide an understanding of the underlying operations occurring at the hardware level in one of the leading quantum computing architectures.

Presented by: Vikass Monebhurrun, Lars Foged, Vince Rodriguez

There is no fee to attend this workshop, however, advance registration is required to attend. Participants of the workshop will be enrolled in a drawing, and 3 lucky winners will receive a copy of the recently published IEEE Std 149-2021: IEEE Recommended Practice on Antenna Measurements (US $164 Value). The terminology standards on antennas (IEEE Std. 145) and radio wave propagation (IEEE Std. 211) are important documents that guarantee the right use of accepted terms in technical papers and reports. IEEE Std. 149 (antenna measurement), IEEE Std. 1720 (near field antenna measurement) & IEEE Std. 1502 (radar cross-section measurement) prove useful when performing antenna measurements. The workshop will provide an overview of these standards that have been developed by the IEEE Antennas & Propagation Standards Committee.

Presented by: Yahya Rahmat-Samii, Fan Yang

From frequency selective surfaces (FSS) to electromagnetic band-gap (EBG) grounds, from impedance boundaries to metasurfaces, novel electromagnetic surfaces keep on emerging. Many intriguing phenomena occur on these surfaces, and novel devices and applications have been proposed accordingly, which have created an exciting paradigm in electromagnetics, the so-called “Surface Electromagnetics”. This short course will review the development of various electromagnetic surfaces, as well as the state-of-the-art concepts and designs. Detailed presentations will be provided on the unique electromagnetic features of EBG ground planes and advanced metasurfaces. Furthermore, a wealth of antenna examples will be presented to illustrate promising applications of the surface electromagnetics in antenna engineering. The course covers representative materials from recent books by the lecturers, “Surface Electromagnetics: With Applications in Antenna, Microwave and Optical Engineering” (Cambridge University Press 2019) and “Electromagnetic Band Gap Structures in Antenna Engineering” (Cambridge University Press, 2009).