Radio and microwave technologies are widely used in mass market applications such as wireless and optical networks, radio and television broadcasting, mobile communications and global positioning systems (GPS). Additionally, these technologies are employed for a wide range of applications, including RF identification and sensors, ultra-wideband communication systems, healthcare systems, intelligent transport and car safety systems, earth observation, security and defence. European industries are particularly strong in mobile and satellite communications and radar.
Wireless portable devices are driven by cost down road-mapping with a high level of integration using standard foundry technologies, while microwave professional and niche markets are driven by performance with specific technology features. The size of the global microwave semiconductor market size is close to $4 B and is growing by seven percent a year. High-volume production is moving away from Europe, but European companies have a long tradition for developing new added-value systems and applications, in collaboration with research centres and academia. Future trends will be in integration of wireless devices and systems (System-On-Chip) and performance breakthroughs in professional markets, which will result in technology and product architecture innovations. This is particularly true for the base station sector where energy management and power consumption reduction is a strong driver.
High-quality cars already incorporate technology driven safety features, but soon all cars will be equipped with basic safety equipment such as radar. The market volume is still low but will increase rapidly, assuming the challenge of European standards (for road radar and vehicle-to-roadside communication) is solved. Microwave electronic tolling systems are already in use, which speeds up goods transportation, and these new applications will continue to have an impact on the automotive industry.
Also, robust and secure communication systems are necessary for the deployment of rescue forces to tackle natural or man-made disasters. Radio and microwaves are essential for these purposes because they can provide communications, direction finding and sensing. In the field of transport security, the recent development of THz imaging systems increases the capacity of concealed weapon detection and security scanning systems.
Significantly, it is not just the development of technology that we should be concerned about, but also the progression of the engineers and designers who will develop it. As a university lecturer, I am eager to try to attract young people to pursue careers in the field of microwave engineering. In recent years there has been a marked lack of interest in microwave electronic studies in various European countries, even though industries are opening up positions in the field. There is no doubt that if the foreseen shortfall in microwave engineers in the near future becomes a reality it will impair the further development of the European microwave industry.
On the other hand, Europe is aware of the importance of being ahead of the developments in microwave and millimetre-wave technologies. Interest groups like EuRaMIG and associations like EuMA are bringing together people from industry, research centres and academia for further development and close contact is being maintained with the US and Asian countries in order to develop new collaborations.