A dive into the future of wireless communications

Review RF Technology Event 2024

On April 18, we welcomed almost two hundred visitors, exhibitors and speakers in Leusden for the RF Technology Event 2024. It was a day full of inspiring lectures and live demonstrations on the future of wireless communication technology. With eleven substantive lectures, two plenary speakers and eighteen exhibitors, it was a successful day with plenty of opportunity to network and absorb knowledge.

Download the presentations of the event

A notable trend in radio frequency (RF) is the continuous evolution of communication networks. While 5G is gradually being rolled out worldwide, 6G is already in the starting blocks. The latter promises even higher data speeds, lower latency and greater network capacity. Developments that pave the way for a wide range of new applications: from autonomous driving vehicles to real time holographic communication.

Huge opportunities
But the growing demand for fast and reliable wireless applications poses major technological challenges, according to Filip Louagie from IMEC. During his opening lecture at the event, the professor spoke about the challenges that mark the road to 6G. Will the next generation succeed where previous generations failed? The technical caveats surrounding the rise of new communication systems are considerable, but at the same time offer enormous opportunities for (tech) companies and industry. It was not without reason that the audience was on the edge of their seats during the lecture.

Roll up your sleeves
After Louagie's speech, eleven experts were on hand to further explore the latest trends and developments in RF technology during the lecture program. New this year were the live demonstrations on the trade show floor. Five exhibitors challenged interested parties to get their hands dirty by trying out the innovations on site. This elicited enthusiastic responses from visitors who took up the challenge.

Cosmic signals
Paulus Kruger from Astron closed the event in front of a packed room. He talked about LOFAR, the world's largest and most sensitive LF radio telescope. The super telescope has made countless scientific breakthroughs possible because it is able to detect very faint cosmic signals from the early days of our universe amidst the strong signals of the 21st century. Several countries host LOFAR antennas and work together on the  International LOFAR Telescope, but the heart of the telescope still stands on a mound in Drenthe, within cycling distance of the Hunebedden.

Technological challenges
Kruger talked about the technological challenges that LOFAR faces, from physical obstacles that hinder RF transmission to data and processing requirements. He also discussed the role of new technologies, such as low-noise RF links and RFI suppression, in optimizing LOFAR's performance. The scientist concluded by looking to the future of both LOFAR and other phased array telescopes.

Download the presentations
Knowledge sharing was central during the RF Technology Event, but there was also traditionally ample opportunity to network and discover the latest innovations in wireless technology at the stands.

Couldn't make it this year? Don't worry! You can download the PDFs of the presentations download for free on the event website.

The next RF Technology Event will be in 2026 at a new location. Sign up here for the newsletter, so we can inform you first. See you at RF Technology Event 2026!