Normal Mobile Text

RF/Microwave Engineering

Research

Overview

RF and Microwave Engineering is a very active area of research and application in a large variety of fields. It has been the key to enabling technology responsible for the phenomenal growth of mobile and wireless communications. RF and microwave engineering continues to have great influence as the technology behind such important applications as satellite communications, radar, remote sensing, remote control, sensors, navigation, surveillance, electronic warfare, radiometers, medical therapies, and imaging.

The RF/Microwave Engineering Group has a strong track record lasting over years in the areas of microwave devices and systems, with a particular emphasis on microwave antennas, filters, and ferrite devices. The Group is equipped with modern facilities including vector network analyzer, spectrum analyzer, and electromagnetic anechoic chamber. Advanced and popular industrial design tools such as Microwave Office and Sonnet High-Frequency Electromagnetic Software are also available. In response to rapid developments in wireless systems and other RF/microwave applications, the Group has recently focused on cross-disciplinary material and device technologies encompassing artificial metamaterials, superconductors, ferroelectrics, low temperature cofired ceramics (LTCC), liquid crystal polymers (LCP) and RF MEMS (microelectromechanical systems). To this end, the Group is closely interactive with the MIcroSystems Engineering Centre (MISEC). Currently, the Group has research funding of over 1 million pounds.

Current research interests and activities include:  

• Synthetic metamaterials for RF, microwave and millimetre-wave applications
• Advanced Ultra-wideband (UWB) devices for wireless communications and radar
• Electronically-controlled metamaterial-based leaky-wave antennas
• Advanced microwave devices for frequency-agile applications
• High power RF MEMS switches and devices
• Adaptive dielectric antennas
• RF/microwave components for system-in-package (SiP)
• Micromachined antennas and filters
• Microwave applications of high temperature superconductors
• Wireless sensors and RFID
• Guided electromagnetic waves in layered geological structures

The Group also enjoys industrial as well as national and international academic collaborations. These links include BAE Systems, SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems Limited (UK), Wavetrend, Space Engineering SpA and IMTEL in Europe, as well as National Institute of Telecommunication Technology (NiTC) in Japan, which create exploring and employing opportunities for our research students. The excellent employability of our graduates is reflected in the rapid career of our two most recent PhD graduates in 2007, who have joined SELEX and Siemens respectively upon completion of their degree.

The RF/Microwave Engineering Group has an established international reputation in their research area. During the period of 2001-2007, the members of the Group have authored or co-authored more than 150 journal and conference papers on RF and microwave engineering topics. Additional publications include patents and two well-received research books.  

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, or your first degree was not taught in English, we’ll need to see evidence of your English language ability. The minimum requirement for English language is IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. We offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement prior to starting your masters programme:

  • 2 semesters English (for IELTS of 4.5-5.0);
  • 12 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5);
  • 6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5*-6.0). (*minimum 5.5 reading and writing)

Contacts

© Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK EH14 4AS, Tel: +44 (0) 131 449 5111
Scottish registered charity number: SC000278