Radio and Wireless Week 2026

■ Robert H. Caverly

A
s you can tell from the cover,
the focus of this month’s is-
sue is one of the IEEE Micro-
wave Theory and Technology Society
(MTT-S) flagship conferences, the
2026 edition of Radio and Wireless
Week (RWW2026). This annual con-
ference, always held in January in
(hopefully) a warmer climate during
the height of North American winter,
is composed of five subconferences ©[Link]/IVELIN DENEV

and one or more co-located confer-

ences that span the technical gamut be particularly recognized for serv- looks at some recent findings on
from microwave devices to systems ing as guest editor of this RWW2026 electromagnetic wave exposure from
in both terrestrial and space applica- focus issue. I would like personally to a study by the U.S. National Toxicol-
tions. The conference topics draw a thank him for organizing the techni- ogy Program. Chinmoy Saha writes
very interested audience because sta- cal features for the issue, as well as in our “MGA News” column [A5]
tistics show that the ratio of attendees the columns outlining the various about the Workshop on Electromag-
to presenters is quite high, by almost topical areas of the conference and netic Interference and Compatibility,
a two-to-one ratio. The conference also other events. I urge you to begin your recently held in Kerala, India, while
caters to MTT affinity group events exploration of the issue by reading our “MTT-S Society News” column
such as Women in Microwaves; Young his “From the Guest Editor’s Desk” [A6] highlights efforts to engage the
Professionals; and, of course, the very column [A1]. members of the North Italy Joint
popular Student Paper Competition. In addition to the RWW2026 fo- Chapter. The electromagnetic spec-
The conference this year is chaired cus issue columns, we also have our trum is highly regulated throughout
by Vaclav Valenta, and with his co- regular feature articles. In his “Presi- the world, and in this month’s “Mi-
chair Roberto Gomez-Garcia, the two dent’s Column” this month [A2], crowave Spectrum Policy” column
have guided a very dedicated team to MTT-S President Goutam Chattopad- [A7], Michael Marcus explores some
bring attendees an outstanding tech- hyay reviews some of the highlights of the agenda items related to our
nical and networking program. As of the most recent MTT-S Adminis- frequency spectrum at the upcom-
part of this team, Hamhee Jeon is to trative Committee meeting held in ing 2027 World Radiocommunication
Jaipur, India, in September 2025. Fred Conferences.
Schindler takes an interesting look Regular readers of IEEE Microwave
Robert H. Caverly ([Link]@[Link]) at the perils of homogeneity in the Magazine are challenged each month
is with Villanova University, Villanova, PA
workplace in our “MicroBusiness” with interesting problems created by
19085 USA.
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/MMM.2025.3610196
column [A3], and in our “Health
Date of current version: 5 November 2025 Matters” column [A4], James Lin (continued on page 19)

6 December 2025
of someone with youthful enthusi- backgrounds and experiences might yond comfortable—they grew up with
asm and an unconstrained outlook have a much broader set of perspec- these technologies.
with a mentor having the knowledge tives. It is from that range of perspec- In the MTT-S and IEEE, we also
that comes from decades of experi- tives and the resulting insights that worry about geography. We strive to
ence often leads to great outcomes. opportunity lies. Product develop- have broad geographic representation.
There will often be a combination of ment can suffer when the range of The needs of technology professionals
outside-the-box thinking along with perspectives is too narrow [1]. There vary geographically. So do the perspec-
grounding in reality. Something simi- are plenty of studies that show that tives. If we want to support our techni-
lar can even happen with contributors broader perspectives typically result cal communities around the world, all
with similar experiences. Consider in better group decisions. those perspectives must be included
the combination of an exuberant, if We see something analogous within in decision-making processes, and all
reckless, engineer with a cautious and IEEE. The MTT-S AdCom and many those needs must be considered.
detailed engineer. It can be the best of other IEEE committees ensure that So, what’s the conclusion? We need
both worlds, so long as they can deal they include Young Professional and broad perspectives. Including a wide
with the frustration of working with Women in Microwaves/Engineering range of backgrounds, cultures, demo-
each other! members. This is to ensure that we graphics, and experiences is a necessi-
That leads us to consider the va- include those perspectives in our de- ty. We want broad representation. We
riety of perspectives that come in an cision making. As an example, the all benefit from doing so. Our institu-
organization with members having a professional needs for the generation tions benefit from doing so. I guess
wide range of backgrounds. It seems entering the field are different from that means diversity matters.
obvious that if a group consists of the needs of those who are mid-career
people with very similar backgrounds or beyond. The way they interact with Reference
[1] F. Schindler, “Different perspectives [Micro-
and experiences, their perspectives the world differs, too. They are digital
Business],” IEEE Microw. Mag., vol. 24, no. 12,
would be quite similar. The converse natives. I’m comfortable with all our pp. 19–20, Dec. 2023, doi: 10.1109/MMM.2023.
is that a group with a wide range of technologies. But my children are be- 3313787.

From the Editor’s Desk (continued from page 6)

Takashi Ohira in our “Enigmas, etc.” Appendix: Related Articles ciety News],” IEEE Microw. Mag., vol. 26,
[A1] H. Jeon, “IEEE Microwave Magazine focus is- no. 12, pp. 116–122, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.1109/
column [A8] (this month’s issue has MMM.2025.3606138.
sue of 2026 radio and wireless week [From the
the solution to last month’s problem). Guest Editor’s Desk],” IEEE Microw. Mag., [A7] M. Marcus, “Microwave-related agenda items
In 2025, Takashi has focused on pro- vol. 26, no. 12, pp. 14–15, Dec. 2025, doi: at the 2027 ITU world radiocommunication con-
10.1109/MMM.2025.3603290. ference [Microwave Spectrum Policy],” IEEE
viding insights into the foundations Microw. Mag., vol. 26, no. 12, pp. 128–130,
[A2] G. Chattopadhyay, “Leading the IEEE Mi-
of wireless power transfer (WPT) Dec. 2025, doi: 10.1109/MMM.2025.3603291.
crowave Theory and Technology Society: A
with problems every other month. year of growth, innovation, and global engage- [A8] T. Ohira, “Solution to last month’s quiz [Enig-
In this month’s “Educator’s Corner” ment [President’s Column],” IEEE Microw. mas, etc.],” IEEE Microw. Mag., vol. 26, no.
Mag., vol. 26, no. 12, pp. 8–13, Dec. 2025, doi: 12, pp. 144–146, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.1109/
column [A9], Takashi gathers up all MMM.2025.3603289.
10.1109/MMM.2025.3613600.
of these problems, as well as other [A3] F. Schindler, “Homogeneity [MicroBusi- [A9] T. Ohira, “Comfortable gateway to basic kQ
insights, to provide an in-depth ness],” IEEE Microw. Mag., vol. 26, no. theory for wireless power transfer [Educa-
tor’s Corner],” IEEE Microw. Mag., vol. 26,
look at the fundamental coupling 12, pp. 18–19, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.1109/
MMM.2025.3606140. no. 12, pp. 134–139, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.1109/
factor–quality factor (kQ) relation- MMM.2025.3603264.
[A4] J. C. Lin, “NTP lite: The Japan–Korea collaborative
ship so important in WPT systems. RF exposure toxicity project [Health Matters],” [A10] A. K. Singh, “Young professional events at the
Rounding out the issue is a report IEEE Microw. Mag., vol. 26, no. 12, pp. 16–17, IEEE Microwave, Antennas and Propagation
Conference [Young Professionals],” IEEE
on a Young Professionals event held Dec. 2025, doi: 10.1109/MMM.2025.3605069.
[A5] C. Saha, “IETE – IEEE EMC-S/MTT-S Microw. Mag., vol. 26, no. 12, pp. 124–126,
at MAPCON 2024 [A10]; our “MTT-S Dec. 2025, doi: 10.1109/MMM.2025.3603292.
Kerala chapter workshop on electromagnetic
Ombuds Officer” report [A11]; and, interference & compatibility (EMI&C-2025) [A11] E. C. Niehenke, “[MTT-S Ombuds Of-
of course, a summary of upcom- [MGA News],” IEEE Microw. Mag., vol. 26, ficer],” IEEE Microw. Mag., vol. 26, no.
12, pp. 132–133, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.1109/
ing conferences in our “Conference no. 12, pp. 112–115, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.1109/
MMM.2025.3603701. MMM.2025.3605071.
Calendar” [A12]. [A12] “[Conference Calendar],” IEEE Microw.
[A6] G. Oliveri, F. Bonani, and L. Tarricone,
I hope to see you in Hollywood, “Fostering innovation and community: A re- Mag., vol. 26, no. 12, p. 148, Dec. 2025, doi:
CA, USA, for Radio and Wireless view of the latest activities of the IEEE AP/ 10.1109/MMM.2025.3605070.

Week 2026! ED/MTT North Italy chapter [MTT-S So- 

December 2025 19