NC URSI: National Committee of the Union radio-scientifique internationale
The International Union of Radio Science (Union Radio-Scientifique Internationale) is organized in different commissions and Switzerland is active in 6 of them: B (fields and Waves), C (Radiocommunication system and signal processing), D (Electronics and Photonics), E (Electromagnetic Environments and Interferences), F (Propagation) and K (Electromagnetics in Biology and Medecine).
Key events for Switzerland in 2022 are as follows:
- The members of Commissions C and E participated jointly towards the formalization of the theoretical treatment of propagation in the context of time reversal and super-resolution. The interferometric, X-ray, optical, current, and electric field data gathered during the 2021 Laser Lightning Rod campaign on the Säntis telecommunications tower was analyzed and the Swiss researchers together with colleagues from France and Germany demonstrated for the first time ever that high-power lasers can guide lightning discharges over distances of up to 60 m.
-Swiss URSI Commissions C and E actively participated in the organization of the GlobalEM International conference held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and the Swiss representatives gave keynote speeches at the conference. The URSI Commissions also participated actively in the ICLP conference held in Cape Town, South Africa.
With co-sponsership of EMC Lab at EPFL and IEEE Swiss chapter on Antenna Propagation/ Microwave Theory and Technique/ Electromagnetic Compatibility, Swiss section of URSI Commission E (Electromagnetic Environment and Interference) has held the two in-person seminars that were held early this year:
a) Reconstruction of the lightning channel current starting from electromagnetic fields measurements at the EPFL in Lausanne.
We had the privilege of welcoming Prof. Daniele Mestriner and Prof. Renato Procopio from the University of Genoa as guest speakers. During their joint talk, they commenced with a comprehensive historical review of engineering-based models for lightning channel current distribution. Subsequently, they presented their proposal to utilize measured electromagnetic fields for determining current attenuation along the lightning channel. They delved into the application of the Tikhonov regularization technique, which proved effective in addressing this challenging problem. Their analysis emphasized the need for further investigations to identify the optimal time window for sensing both the channel base current and the fields to acquire sufficient information regarding the attenuation function. The talk sparked engaging discussions on the stability of the numerical method employed and the means by which the obtained channel-based current could be validated, resulting in fruitful exchanges among the participants.
b) Proposal of a mathematical formalism for EMC, based on tensor analysis of networks, EPFL Lausanne.
During this talk, we had the honor of hosting Dr. Olivier Maurice from ArianeGroup. He began by presenting a comprehensive overview of the Lagrangian approach, introducing the fundamental concept of duality and tensorial description. He then applied these concepts to the electromagnetic problem, encompassing near field, far field, and guided waves. Through a step-by-step analysis, he demonstrated how these considerations culminate in a generic description of any Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) problem, employing graphs and a system of equations. The EMC work was thereby portrayed as a control mechanism for a collection of interconnected manifolds, forming a cohesive system.
This captivating talk sparked an ongoing discussion regarding the application of this approach to problems involving nonlinear elements such as diodes. Attendees have been actively exploring potential methodologies to address this intriguing aspect.
The activities within the Swiss URSI Commission F were related to the radio propagation matters in support of the World Radio Conference that will take place this year, ITU-R Study Group 3 (SG 3: Radio Propagation), and the European Electronic Communications Committee (ECC).
There are six software implementations and validation data, available as digital supplements to ITU-R Recommendations on the SG 3 web page “Software, Data and Validation examples for ionospheric and tropospheric radio wave propagation and radio noise” at https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-R/study-groups/rsg3/Pages/iono-tropo-spheric.aspx. These implementations and validation data are being regularly updated and maintained by Ivica Stevanovic:
§ Recommendation ITU-R P.368-10: Ground-wave propagation prediction method for frequencies between 10 kHz and 30 MHz
§ Recommendation ITU-R P.452-17: Prediction procedure for the evaluation of interference between stations on the surface of the Earth at frequencies above about 0.1 GHz
§ Recommendation ITU-R P.528-5: A propagation prediction method for aeronautical mobile and radionavigation services using the VHF, UHF and SHF bands
§ Recommendation ITU-R P.1546-6: Method for point-to-area predictions for terrestrial services in the frequency range 30 MHz to 4 000 MHz
§ Recommendation ITU-R P.1812-6: A path-specific propagation prediction method for point-to-area terrestrial services in the frequency range 30 MHz to 6 000 MHz
§ Recommendation ITU-R P.2001-4: A general purpose wide-range terrestrial propagation model in the frequency range 30 MHz to 50 GHz
Ivica Stevanovic was elected a member of URSI-ITU Inter-Union Working Group mandated to more effectively engage the global community of researchers addressing development, standardization, and deployment of next-generation wireless communications, including 5G and 6G cellular networks. This year, the new working group will consult with stakeholders within the URSI, ITU, and relevant member communities as it prepares its initial strategic plan. The working group will present the plan for approval by the URSI Council at the next URSI General Assembly and Scientific Symposium in Sapporo, Japan in August 2023.
https://icics.ubc.ca/2022/08/26/ece-professor-david-michelson-to-chair-working-group-spanning-international-telecommunications-organizations/
Journal papers
[1] Lightning Electromagnetics. Volume 2: Electrical processes and effects (2nd Edition). in IET Energy Engineering Series, no. 127. London, UK: IET, 2022. doi: 10.1049/PBPO127G.
[2] Lightning Electromagnetics. Volume 1: Return stroke modelling and electromagnetic radiation (2nd Edition). in IET Energy Engineering Series, no. 127. London, UK: IET, 2022. doi: 10.1049/PBPO127F.
[3] Aramini, Riccardo, Massimo Brignone, Daniele Mestriner, Matteo Pastorino, Renato Procopio, Farhad Rachidi, Andrea Randazzo, and Marcos Rubinstein. “On the Reconstruction of the Attenuation Function of a Return-Stroke Current from the Fourier Transform of Finite-Duration Measurements.” International Journal of Electrical Power & Energy Systems 142 (2022): 108186.
[4] Aramini, Riccardo, Massimo Brignone, Daniele Mestriner, Matteo Pastorino, Renato Procopio, Andrea Randazzo, and Marcos Rubinstein. “On the Fourier Transform of Measured Electric Fields Radiated by a Lightning Return Stroke.” IEEE Transactions on Electromagnetic Compatibility 64, no. 4 (2022): 1257–64.
[5] Brignone, Massimo, Renato Procopio, Martino Nicora, Daniele Mestriner, Farhad Rachidi, and Marcos Rubinstein. “A Prony-Based Approach for Accelerating the Lightning Electromagnetic Fields Computation above a Perfectly Conducting Ground.” Electric Power Systems Research 210 (2022): 108125.
[6] Cooray, Vernon, Gerald Cooray, Marcos Rubinstein, and Farhad Rachidi. “Comment on ``Straight Lightning as a Signature of Macroscopic Dark Matter’’.” Physical Review D 105, no. 8 (April 11, 2022): 088301. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevD.105.088301.
[7] Cooray, Vernon, Hasupama Jayasinghe, Marcos Rubinstein, and Farhad Rachidi. “The Geometry and Charge of the Streamer Bursts Generated by Lightning Rods under the Influence of High Electric Fields.” Atmosphere 13, no. 12 (2022): 2028.
[8] Karami, Hamidreza, Farzane Askari, Farhad Rachidi, Marcos Rubinstein, and Wojciech Sikorski. “An Inverse-Filter-Based Method to Locate Partial Discharge Sources in Power Transformers.” Energies 15, no. 6 (2022): 1988.
[9] Karami, Hamidreza, Marcos Rubinstein, Farhad Rachidi, Christophe Perrenoud, Emmanuel de Raemy, Pascal Kraehenbuehl, and Arturo Mediano. “EMC Impact of Disturbances Generated by Multiple Sources.” Electronics 11, no. 21 (2022): 3530.
[10] Li, Dongshuai, Alejandro Luque, Francisco J Gordillo-Vázquez, Caitano da Silva, Paul R Krehbiel, Farhad Rachidi, and Marcos Rubinstein. “Secondary Fast Breakdown in Narrow Bipolar Events.” Geophysical Research Letters 49, no. 7 (2022): e2021GL097452.
[11] Li, Dongshuai, Alejandro Luque, Farhad Rachidi, and Marcos Rubinstein. “The Application of the Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) Technique to Lightning Studies.” IET, 2022.
[12] Mansouri, Ehsan, Amirhosein Mostajabi, Wolfgang Schulz, Gerhard Diendorfer, Marcos Rubinstein, and Farhad Rachidi. “On the Use of Benford’s Law to Assess the Quality of the Data Provided by Lightning Locating Systems.” Atmosphere 13, no. 4 (2022): 552.
[13] Ragusa, Antonella, Peter AAF Wouters, Hugh Sasse, Alistair Duffy, F Rachidi, and M Rubinstein. “Electromagnetic Time Reversal Applied to Online Partial Discharge Location in Power Cables: Influence of Interfering Reflections from the Cable Circuit,” 2022.
[14] Sunjerga, Antonio, Pasan Hettiarachchi, Mark Stanley, David Smith, Jeffrey Chaffin, John Ortberg, Vernon Cooray, Marcos Rubinstein, and Farhad Rachidi. “X-Rays Associated with the Stepping of Upward Negative Leaders at the Säntis Tower.” 23-27 May 2022, 2022.
[15] Torchio, Riccardo, Martino Nicora, Daniele Mestriner, Massimo Brignone, Renato Procopio, Piergiorgio Alotto, and Marcos Rubinstein. “Do Wind Turbines Amplify the Effects of Lightning Strikes? A Full-Maxwell Modelling Approach.” IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery 37, no. 5 (2022): 3996–4006.
[16] Zohrevand, Javad, Hamidreza Karami, Marcos Rubinstein, and Farhad Rachidi. “Partial Discharge Localization Using Time Reversal: Application to Gas Insulated Switchgear.” Electric Power Systems Research 212 (2022): 108655.
Presented at conferences
[1] Cooray, Vernon, Marcos Rubinstein, and Farhad Rachidi. “A Self-Consistent Lightning Return Stroke Model Capable of Predicting the Effect of the Ground Conductivity and the Current Reflection at the Strike Point on the Generated Electromagnetic Fields.” In 17th International Conference on Atmopheric Electricity (ICAE), 2022.
[2] Houard, Aurélien, JP Wolf, J Kasparian, K Michel, T Metzger, B Esmiller, André Mysyrowicz, F Rachidi, and M Rubinstein. “The Laser Lightning Rod Project.” In 2022 International Conference on Laser Filamentation COFIL’22, 2022.
[3] Karami, Hamidreza, André Koch, Carlos Romero, Marcos Rubinstein, and Farhad Rachidi. “Landmine Detection Using Electromagnetic Time Reversal Based Methods.” In Global Electromagnetics International Conference, 2022.
[4] Karami, Hamidreza, Carlos Romero, André Koch, Marcos Rubinstein, and Farhad Rachidi. “An Efficient Computer Code for the Analysis of Grounding Systems Using the Method of Moments.” In Global Electromagnetics International Conference, 2022.
[5] Karami, Hamidreza, Marcos Rubinstein, Christophe Perrenoud, Emmanuel deRaemy, Pascal Kraehenbuehl, and Arturo Mediano Heredia. “Source Reconstruction Method Using Phase-Less Magnetic Near-Field Measurements: Application of the Method of Moment with Roof-Top Basis Functions.” In 2022 International Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility–EMC Europe, 549–54. IEEE, 2022.
[6] Le Boudec, Elias, Farhad Rachidi, Marcos Rubinstein, Felix Vega, and Nicolas Mora. “Semi-Analytical Gray-Box Modeling of an Impulse Radiating Antenna.” In Global Electromagnetics International Conference, 2022.
[7] Le Boudec, Elias, Farhad Rachidi-Haeri, Nicolas Mora, and Marcos Rubinstein. “Mathematical Modeling of Electromagnetic Fields: From Classical Functions to Schwartz Distributions to Colombeau Generalized Functions.” In 3rd URSI Atlantic/Asia-Pacific Radio Science Meeting, 2022.
[8] Li, Dongshuai, Mohammad Azadifar, Antonio Sunjerga, Farhad Rachidi, Marcos Rubinstein, Alejandro Luque, Gerhard Diendorfer, and Hannes Pichler. “Analysis of Lightning Electromagnetic Field Propagation over Mountainous Terrain Using Simultaneous Records of Current and Its Electric Field at 380-Km Distance.” In Proceedings of Global EM 2022, Global Electromagnetics Conference, 13-17 November 2022, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. 13-17 November 2022.
[9] Li, Quanxin, Jinliang He, Jianguo Wang, Marcos Rubinstein, and Farhad Rachidi. “On the Influence of Luminous-and-Grounded Channel on the Radiated Electric Fields at Close Distance in Rocket-Triggered Lightning.” In Global Electromagnetics International Conference, 2022.
[10] Mestriner, Daniele, Massimo Brignone, Renato Procopio, Martino Nicora, Mansueto Rossi, Federico Delfino, Farhad Rachidi, and Marcos Rubinstein. “Lightning Electromagnetic Fields Computation: An Approach to Reduce the Computational Effort.” In Global Electromagnetics International Conference, 2022.
[11] Mestriner, Daniele, Massimo Brignone, Renato Procopio, Martino Nicora, Mansueto Rossi, Frederico Delfino, Farhad Rachidi, and Marcos Rubinstein, eds. “Lightning Electromagnetic Fields Computation: An Approach to Reduce the Computational Effort.” Proceedings of Global EM 2022, Global Electromagnetics Conference, n.d.
[12] Mostajabi, Amirhossein, Ehsan Mansouri, Marcos Rubinstein, Chong Tong, and Farhad Rachidi. “Machine Learning Based Lightning Nowcasting Using Single-Site Meteorological Observations and Lightning Location Systems Data.” In 36th International Conference on Lightning Protection (ICLP), 2022.
[13] Rachidi, Farhad, and Marcos Rubinstein. “Guiding Lightning with High-Power Lasers: Experiments at the Säntis Tower in Switzerland.” In Global Electromagnetics International Conference, 2022.
[14] Ragusa, Antonella, Peter A.A.F. Wouters, Hugh Sasse, Alistair Duffy, F. Rachidi, and M. Rubinstein. “Electromagnetic Time Reversal Applied to Online Partial Discharge Location in Power Cables: 11th International Conference on Computation in Electromagnetics, CEM 2023,” 2022.
[15] Romero, Carlos, Marcos Rubinstein, and Farhad Rachidi. “The Definition on the Rise Time of Impulse Signals.” In Proceedings of Global EM 2022, Global Electromagnetics Conference. 13-17 November 2022, 2022.
[16] Sunjerga, Antonio, Pasan Hettiarachchi, Mark Stanley, David Smith, Jeffrey Chaffin, Ortberg John, Vernon Cooray, Marcos Rubinstein, and Farhad Rachidi. “X-Rays Associated with the Stepping of Upward Negative Leaders at the Säntis Tower: Preliminary Results.” In EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts, EGU22-11214, 2022.
[17] Wang, Zhaoyang, Hamidreza Karami, Elias Le Boudec, Farhad Rachidi, and Marcos Rubinstein. “A Time-Reversal Cavity for Electromagnetic Waves in Transmission Line Networks with Arbitrary Topology.” In Global Electromagnetics International Conference, 2022.
[18] Wang, Zhaoyang, Hamidreza Karami, Elias Le Boudec, Marcos Rubinstein, and Farhad Rachidi. “A Frequency-Domain Analysis of a Time-Reversal Cavity for Electromagnetic Waves in Transmission Line Networks.” In 2022 3rd URSI Atlantic and Asia Pacific Radio Science Meeting (AT-AP-RASC), 1–4. IEEE, 2022.
[19] Sunjerga, Antonio, Pasan Hettiarachchi, Mark Stanley, David Smith, Vernon Cooray, Marcos Rubinstein, and Farhad Rachidi. “X-Rays Associated with Stepping of the Dart Leader in Upward Negative Lightning Discharges at the Säntis Tower: Preliminary Results.” In 17th International Conference on Atmopheric Electricity (ICAE), 2022.
The Swiss URSI commissions C and E actively organized a session on lightning fields, protection and effects at the GlobalEM conference held in Abu Dhabi.