The Industry Sessions at MAPCON 2025 bring together leaders from space, defence, microwave/antenna engineering, and advanced industrial sectors. Serving as a key forum for interaction between industry, research organisations, start-ups, and academia, these sessions highlight India’s growing strengths and the global collaborations driving the future of RF, microwave, and communication technologies.

Space Cluster

Session Chair: Dipankar Banerjee, IIST, India
The Space Cluster features senior leadership from ISRO centres presenting advancements in satellite systems, remote sensing, and human spaceflight. Nilesh M. Desai (SAC), Dinesh Kumar Singh (HFSC), M. Sankaran (URSC), and Prakash Chauhan (NRSC) will provide technical overviews of current missions, emerging payload technologies, and future program directions in Earth observation, crewed spaceflight, and satellite engineering.

Defence Cluster 1: Advanced Airborne Maritime Surveillance Technology

Session Chairs: Rajalakshmi Menon, DRDO & Santhya P, DRDO
This session highlights indigenous developments in India’s airborne maritime surveillance capabilities. Speakers include Santhya P, presenting advances in defence R&D for self-reliant ISR platforms; R. Rajesh, who will discuss India’s first indigenous maritime surveillance aircraft; and Ramkumar R, presenting progress in software-defined radar for maritime patrol. The session will also include insights on advancements in MSDF and AI-enabled maritime ISR systems.

Defence Cluster 2

Session Chairs: L. C. Mangal, DRDO & M. Sheikh Althaf, DRDO
Defence Cluster 2 features experts from LRDE, CASDIC, DRAL, DEAL, and MTRDC who will discuss innovations across radar systems, communication links, and high-power microwave technologies. Suchith Rajagopal, B. N. Lokesha, Ms. Hemlatha, Dr. Rajkumar, and Dr. M. Santra will present updates on system development efforts and emerging defence technologies supporting India’s strategic initiatives.

Industry Business Lounge

The Industry Business Lounge hosts focused interactions among start-ups, industry partners, and MAPCON delegates. Highlights include the Start-up Forum and an “Ask Me Anything” session with Erin Kiley. Dedicated engagement spaces will be available for Diamond, Signature, and Platinum sponsors at the Liwa venue.

Industry Keynote Sessions

Session Chair: Ashutosh Kedar, DRDO

The Industry Keynote series brings global leaders to the MAPCON stage, each offering deep perspectives on advanced technologies shaping the future of RF and microwave engineering.

  • Rod Waterhouse (Octane Wireless, USA) will explore low-cost, electrically small UHF/GPS integrated antennas designed for compact tracking modules.
  • Lars Foged (MVG) presents emerging frontiers in over-the-air testing and advanced antenna measurement methodologies.
  • John La Salle (Northrop Grumman Corporation, USA) will discuss Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E³) and their impact on mission-critical system reliability.
  • Sathya Padmanabhan (Maury Microwave, USA) highlights the crucial role of RF characterisation in bridging theoretical models with real-world hardware performance.

Together, these keynotes provide a high-value, industry-driven perspective on global trends, engineering challenges, and innovation pathways.