Robert L. Gardner, Consultant, Marietta, GA
/Some Highlights in Commission E in National Radio Science Meetings
50th Anniversary Plenary Speaker, Thursday, January 11, 2024
Abstract: This Commission emphasizes (1) the scientific theory and engineering aspects of effects associated with naturally occurring and artificially induced electromagnetic-interference phenomena and (2) electromagnetic compatibility theory and practice for applications. Its activities provide venues for exchanging theoretical and technological knowledge and economic considerations for achieving electromagnetic spectral harmony. In particular, research presented in Commission E meetings has included:
1. Radiofrequency spectrum management
2. Scientific basis and effects of natural and intentional emissions on system performance
3. Electromagnetic compatibility in computational electromagnetics, education, measurement technologies,
standards and radiation hazards
4. Electromagnetic modeling of systems and environments
5. High-power electromagnetic effects of transients on electronic systems
There has been a large variation in numbers and in topics over the last 50 years of Boulder meetings. Particular leaders, and, sometimes, lack of leadership have driven those changes. About 35 of the conference proceedings were available to us showing the rising and falling of topics like Electromagnetic Pulse and Spectrum Management.
I can only tell the early part of the story from my point of view, but the Commission E documentation begins when I started attending USNC Boulder meetings in 1978. I started working for Dr. J. R. Wait on my PhD in 1978 and gave my first talk at NRSM that same year. Dr. David LeVine gave a talk on fields radiated from lightning in the combined session, which became central to my thesis work and the later high – power electromagnetics sessions. The HPE sessions continued until the BE joint session in 2021.
Dr. George Hagn was USNC Commission E chair in 1978. He was one of three of us that continued to become international Commission E Chairs. R. L. Gardner and D. V. Giri were the other two. While HPE was an important part of Commission E’s work, primarily due to the encouragement of Dr. Carl Baum, noise characterization and frequency management were also central to that work for decades under such leaders as Dr. R. D. Parlow, G. Hagn, and Anthony Fraser – Smith.
Biography: Dr. Robert L. Gardner received his PhD in Physics from the University of Colorado in Boulder in 1980 under the direction of Dr. A. V. Phelps and Dr. J. R. Wait. He began his association with the National Radio Science Meeting in 1978 and continued a 15-year Commission E leadership role starting with USNC Commission E Vice-Chair in 1990, E Chair in 1993, International E Vice Chair in 1996, International E Chair in 1999 and Member at Large for USNC in 2002.
Dr. Gardner has served in a variety of technical positions as military officer, civil servant, contractor and consultant for the Air Force, Navy, and Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence. He has won a number of awards including a Legion of Merit, 3 Best Paper Awards and several technical society fellowships. He is now a Principal Research Engineer for the Georgia Tech Research Institute.
Dr. Gardner received his PhD in Physics from the University of Colorado in Boulder in 1980 under the direction of Dr. A. V. Phelps and Dr. J. R. Wait. He began his association with the National Radio Science Meeting in 1978 and continued a 15-year Commission E leadership role starting with USNC Commission E Vice-Chair in 1990, E Chair in 1993, International E Vice Chair in 1996, International E Chair in 1999 and Member at Large for USNC in 2002.
Dr. Gardner has served in a variety of technical positions as military officer, civil servant, contractor and consultant for the Air Force, Navy, and Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence. He has won a number of awards including a Legion of Merit, 3 Best Paper Awards and several technical society fellowships. He is now a Principal Research Engineer for the Georgia Tech Research Institute.
