Antennas & Propagation Colloquium
About
This webinar will present the latest trends in Antennas and Propagation research.
Propagation Measurements for THz Communications
Professor Thomas Kürner FIEEE
Professor of the Mobile Systems Group
Institute for Communications Technology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany
THz communications is a physical layer candidate potentially providing future wireless data rates of 1 Tbps. Although the propagation channel at sub-THz frequencies has similarities to those at Millimeter waves, the higher path loss, the required higher antenna gains and the smaller wave lengths and the operational environments coming along with new applications are calling for specific channel models.
A first step for channel modelling is always to perform channel measurements.
In this talk an overview on measurement principles applicable to THz frequencies are provided followed by insights into metrological aspects investigated in the DFG research Unit Meteracom (“Metrology for THz Communications”) and exemplary results from measurement campaigns carried out at the research group of the author.
The talk will be concluded by a summary of requirements on channel characterisation for future applications focussing also on the needs for standardisation bodies like IEEE 802 SC THz of ETSI ISG THz.
Multi-Domain Optical Networking
Dr Peter Wilkinson
Technical Lead for Optical Communications
QinetiQ Ltd
Optical inter-satellite links (ISLs) are fast becoming ubiquitous in LEO SatCom networks, providing bandwidths of 100 Gbps or more. Atmospheric distortion prevents these links from being directly routed to ground. The client links depend on lower-capacity radio or optical links, which are more robust to atmospheric effects.
Persistent high-altitude platforms offer a gateway to bringing the higher ISL bandwidth far closure to the client terminals, transforming the network’s capacity and robustness.
This webinar will be moderated by Dr Anil Shukla, Chair of the IET Antennas & Propagation Technical Network.
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Continuing Professional Development
This event can contribute towards your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours as part of the IET's CPD monitoring scheme.
26 Nov 2025
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Speakers
Professor Thomas Kürner FIEEE
Professor of the Mobile Systems Group - Institute for Communications Technology, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany
Professor Thomas Kürner (Fellow IEEE) received his Dipl.-Ing. degree in Electrical Engineering in 1990, and his Dr.-Ing. degree in 1993, both from University of Karlsruhe (Germany). From 1990 to 1994 he was with the Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik und Elektronik (IHE) at the University of Karlsruhe working on wave propagation modelling, radio channel characterization and radio network planning.
From 1994 to 2003, he was with the radio network planning department at the headquarters of the GSM 1800 and UMTS operator E-Plus Mobilfunk GmbH & Co KG, Düsseldorf, where he was team manager radio network planning support responsible for radio network planning tools, algorithms, processes and parameters from 1999 to 2003.
Since 2003 he is Full University Professor for Mobile Radio Systems at the Technische Universität Braunschweig. In 2012 he was a guest lecturer at Dublin City University within the Telecommunications Graduate Initiative in Ireland.
Currently he is chairing the IEEE 802.15 Standing Committee THz and the ETSI Industrial Specification Group THz. He was also the chair of IEEE 802.15.3d TG 100G, which developed the worldwide first wireless communications standard operating at 300 GHz. He is also the inaugural chair of the recently established IEEE AP/S TC Propagation. He was the project coordinator of the H2020-EU-Japan project ThoR (“TeraHertz end-to-end wireless systems supporting ultra-high data Rate applications”) and is Coordinator of the German DFG-Research Unit FOR 2863 Meteracom (“Metrology for THz Communications”).
In 2019 and 2022 he received the Neal-Shephard Award of the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society (VTS) also in 2022 the Best Teacher Award of the European School on Antennas and Propagation (ESoA) und in 2023 a publication prize of the German VDE-ITG.
Dr Peter Wilkinson
Technical Lead for Optical Communications - QinetiQ Ltd
Peter leads the QinetiQ portfolio of optical communications technologies. His background is in telecoms hardware, having previously run an optical switching product group at HUBER+SUHNER Polatis.
His primary technical expertise is in optical systems architecture, opto-mechanical packaging, and micro-mechanical structures, the latter two forming the basis of his PhD.
Alongside his work at QinetiQ he also holds a teaching fellowship at the University of Cambridge.
Dr Anil Shukla
Senior Fellow - QinetiQ
Anil Shukla (FIET) is a QinetiQ Fellow and a Research and Innovation leader in radio systems, RF technologies, propagation and spectrum regulation. His expertise ranges from medium-wave systems to mm-waves systems and his current research interests include: “Operating Radio Systems in Difficult Environments“, “Physical Layer Security and Resilience,” and “Cognitive / Intelligent Radios.”
At QinetiQ, he manages a wide range of research activities related to communications and networks for systems operating from underwater to space.
He is a sub-editor of the IET Microwaves Antennas and Propagation Journal and the Chair of the IET Antennas and Propagation Technical Network.