Guest Editorial

Abstract

Click to increase image sizeClick to decrease image size Additional informationNotes on contributorsS PalS Pal (FIETE, FNAE, FNASC, SMIEEE (USA), MASTr. SI. MAMTA (USA), MSc (Physics), MSc (Tech) Electronics BIT Pilani, PhD (Communications)—IISc. Bangalore is presently Group Director. Communication Systems Group, ISRO Satellite Centre, Bangalore.After a brief tenure at TIFR (Ooty/ Bombay), Dr Pal, a space communication technologist, joined Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in 1971. Dr Pal is responsible for starting antenna & microwave activities at ISRO Satellite Centre from the inception. He has been responsible for the development and fabrication of all spacecraft related telecommunication systems for India's all satellites (this includes the high sensitivity S & C hand TT&C transponders high bit rate QPSK. BPSK data transmitters at S & X bands, directional, shaped and wide beam antennas and ommdirectional antennas) The technologies developed have helped ISRO to save several crores of foreign exchange. He has also developed and supplied various high technological systems for DRDO that includes the ultra low side lobe antenna array for CABS and L&C band antennas for remote piloted aircraft for ADE. He has been consultant to (1)INMARSAT/ICO(UK) for LEOSA definitions and responsible for the development of Satellite Hand Held Telephone Antenna System for ICO (UK) & (ii) ITU for defining Region African Satellite Communication System.Dr Pal has received many awards including the prestigious Hari Om Ashram Prerit Vikram Sarabhai Research Award for research electronics and telematics (1989), National Research Development Corporation (NRDC)—Independence Day Invention Awards (1994, 1995) and Republic Day Award (1997) for various innovative developments and inventions. 21st IETE-Ram Lal Wadhwa Gold Medal Award (1996–97) and Dr Biren Roy Space Science award 1998.Dr Pal has published more than 120 papers in international and national journals of repute. He has also co-authored a two volume books ‘Perspectives in Communications’. He has guided numerous ME and PhD students for their dissertations. He is on the editorial board of Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research (JSIR). Journal of Spacecraft Technology (JST) and guest editor for IETE journals. He is a keen participant in the activities of IETE, having arranged various courses, lectures and other technical activities for the institution. He is serving member of IETE Council (1998–99) and has been on the Council in the past (1994–97) He was the chairman of the IT & Computer Education Commi of the IETE in 1996–97.His fields of interest are microwaves, space communications, electromagnetics and antennas.