This special MicroApps panel session is open to everyone on the IMS2015 exhibition floor taking place on Wed. from 12:00-1:00 p.m. in the MicroApps Theater.

There is a lot of controversy in discussing the future of 5G since it is not defined yet.  With planned deployment starting in 2020, most agree that the goals are up to 10 Gbps data rate to the users, 1000 x the bandwidth per unit area, connection capacity for billons of devices (for IoT), 1 msec latency and a large reduction in energy use. Of course, high reliability and better coverage are also expected. But will we need that kind of performance for everything application and how practical is it to have this kind of performance?

Like last year at IMS, Microwave Journal is organizing a 5G panel session called “Path to 5G: Design and Test Challenges.” This special panel session will take place Wednesday, May 20 in the MicroApps Theater at from 12:00-1:00 p.m. on the exhibition floor. This panel, made up of industry experts, will examine the challenges to device design and device/system testing for 5G technologies such as mmWave/TeraHertz transceivers, massive MIMO, HetNets/small cells, CoMP, carrier aggregation, AESA radios, SDR, new modulation schemes, reduced power consumption and other technology issues related to next generation cellular communication systems.

Test and measurement experts from Keysight, R&S and NI will address flexible testing platforms for rapid proto-typing along with partnerships with research organizations evaluating 5G technologies and their results to date. Semiconductor experts form MACOM and ADI will address the device challenges such as wideband, mmWave transceivers including the integration, performance and cost issues needed to achieve 5G goals. After opening remarks from the moderator and panelists, the audience will be able to ask questions for an extended Q&A discussion with the panel. Please join us and participate in the interactive discussion.

The panelists this year are Roger Nichols, 5G program manager for Keysight Technologies; James Kimery, director of marketing for RF Research/SDR, National Instruments; Andreas Roessler, technology manager North America, Rohde & Schwarz; Mark Cloutier, chief scientist, Analog Devices and David Ryan, strategic marketing manager, MACOM. Our moderator this year will be Eric Higham, Director of Advanced Semiconductor Applications, Strategy Analytics. He will introduce the panelists and direct the Q&A session. Please come by and get the latest on 5G research and technology - last year was standing room only so come early to get a seat.
 

Bios

Eric Higham, Director of Advanced Semiconductor Applications at Strategy Analytics - Moderator

As Director for the Advanced Semiconductor Applications Service, Eric Higham provides analysis of the dynamics and trends for processes, technologies and components in wired and wireless communications markets. His areas of research include 4G and emerging 5G wireless networks, fiber optic networks, CATV, millimeter wave communications, broadband, military radar, EW and communications applications. Prior to joining Strategy Analytics, Eric worked in a variety of engineering, business development and marketing roles for Raytheon, Micro-Dynamics and M/A-COM. Eric was most recently President and founder of Spectrum Business Development, where he developed market and product research for a variety of market applications. Eric holds an MSEE degree from Northeastern University in Boston, MA and a BSEE degree from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY.

Roger Nichols, 5G Program Manager for Keysight Technologies

Roger Nichols’ 30 years of engineering and management experience in the wireless test and measurement industry spans roles in R&D, manufacturing, and marketing and crosses the evolution from analog cellular radio through LTE and beyond.  He spent seven years as the Marketing Director for Keysight’s (Agilent’s) Mobile Broadband Operation responsible for the Wireless Testsets and systems which are used in all major design and certification labs as well as manufacturing facilities worldwide.

Jin Bains, Vice President of R&D, National Instruments

Jin Bains is the Vice President of R&D for RF products at National Instruments. Jin has been with National Instruments since 2006, when he led the formation of the Santa Rosa RF R&D design center. Since then Jin has been involved in a large expansion of RF at National Instruments, through both organic growth and multiple acquisitions. Jin currently manages global RF and Microwave HW and SW R&D teams, developing an array of RF test products and systems that leverage National Instrument's PXI, LabVIEW, and RIO platforms. Prior to joining National Instruments, Jin spent 11+ years at Hewlett-Packard and Agilent Technologies in various roles, including R&D management of RF and baseband test instruments. Jin has a BSEE from UC Davis, where he focused on RF/microwave circuits and systems, and an MSEE from Stanford University, where his emphasis area was communications systems.

Andreas Roessler, Technology Manager North America, Rohde &Schwarz

Andreas Roessler is technology manager for North America at Rohde & Schwarz USA, Inc. His responsibilities include strategic marketing and product portfolio development for Rohde&Schwarz test and measurement solutions regarding LTE-Advanced and 5G/mm-wave.  He joined Rohde & Schwarz back in 2008.  Prior to this he worked as product manager at Willtek Communications, now Aeroflex.  He graduated from Otto-von-Guericke University in Magdeburg, Germany, and holds a masters degree in communication engineering.  He has more than 10 years of experience in the mobile industry, test and measurement and in wireless technologies.

Alastari Upton, Vice President of Engineering, MACOM

Alastair Upton is the Vice President of Engineering for MACOM’s Carrier Networks business that includes wireless infrastructure networks, wired broadband networks and 100G optical networks. Alastair has 35 years’ experience in the semiconductor industry covering both high volume commercial applications and defense electronics at RF Micro Devices, Lockheed Martin and GE Aerospace. Alastair earned his MS Executive Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania and his B.Sc. Electrical Engineering at the University of Leeds in England.

Mark Cloutier, Chief Scientist, Analog Devices

Mark Cloutier is chief scientist of the RF and Microwave Group for Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI).  In this role, Mark focuses on developing next-generation cellular transceivers for 5G cellular infrastructure. Prior, Mark founded the Hittite Microwave Canada Design Center and, as general manager, developed industry-leading high performance synthesizers and components for cellular infrastructure. Earlier in his career, Mark was a site director at Conexant and Skyworks in Ottawa, Canada. While at Skyworks, he also served as a manager and systems engineer working on Bluetooth, WCDMA and other cellular handset transceivers. Mark began his career in 1995 as co-founder of Philsar Semiconductors where he designed Bluetooth GPS and fractional-N PLL solutions. Mark earned his MEng in Microwave Electronics from Carleton University in Ottawa.