Langis Roy, PhD
Dean, Graduate Studies | University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Oshawa, ON, CANADA
International wireless sensor technology expert leads new era of Graduate Studies at UOIT
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Biography
Graduate education is more important than ever in today’s knowledge-driven economy; it creates opportunities for next-generation research which is fundamental to economic growth and environmental sustainability. Appointed Dean of Graduate Studies in 2015, Langis Roy, PhD, is passionate about shaping the university’s graduate program portfolio to enhance collaborative research capabilities among students, faculty and industry.
Formerly Carleton University’s Associate Dean of Planning in the Faculty of Graduate/Post-doctoral Affairs, Dr. Roy led strategic enrolment to achieve the Ottawa, Ontario institution’s highest domestic and international enrolment in 2014-2015. In that role, he developed and implemented Carleton's international Cotutelle Policy, which allows doctoral students to complete program requirements while jointly enrolled at two universities. During his 15-year tenure, he held appointments as an Associate Professor, Professor, and Chair in the Department of Electronics, while guiding the research success of nearly 50 graduate students, many of whom received prestigious awards.
An international wireless technology expert, Dr. Roy applies sensing and communicating electronic devices to innovative component-level and system-level integrated solutions, particularly for the biomedical and aerospace industries. Equipped with a proven track record of collaborative and cross-disciplinary research work, he aims to improve current products and processes with embedded intelligence and enhanced functionality. Remarkably, Dr. Roy and his research team have developed the world’s first on-chip antennas using commercial CMOS silicon, and are global leaders in the in the development of system-on-package LTCC componentry for microwave and mm-wave wireless applications. His research has extended to THz biosensing and wireless power harvesting.
Dr. Roy earned his Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering at the University of Waterloo, Ontario in 1987; and obtained both his Master of Engineering and his Doctorate in Engineering from Carleton University in Ottawa in 1989 and 1993, respectively. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Université de Toulouse in France and became an Assistant Professor at the University of Ottawa. An Invited Professor in Finland and France, Dr. Roy has established leading international research partnerships in wireless and sensing technologies.
Industry Expertise (6)
Semiconductors
Biotechnology
Aerospace
Education/Learning
Electrical Engineering
Research
Areas of Expertise (8)
High-Performance Electronic Circuit Packaging
Integrated Active Antennas
Microwave Electronics (Si GaN GaAs)
System-on-Package Design
System-on-Chip Design
Low Temperature Co-Fired Ceramics
Reconfigurable Microwave Components
Wireless Sensors
Accomplishments (5)
Board of Directors, Canadian Association for Graduate Studies (CAGS) (professional)
2017-01-01
Appointed to this role for a two-year term from 2017 to 2018, Dr. Roy is committed to the promotion of graduate education and university research through meetings, publications and advocacy. CAGS brings together 58 Canadian universities with graduate programs and the three federal research-granting agencies, as well as other institutions and organizations with an interest in graduate studies.
Strategic Engagement Editorial Board, Council of Ontario Universities (COU) (professional)
2017-01-01
Dr. Roy has been appointed to this COU board for a two-year term from 2017 to 2018. The board is part of a year-long campaign to engage students and parents in province-wide dialogue about future economic needs across all sectors, and determine how universities can contribute to a brighter future for everyone.
NSERC Advisory Committee on University-Industry Grants (ACUIG) (professional)
2017-01-01
Dr. Roy has been appointed to the ACUIG for a three-year term, from 2017 to 2019. This multidisciplinary committee has broad experience in university-industry interactions. The ACUIG makes funding recommendations for large scale NSERC Collaborative Research and Development applications as well as Industrial Research Chair applications, taking into account the recommendations of site visit committees and external peer reviews.
NSERC Research Tool and Instrument Selection Committee (professional)
2016-01-01
An appointed member of this committee from 2016 to 2018, Dr. Roy plays a role in evaluating and awarding Research Tools and Instruments (RTI) grants which foster and enhance the discovery, innovation and training capability of university researchers in the natural sciences and engineering (NSE).
Best Conference Paper Award, European Wireless Technology Conference (EuWiT) (professional)
2008-10-27
Awarded for his co-authored paper entitled, Wireless Interconnect Between On-Chip and LTCC Antennas for System-in-Package Applications, at the EuWiT conference held in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Education (3)
Carleton University: PhD, Electrical Engineering 1993
Carleton University: MEng, Electrical Engineering 1989
University of Waterloo: BASc, Electrical Engineering 1987
Affiliations (3)
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
- Ontario Aerospace Consortium
- Professional Engineers Ontario
Languages (2)
- English
- French
Media Appearances (1)
UOIT appoints noted electrical engineer and administrator as Dean of Graduate Studies
University of Ontario Institute of Technology online
2015-05-04
The University of Ontario Institute of Technology has named Dr. Langis Roy as Dean of the Office of Graduate Studies, effective July 1, 2015. Dr. Roy comes to the University of Ontario Institute of Technology from Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario where he was Associate Dean (Planning), Faculty of Graduate/Postdoctoral Affairs (FGPA).
Event Appearances (14)
Advances in Tunable Microwave Ferrite-LTCC Components
WM04 Workshop on MM-Wave Multilayer MCM/SoP and Heterogeneous Integration Techniques, European Microwave Week Paris, France
2015-09-11
Characterization of GaN-based HEMTs as Varactor Diode Devices
European Microwave Week 2015 Paris, France
2015-09-06
A Novel Multi-Layer Electromagnetic Band Gap Structure (EBG) Comprised of 3D Lattice of Square Rings
IEEE International Conference on Numerical Electromagnetic and Multiphysics Modeling and Optimization for RF, Microwave, and Terahertz Applications (NEMO) Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario
2015-08-11
Modeling Substrate Integrated Waveguide Structures Using Effective Material Properties
IEEE International Conference on Numerical Electromagnetic and Multiphysics Modeling and Optimization for RF, Microwave, and Terahertz Applications (NEMO), Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario
2015-08-11
Modeling and Simulation of a Partially-Magnetized Ferrite LTCC Circulator
IEEE International Conference on Numerical Electromagnetic and Multiphysics Modeling and Optimization for RF, Microwave, and Terahertz Applications Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario
2015-08-11
Circulateur LTCC Ferrite Large-Bande à Structures Empilées en Bande K
19èmes Journées Nationales Microondes Bordeaux, France
2015-06-03
Health Implications of Radio-Wave Exposure
Discovery Café, Blackburn Community Centre Ottawa, Ontario
2015-02-02
How Safe is Wireless Technology
Innovations in Antenna Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Design, Carleton University Talks, Ottawa Public Library Ottawa, Ontario
2014-10-01
Schottky-contact Plasmonic Rectenna for Biosensing
Photonics North 2013 Ottawa, Ontario
2013-06-03
Zero-biased Optically Controlled RF Switch in 0.13μm CMOS Technology
IEEE 2011 International Topical Meeting on Microwave Photonics Conference Singapore
2011-10-18
A New Optically Controlled CdS-Polymer Capacitor for Tunable Microwave Components
European Microwave Week 2011 Manchester, United Kingdom
2011-10-09
A 60 GHz System-on-Package Balanced Antipodal Vivaldi Antenna with Stepped Dielectric Director (BAVA-SDD) in LTCC
European Microwave Week 2011 Manchester, United Kingdom
2011-10-09
Electric Energy and Power Educational Programs Development Workshop
118th ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition Vancouver, British Columbia
2011-06-26
60 GHz SoP Active Array Design
The 27th International Review of Progress in Applied Computational Electromagnetics Williamsburg, Virginia
2011-03-27
Patents (3)
Miniaturized, Low Power FGMOSFET Radiation Sensor and Wireless Dosimeter
U.S. Patent No. 8519345 B2
2013-08-27
A compact wireless sensor System on Package solution is presented, suitable for dosimetry for radiotherapy or other biomedical applications.
Miniaturized, Low Power, Wireless Transmitter and Receiver with On-Chip Antenna, and Wireless Coupling of On-Chip and Off-Chip Antenna
U.S. Patent No. 8412290 B2
2013-04-02
A miniaturized, low power RF transmitter with a dual mode active on-chip antenna/inductor is disclosed in which antenna also serves as the oscillator inductor. Also disclosed is a miniaturized low power RF receiver with an on-chip antenna; and a RF transmitter system wherein an on-chip antenna is wirelessly coupled to an off chip patch antenna are disclosed.
Low Temperature Cofired Ceramic (LTCC) Ferrite-Filled, Antisymmetrically-Biased (Ferrite-FAB) Rectangular Waveguide Millimeter-Wave Phase Shifter
U.S. Patent No. 6867664
2005-03-15
This invention provides methods and devices for accelerating or delaying an electromagnetic signal.
Research Grants (4)
Technologies for Reconfigurable Antennas Used in Satellite and Terrestrial Links (TRUST)
NSERC Collaborative Research and Development Grant $81000
2016-01-01
In collaboration with researchers at Montréal universities, Dr. Roy is a co-investigator on this three-year project within Consortium for Aerospace Research and Innovation in Canada (CARIC) program. Total funding for research is $400,000, with Dr. Roy receiving $27,000 per year.
Wireless X-Ray Dosimeter for Blood Sterlization
NSERC Collaborative Research and Development Grant $250000
2015-04-01
In partnership with Ottawa-based Best Medical Ltd., Dr. Roy and his research team have developed an advanced wireless sensor to precisely monitor and control X-ray administration to fully automate the blood irradiation process. Irradiating blood makes it safer for transfusion recipients, but blood sometimes has to be discarded if it has been over-radiated. Automating the process will reduce blood waste and costs. In this year-year project, Dr. Roy is using a novel approach to adapt technology based on IBM's 0.13-micron CMOS process from CMC Microsystems to create the tiny sensor.
MMWave Active Antennas for Communications Applications
NSERC Discovery Grant $210000
2014-04-01
This five-year research project aims to develop novel techniques for affordable, millimeter-wave, portable, wireless communication systems and sensors.
iAero: Intelligent Aerospace Systems
NSERC Strategic Network Grant Application Support $25000
2015-04-01
Notably, Dr. Roy led the largescale, multidisciplinary iAero research collaboration to develop intelligent aerospace systems and populate aircraft with advanced miniature, wireless sensors to collect real-time data and monitor the health of the structure. Early warning signs of equipment degradation can significantly improve flight safety and reduce equipment and repair costs.
Articles (10)
The Field-Programmable Microwave Substrate
IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques
2016-11-01
A novel low-loss programmable microwave waveguide is demonstrated, allowing reconfigurable microwave circuits with similar levels of programmability as that seen in field-programmable gate arrays. The waveguide is realized with a field-programmable microwave substrate (FPMS), consisting of small unit cells that can be individually reconfigured to have a range of positive dielectric constants or a negative dielectric constant. Programmable waveguides, amplifiers, and oscillators are demonstrated. The proposed FPMS concept promises a new era of programmable microwave circuit design for cognitive radio, the Internet of things, and self-healing/adaptive systems.
Surface Plasmon Enhanced Photodetectors Based on Internal Photoemission
Journal of Photonics for Energy
2016-10-27
Surface plasmon photodetectors are of broad interest. They are promising for several applications including telecommunications, photovoltaic solar cells, photocatalysis, color-sensitive detection, and sensing, as they can provide highly enhanced fields and strong confinement (to subwavelength scales). Such photodetectors typically combine a nanometallic structure that supports surface plasmons with a photodetection structure based on internal photoemission or electron–hole pair creation.
Characterization and Analytical Modelling of GaN HEMT-Based Varactor Diodes
IET Electronics Letters
2015-10-16
Varactor diodes fabricated in 0.5 and 0.15 µm GaN HEMT (high-electron-mobility transistor) processes are modelled. The devices were characterized via DC and RF small-signal measurements up to 20 GHz, and fitted to a simple physical equivalent circuit. Approximate analytical expressions containing empirical coefficients are introduced for the voltage dependency of capacitance and series resistance. The analytical solutions agree remarkably well with the experimentally extracted C–V curves and can be used as a general model to represent the nonlinear behaviour of GaN-based varactors devices.
Study of a Ferrite LTCC Multifunctional Circulator With Integrated Winding
IEEE Transactions on Components, Packaging and Manufacturing Technology
2015-07-01
This paper shows a study of a new ferrite low-temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) circulator with integrated winding. The external magnets used in traditional circulators must be strong to overcome the ferrite's demagnetization factor. The novel circulator presented herein uses an embedded winding within the ferrite to magnetize the material from the inside, thereby significantly reducing the demagnetization effects. Because of the controllability of the bias field, the resulting device is also multifunctional: when the windings are energized by a current, the device operates as a dynamic circulator in which the circulation direction can be changed by switching the direction of the current.
Vivaldi Antenna for MM-Wave Communications
High Frequency Electronics
2014-10-01
The proliferation of portable devices such as smart phones, tablets, and laptops has resulted in an increased demand for mobile broadband wireless, and with the expected growth in the Internet of Things and Machine-to-Machine communications, this increase is expected to exceed the current available capacity, and higher frequency bands will also need to be adopted. Serious consideration is being given to the 60 GHz Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band by the Wireless Gigabit Alliance (WiGig) to develop and promote the adoption of multi-gigabit speed wireless communication technology based on the IEEE 802.11ad protocol, and by industry involved in developing fifth generation (5G) communication systems. These systems will require the development of antenna array technology with beam scanning capability, since high-gain (narrow beam) patterns that can be steered to track mobile devices, or change shape to reduce interference will be needed. This paper presents the design of a tapered slot antenna, known as a balanced antipodal Vivaldi antenna, and is seen to be a promising candidate for 60 GHz wireless communications.
A New Hybrid-Polymer Optically Tunable Dielectric and its Measurement Using a Variation of the Split-Post Dielectric Resonator
Microwave and Optical Technology Letters
2013-03-27
An apparatus based on the split-post dielectric resonator was designed and verified for the purpose of measuring the microwave properties of optically sensitive materials. The apparatus was then used to confirm that a material consisting of micro sized photoconductive particles added to an insulating polymer would show an increase in the effective dielectric constant while under optical illumination. The semiconductor-polymer composite showed a change in dielectric constant and dielectric loss tangent from 5.5 to 6.1 and 0.05 to 0.09 respectively.
1 W, Highly Efficient, Ultra-Broadband Non-Uniform Distributed Power Amplifier in GaN
IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components
2013-03-29
This letter describes the design and implementation of a highly linear, ultra-broadband non-uniform asymmetric distributed MMIC power amplifier in GaN, delivering 1 W of output power and suitable for operation at frequencies up to 6.5 GHz. The GaN HFETs used here have a gate length of 500 nm, and breakdown-voltages exceeding 100 V while exhibiting an fT of approximately 30 GHz. A non-uniform asymmetric distributed topology is used to achieve ultra-broadband performance. CW measurements carried out at nominal bias between 0.5 GHz and 6.5 GHz yielded a maximum PAE of 38.1% at 0.5 GHz, with PAE higher than 20% over the entire band, while achieving Pout > 30 dBm.
Schottky-Contact Plasmonic Dipole Rectenna Concept for Biosensing
Optics Express
2013-02-25
Nanoantennas are key optical components for several applications including photodetection and biosensing. Here we present an array of metal nano-dipoles supporting surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) integrated into a silicon-based Schottky-contact photodetector.
Ultra Low Power CMOS-Based Sensor for On-Body Radiation Dose Measurements
IEEE Journal on Emerging and Selected Topics in Circuits and Systems
2012-03-15
For the first time, a dosimeter employing two floating gate radiation field effect transistors (FGRADFET) and operating at mere 0.1 V is presented. The novel dosimeter requires no power during irradiation and consumes only 1 during readout. Besides the low power operation, structural changes at the device level have enhanced the sensitivity of the dosimeter considerably as compared to previous designs. The dosimeter is integrated with a wireless transmitter chip, thus eliminating all unwanted communication and power cables. It has been realized monolithically in DALSA's 0.8 complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor process and characterized with X-ray and γ-ray sources.
5 GHz LTCC-Based Aperture- Coupled Wireless Transmitter for SoP Applications
PIER C
2012-01-01
A novel System-on-Package (SoP) implementation is presented for a transmitter (TX) module which makes use of electromagnetic coupling between the TX chip and the package antenna. The TX chip is realized in 0.13 μm CMOS process and comprises an on-chip antenna, which serves as the oscillator's inductor as well. The TX chip is housed in a Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) package with a patch antenna. The on-chip antenna feeds the LTCC patch antenna through aperture coupling, thus negating the need for RF buffer amplifiers, matching elements, baluns, bond wires and package transmission lines. This is the first ever demonstration of wireless-interconnect between on-chip and package antennas which increases the gain and range of the TX module manyfold with respect to the on-chip antenna alone.
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