Panel Sessions

Large corporations are investing billions of dollars building thousands of LEO satellites to offer broadband internet services to rural and under-developed areas. In addition, many countries are jumping onto this wagon to secure their own access to the internet as part of a national security policy. On the other hand, the high satellite launch cost, hardware cost, and high monthly subscription fees do not seem to fit the objective of providing broadband access to the general earth population, many of whom are living in poverty. Come join the panel and find out if this is expensive space junk or a revolution in broadband internet access.

The past few years have arguably seen a decrease in transformational or disruptive discoveries reported in radio-frequency integrated circuits (RFIC) papers and publications. Does this indicate that RFIC design has reached its maturity, or does it instead suggest a shift of innovations in emerging areas across the boundary of RFIC design, such as the heterogeneous integration of silicon, antennas, and processors using advanced packaging? If so, what should our community look for in publications and what would be considered “publishable work”? Are universities and research institutions addressing the most compelling challenges? And what has been the role of the funding agencies in promoting fundamental research? Our panel of experts, with the audience’s participation, will attempt to answer these questions and diagnose the trends seen in RFIC publications and in the field in general.

The true benefit of technological innovation is realized when it enhances lives while adhering to environmental sustainability. This connection is crucial for researchers, businesses, and policymakers to understand and prioritize. As technology evolves, its integration into urban environments can drive significant improvements in quality of life. Cities are often epicenters of technological gatherings like IMS, making them ideal arenas for demonstrating the implementation of sustainable technologies.
This panel will illustrate how the convergence of technology and policy can lead to significant tangible societal benefits. E.g., the adoption of broadband technology and legislation is helping bridge the digital divide, integration of smart grids and renewable energy sources are reducing carbon emissions, innovations in public transportation and waste management are improving living standards and lowering the environmental impact.
We hope that this would result in providing a roadmap for creating economically vibrant and environmentally livable communities around the world.

This panel session will discuss the future of satellite communications as seen through the eyes of it’s panelists. Some questions to be answered:
1) Where do you see the future going and how does your work support that future?
2) Have LEO satellites changed the way we think of qualified parts for space and the way in which we build/integrate satellites?
3) Do you see room in the industry for LEO, MEO, and GEO satellites?
4) What technologies do you see will be needed for this future?
5) Will there be a need for Si, GaAs, InP, GaN materials and devices and where will they fit in?
6) Can you talk to the split between commercial and government applications?
7) In the past we have seen the government/military part of the business doing most of the technical development. Do you see this changing?