UMEE/CAESR RPT Group Participates in US Army SMD Conference

UM Display with Participants Charles Smith, Ahmed Kishk, and Atef Elsherbeni from UM.

The Department of Electrical Engineering and the Center for Applied Electromagnetic Systems Research (CAESR) exhibited and highlighted recent research accomplishments of The University of Mississippi (UM) at the Sixth Annual Space and Missile Defense Conference and Exhibition, "Space and Missile Defense --Evolution or Revolution." The conference was held on 18-21 August 2003, at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The conference was sponsored by the Army Space and Missile Defense Association, the National Defense Industrial Association - Tennessee Valley Chapter, and the Air Defense Artillery Association - Huntsville Chapter. The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC), a major participant in arranging this conference, is sponsor and supporter of the very successful, multi-year, UM Radar Power Technology (RPT) Research Program at Ole Miss.

The UM RPT Program is investigating technological advances in providing basic, stateof- the-art building blocks for advanced phased array radar systems. The primary initiative of this effort is to develop and integrate solid state radar and power technologies into combined subarray elements that will lead to reductions in the mass, volume, and cost of conventional phased array radar systems having enhanced capability, reliability, maintainability, and manufacturability. This work is based in part on new integrated power technology developments and implementations for radar system advancements in the use and development of advanced transmitter/receiver (T/R) modules, phased array antennas, distributed fuel cells, and electronics and signal processing. The focus of the SMDC Conference was on technology and technical innovation to promote the exchange of thoughts and ideas between Government, University, and Industry researchers, developers, testers, and users to ensure that missile defense systems and components are feasible, affordable, and effective against our nation's threats.

An UM Electrical Engineering Exhibit that highlighted UM based research activities related to the RPT program was on display during the conference covering topics on radar amplifier, T/R module and antenna design, development, testing and thermal management and control. Professors Atef Elsherbeni, Ahmed Kishk and Charles Smith and industrial collaborators, Brian McDaniel and John Walker of Radiance Technologies represented UM and "manned" the exhibit during the conference. The UM research presentation was well received and many new ideas and contacts were pursued and exchanged, while "chewing the fat and passing a few Hotty Toddys" with numerous Ole Miss friends and alums.

Mr. John Beavers received the "luck-of-the-draw" on two free tickets to the Alabama-Ole Miss football game for the UMEE and CAESR Business Card Raffle that was held as part of the SMDC Conference exhibit activities.

The accompanying photographs provide a pictorial sketch of a very successful conference exhibition of The University of Mississippi research accomplishments and potential based on this Ole Miss Technology Review.