The aim of the IET’s APTN is to support the Antennas and Propagation community through knowledge exploitation and sharing, continuous professional development, networking, and the encouragement and development of new and emerging talent.

As Chair of the IET’s Antennas and Propagation Technical Network (APTN) committee it has been a pleasure to oversee and contribute to the wide variety of events that have supported the above community aims Nationally and Globally. (The 2024 events are listed at the end).

In 2024 we developed a couple of new engagement formats. These were: “Lunch and Learn” events and “Discussion Forums” both of which were well supported by the wider community. These were supplemented by traditional in-person and virtual events.

The “Lunch and Learn” events provided an opportunity for continuous development by enabling speakers to talk and inspire based on emerging topics to a broad range of community members ranging from emerging talent to experienced professionals. The duration of each of these lunches and learn events were an hour and were conducted over the UK lunchtime period. In 2024 we held three events, and we will aim to hold a similar number in 2025. Topics of interest or suggested speakers are welcomed from the community.

The “Discussion” format enabled a wide range of discussions with experts. These were again an hour long, but I believe they could have been much longer as not all the community questions were covered in the time available. In 2024 we held two events and we plan to hold two more in 2025.

In-person events are still welcomed by the community as they provide excellent networking opportunities with experts and new talent. I would welcome feedback from the community on the benefits and need for future in - person events.

The main “In-person” community event was the Colloquium on Antennas and Wireless Electromagnetics (CAWE 24) which in 2024 was kindly hosted by the Centre for Wireless Innovation, University of Belfast. The event comprised a demonstration of wireless power transfer, talks and posters. In 2025 we plan to hold a similar event with the aim of supporting emerging talent, as well as providing a platform for researchers to outline projects that are at an early stage to encourage collaboration.

Other in person events included EUCAP 24 and “Operating in the Future Electromagnetic Environments” (OFEME 24) conference. At EUCAP 24, the APTN, supported a three-hour antennas workshop that comprised a keynote and seven talks on antenna metrology. At EUCAP 2025, we will again be supporting a three-hour antenna workshop entitled “Measurement advancements for 5G/6G and emerging wireless standards: innovations precision and standardisation”. The OFEME conference again provided an opportunity to hold a workshop on antennas and we will look for other similar opportunistic events in 2025. 

This highly successful year, in which we have engaged with over 1200 community members, has only been possible through the efforts and support of the APTN committee volunteers and the TN’s community manager. As Chair I would like to give my thanks to the current members, the recent retirees and all the speakers, who have given up their valuable time to support and encourage the global Antennas and Propagation community. Due to several long-standing volunteers standing down from the committee, we look forward to welcoming new volunteer members.

In 2025 we will continue with a similar timetable but also seek opportunities to increase our collaboration with other Technical Networks, such as RF & Microwave and Electromagnetics, through joint events.

If you would like to volunteer for the APTN committee please contact: our Community Manager, Deborah- Claire McKenzie 

I look forward to welcoming you to the APTN’s 2025 events programme.

Dr Anil Shukla
Chair APTN committee.

Summary of APTN events held in 2024

Virtual Lunch and Learn Sessions:
• “Generation After Next Antennas;” Gary Pettitt (Defence Science Technology Laboratory, Dstl).
• “An overview of the need, challenges and ongoing research on wireless communication in underwater” Professor Wasiu Popoola; (University of Edinburgh).
• “A methodology for remote microwave sterilization applicable to the coronavirus and other pathogens using self-steering antenna arrays;” Dr Symon K Podilchak, (University of Edinburgh).
• “How to build an underwater acoustic propagation model;” Gary Benson (QinetiQ)

Virtual Discussion Forums:
• “How do we integrate new antenna concepts with agile radio systems and agile networks?” Dr James Birchall (Electro-Technical), Dr Anil Shukla, (QinetiQ)
• “New and exciting developments in EM propagation research”: Professor Sana Salous (University of Durham); Dr Richard Rudd, (Plum consulting) Dr Anil Shukla (QinetiQ)

Virtual APC event
• “Recent Advancement of Position Versatile Fluid Antenna Systems.” Professor Kin-Fai (Kenneth) Tong (University College London)
• “Intelligent Surfaces for Programmable Environments.” Fraser Burton (BT laboratories)
• “Sub-6GHz Channel Characterisation for Indoor Industrial Environments“. Dr Matthew Higgins and Dr Son Dinh-Van (University of Warwick)
• “Radio Propagation Modelling and Characterisation at Sub-THz Bands for Future Telecommunications.” Prof Akram Alomainy (Queen Mary University of London)

2024 In person events
• EUCAP 2024 “Metrology for 5G and beyond in support of standard developments (IET workshop)”; comprising seven presentations over 3 hrs
• Colloquium on Antennas, Wireless and Electromagnetics (CAWE): three invited talks and ten presentations, Queens University Belfast
• Operating in the Future Electromagnetic Environments” (OFEME 24): 90min workshop on antennas interfaces, Glasgow.