A professor and his PhD student from the Department of Electronic Engineering at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) received the best paper award at the Microwave and Millimetre-wave Symposium of China, held in Ningbo in October.

In the best paper Out-of-phase power divider based on double-sided parallel strip line, Dr Xue Quan, Associate Professor of the Department, and his PhD student, Chen Jianxin, presented their novel solution in the development of an out-of-phase power divider. Power dividers are widely used in various communication systems, for example in mobile phone signal transmission base stations.

Unlike other out-of-phase power dividers using microstrip line as the transmission medium, parallel strip line is used in their design instead, resulting in wider bandwidth and more accurate performance.

Since the power divider can operate in a wide bandwidth, it can satisfy the requirements of various communication systems, such as Bluetooth, 2G, 3G and Wireless LAN. This brings added convenience and cost-saving solutions to the communications industry. Dr Xue and Chen Jianxin plan to patent their invention and convert it into a product catering for the needs of industry.

The biannual Microwave and Millimetre-wave Symposium of China is organised by the Microwave Sector of Chinese Institute of Electronics and has 20 years of history. It promotes technological developments within the microwave and millimetre-wave industry in China by providing exchange opportunities for scientists, research and development experts, scholars and students in the field. This year, the symposium received 560 papers and selected six best papers out of the 460 papers accepted. The paper from CityU’s representatives was the only awarded paper from Hong Kong.

Chen Jianxin has always been interested in electronic engineering. After receiving his Master of Science in Electronic Engineering at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China in Chengdu in 2004, Chen Jianxin came to CityU in 2005 to pursue his PhD studies in the Department of Electronic Engineering. He conducts his research into microwave and millimetre-wave under the guidance of his supervisor, Dr Xue Quan.

“I chose to study in CityU because it has a good reputation in mainland China. Its research in electronic engineering is advanced and kept abreast of global trends,” Chen Jianxin said. He added that the research environment at CityU was comprehensive, with quality academics and excellent equipment. He also thanked CityU for providing plenty of opportunities to publish his research papers and share his findings with academia.

“This award is a great encouragement as it is the first of its kind for me. I hope our power divider can be available in the market in the near future and make a contribution to the microwave and millimetre-wave industry,” Chen Jianxin said.

“We are very honoured to receive this best paper award,” said Dr Xue. “CityU has provided a perfect environment for teachers and students to conduct research and encourages us to be innovative.” He said he would continue to pursue his goal to invent the best microwave and millimetre-wave products in China and even in the world.