Online Tech Talk on Advancing Wireless Communication with Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces

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The IEEE IEM Microwave Theory and Technology Society Student Branch Chapter (MTT-S SBC) successfully organized an Online Tech Talk on 21st January 2026. The session, titled “Advancing Wireless Communications with Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces”, was conducted virtually from 4:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M., aiming to introduce students and researchers to emerging developments in next-generation wireless communication technologies.

The lecture was delivered by Dr. Biswarup Rana, Research Professor at Kongju National University, South Korea and an IEEE Senior Member. Dr. Rana received his Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Shibpur, and subsequently worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Seoul National University of Science and Technology. His research focuses on microstrip antennas, substrate integrated waveguide antennas, phased array antennas, dielectric resonator antennas, implantable antennas, transmitarrays, metasurfaces, and reconfigurable intelligent surfaces integrated with AI/ML techniques. 

Dr. Rana has authored more than 90 journal and conference publications and holds multiple patents. He also serves as a reviewer for several Nature and IEEE journals and was recognized as a Top Reviewer for IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation in 2025, highlighting his strong contribution to the global research community. 

During the talk, Dr. Rana explained how Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces (RIS) enable the creation of smart wireless propagation environments capable of significantly improving network coverage and capacity. He discussed the theoretical foundations of RIS, its hardware architecture, and tuning mechanisms using PIN diodes, varactors, MEMS, and thermal control methods. The lecture further highlighted the importance of RIS in Beyond-5G and upcoming 6G communication systems, emphasizing its potential to dynamically control electromagnetic wave propagation for improved communication performance. 

The session witnessed enthusiastic participation from students and faculty members, followed by an engaging interactive discussion where attendees explored research opportunities and practical applications in wireless communication and antenna engineering. The event provided valuable exposure to cutting-edge research domains and aligned with IEEE’s mission of advancing technology for humanity by fostering knowledge sharing and innovation among young engineers.