University of Queensland Microwave and Optics Group

The high frequency communications group at the E & CE Department has a long tradition in the area of microwave engineering and enjoys a nationally wide reputation in this area. A consequence of this was the establishment of MITEC Ltd which grew from within the university system. The work of the microwave, antenna and optoelectronics group now complements that of MITEC by untertaking research in areas that do not compete directly with industry, but at the same time, fullfill a supporting role as well as establishing an independent research organization.

The facilities available to the group include:

• Indoor 18GHz Antenna testing facility
• Vector Network Analyser (VNA) to 50GHz (HP8510C)
• Computing facilities including SPARC Station, X-terminals, and 486 PCs.
• EEsof Touchstone Microwave CAD for the design of microstrip circuits
• HP High Frequency Structure Simulator
• 4m reflector used for a satellite weather station
• 1.8m reflector used for satellite TV apllications
• Other facilities for use by undergraduates include assorted microwave equipment to 90GHz including a second VNA (HP8410)

• Mobile satellite communications.
• Microstrip antenna arrays.
• Time and frequency domain field computation.
• Quasi-optical power combining.
• Leaky-wave antennas.
• Frequency selective surfaces.
• Low profile antennas for PAY TV.
• Six-port techniques
• Near-field/far-field antenna measurement techniques

The future directions of the group may be broadly divided into three prioritised areas.

1. Microwave and millimetre-wave antennas . This area includes microstrip and low profile arrays for satellite and radar applications, as well as specialist antennas for particular applications e.g. ground probe radar.
2. Computational electromagnetics which is very closely related to the antenna work. We believe that the tendency to higher frequencies and tougher specifications are requiring very exact modeling of electromagnetic phenomena. The strength of the group is mainly in this area.
3. Interaction of optics and microwaves. This particular area is just emerging and will be of increasing importance during the nineties. The group's experience and combined interests make this a prime area for speculative research in the next five years.

For further information contact:

A/Professor Marek Bialkowski
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
The University of Queensland
Queensland 4072
Australia.

ph. (+61-7) 365-3563
Fax (+61-7) 365-4999
email:meb@elec.uq.edu.au