It is our great pleasure to welcome you to San Francisco, California, for the 2025 IEEE Microwave Theory and Technology Society (MTT-S) International Microwave Symposium (IMS2025), taking place on 15-20 June 2025 in the City by the Bay. Co-located with the IEEE Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits Symposium (RFIC) and the Automatic Radio Frequency Techniques Group (ARFTG) Conference, IMS2025 offers an unparalleled platform for learning, networking, and collaboration. Over the past several years, a dedicated team of volunteers has worked tirelessly to design a truly unique and enriching experience. It is both a privilege and an hon or to lead this team in organizing the MTT-S's premier event.
San Francisco has long captivated visitors with its iconic landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman's Wharf, and Ghirardelli Square. Hop aboard the city's famed cable cars to explore world-class museums, theaters, and cultural treasures that reflect San Francisco's innovative spirit. IMS2025 will be hosted at the newly renovated Moscone Center, which offers expanded spaces for technical sessions, engaging social events, and an impressive exhibit hall showcasing the latest advancements in our field. Situated in the heart of San Francisco's vibrant SoMa (South of Market) district, the Moscone Center provides easy access to the city's renowned cultural and culinary attractions. Whether you join us for the technical program or the exhibition, IMS2025 promises to be a remarkable experience-set against the unforgettable backdrop of one of the world's most dynamic cities. IMS2025 in San Francisco is the place for professionals who are pushing the boundaries of microwave and RF technology.
Just as the Golden Gate is the gateway to San Francisco Bay, San Francisco is the gateway to Silicon Valley and the Bay Area-global innovation hubs in RF and microwave technology. This dynamic region is at the forefront of break throughs in wireless communication, radar systems, and high-frequency electronics, driven by a unique synergy of start-ups, established industry leaders, and world-class research institutions. The Bay Area is shaping the wireless future, from pioneering advancements in 6G and satellite communications to transformative solutions in defense systems and the Internet of Things.
Collaborations with universities such as Stanford and UC Berkeley have propelled groundbreaking developments in semiconductors, spectrum management, and energy-efficient design, directly influencing industries ranging from telecommunications to autonomous vehicles. Whether revolutionizing compact, high-power RF amplifiers or unlocking the potential of next-generation radar systems, the Bay Area continues to lead the way in RF and microwave innovation. IMS2025 invites you to join this dynamic ecosystem, where cutting-edge research and real-world applications converge to create a smarter, more connected world.
For the first time at IMS, IMS2025 will be co-located with the IEEE Hard Tech Venture Summit, a ground breaking event de signed to connect hard tech start-up founders with visionary investors and manufacturers, fostering the growth of next-generation companies. This exciting addition to Microwave Week offers a unique platform for innovation and collaboration, featuring a series of panels and talks led by leaders in the venture capital and small business innovation research communities on Wednesday. Complementing these sessions, the Hard Tech Pavilion, strategically located near the StartUp Pavilion and MicroApps Theater on the exhibit floor, will provide an engaging networking space and show case emerging technologies. The Hard Tech Venture Summit is a must-attend for anyone looking to engage with the vibrant startup ecosystem and drive the future of hard tech innovation.
IMS2025 will feature innovative and disruptive technologies through various thematic areas, including Systems and Applications, Aerospace and Security, Chips for Critical Infrastructure, and Emerging Technologies, Innovations, and Entrepreneurship. This includes the co-located, industry-focused Future G Summit, jointly sponsored by the MTT-S and the IEEE Antennas and Propagation, Communications, and Photonics Societies. You can also look forward to industry-focused initiatives, such as the Industry Showcase, Best Industry Paper Award, and technical session keynotes, ensuring a deep connection between academic research and practical application.
Microwave Week kicks off on Sunday, 15 June 2025 with various informative workshops and boot camps designed to keep participants at the forefront of industry trends or refresh their understanding of microwave fundamentals. Sunday also marks the start of our technical symposia, with the RFIC symposium leading the way. The IMS formally opens on Monday, 16 June with the Industry Showcase, highlighting cutting-edge technical advancements from participating companies, immediately followed by the plenary session.
The IMS Plenary Session will feature two talks. Jin Bains, CEO of Mini-Circuits and a global leader in the design and manufacturing of RF, inter mediate frequency, and microwave components, will present Powering the Next Generation of RF Systems," exploring the evolving role of RF in modern technology. Arogyaswami Paulraj, Professor Emeritus at Stanford University and a pioneer of multiple input, multiple-output wireless tech nology, will deliver "Antenna Arrays for Communications, Positioning, and Sensing: Emerging Applications and Challenges," sharing insights into the breakthroughs that have shaped wireless systems worldwide.
After the plenary session, you are invited to the IMS Welcome Reception at the San Francisco Museum of Modem Art, just a short walk from the Moscone Center. With access to all five floors of this cultural landmark, you can enjoy works from iconic artists, such as Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, Diego Rivera, and Frida Kahlo. Highlights include the breathtaking Living Wall, a vertical garden of more than 4,400 square feet, and the open-air sculpture garden, offering a serene backdrop to stunning city views.
Throughout the week, various net working events provide opportunities to connect with colleagues and peers. Receptions for Women in Microwaves, Young Professionals, amateur radio enthusiasts, and MTT-S journal reviewers will be held at exclusive venues on Tuesday evening.
The MTT-S Awards Banquet, a hall mark of the symposium, will take place on Wednesday, 18 June (registration is required). Finally, IMS2025 will close on Thursday, 19 June, with a special presentation titled "Next Generation Networking in the Data Center," which explores the exciting convergence of wireless and optical technologies. This presentation is by David F. Welch, who is chief strategy officer at Infinera and an industry leader with more than 40 years of experience in the fiber optics and optical communications industries. Microwave Week concludes with the 105th ARFTG Microwave Measurement Symposium on Friday, 20 June, to round out an incredible week of collaboration, discovery, and innovation.
With more than 550+ companies participating in the exhibition, the IMS is the world's largest gathering of the RF and microwave community. The IMS2025 Exhibition will take place in Halls A through E of the Moscone Convention Center, spanning more than 100,100 ft2 of dedicated space. The exhibition will be open from the morning of Tuesday, 17 June, through the afternoon of Thursday, 19 June.
In addition to the extensive industry exhibition, you can look forward to various engaging events held within the exhibit hall throughout the week. Tuesday will feature the Student Design Competitions, while Wednesday will include the Interactive Forum. The MicroApps Theater will host continuous presentations featuring the latest advancements from participating companies.
Building on past success, IMS2025 will continue the StartUp Pavilion, first introduced in 2019, to spotlight emerging RF/microwave startups. The StartUp Pavilion will be near the MicroApps Theater and the new Hard Tech Pavilion.
On Wednesday afternoon, there will be a dedicated time slot for the exhibition, with no technical sessions scheduled, allowing you to fully explore the exhibit floor. The day will culminate in the Industry Hosted Reception on the exhibit floor. This event offers a chance to network and express gratitude to our Diamond, Platinum, Gold, and Silver Prestige Sponsors for their generous support in making Microwave Week a success!
It takes a great team to put on a great conference, and we are privileged to work with an amazing group of individuals. Supporting our executive committee is a dedicated team of more than 70 volunteers, IEEE staff, contractors, and the Hall-Erickson team, who are instrumental in managing IMS and Microwave Week. While much of their work is highlighted in the other columns in this issue, a significant portion hap pens behind the scenes. We sincerely thank the Steering Committee for its time, expertise, and dedication to delivering a successful IMS2025!
IMS2025 continues its commitment to outreach and inclusion. The Outreach and Inclusion Chair oversees the implementation of best practices to support diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the symposium. This critical role is led by Lori Silverman, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Division Dean, Ohlone College, and Sherry Hess, Cadence Design Systems.
Our Technical Program Committee, a cornerstone of any symposium, is chaired by Anh-Vu Pham, professor of electrical and computer engineering, UC Davis, and cochaired by Tom McKay, Pacific Avenue Research LLC. They have assembled a fantastic team of volunteers to bring you an exciting and engaging technical program.
The IMS2025 Local Arrangements and Operations Committee, led by Darin Phelps, Keysight Technologies, with cochair Balvinder Bisla, retired, has coordinated the behind-the-scenes activities that keep IMS running smoothly. This includes recruiting and managing an army of student ambassadors who will assist throughout Microwave Week.
Completing our IMS2025 Executive Committee are Marketing/Publicity/ Promotion/Publications Committee Cochairs Amarpal Khanna, Apionics LLC, and Venkata Gadde, Apple, as well as Finance Cochairs Jim Sowers, Maxar Technologies and Norman Chiang, retired.
In closing, we are thrilled to welcome you to IMS2025 in San Francisco for Microwave Week, 15-20 June 2025!
Steven Rosenau, IMS2025 General Chair
Jay Banwait, IMS2025 General Co-Chair