Centre of Advanced Study in Radio Physics and Electronics
The Institute of Radio Physics and Electronics established in 1949 is the first University department in India engaged in the study and research in Electronics, Communication, Computers, Control, Ionosphere and all branches in Radio Science. The internationally acclaimed research conducted by its founder Prof. Sisir Kumar Mitra, FRS, and his group and the able leadership of his successor, Prof. Jatindra Nath Bhar, FNA, elevated the status of this newly founded Institute to a very high level, so that the University Grants Commission awarded this department a status Centre of Advanced Study in 1963.
At the time of the setting up of the Center of Advanced Study in Radio Physics and Electronics in 1963 the U.G.C. had recommended that the thrust area of the Center be "Radio Wave Propagation and Upper Atmospheric Research". Prof. Bhar, however, was fully aware of the vast potentialities of the newly emerging areas in Electronics and was convinced that in the long term interest of the Institute, these new areas had to be nurtured side by side with studies on the Upper Atmosphere. It was mainly due to his efforts that the Center of Advanced Study was renamed as CAS in Radio Physics and Electronics.
As a result of the creation of the Center, substantial grants, and teaching positions were received by the Department. Prof. Bhar made it very clear to all his colleagues that "the Department was the Center and the Center was the Department" so that whatever additional facilities were created were available to all the faculty of the Department.
Since its inception as a CAS, the teaching and research activities of the Centre expanded manifold. The CAS status is enjoyed by the Institute uninterrupted till March 2010, i.e., over a long period of 47 years: perhaps a unique instance in the country. The next review of the CAS status is to be made soon. Because of the exemplary academic and research excellence, in 2008 the UGC identified this Centre as one of the two Networking Resource Centres in Physical Science and one amongst ten such centres planned to be established in the country.
- Report 05-06
- Report 06-07
- Report 07-08
- Report 08-09
- Report 09-10
- Progress report April 2005- March 2010 for final review
- Report 12-13
S.K. MITRA CENTRE FOR RESEARCH IN SPACE ENVIRONMENT
Late Professor Sisir Kumar Mitra, FRS, is the pioneer of radio and space researches in this part of the globe. He established the Institute of Radio Physics and Electronics of this University in 1949 with his school of space physicists as its core group. The activities of this Institute were subsequently expanded to cover areas like Solid State Electronics, Computer and System Science, in addition to the Ionosphere and Wave Propagation. In recent years, however, the research interest of the Ionosphere and Wave Propagation Group was limited to some selected areas due to lack of funds and manpower. However, the scientific contributions in those limited areas have been significant and internationally recognized. The University, with the support of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), proposed to establish a Centre in memory of Late Professor Sisir Kumar Mitra to undertake research in the existing as well as new fields, extending from troposphere to upper atmosphere. Professor R.N.Basu, former Vice Chancellor and Professor A.K.Banerjee, the Honorable Vice Chancellor, formally approached the Chairman, ISRO for providing financial support to the Centre. After prolonged interactions with Advisory Committee on Space Research (ADCOS) of ISRO four research proposals on the following topics with a total budget of Rs. 75.2 lakhs were sanctioned by ISRO Headquarters under the umbrella of the proposed Centre:
- (1) Atmospheric Electricity
- (2) Space Weather
- (3) Lower Atmospheric Chemistry
- (4) Radio Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere/li>
Late Dr. A.P. Mitra, FRS, played the key role in formulating the scientific programme of the Centre and extended his support as the then Chairman of ADCOS, ISRO. The Centre was formally inaugurated on 12 March 2002. The Institute of Radio Physics and Electronics was chosen as the nodal department to organize the Centre which will be inter-departmental in nature, involving the University departments like Radio Physics and Electronics, Physics, Chemistry, Atmospheric Sciences and Marine Science.
The first phase of the ISRO funded projects ended in March 2007. A set of proposals was submitted to ISRO HQ for the second phase and four projects were approved with the funds totaling Rs. 95.48 lakhs for the period 2007-2010. Apart form the projects approved directly by ISRO HQ, four other projects sanctioned by SAC, ISRO and CAWSES India, ISRO, have been carried out at the Centre. Through the implementation of these projects, the Centre participated in a number of ISRO supported national programmes such as, GAGAN, CAWSES, Megha Tropiques Mission, Ka-band Satellite Propagation, and the international programmes namely, SCINDA and COSMIC Satellite.
ISRO has selected University of Calcutta for financial support under the Space Science Promotion Scheme. The selection was based on the past and present activities in the area of space science mainly pursued at the Institute of Radio Physics and Electronics. The funding comprises of (i) one-time grant for equipment, (ii) support for two faculty positions for five years, and (iii) three M. Tech. Fellowships for five years. Presently, two Assistant Professors are working in the department and three M. Tech Fellows are receiving their fellowships under this programme.
S.K. MITRA CENTRE FOR RESEARCH IN SPACE ENVIRONMENT
Late Professor Sisir Kumar Mitra, FRS, is the pioneer of radio and space researches in this part of the globe. He established the Institute of Radio Physics and Electronics of this University in 1949 with his school of space physicists as its core group. The activities of this Institute were subsequently expanded to cover areas like Solid State Electronics, Computer and System Science, in addition to the Ionosphere and Wave Propagation. In recent years, however, the research interest of the Ionosphere and Wave Propagation Group was limited to some selected areas due to lack of funds and manpower. However, the scientific contributions in those limited areas have been significant and internationally recognized. The University, with the support of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), proposed to establish a Centre in memory of Late Professor Sisir Kumar Mitra to undertake research in the existing as well as new fields, extending from troposphere to upper atmosphere. Professor R.N.Basu, former Vice Chancellor and Professor A.K.Banerjee, the Honorable Vice Chancellor, formally approached the Chairman, ISRO for providing financial support to the Centre. After prolonged interactions with Advisory Committee on Space Research (ADCOS) of ISRO four research proposals on the following topics with a total budget of Rs. 75.2 lakhs were sanctioned by ISRO Headquarters under the umbrella of the proposed Centre:
- (1) Atmospheric Electricity
- (2) Space Weather
- (3) Lower Atmospheric Chemistry
- (4) Radio Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere/li>
Late Dr. A.P. Mitra, FRS, played the key role in formulating the scientific programme of the Centre and extended his support as the then Chairman of ADCOS, ISRO. The Centre was formally inaugurated on 12 March 2002. The Institute of Radio Physics and Electronics was chosen as the nodal department to organize the Centre which will be inter-departmental in nature, involving the University departments like Radio Physics and Electronics, Physics, Chemistry, Atmospheric Sciences and Marine Science.
The first phase of the ISRO funded projects ended in March 2007. A set of proposals was submitted to ISRO HQ for the second phase and four projects were approved with the funds totaling Rs. 95.48 lakhs for the period 2007-2010. Apart form the projects approved directly by ISRO HQ, four other projects sanctioned by SAC, ISRO and CAWSES India, ISRO, have been carried out at the Centre. Through the implementation of these projects, the Centre participated in a number of ISRO supported national programmes such as, GAGAN, CAWSES, Megha Tropiques Mission, Ka-band Satellite Propagation, and the international programmes namely, SCINDA and COSMIC Satellite.
ISRO has selected University of Calcutta for financial support under the Space Science Promotion Scheme. The selection was based on the past and present activities in the area of space science mainly pursued at the Institute of Radio Physics and Electronics. The funding comprises of (i) one-time grant for equipment, (ii) support for two faculty positions for five years, and (iii) three M. Tech. Fellowships for five years. Presently, two Assistant Professors are working in the department and three M. Tech Fellows are receiving their fellowships under this programme.
S.K. MITRA CENTRE FOR RESEARCH IN SPACE ENVIRONMENT
Late Professor Sisir Kumar Mitra, FRS, is the pioneer of radio and space researches in this part of the globe. He established the Institute of Radio Physics and Electronics of this University in 1949 with his school of space physicists as its core group. The activities of this Institute were subsequently expanded to cover areas like Solid State Electronics, Computer and System Science, in addition to the Ionosphere and Wave Propagation. In recent years, however, the research interest of the Ionosphere and Wave Propagation Group was limited to some selected areas due to lack of funds and manpower. However, the scientific contributions in those limited areas have been significant and internationally recognized. The University, with the support of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), proposed to establish a Centre in memory of Late Professor Sisir Kumar Mitra to undertake research in the existing as well as new fields, extending from troposphere to upper atmosphere. Professor R.N.Basu, former Vice Chancellor and Professor A.K.Banerjee, the Honorable Vice Chancellor, formally approached the Chairman, ISRO for providing financial support to the Centre. After prolonged interactions with Advisory Committee on Space Research (ADCOS) of ISRO four research proposals on the following topics with a total budget of Rs. 75.2 lakhs were sanctioned by ISRO Headquarters under the umbrella of the proposed Centre:
- (1) Atmospheric Electricity
- (2) Space Weather
- (3) Lower Atmospheric Chemistry
- (4) Radio Remote Sensing of the Atmosphere
Late Dr. A.P. Mitra, FRS, played the key role in formulating the scientific programme of the Centre and extended his support as the then Chairman of ADCOS, ISRO. The Centre was formally inaugurated on 12 March 2002. The Institute of Radio Physics and Electronics was chosen as the nodal department to organize the Centre which will be inter-departmental in nature, involving the University departments like Radio Physics and Electronics, Physics, Chemistry, Atmospheric Sciences and Marine Science.
The first phase of the ISRO funded projects ended in March 2007. A set of proposals was submitted to ISRO HQ for the second phase and four projects were approved with the funds totaling Rs. 95.48 lakhs for the period 2007-2010. Apart form the projects approved directly by ISRO HQ, four other projects sanctioned by SAC, ISRO and CAWSES India, ISRO, have been carried out at the Centre. Through the implementation of these projects, the Centre participated in a number of ISRO supported national programmes such as, GAGAN, CAWSES, Megha Tropiques Mission, Ka-band Satellite Propagation, and the international programmes namely, SCINDA and COSMIC Satellite.
ISRO has selected University of Calcutta for financial support under the Space Science Promotion Scheme. The selection was based on the past and present activities in the area of space science mainly pursued at the Institute of Radio Physics and Electronics. The funding comprises of (i) one-time grant for equipment, (ii) support for two faculty positions for five years, and (iii) three M. Tech. Fellowships for five years. Presently, two Assistant Professors are working in the department and three M. Tech Fellows are receiving their fellowships under this programme.
Centre for Research & Training in Microwave and Millimeterwave Technology
Microwaves and Millimeter waves are radio waves of wavelength in the range of 100 mm to 1mm. These waves were first put into practical use during World War II. Rapid development in various fields of Electronic Engineering thereafter has led to many new applications, in recent years, in the field of Communication, Information-highways, Instrumentation, Remote Sensing and Weather forecasting etc.
Keeping these application potentials in view, Department of Electronics, Govt. of India, under the Technology Development Programme of National Radar Council had initiated projects of R & D nature at the Institute of Radiophysics and Electronics, University of Calcutta, in the area of Microwaves and Millimeterwaves during 1980s. These covered studies related to wave propagation and remote sensing as part of the technology development programme of DOE. Subsequently with further financial support from other funding agencies, which include AICTE, MHRD, DST, DRDO, ADA, UGC and TISCO, different activities were undertaken in the form of delivering electronic hardware, system fabrication and installation at the user's premises and feasibility studies of various propagation impairments related to communication, radar, radiometry and remote sensing.
To sustain and propagate all these R&D activities in millimeterwave/microwave technology in the country, the need for creating scientific and technical manpower in the field was felt. In view of this, DOE, Govt. of India, offered Institute of Radiophysics and Electronics, University of Calcutta, to undertake a Training Programme in Millimeterwave Technology, for a five year period commencing from 1988. Undertaking the programme was possible because an infrastructure worth about Rs. 3 crores had already been developed with funds from various agencies. It is important to note that the programme of this type was the first of its kind in Eastern India.
Under this Programme, expert manpower and a resource group in this area have been developed and a number of consultancy jobs have been extended to the Defence Sectors, Department of Telecommunication, Department of Space, Department of Science and Technology. Further, a number of products developed through this Programme are used in Atmospheric Science.
During the last five years, Institute of Radiophysics and Electronics has organized several Refresher Courses and a Workshop, mainly on Microwave, Millimetrewave and Optical Communication, under the Training Programme. A one-year PG Diploma course on Microwave and Millimeterwave Technology has been launched but had to be held in abeyance after one batch of students passed out due to some administrative problems. The University of Calcutta with the concurrence from the Govt. of West Bengal, has decided to convert the Training Programme to a permanent centre. The Govt. of W.B. has decided to continue funding the Programme so that the Diploma Course is set to be revived. It is also being planned to upgrade the Diploma Course to full-fledged 4-semester M. Tech. in Microwave and Millimeterwave Engineering.
In consideration of the importance of microwaves and milimetrewaves and the expertise and infrastructure available in the department, the Government of west Bengal made a decision to create a permanent centre entitled Centre for Research and Training in Microwaves and Millimetre waves in the Institute. At present two existing Scientists working in the Training Programme are absorbed as faculties in the department. The Centre has One Research Fellow, one technical assistant and one Office Assistant.
The Centre started its activity in July 2008. A one day workshop entitled Horizons of Microwave & Millimetrewave Engineering & Research (HOMMER) was held on August 22, 2008 [see list of speakers and topics in Annexure VIII]. The Centre is planning to introduce an M. Tech programme in Radio Physics and Electronics with specialization in Microwaves and Lightwaves.
Centre of Advanced Study in Radio Physics and Electronics
The Institute of Radio Physics and Electronics established in 1949 is the first University department in India engaged in the study and research in Electronics, Communication, Computers, Control, Ionosphere and all branches in Radio Science. The internationally acclaimed research conducted by its founder Prof. Sisir Kumar Mitra, FRS, and his group and the able leadership of his successor, Prof. Jatindra Nath Bhar, FNA, elevated the status of this newly founded Institute to a very high level, so that the University Grants Commission awarded this department a status Centre of Advanced Study in 1963.
At the time of the setting up of the Center of Advanced Study in Radio Physics and Electronics in 1963 the U.G.C. had recommended that the thrust area of the Center be "Radio Wave Propagation and Upper Atmospheric Research". Prof. Bhar, however, was fully aware of the vast potentialities of the newly emerging areas in Electronics and was convinced that in the long term interest of the Institute, these new areas had to be nurtured side by side with studies on the Upper Atmosphere. It was mainly due to his efforts that the Center of Advanced Study was renamed as CAS in Radio Physics and Electronics.
As a result of the creation of the Center, substantial grants, and teaching positions were received by the Department. Prof. Bhar made it very clear to all his colleagues that "the Department was the Center and the Center was the Department" so that whatever additional facilities were created were available to all the faculty of the Department.
Since its inception as a CAS, the teaching and research activities of the Centre expanded manifold. The CAS status is enjoyed by the Institute uninterrupted till March 2010, i.e., over a long period of 47 years: perhaps a unique instance in the country. The next review of the CAS status is to be made soon. Because of the exemplary academic and research excellence, in 2008 the UGC identified this Centre as one of the two Networking Resource Centres in Physical Science and one amongst ten such centres planned to be established in the country.
- Report 05-06
- Report 06-07
- Report 07-08
- Report 08-09
- Report 09-10
- Progress report April 2005- March 2010 for final review
- Report 12-13