The telecoms industry is continuously pursuing innovative technologies that can support the growing demand for mobile bandwidth – a demand roughly doubling every two years.
Case in point, three generations of cellular network technologies have been introduced during the past two decades: starting with the rollout of 3G in 2001, moving to the commercial introduction of 4G in 2009, and finally the installation of the first 5G networks today. In parallel, other mobile communication flavors – such as Wi-Fi – have claimed their place as well.
Still, despite all those new developments and the increasing number of mobile communication technology options, our hunger for bandwidth remains insatiable. That is why the sector has started to prepare for the next step, i.e. introducing the sixth generation of mobile networks (6G).
Admittedly, it is early days: the international 6G standards are still in development. But one thing is clear: 6G will leave its predecessors far behind.
“If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.” This quote, attributed to Einstein, Feynman, and others, encapsulates the key element in achieving success in every endeavor in research and development. Whether it pertains to technical or business aspects, this principle drives the three skills that Michael constantly aims to improve: understanding, communicating, and focusing on reducing things to their core.
Currently, Michael Peeters serves as the Vice President and Sector lead of Connected Computing at imec, focussing on creating new approaches to computing, connectivity and their joint architecture, and pushing existing approaches to their utmost performance, to enable continued sustainable growth and the positive impact of computing on society in the coming decade. Previous experiences as CTO for respectively the Wireline and Wireless business lines at what is now Nokia were built on the culture, enthusiasm, and love for technology and science fostered during time as a departement director at Bell Labs, as well as the principles of Free Inquiry instilled by his Alma Mater, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB).
Throughout their research career, which began with a Ph.D. in Applied Physics and Photonics from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Michael has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, numerous white papers, and holds patents in the access and photonics domains. Trained as an electrotechnical engineer, he is a senior member of IEEE and a Fellow of the VUB.
Outside of work, Michael Peeters (imec) balances their quest to discover the perfect lasagna recipe with long-distance running to offset the inherent caloric intake. They accept both (he/him) and (they/them) pronouns.
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Published on:
26 April 2021
