Oxford CMR group photo at the SCMR 2026 closing ceremony in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Attending @scmrorg.bsky.social in Rio 🇧🇷 was the highlight of the month. It was a pleasure to give an oral presentation on generalist #AI training for #CMR. Big thanks to the #IET travel award!
🔗 SCMR abstract: doi.org/10.1016/j.jo...
🔗 IET travel award report: www.theiet.org/media/rlmofi...

Do I know anyone who is MIET or otherwise involved in the IET?

I was thinking of standing for council and need ten supporters.

https://www.theiet.org/about/governance/elections

Let me know if you're interested in having me represent you.

#IET

IET Lecture by Prof. Andy Sutton: Point to Point Microwave Radio Systems Point to point microwave radio systems have been with us for more than eighty years, yet they rarely attract much attention in an era where ...

The 3G4G Blog - IET Lecture by Prof. Andy Sutton: Point to Point Microwave Radio Systems - blog.3g4g.co.uk/2025/11/iet-...

#3G4G5G #BT #BTTower #Microwave #Backhaul #UK #Bands #RadioSpectrum #IET #Eband #Polarisations #XPIC

IET Lecture by Prof. Andy Sutton: Point to Point Microwave Radio Systems Point to point microwave radio systems have been with us for more than eighty years, yet they rarely attract much attention in an era where fibre dominates network planning and satellite systems continue to develop at pace. At a recent IET Anglian Coastal Local Network event, Prof. Andy Sutton delivered an excellent lecture that brought these fixed radio links back into the spotlight. His talk explored the history, engineering and future of microwave and millimetre wave links, reminding us why they remain essential for transmission networks in the UK and around the world. The story begins with the national microwave radio network of the 1970s, with the BT Tower at its centre. These early deployments supported long links across the country and laid the foundation for many of the design principles still used today. While the landscape has changed significantly, the fundamentals of fixed radio communication continue to be shaped by spectrum availability, propagation characteristics and careful engineering. Microwave links depend on a wide range of bands, from the lower 6 GHz region through to 80 GHz E-band. The choice of frequency affects everything from link length to susceptibility to atmospheric absorption. As Andy explained, a link designer must consider not just free space path loss, but also Fresnel zone clearance, rainfall intensity and antenna characteristics. The slides included a worked example that showed the impact of frequency and distance on the radius of the Fresnel zone and highlighted the need for adequate clearance to maintain availability over time. The talk moved on to modern access radio systems, where compact rooftop nodes and all-outdoor radios have become common. These systems rely on careful use of vertical and horizontal polarisations, often enabled through XPIC technology. XPIC allows separate data streams to coexist on the same frequency using orthogonal polarisations, effectively doubling link capacity when conditions allow. This is paired with adaptive coding and modulation, which enables the radio to shift modulation schemes according to link quality. The result is a more resilient and efficient link compared to older fixed-modulation systems. Capacity planning is a balancing act that involves radio channel bandwidth, modulation choice and the number of aggregated carriers. Wider channels and higher order modulation support multi-gigabit throughput, although this introduces penalties in transmit power and receiver sensitivity. The trade-offs are central to radio design and determine the type of equipment used, whether through a separate indoor and outdoor unit or an integrated all-outdoor system. Andy also covered the practical elements of radio link planning, such as antenna selection, path profiling, waveguide losses and typical link budget calculations. A link planning example using a 32 GHz radio demonstrated the relationship between transmit power, antenna gain, free space loss and fade margin for a target availability of 99.99 percent. The discussion tied together the theoretical foundations with real-world engineering and illustrated how access radios are designed for street-level backhaul scenarios. The lecture then moved to millimetre wave systems, particularly E-band radios that operate around 70 and 80 GHz. These links offer enormous capacity over shorter distances and are increasingly used for dense urban backhaul and enterprise connectivity. The slides included examples of network topologies showing how microwave and fibre can be combined to meet different deployment objectives. A substantial part of the presentation focused on trunk or core microwave radio systems. These high-capacity, high-availability links support long distances and historically formed the backbone of national networks. Although demand for trunk links has reduced as fibre has spread, they still exist in challenging environments. In the UK, many trunk links remain operational in Scotland and island regions where terrain and geography limit fibre deployment. The lecture covered branching networks, duplexers, waveguide installations and space diversity techniques, all of which contribute to the reliability of long-haul links. Looking ahead, research continues into new frequency bands, wider channels, higher modulation schemes and improved radio hardware. These advances will support even greater capacities, with millimetre wave links expected to reach 100 Gbps over short distances. Microwave radio may no longer be the headline technology it once was, but the field continues to push boundaries and remains an essential part of modern communication networks. Andy’s lecture was a comprehensive tour of the past, present and future of point to point microwave systems. For anyone working in transmission, mobile networks or wireless engineering, it served as a valuable reminder of the depth of innovation in this area and its continued relevance in the broader ecosystem. If you would like to explore the material in more detail, the slides from the event are available here and the video can be seen here. Both are well worth a look. **Related Posts** : * Connectivity Technology Blog - 5G Demystified; the What, When and Where by Prof. Andy Sutton, BT * The 3G4G Blog - Prof. Andy Sutton: Backhauling the 5G Experience - Jan 2020 * The 3G4G Blog - Prof. Andy Sutton: 5G Radio Access Network Architecture Evolution - Jan 2019 * The 3G4G Blog: 5G Network Architecture, Design and Optimisation - Jan 2018 * The 3G4G Blog: 5G Network Architecture and Design Update - Jan 2017 * The 3G4G Blog - CWHeritage Talk: The History of Synchronization in Digital Cellular Networks

IET Lecture by Prof. Andy Sutton: Point to Point Microwave Radio Systems Point to point microwave radio systems have been with us for more than eighty years, yet they rarely attract much attention ...

#4G #5G #Backhaul #BT #/ #EE #Fibre #Optics #IET #mmWave #Spectrum

Origin | Interest | Match

Thank you to The Institution of #Engineering and #Technology (IET) for November/ December issue.

#100YearsOfTV #IET #chatgpt #TV #AI #AI #BBC #JohnLogieBaird #DigitalTwin #Engineer #DigitalCapture #QuantumComputing #EV #StrategicMaterials #LED #DeKai #WasteWater #SmartGlasses @theiet #TheIET

Afternoon from Derby 🙌

The future of the Midland Mainline greeted us on arrival with 810009 awaiting a tes run out to St Pancras International. They look very sharp 😯

#DOTS #Railwayphotography #trainphotography #class810 #hitachi #IET #eastmidlandsrailway

Our CEO, Prof. WillDrury, will speak at the #IET Powering Net Zero 2025 conference.

🎤 Net Zero is upon us. We have done much, but we have so much more to do!
📅 Wednesday, 26 Nov 2025, 13:40–14:10
📍 Crowne Plaza Glasgow

🔗 Explore the programme: poweringnetzero.theiet.org/programme

#PNZ25

🌍 Why Hydrogen Isn’t Just a Technology Problem — It’s a Systems Challenge.

Our whole energy system & hydrogen specialist, Dr Priya Bhagavathy, will be speaking at the #IET Powering Net Zero 2025 conference, which returns to Glasgow from 25–26 Nov.

Find out more: poweringnetzero.theiet.org

Introducing some of the speakers for this year’s EAN Access & Admissions Forum 2025:

Emily Hookway: Recent graduate and regional #IET committee member

#Engineering #STEM #HigherEducation #Recruitment #Admissions #Teaching #Learning #Policy

epc.ac.uk/event/access...

Today's Photo from the Stour 📸

805009 appears out of the Fog bound for Crewe with an ECS move 😲

#DOTS #trainphotography #railwayphotography #class805 #IET #evero #fog

I sprinted up the bridge stairs just in time to catch this scene — a @GWRHelp #IET speeding up-country along the Dawlish Sea Wall. With the shutter held open, the train transformed into a glowing streak of light against a purple and pink sunrise sky.

📸 Captured by @beachcamsman.bsky.social

Poster about Dame Caroline Haslett.

Spending the afternoon at the #IET - delighted to see this!

Read more about her at shkspr.mobi/blog/2025/07/book-review...

Thank you The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) for the September/October issue magazine. Volume 20 issue 5 out now.

#IET #Engineering #Technology #railway #WiFi7 #chips #TheIET @theiet #railtransport #Hyperloop #space #3DCP #3Dprinting #SATCOM

📢 El 19/09 en la Univ. de Oviedo se celebra la jornada “Estimación del salario mínimo y su impacto en el mercado laboral”.

Nuestro director, Óscar Molina, participará en la mesa sobre negociación colectiva.

#SalarioMínimo #IET

🚀 New from the #IET on #ScienceOpen!

Explore 3 new book collections:

📘 Artificial Intelligence
🌍 Climate Change
💡 Technologies for Health & Wellbeing

Shaping a better world through engineering & technology.

🔗 Link to read more in the first comment

#OpenScience

Good Morning from Todmorden 👏

Something different through Tod today with TPE Diverts passing through 📸

#DOTS #trainphotography #railwayphotography #transpennineexpress #IET #class802

Hello! Fancy the free #IET #Bristol Annual Prestige Lecture, Wed 9 July: "40 Years of Quantum Technologies", Prof. John Rarity. More info & to register: events.theiet.org/events/40-ye... Uni of Bristol Queens Building Room QB1.06. Free refreshments from 18:30.

40 Years of Quantum Technologies

Free #IET #Bristol Annual Prestige Lecture, Wed 9 July: "40 Years of Quantum Technologies", Prof. John Rarity. More info & to register: events.theiet.org/events/40-ye... Uni of Bristol Queens Building Room QB1.06. Free refreshments from 18:30
See you there?
#IYQ

40 Years of Quantum Technologies

Free #IET #Bristol Annual Prestige Lecture, Wed 9 July: "40 Years of Quantum Technologies", Prof. John Rarity. More info & to register: events.theiet.org/events/40-ye.... Uni of Bristol Queens Building Room QB1.06. Free refreshments from 18:30.

After that, I stayed at Leeds station to watch some trains. And so happens to see @lner.co.uk Class 800 201. Eyyy a number 1! And I think it was heading back to London. Can’t remember where it was coming from though.

(if you know, let me know, this was taken at 18:11)

#class800 #iet #lner

Radio TechCon Videos - Radio TechCon Relive previous editions of Radio TechCon with these free Radio TechCon catch-up videos.

Thanks to @broadcastbionics.bsky.social, we are releasing some of the 2024 #radtechcon sessions for free.

First up, Anne Locker from the #IET archives, tells us the fascinating story of 100 years of women working in electricity.

WATCH: www.radiotechcon.com/catch-up-vid...

IET Digital Library

The IET Digital Library says hello to everyone on Bluesky digital-library.theiet.org #theIET #IET #IETDigitalLibrary

Next #IET #Bristol event - we're entering the quantum realm ;-)

BT's Pathway to Quantum

Free #IET #Bristol event, Wed 11 Jun: "BT’s Pathway to Quantum", Dr Zoe Davidson. More info & to register: events.theiet.org/events/bts-p.... Uni of Bristol MVB 1.11. Free refreshments from 18:30.

Walsgrave CofE Academy & Whittle Academy brought veggies to life for #EatThemToDefeatThem! 🥦🌽 Pupils enjoyed dressing up, sticker rewards & even a pizza design contest – with winning pizzas made & served! Huge thanks to OCS Group UK + our fab teams. #VegPower #IET

IET Faraday® Challenge: Winning Feedback!

@gateacreschool.bsky.social won our first #IET Faraday® Challenge Day of the season & we were overjoyed to receive amazing feedback about their team’s experience: bit.ly/432afed

Your school can take part: bit.ly/42tvfu7

@allaboutfutures.bsky.social

Towers, Masts and Poles: The Backbone of Telecom Infrastructure We often walk past them without a second glance—towers, masts, and poles that quietly support the vast web of our modern telecommunications networks. But behind these unassuming structures lies a fascinating history and a critical role in enabling everything from phone calls to television broadcasts. In a brilliant lecture hosted by the IET, Professor Nigel Linge (with support from Professor Andy Sutton) takes us on a journey through the evolution of telecom infrastructure. Starting from ancient beacons and Napoleonic-era semaphores to the iconic BT Tower and long wave radio transmitters, the talk connects the dots across centuries of innovation. > On Friday 28th March I delivered a lecture to #TheIET at Savoy Place in London on the subject of "Telecom Towers, Masts, and Poles". Celebrating one of the visible faces of the telecoms industry. It was recorded by IETtv and can be viewed here: https://t.co/2MULwtRp5x pic.twitter.com/aD4cK7zyZU > > — Nigel Linge (@NigelLinge) April 7, 2025 The lecture touches on early telegraphy using bare copper wires strung on porcelain insulators, the dawn of voice telephony, Marconi’s pioneering wireless transmissions, and the growth of regional radio and TV broadcasting in the UK. It also highlights how microwave relays and horn-reflector antennas became vital to long-distance communication, with the BT Tower serving as a key hub in the national network. Whether it’s the humble telegraph pole or the towering masts on hilltops, each structure plays a part in delivering connectivity. This presentation offers a timely reminder of the physical foundations of our digital world—often overlooked, yet essential to our everyday lives. Watch the full lecture below: You can also read an article by them detailing many things covered in the lecture here. #### Related Posts: * The 3G4G Blog: Explaining Telecoms * The 3G4G Blog - Tutorial: A Quick Introduction to 3GPP * The 3G4G Blog: The History of Camera Phones * The 3G4G Blog - Prof. Andy Sutton: Backhauling the 5G Experience * The 3G4G Blog: A Primer on Pagers * The 3G4G Blog - CWHeritage Talk: The History of Synchronization in Digital Cellular Networks * The 3G4G Blog: The Iconic British Red Phone Boxes * The 3G4G Blog: 30 years of the mobile phone in the UK

Towers, Masts and Poles: The Backbone of Telecom Infrastructure We often walk past them without a...

blog.3g4g.co.uk/2025/04/towers-masts-and...

#Antennas #BT #/ #EE #History #IET #Network #Infrastructure #UK #Videos

Result Details

Arriva Group invests in new battery hybrid train fleet in boost to UK rail industry Order worth around £300 million for fleet of new trains, which will increase seats by 20 per cent, improving capacity and connectivity. 45 rail cars to be manufactured at Hitachi Rail in the North E...

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, my previous 180s! Also why did I predict right AGAIN?!

news.arriva.co.uk/news/arriva-...
#GrandCentral #IET

Thanks to the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) for E and T Magazine. Issue 2, Volume 20, 2025.

#Engineering #Technology #IET #AI #EandTMagazine #smartcity #neon #MachineLearning #drone #SizewellC #robot #engineer #GenAI #SmartCities

Thanks to the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) for E and T Magazine. Issue 1 2025.

#Engineering #Technology #IET