The 26th Annual IEEE MTT-S WAMICON was held April 14-15 in Cocoa Beach, Fla. Along with the three track conference on the latest in wireless and microwave innovations, the unique mix of ocean views with speakers, exhibitors and attendees representing industry, government and academia continues to be a winning formula. WAMICON began as a one-day forum in 1999 as a spinout from the University of South Florida WAMI (Wireless and Microwave) Advisory meetings. The 2025 General Chair, Michael Grady, Honeywell, gave a welcome address reminding us that our strength as a community comes from collaboration and that WAMICON is more than a conference – it is a family! View the photo gallery for a small sample of what keeps visitors returning each year to the conference.
The 2025 event had a focus on “Integrated Innovations: Merging Software, Circuits, and Antennas for Next-Generation Interconnected Systems” and had three parallel tracks on all aspects of RF Design and Microwave Microelectronics and Systems.
The opening Keynote address was, “Microfluidics, Thermal Management, and Partnership: The Creation of a New High-Tech Ecosystem,” by Dr. Thomas Weller, Oregon State University. The day two Keynote was “Opportunities for Magnetic Materials in Next-Generation Wireless Systems,” by Dr. David Arnold, University of Florida. Additionally, the final keynote was given by 2025 Henning Award Winner, Dr. John Papapolymerou, Michigan State University, who presented, “Heterogeneous Integration and Packaging of RF Electronics and Components for 5G+ Wireless Communication Systems Using Additive Manufacturing Techniques.”
Technical program highlights included sessions on Advancements In Power Amplifiers; Internet of Everything (IoE) and Machine Learning; Innovations in Passive Devices and Antenna Components; Emerging RF Technologies; Components, and Signal Processing for Communications; Filters, State-of-the-Art of Electromagnetics Interactions and Interference; Recent Advances in Antenna Technologies; Heterogeneous Integration and Systems; Sub-THz and THz Systems and Measurements; Advancements in RF Applications for Space Technologies; Additively Manufactured Components for RF/Wireless Systems; and Advancements in Radar Technologies.
The program also featured a panel session with lively discussion on, “An Open Conversation: Can AI Replace Traditional RF Design? — Exploring the Future of Expertise in the Age of Algorithms,”, moderated by Dr. Eduardo Rojas, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. Panels were also part of the agenda in the Student Day and IEEE Young Professionals and Women in Microwave Sessions.
Well attended workshops were conducted including, “Advanced Packaging and Heterogeneous Integration Technologies: Motivation, Trends, and Opportunities” by Dr. Muhannad Bakir, Georgia Tech University; “Overview of Phased Array Antenna Systems and Practical Design Considerations” by Dr. Daniel Ramirez, L3Harris; and an informative workshop during the Student Day activities given by David Vye of Cadence on, “Multi-Fabric, Heterogeneous Integration of RF Systems.”
Day one of the technical program concluded with an interactive Poster Session followed by a well-deserved poolside Networking Reception sponsored by Platinum Sponsor, Keysight. Attendees enjoyed live music, refreshments and conversation by the ocean prior to finishing their evening at the annual awards banquet.
Lastly, the program included Student Day activities and an IEEE Young Professionals and Women in Microwave Session and reception.
Paired with the conference is an Industry Exhibition that is headlined by the event Diamond Sponsor, Mini-Circuits. The exhibit area was a great place to interact with all attendees for breaks and to see the latest products and innovations from industry leaders. The Exhibitors and Sponsors included:
- Mini-Circuits – Diamond Sponsor
- Keysight – Platinum Sponsor
- Accurate Circuit Engineering – Gold Sponsor
- Rohde & Schwarz – Gold Sponsor
- Transline Technology – Gold Sponsor
- Cadence – Silver Sponsor
- Knowles – Silver Sponsor
- L3Harris – Silver Sponsor
- Qorvo – Silver Sponsor
- Werbel Microwave – Silver Sponsor
- Spartech South – WiFi Sponsor
- Microwave Journal – Media Sponsor
- everythingRF – Media Sponsor
- RF Globalnet – Media Sponsor
- 3G Shielding Specialties
- Atlantic Tech Marketing
- cotsRF
- DGS Associates
- EOX Sales
- IEEE MTT-S
- Inner Harbor Technical Sales
- MACOM
- Microphase
- Modelithics
- PPG Aerospace/Cuming Microwave
- Reactel
- San-tron
- Sonnet
- STI-CO Antenna Solutions
- T&E Repco
- TTE /iNRCORE.
There are numerous awards presented at the WAMICON event including the prestigious Rudolf Henning Distinguished Mentoring Award. The 2025 award was presented to Dr. John Papapolymerou, Interim Dean, Professor, Engineering Dean's Office, College of Engineering, Michigan State University. Dr. Papapolymerou was the well-deserving recipient for his outstanding work as a teacher and his role in mentoring many students to advance their engineering careers. WAMICON also presented its annual Distinguished Service Award to Xun Gong, University of Central Florida, for his valuable contributions to the steering committee and many years of support and service to the conference. Additionally, Larry Dunleavy, University of South Florida and Co-Founder of Modelithics, was presented with his elevation to IEEE Fellow. Lastly, the Exhibit and Sponsorship Chairs, Angie Rogers, Modelithics and James Hofer, Accurate Circuit Engineering, presented the annual Best Exhibitor Award to Werbel Microwave for their display, products and engaging attendee interaction.
Numerous awards were given in conjunction with the technical program to recognize the best work presented at the conference. The winners are as follows:
- Best Conference Paper
- “A CMOS LNA with Improved Multi-path Noise-Canceling for K-Band Communications” Chenge Hu , Ziyao Wang , Chunqi Shi , Leilei Huang , Jinghong Chen , and Runxi Zhang East China Normal University, Shanghai, China University of Houston, TX, USA
- Best Student Papers
- 1st Place – “Digital Self-Interference Cancellation in Wideband STAR Radio Using an Auxiliary Receiver” Kefayet Ullah, Satheesh Bojja Venkatakrishnan and John L. Volakis, Florida International University
- 2nd Place – “Highly Efficient MIMO-OFDM Imaging Using Shared Transmission Bandwidth” Mehmet Yazgan, Huseyin Arslan and Stavros Vakalis, University of South Florida
- 3rd Place – “Wideband Single-Input Load-Modulated Double Balanced Amplifier with Intrinsic Load Insensitivity” Jiachen Guo, Pingzhu Gong and Kenle Chen, University of Central Florida
- Non-reviewed Student Research Poster Awards
- 1st Place – “An RFSoC Based Compact Broadband Multi-Qubit Control System” Fei Yang, Hao Yan and Bayaner Arigong, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering
- 2nd Place – “Direction Finding and Focusing Using Software defined Radio” Roberto Montero, Russell Odell, Harshen Patel, Riley Jeffries and Stavros Vakalis, University of South Florida
- 3rd Place – “Memory Arrays for FMCW Radar Signal Processing: A Feasibility Analysis” Mariea Sharaf Anzum and Arya Menon, Texas A&M University.
WAMICON will return to the West coast of Florida in April 2026. The steering committee is forming and planning is underway for next year’s event. All are encouraged to join as speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and attendees and become part of the WAMICON Family!