From The Editor | June 27, 2025

Breakthroughs And Connections: Highlights From IMS2025 At The Moscone Center

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By John Oncea, Editor

RF Globalnet At IMS2025

IMS2025 in San Francisco brought together global RF and microwave leaders for a week of innovation, networking, and industry-firsts. Next stop: Boston 2026.

The 2025 IEEE Microwave Theory and Technology Society (MTT-S) International Microwave Symposium (IMS2025) concluded last week at San Francisco’s Moscone Center, marking a milestone in the advancement of RF and microwave technologies. Drawing thousands of engineers, researchers, and industry leaders from around the globe, IMS2025 delivered a packed agenda of technical breakthroughs, industry showcases, and unparalleled networking opportunities.

Held from June 15 to 20, IMS2025 was co-located with the IEEE Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits Symposium (RFIC) and the Automatic Radio Frequency Techniques Group (ARFTG) Conference, further cementing its status as the world’s largest gathering for the RF and microwave community. The newly renovated Moscone Center, situated in San Francisco’s vibrant SoMa district, provided an expansive, modern venue for the event’s diverse activities.

San Francisco’s proximity to Silicon Valley and leading research institutions such as Stanford and UC Berkeley underscored the region’s influence on RF and microwave innovation, from 6G and satellite communications to defense systems and the Internet of Things.

Technical Program Highlights And Keynotes

IMS2025 kicked off with a series of workshops and boot camps designed to keep attendees at the forefront of industry trends and foundational knowledge. The formal opening on June 16 featured the Industry Showcase, followed by the highly anticipated plenary session.

Two keynote addresses set the tone for the week:

  • Jin Bains, CEO of Mini-Circuits, delivered “Powering the Next Generation of RF Systems,” exploring how RF technology is evolving to meet modern demands.
  • Arogyaswami Paulraj, Professor Emeritus at Stanford and MIMO pioneer, presented “Antenna Arrays for Communications, Positioning, and Sensing: Emerging Applications and Challenges,” sharing insights into the breakthroughs shaping wireless systems worldwide.

Throughout the week, technical sessions, panel discussions, and workshops covered cutting-edge topics such as wafer-scale RF silicon interposer packaging, mmWave phased arrays, chipletization, and GaN/Si for FR3 applications. Imec, a leader in microelectronics research, highlighted advancements in chipletization, RF design, and thermal modeling, highlighting the ongoing push toward next-generation intelligent wireless connectivity.

Industry Exhibition and Startup Innovation

The IMS2025 exhibition spanned over 100,000 square feet, with more than 550 companies presenting the latest in RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave technology. The exhibit hall was a hub of activity, featuring:

  • Live product demonstrations from industry leaders like Mini-Circuits and Microsanj, including real-time, high-resolution thermal imaging of GaN devices and interactive hands-on demos.
  • Student Design Competitions and the Interactive Forum, fostering the next generation of engineers and encouraging collaboration between academia and industry.
  • The MicroApps Theater, hosting continuous presentations on the latest advancements, and the StartUp Pavilion, spotlighting emerging RF/microwave startups and their innovations.

A major addition this year was the inaugural IEEE Hard Tech Venture Summit, designed to connect hard tech startup founders with investors and manufacturers. The summit featured panels and talks from venture capital and small business innovation leaders, and the new Hard Tech Pavilion provided a dedicated networking space for showcasing emerging technologies.

Networking, Awards, And Community Building

IMS2025 was as much about community as technology. The event featured numerous receptions and networking opportunities, including:

  • The Welcome Reception at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, offering exclusive access to world-class art and a unique setting for informal connections.
  • Dedicated events for Women in Microwaves, Young Professionals, amateur radio enthusiasts, and MTT-S journal reviewers, fostering diversity and inclusion within the field.
  • The prestigious MTT-S Awards Banquet on June 18, honoring outstanding contributions to the RF and microwave community.

The symposium concluded on June 19 with a special presentation by David F. Welch, Chief Strategy Officer at Infinera, titled “Next Generation Networking in the Data Center.” Welch’s talk explored the convergence of wireless and optical technologies, a theme that resonated throughout the week as industries seek to bridge gaps between traditional RF and emerging photonics.

The final day, June 20, was dedicated to the 105th ARFTG Microwave Measurement Symposium, rounding out a week of discovery and collaboration.

Looking Ahead: IMS2026 In Boston

IMS2025 in San Francisco set a new benchmark for the RF and microwave industry, blending technical excellence with vibrant community engagement. The event’s emphasis on emerging technologies, startup innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration highlighted the field’s dynamic future. As the global RF and microwave community looks ahead to IMS2026 in Boston, the spirit of innovation and partnership fostered in San Francisco will continue to drive the industry forward.

As IMS2025 wrapped up, anticipation turned to next year’s event. IMS2026 will take place in Boston, introducing refreshed technical content, new symposia, and updated branding. The move to Boston promises to build on the momentum of San Francisco, offering new opportunities for learning, networking, and innovation in one of America’s historic centers of technology and academia.