Before
focusing on the Mediterranean region, I decided to stay in the
northern part of Europe for the current EMC personality profile.
Actually, for this profile I have chosen a person who is active
in a tri-national chapter, the Benelux chapter. The person I would
like to introduce to you is Frank Leferink, a Dutch scientist
with a friendly personality.
Personally, I have been in close contact with Frank since his
election as chairperson of the IEEE Benelux EMC Chapter. Every
time I asked him to provide his opinion on some issues, for his
assistance, or to take on a common project, he replied within
a few days. The EMC community knows Frank for his various activities
on EMC measurement techniques, including the invention of the
Vibrating Intrinsic Reverberation Chamber, EMC related modeling,
EMC in the ambient of PCBs and power electronics. He is the author
and co-author of more than 125 publications, most of them cited
in the IEEE Xplore database.
Frank started his career as a student of electrical engineering
at the Dutch Higher Technical School (HTS). After having received
his B.Sc. degree in 1984, he joined N.V. Hollandsche Signaalapparaten
(Signaal) in Hengelo (the Netherlands), which is now named Thales
Nederland B.V. Employing about 3,000 people in the Netherlands,
Thales operates in a large variety of markets, including military
and civil. Naval defense systems are Thales' principle field of
activity in The Netherlands.
Although he never left Thales, he worked on the development of
his academic career. In 1992, he received the M.Sc. degree from
the University of Twente. Finally, in 2002, the University of
Twente promoted him to the doctorate degree (PhD) for his thesis
with the title “Reduction of Radiated Electromagnetic Fields
by Creation of Geometrical Asymmetry.”
Currently, Frank is the manager of the Center of Excellence on
EMC of the Thales Group worldwide, with over 100 experts active
in EMC (including EMF), and as such is responsible for EMF issues
within the group. As the technical authority on EMC of Thales
Nederland, Frank is the leader of the EMC Expert Team and responsible
for EMC technology studies. His area of activity covers the whole
development cycle, from concept phase up to deployment of new
products. As Thales Nederland is a world leader in naval radar
equipment, he is involved in integrated topside design and EMF
issues.
He and his group performed several studies on modeling, simulation
and assessment of working environments, mitigation actions, methodologies
and techniques. Frank investigated alternative test methods such
as reverberation chambers for the generation of high field strength.
As a result, he holds patents on reverberation chambers, e.g.
the patent on the Vibrating Intrinsic Reverberation Chamber, and
was awarded the 3rd prize of the Thales Innovators Award in 2003.
Since 1998, Frank Leferink has worked part-time for the University
of Twente beside his employment with Thales. In 2003, the University
of Twente appointed him to the position of full-professor for
EMC. At the University, Frank gives lectures on EMC, transmission
media and systems and dedicated courses on special EMC topics.
His research activities at the University encompass Printed Circuit
Board (PCB) and Integrated Circuit (IC) EMI, Innovations in EMI
Testing, Framework and Harmonization of EMI Standards, Intentional
EMI, Power Converters, Tempest and Biological Effects of EM Fields
(EM, EMF). He performed many studies with regard to EMF; for instance,
a study on the impact of C2000 on hospital equipment, and field
distribution in semi-enclosed environments. He corresponds with
Professor Wang of the Nagoya Institute of Technology on EMF studies
in Japan. He cooperates also with the Dutch National Institute
of Science and Technology on creating a representative electromagnetic
environment for an investigation of the effects of EM fields on
rats.
As an active member of the EMC community, Frank Leferink is involved
in several international EMC conferences. He is member of the
International Steering Committee of the EMC Europe Conference
and a member of the Technical Program Committee of EMC Zurich.
He serves the EMC Europe, EMC Zurich and the IEEE International
Symposium on EMC as a technical reviewer.
He is member of the Management Committee of COST 286 and of the
URSI. In the IEEE, Frank has been a member of the IEEE Electromagnetic
Compatibility Society for decades and serves as chairperson of
the IEEE Benelux EMC Chapter. Frank is very active in networking
on the national and the European level. Therefore, he is co-founder
and past-president of the board of directors of The Netherlands
EMC-ESD society, which has more than 200 members. Frank leads
the European Technology Network Sustainable Electromagnetic Environments
(EMC including EMF), which he founded.
On the personal side, Frank is married and has three children.
As well as on his professional side, Frank shows a dedication
for networking and associations. Consequently, he is active in
several foundations and local societies (e.g. Volksfeesten Albergen,
community center, brass band). In some of these, he serves as
a member of the executive committee. EMC
Introduction
The IEEE EMC Society started as the Institute of Radio Engineers
Professional Group on Radio Frequency Interference in October
of 1957. We will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of this momentous
event on July 13th, 2007 as part of the 2007 IEEE International
Symposium on EMC in Honolulu, Hawaii with a special awards luncheon
at Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore of Oahu Island.
Additional 50th Anniversary events will be happening throughout
the week of July 9-13. They will include a showing of a Power-Point
presentation on the history of EMC, the distribution of a booklet
highlighting EMC historical moments and happenings, the opportunity
to meet some of the original founders of the EMC Society, plus
exhibits and demonstrations of older EMC test equipment.
Expanded Information
A member of the EMC Society, Jerry Ramie (left), is developing
the Power Point (PP) presentation. He has done a magnificent job
of illustrating the early advances in electrical engineering,
the first years of the EMC Society followed by the middle and
near-past years of the EMC Society. Jerry will be narrating the
PP slide show at the Symposium in a special area of the Exhibit
Hall of the Hawaii Convention Center devoted to the “Exhibitor
Museum” of old test equipment (see sidebar article) and
other historical activity. Eventually, this PP presentation will
be distributed to all the Chapters of the EMC Society; Jerry will
not go with each copy but his voice will since he has designed
it with the capability of having his voice imbedded in the PP
presentation.
The previously mentioned Exhibitor Museum will be in a “walled-off”
area of the Exhibit Hall at the Convention Center. In this area,
there will be tables of exhibits of older test equipment. In addition,
there will be displays of photos of past Presidents of the Society,
past Symposium chairs, past key Officers of the Society, and copies
of EMC Symposium program covers.
Ken Javor, another EMC Society member, will give live demonstrations
of old test equipment in this area. He promises lively demonstrations
coupled with historical highlights of the equipment in relation
to past military and commercial standards.
There will be a select few original founders of the EMC Society
in attendance at the 2007 Symposium and 50th anniversary celebration.
They will have a private get-together on Tuesday afternoon at
the convention center to allow them to say hello and reminisce
amongst themselves about the “old days.” This will
be followed by a celebratory luncheon on Wednesday noon where
selected students and selected individuals will enjoy lunch and
an opportunity to listen to stories of the “early days”
of EMC and RFI technology. On Thursday morning, the pioneering
founders will appear in the historical exhibit area; they will
have an opportunity to talk about their careers and entertain
questions from the symposium attendees. And, of course, the Founders
will be the central focus of the Friday Anniversary Luncheon celebration
at Turtle Bay Resort (as shown).
The attendees of the gala event will reach Turtle Bay Resort by
bus from Honolulu. The buses will leave the host hotels at 0930
hours and arrive at Turtle Bay, after a picturesque ride, at approximately
1100 hours. A combination cocktail/appetizer hour will be held
at that time and will last an hour. At noon, a luncheon banquet
will be served to all who have traveled to Turtle Bay. This will
be followed by an Awards ceremony, which will highlight the inauguration
of the EMC Society Hall of Fame Awards. In addition, unique anniversary
awards honoring selected individuals from the EMC Society will
be distributed. The Awards ceremony will be followed by a bus
ride back to Honolulu through the center of Oahu island.
The culmination of the 50th Anniversary Celebration will be at
Turtle Bay. It will be the end of many months of preparation.
Come and enjoy the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the EMC Society
in the 50th State of the United States. You will find the Anniversary
Celebration and the 2007 Symposium a unique and unforgettable
experience! EMC
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| Frank enjoys a barbeque with his
family. |
EMC
Personality Profile