AP Technical Meeting Series 4/24

Program Details

AP Technical Meeting Series 4/24
Date16 October 2024
9.30 am – 2.00 pm
TopicsAntenna Propagation
PlaceHybrid, Sunway University and Google Meet Platform
SponsorsIEEE Malaysia AP/MTT/EMC Joint Chapter
RegistrationIf you wish to join the AP Technical Meeting Series held online/hybrid style, please make your registration here, to get the meeting links and details.
9:30 – 10:00Breakfast (Coffee/Tea Break)
10:00 – 10:15Opening Remarks
10:15 – 11:30
Invited Speaker: Prof. Ir. Dr. Rosdiadee Nordin (Sunway University)

Title: Opportunities and Challenges for Rural Wireless IoT Communications  

Abstract: This talk aims to share lessons learned from the Low Altitude Platform (LAP) IoT deployment at Tasik Chini, a pristine rural lake located in the middle of a tropical forest in Pahang, Malaysia. The presentation addresses the challenges in path loss prediction and communication reliability due to environmental factors like diffraction, reflection, and absorption, which are dominant in the rural tropics. The talk also presents current trends and directions in propagation research, such as using Machine Learning for path loss predictions. The talk will conclude with potential directions for propagation research, focusing on rural and extreme communication environments.
11:30 – 11:45Speaker 1: Fatimah Nur Mohd Redzwan (Universiti Teknologi MARA, UiTM)
Title: Dual-layer 4×4 Butler Matrix for 5G application through Via Optimization

Abstract: In a 5G base station, a Butler Matrix (BM) feed circuit is requested to achieve multibeam patterns while maintaining a compact structure. However, the conventional design and size raise issues in installation and efficiency, especially at the lower 5G band, the 3.5GHz. To cater to many antenna elements, the BM size is increased, and the losses are severe, affecting the phase sensitivity. To address these issues, a stacked 4×4 BM with a dual-layer thin substrate is connected through non-uniform vias that act as a fine-tuning mechanism, where the desired phase difference is obtained by adjusting the circular slot diameter of the via. The BM features a low-profile structure with a 1.03 λ x 1.1 λ dimension, a significant reduction from the conventional 4×4 BM. The designed BM measured results show transmission amplitude of -7dB, and an acceptable range of output phase difference at the operating band.
11:45 – 12:00Speaker 2: Nurfarahin Miswadi (Universiti Teknologi MARA, UiTM)
Title: Low Profile and High Read Range Slotted Antenna for Dual-Band Anti-Metal UHF RFID Tag Antenna

Abstract: A single-layer, compact tag antenna with 50 × 50 × 0.857 mm³ dimensions is proposed for dual-band anti-metal applications. A U-shaped feeding loop is employed to excite the fundamental mode of the tag antenna, while an orthogonally placed parasitic patch generates an additional frequency band. This configuration enables the tag antenna to operate at 869 MHz and 959 MHz despite its low profile and small size. The proposed tag achieves conjugate impedance matching with the microchip at both frequencies, resulting in a power transmission coefficient that supports a theoretical read range of up to 7.45 meters with an EIRP of 4 W when mounted on a metallic surface.
12:00 – 12:15Speaker 3: Dr. S M Kayser Azam (Universiti Malaya, UM)
Title: More than Antenna: High Voltage Insulation Fault Diagnosis by UHF Antenna

Abstract: UHF antennas, typically used in communication, have emerged as advanced sensors for diagnosing high-voltage insulation faults, namely partial discharges. Their wireless detection capability makes the UHF antennas ideal for real-time fault diagnosis in operational high-voltage equipment, surpassing the limitations of conventional invasive sensing methods. This talk will explore the features, challenges, and prospects of UHF antennas in partial discharge diagnosis, highlighting antenna’s role in enhancing the reliability and safety of next-generation electrical power systems.
12:15 – 12:30Closing Remarks
12:30 – 14:00Lunch/End