Antenna, RF, wireless and other electromagnetics-related technologies are exploding! A part of the IEEE, the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society (AP-S) is dedicated to advancing the theory and practice of antennas, propagation, and electromagnetics technology for the benefit of humanity and fulfilling the technical and professional goals of its worldwide membership and the AP community and profession at large.
This year is a special celebratory year for the AP-S, as we are celebrating the 75th Anniversary – Diamond Jubilee – of the Society. We were founded in 1949, as the third oldest IEEE society (or professional group as the societies were called then), the IRE Professional Group on Antennas and Propagation. In 1973, we became the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society, so we kept the same technical name (AP) during our entire history of 75 years.
Maxwell’s Equations: How it All Began
It all started with Maxwell’s equations 150 years ago, sparking phenomenal AP inventions and realizations up to the present, and a half of that history was with the AP-S as one of the leaders in the field. We started with 509 members in 1949, and the figure below provides some numbers, parameters, and graphical inputs demonstrating our main activities and accomplishments as they stand today.
Celebrating 75 Years
The AP-S 75 Years TAB Celebration on February 16, 2024 in Orlando, Florida, with twelve AP-S leaders onstage and IEEE leaders and Society/Council Presidents in attendance (figure bellow), culminated with a standing ovation congratulating us on the fantastic 75 years. A highlight of the event happened spontaneously when a President of another society started singing the “Happy Birthday to You” song and the entire ballroom joined.
The main anniversary events will take place at our flagship conference, the IEEE International Symposium on AP, in Florence, Italy (see figure), on July 17–18, 2024, with a 75 Years Plenary Session, Intersociety Collaboration Panel, Celebratory Gala, and more, and many IEEE and society/council leaders attending. We are preparing a Special Issue of the AP Magazine devoted to the anniversary.
APS Publications Lead in FOI
Our publications are a signature of the Society and our technical achievements and impacts. Our Transactions, Letters, Magazine, and Open Journal are performing extremely well, with excellent impact factors (see figure) and reputation. For example, AP Transactions features Impact Factor of 5.7 and is 3rd among all IEEE periodicals in terms of article usage.
APS Conferences Worldwide
The next five editions of our flagship conference, popularly referred to as APS, will take place in four different countries around the world. In addition, the AP-S financially (co)sponsors several other topically and/or regionally focused IEEE conferences (as shown in the figure) and is a technical cosponsor of about 30 more conferences all over the world.
Supporting Students
We provide hundreds of research grants, scholarships, fellowships, and travel grants to students every year, as well as sponsorship of a large number of impactful humanitarian projects and workshops worldwide. AP-S is one of the IEEE societies/councils with the highest level of support to students and humanitarian projects.
As shown, the state of the AP Society is truly outstanding. This is thanks to incredible work and contributions by AP-S leaders, volunteers, and members throughout our history of 75 years.
Future of Antennas and Propagation and APS
It is a fascinating time to be an antennas and propagation researcher, practitioner, educator, or student. It is even more fascinating, during a very special celebratory year, to be an IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society member.
Electromagnetic fields and waves are here to stay and to be used in all aspects of work and life of the humanity of the future, wireless world will just become more and more wireless, and the needs for antennas and antenna systems as the eyes, ears, voice, and brain and propagation as the means for action at a distance of communication, security, defense, medical, transportation, computing, and industrial devices and systems of next generations of technology will multiply like never before.
Indeed, the next 75 years of AP and AP-S are promising to be equally rich, fascinating, and intense!
2 Responses
This article is an excellent source of information about the rich and fascinating history of AP society. It delves deep into the origins and evolution of the society, highlighting the significant milestones that have shaped its development over time. As a dedicated AP-S volunteer, I feel a strong sense of pride and fulfillment in being a part of this dynamic community that is committed to advancing technology for the betterment of humanity. The technology roadmap created by AP-S is a testament to the collective efforts of its members and their unwavering commitment to innovation and progress. I am honored to be a part of this community and look forward to making meaningful contributions to its mission in the years to come.
Wonderful article and nice learning!