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University of Manitoba, Antenna and Microwave Technology

Modern media owes a huge debt of gratitude to researchers at the University of Manitoba's (U of M) Applied Electromagnetics Laboratory.

The ability to broadcast from anywhere – from a war-torn battle zone to the eye of a hurricane – via satellite-phone systems with compact antennas, gives broadcast journalists the unique opportunity to not only deliver news to the audience, but also to deliver the audience to the news.

The technology that makes it possible was developed and tested by the U of M's Dr. Lotfollah Shafai, Canada Research Chair in Applied Electromagnetics, and his team in the Applied Electromagnetics Laboratory. These picoterminals or video phones for two-way broadcast are increasingly replacing telephone contact from broadcast journalists reporting from remote areas. They provide extraordinary perspective on news coverage by making communication more efficient, while visually taking the audience where the action is.

With sophisticated equipment – unique in Canada – and complemented by a highly capable staff, this U of M lab is at the research development forefront of communications technology and remote sensing, helping Canada lead the world in this burgeoning field.

Technologies that benefit from this research include wireless and satellite communications, remote sensing, telemedicine, smart vehicles and navigation systems. Under development in the lab are "virtual antennas," instruments that create multiple receivers from a single unit.

Wireless technology plays a critical role in helping people communicate with others around the world – a phenomenon that has become increasingly more common in the global village concept. Whether that communication involves satellite-based video, global positioning, digital radio, broadband wireless or surveillance of remote assets, such as shipping containers, the efficiency and performance of antennas are essential to contemporary communication.

Dr. Shafai continues to make significant contributions to antenna and signal technology and his work as Canada Research Chair in Applied Electromagnetics will extend his previous research in several areas.

His principal research interest involves two areas of applied electromagnetics and radiating systems. In applied electromagnetics, a study area that deals with the interaction of waves with their environment, Dr. Shafai's research focuses on modelling physical phenomena that affect antenna operation. To accomplish this, he generates governing mathematical equations and develops suitable numerical techniques to resolve them.

The work on radiating systems involves developing antennas and their arrays, sensors or lenses and related microwave components, for wireless and satellite communications, remote sensing and radio astronomy applications. The two areas of research are interrelated, with findings in the field of electromagnetics supporting antenna design.

Virtually all satellite ground stations in North America are based on designs emanating from the University of Manitoba's pioneering electromagnetic and antenna research program. Considered to be the best facility of its kind in North America, the Winnipeg-based university's Applied Electromagnetics Laboratory is helping Manitoba and Canada lead the world in the fields of communications technology and remote sensing.

Major developments are expected in the area of radiating systems and antenna arrays, driven by the demand for increased bandwidth and high data rates in telecommunications. While antennas have traditionally been passive devices that operated at low frequencies, new developments have led to antennas being integrated with software that can be programmed to control the devices and improve wireless communications coverage.

These developments are particularly important as more data is demanded by users of wireless communications devices. They're also important in the area of remote sensing for applications, such as flow control in pipelines and remote asset security.

One of Dr. Shafai's current research goals is to improve the flexibility of the software that controls antennas and their related sensors and devices. This proposed innovation will allow them to be adjusted during use, enhancing their reliability and performance.

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