INVITED speaker 1
New Microwave Absorber Based on Flexible, Lightweight and Structured Composite Material
Dr. Ratiba Benzerga
IETR, IUT Saint-Brieuc – Université de Rennes
Abstract:
Electromagnetic waves are omnipresent in modern society and find application in a variety of fields. However, these waves can interfere with the operation of electronic systems and devices, requiring control of their propagation and absorption. Currently, there is a growing demand for absorbing materials that meet increasingly specific requirements; so light, thin and flexible absorbing materials for over a wide range of frequencies are therefore sought. Composite-based absorbers have ability to absorb a wide frequency spectrum, but such absorbers tend to be relatively thick, especially for low-frequency absorption. Concurrently, metamaterials have been explored as electromagnetic absorbers, providing effective absorption with minimal thickness but limited to narrow frequency bands. In this talk, the various methods proposed to achieve metamaterials with broadband absorption will be briefly presented before presenting a very simple method to produce a structured, thin, and flexible absorber with broadband absorption made from a silicone foam reinforced with carbon fibers.
INVITED speaker 2
Preliminary Study on LiDAR Performance in Vibration Measurement
Dr. Nur Najahatul Huda Saris
Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FKE),
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Abstract:
LiDAR has evolved into a non-contact vibration sensor, unlocking new opportunities in structural health monitoring, industrial machinery, and civil engineering. This preliminary study evaluates the efficacy of LiDAR in non-contact vibration measurement through the utilization of COMSOL Multiphysics software simulations across various objects to determine time-of-flight (ToF). Results showed that performance improved with increased distance, particularly along the x-axis direction. The shortest ToF was recorded 3.31 ns for a rectangular object at 0.5 m, while the longest readings were observed at 7.5 m for the hemisphere shape. From the findings, it was confirmed that extended distances resulted in longer laser pulse travel paths, exhibiting a slope of 6.6898 ns/m for non-vibrating objects, laying the groundwork for future applications in the monitoring of vibration measurement.
INVITED speaker 3
A Comparative Study of Pure and Silver-Enhanced Graphene Antennas for Fat-Intrabody Communication
Ir. Ts. Dr. Noor Badariah Asan
Faculty of Electronics and Computer Engineering Technology, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka
Abstract:
The study explores the design and performance of two implantable antennas for fat-intrabody communication (fat-IBC) operating in the 5.8 GHz ISM band. Graphene, known for its exceptional conductivity, biocompatibility, and lightweight properties, serves as the primary material in these designs. The antennas utilize pure graphene and silver-enhanced graphene as radiating materials, fabricated on Taconic TLY-3 substrates. Simulations using CST Microwave Studio and experimental validation in fat-tissue-equivalent phantom models assessed conductivity and resonance characteristics. Results revealed that the silver-enhanced graphene antenna outperformed the pure graphene counterpart, demonstrating higher conductivity, sharper resonance, and superior impedance matching. These features make the silver-enhanced graphene antenna better suited for efficient, stable, and low-power intrabody communication. The findings highlight its potential in biomedical applications such as health monitoring and drug delivery systems. This work emphasizes the significance of advanced materials in developing reliable communication technologies for intrabody systems, supporting advancements in biomedical engineering and wireless sensor networks.
INVITED speaker 4
Evaluation of a Deep Learning-Based Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) Receiver for Undersea RF Communication
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Idnin Pasya Bin Ibrahim
Department of Computer Science and Engineering/Division of Computer Engineering,
The University of Aizu, Japan
Abstract:
Undersea RF communication suffers from poor signal-to-noise ratio due to high signal attenuation, and various noises from the propagation channel and devices operating undersea. This paper presents a deep learning (DL)-based orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) scheme in an undersea RF communication system to combat these issues. The proposed OFDM transmission scheme utilizes a long short-term memory (LSTM) network at the receiver to replace conventional channel estimation and equalization. The LSTM network is trained to model simplified undersea channels emulating both deep sea and shallow sea conditions in short distance RF communication. It was found that the proposed DL-based method produced improved bit-error-rate (BER) against Eb/No than conventional method in both AWGN and Rician channel, approximately 4 and 8 dB respectively.
INVITED speaker 5
32-Bit Filterable Multi-Resonator for Chipless RFID Tag Application in Sustainable Smart Agriculture
Dr. A. K. M. Zakir Hossain
Faculty of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Technology (FTKEK), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM)
Abstract:
Smart agriculture, driven by big data analytics and artificial intelligence, increasingly utilizes RFID technology for efficient operations. Conventional IC chip-based RFID tags, despite their long-range identifications, pose sustainability and environmental challenges. Chipless RFID (CRFID) technology offers an eco-friendly alternative by eliminating IC chips, but its adoption is limited by low bit coding capacity relative to size. This paper presents a 32-bit compact multi-resonator designed for CRFID tag applications in smart agriculture. Developed on a Rogers 5880 substrate, the proposed resonator features a dual-functionality design, enabling high-density data encoding while filtering Wi-Fi and 5G signals for enhanced smart capabilities. With a compact size of 1.6 × 1.0 cm², it performs identification within the 5.1–10.8 GHz frequency range, achieving a high bit density of 20 bits/cm² and a spectral density of 5.61 bits/GHz. This design supports around 4.3 billion unique CRFID tags, providing a massive data capacity for various applications in smart agriculture. By combining compactness, sustainability, and composite functionality, the proposed resonator addresses the critical limitations of current CRFID tags. It sets the stage for the mass adoption of CRFID tags in smart agriculture, enabling efficient, scalable, and environment-friendly solutions to meet the growing demands of modern farming practices.
INVITED speaker 6
Low Loss Waveguide Based Butler Matrix with Dual Beam Slotted Antenna for Millimeterwave Applications
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Noor Asniza Murad
Faculty of Electrical Engineering,
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Abstract:
The demand for higher capacity urged for higher frequency band. 5G mmWave Band n257 (28 GHz) is a frequency band defined for Millimeter-Wave communication in 5G-NR networks. The 28 GHz band is one of the most potent bands for 5G which offer wider bandwidth and higher capacity. At this high frequency band, beamforming is mandatory to compensate the large path loss. Butler matrix is one of beamforming network which typically used to feed an array of antenna elements. The direction of the antenna beam can be controlled by switching power to the input ports. Butler matrix ca be construct using planar circuit. However, at high frequency, crosstalk between closed adjacent lines would be significant. Therefore, waveguide is used where the signal is confined within the walls, thus the loss can be reduced. The main component of the Butler matrix is a coupler. The waveguide coupler is constructed based on common branch line coupler with cavity resonator and iris coupling control method for each branch. The same method is used to design the crossover and phase shifter before integrated to form a 4 x 4 Butler Matrix. The outputs of the matrix are connected to an array of double-sided slotted waveguide and the beam pattern can be observed to form in different directions.
INVITED speaker 7
Photonic Crystal Nanocavities Structure: Characteristics and Applications in Non-Linear Optics
Dr. Nurul Ashikin Daud
Faculty of Electrical Engineering,
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Abstract:
This paper investigates the structural characteristics of photonic crystal (PhC) nanocavities and their application in non-linear optics. By leveraging the unique ability of these nanocavities to confine light within tiny volumes, the study explores their capacity to enhance non-linear optical effects such as frequency conversion and optical switching. Key design strategies, including defect engineering and cavity resonance optimization, are discussed to illustrate how these structures amplify light-matter interactions. The paper also discusses practical applications as optical devices namely as optical modulator and photoreceiver. Finally, all- silicon transmission link has also been demonstrated. We successfully achieved 0.1 Gb/s all- silicon scheme transmission link at 5 m distance with ~ 10 μW.
INVITED speaker 8
Low Mutual Coupling of Hexagonal Bar Slotted Dual-Band Four-Port MIMO Textile Antenna for WBAN and 5G Applications
Assoc. Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Hasliza A Rahim @ Samsuddin
Faculty of Electronic Engineering & Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP)
Abstract:
The paper presents a methodology to reduce mutual coupling in a 4-port dual-band Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output (MIMO) textile antenna, specifically designed for biomedical applications. This antenna utilizes MIMO technology and operates within the Wireless Body Area Network (WBAN) and Fifth Generation (5G) across two distinct frequency bands: 2.45 GHz and 3.5 GHz. The structure comprises four octagonal patch antennas, each incorporating a bar and hexagonal slot, with individual patch dimensions of 48.5 x 30 mm². A hybrid approach to minimize Mutual Coupling (MC) is investigated for patches positioned at a proximity of 0.15λ. The antenna is evaluated with bending conditions in different curvature angles to test its robustness in practical on-body. The antenna achieves the MC of -30 dB, an Envelope Correlation Coefficient (ECC) of 0.001, the antenna maintains a gain of 2.42 dBi at the lower frequency band and 5.6 dBi at the higher band. Notably, the antenna’s performance exceeds the expected attenuation effects caused by the lossy nature of the human body, indicating a strong alignment between the modeled and experimental results.
INVITED speaker 9
Partial Discharge Detection Using Log-Periodic Antenna
Dr. Farid bin Zubir
Faculty of Electrical Engineering,
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Abstract:
Partial discharge events can result in insulation damage, leading to costly repairs and an elevated risk of electrical failures. While the challenge of distinguishing between PD signals and noise remains, the utilization of a log-periodic antenna is recommended due to its numerous inherent advantages, such as high gain and directional capabilities. An electromagnetic log-periodic antenna proves to be an optimal choice for PD detection and monitoring, offering a broad frequency coverage, heightened sensitivity, precise PD localization, and early-stage detection capabilities. This paper presents a design for a log-periodic antenna (LPDA) tailored for the purpose of detecting partial discharge (PD) in high-voltage electrical equipment. The outcomes exhibit that the devised LPDA has the potential to identify the PD pattern, which shows similarities in the phases of charge accumulation detected by the conventional PD measurement system. Remarkably, the log-periodic antenna is proficient at efficiently transmitting approximately 90 percent of the received power, rendering it a highly effective diagnostic tool for safeguarding the integrity of high-voltage equipment.
INVITED speaker 10
Stochastic Geometry-Based Modeling of Electromagnetic Field with Imperfect Beam Alignment
Ts. Dr. Nor Aishah Muhammad
Faculty of Electrical Engineering,
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Abstract:
Installing more base stations can enhance the coverage and throughput of the cellular networks, but increasing the electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure in a communication area that brings fear to the community regarding the possible health impacts. This paper presents a stochastic geometry-based mathematical model for assessing the EMF exposure from millimeter wave (MMW) base stations by incorporating the Gaussian antenna model from the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Then, the impact of beam alignment of the antenna model is investigated for various base station intensities and blockage parameters. Analytical results are compared with the simulation results obtained from MATLAB to validate the analysis. The results show that the incident power density (IPD) coverage probability increases with the increasing intensity of MMW BSs. The gap between analytical and simulation results increases with the standard deviation of the Gaussian beam alignment, demonstrating that the developed analytical results can provide a tractable evaluation of EMF exposure for network planning while guaranteeing a certain degree of accuracy.
INVITED speaker 11
Investigation of Mutual-Coupling Free Condition of Two RFID Tags Technology Using Overlapping Study
Dr. Osman bin Ayop
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Abstract:
Mutual coupling between antennas is a significant issue in telecommunication devices such as RFID tags. The coupling may degrade the overall performance. It can cause frequency detuning by altering the antenna’s overall inductance. In systems incorporating multiple antenna technologies, avoiding frequency detuning is crucial for optimal performance. Low frequency (LF) or high frequency (HF) RFID tags operating at short read range via near field magnetic resonance. Embedding multiple tags in a single card can lead to unavoidable frequency detuning due to the coupling effect, resulting in system failure and undetectable tags. This paper investigates the mutual coupling behavior of two RFID tag technologies under various overlapping conditions. The two loops antenna coupling area overlapping is varies by changing the position in x and y directions. The study examines the self-resonant frequency (SRF) of the RFID tags. Results indicate that overlapping RFID tags causes frequency detuning for both tags. However, certain overlapping conditions (around 25% overlapping area) can achieve a mutual coupling-free state.
INVITED speaker 12
Plasmonic Biosensors Exploiting Unconventional Diagnosing Uric Acid Level
Assoc. Prof. Ir. Dr. Ahmad Shukri Bin Muhammad Noor
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Abstract:
Uric acid (UA), a common clinical biomarker, formed as a waste product during purine breakdown in the body is responsible for a number of severe health challenges if not properly managed [1]. Despite their obvious benefits, optical surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensors may still yield inaccuracies in UA solution detection due to assay sensitivity concerns [2]. In this presentation, we developed an SPR sensor probe, emphasizing surface functionalization’s impact on performance, especially sensitivity for various UA solution concentrations. We characterized it with field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX) to assess surface morphology and substantiate bilayer film coating. Additionally, the functionalized probe showed up to a 60.64% sensitivity improvement compared to the non-functionalized one.
INVITED speaker 13
Characterization of Reflectarray Antenna Unit Cell Configurations for mm-Wave Design at 28 GHz
Dr. Muhammad Inam Abbasi
Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM)
Abstract:
Antenna designers face enormous challenges for fifth generation (5G) communication systems which have the potential to offer data speeds a thousand times greater than those of existing systems. For these designers, to develop antennas with a wide bandwidth, high gain, high efficiency, polarization diversity, and adaptive beam steering capabilities, current communication systems will need to undergo significant structural modifications. This work outlines the development and evaluation of reflectarray antenna unit cells that resonate at a frequency of 28 GHz designed for mm-wave 5G communication systems. The study explores the use of various element forms as the unit cell design and analysis process. The research seeks to enhance the performance of the antenna by examining the impact of different parameters on bandwidth, reflection loss, and reflection phase characteristics. It has been demonstrated that the reflection loss can be used to characterize the reflectarray loss and bandwidth properties while the phase curves can be used for the analysis of phase errors as well as bandwidth of reflectarray antennas. Moreover, the study also provides a technique to obtain progressive phase distribution which is required to transform the unit cells into a periodic array.
INVITED speaker 14
Investigating the Effects of Mechanical Strain on the Performance of Stretchable Microstrip Slot Antenna at mmWave
Dr. Intan Sorfina Zainal Abidin
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)
Abstract:
Advancements in flexible and stretchable electronics hold immense potential for applications in wearable systems. Recent developments in the field of flexible and stretchable antennas have highlighted the critical importance of carefully designing the materials and structures to maintain stable microwave performance under mechanical deformations and strains. This research paper aims to investigate the effects of applying mechanical strain on the performance characteristics of a stretchable microstrip slot antenna at millimetre-wave (mmWave) frequency, including its resonant frequency, radiation pattern, and directivity. The stretchable material used in this work was a composite of Polysiloxane-Silver ink as the conductor, with PDMS serving as the substrate. The proposed antenna has a reflection coefficient of -23.72 dB with a -10 dB bandwidth of 7.9 GHz. Upon applying 5%, 10% and 20% strain, the resonant frequency is shifted to lower frequency at 23.81 GHz, 23.6 GHz and 23.2 GHz respectively, but the -10 dB bandwidth maintained around 7.8 GHz. These results show that the antenna’s reflection coefficient performance was affected when it was stretched.
INVITED speaker 15
Compact Dual-Frequency Wi-Fi Antenna for Wireless Communication
Dr. Maizatul Alice Meor Said
Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM)
Abstract:
The project investigates the design and performance evaluation of compact dual-frequency Wi-Fi antennas tailored for integration into mobile devices. The antennas are designed to optimize size, efficiency, and performance over the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands that are essential for modern Wi-Fi standards. They are based on patch and meander line topologies. Using sophisticated simulation tools and empirical testing, important characteristics like return loss, VSWR, gain, radiation patterns, efficiency, and impedance bandwidth were carefully examined. Findings show that impedance matching was successful; at 5 GHz, simulated gains were 4.0 dBi for the circular antenna and -2.4 dBi for the long antenna. The study emphasizes how the antennas’ effective omnidirectional radiation patterns and small design can improve Wi-Fi connectivity in mobile devices. The Circular antenna’s improvements are verified through empirical testing and simulation-based comparative analysis. The outcomes validate the Long design’s potential for more effective signal reception in radiosonde applications by showing a notable gain enhancement in the design.
INVITED speaker 16
An Intelligent Automated Inverse Design GUI for Microwave Metasurface Absorbers
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohammed M. Bait-Suwailam
Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
Abstract:
The paper proposes an automated inverse design procedure well suited for generating microwave metasurface absorber designs based on a customized dataset.The proposed case study of a metasurface absorber achieves high performance, thus making it suitable for 5G low-power internet of things sensor nodes. The absorber structure has a multi-resonant metasurface backed with a reflective surface. Based on the numerical full-wave simulations, the absorber achieved absorption rate of 98% at 3.5 GHz frequency band. Further, the proposed inverse design platform will be useful for rapid design generation aiming to optimize such absorbers at minimal time efforts.
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INVITED speaker 17
Metal-Tolerant UHF RFID Tag Antenna with a Comb-Shaped Design
Dr. Nabilah Ripin
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
Abstract:
A novel miniature and compact folded comb-shaped UHF RFID tag antenna for metal objects is introduced. The design incorporates a comb-shaped patch with multiple slots and a stub-integrated radiating element to minimize the effects of reflected waves. The slots help lower the resonant frequency of the folded patch. The comb-shaped patch is grounded through a single shorting stub, which also provides inductive tuning for frequency adjustment. Constructed on a flexible polyethylene terephthalate substrate, the tag size only 30 mm × 30 mm × 1.71 mm (0.092λ × 0.092λ × 0.0052λ at 919.6 MHz). Its distinctive design features a simple yet innovative structure, achieving effective conjugate matching with the chip due to its adequate resistance and inductive reactance. When mounted on a 20 cm × 20 cm metal plate, the tag antenna delivers a power transmission coefficient close to 1 and a maximum read range of 7.47 m with an EIRP power of 4 W
INVITED speaker 18
Development of Uniform Technique for Electromagnetic Compatibility Testing in Sony and External Facilities
Dr. Muhamad Zulhayyie bin Che Sarif
SONY EMCS (M) Sdn Bhd
Abstract:
In today’s globalized world, the significance of Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) research has grown, particularly in establishing state-of-the-art EMC testing facilities. In Malaysia, SONY EMCS (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (SONY) is one of the companies with such an EMC lab, supporting both Research and Development (R&D) and official certification processes. This study will focus on comparing and improving EMC testing laboratories in Taiwan and Indonesia to create a more systematic and sustainable EMC testing environment, not only within SONY but also in external labs, ensuring consistent high performance. Several parameters and factors will be considered throughout the study, with the ultimate goal of designing a standardized approach for EMC correlation testing. Additionally, the project will develop a monitoring system to track and evaluate EMC lab performance, making measurements easier to monitor and assess. Each EMC test lab, whether in Malaysia, Indonesia, or Taiwan, exhibits varying performance, which can lead to discrepancies in product design when measured across different labs. As each EMC lab adheres to different standards, it is essential for labs to remain competitive to meet industry requirements and effectively compete with other testing facilities in the same region.