near future . In the words of Dr . Aruna Gunawardhana , who is a key person in facilitating and guiding these projects , “ Learning these things from a book is fine , we are all comfortable . But through learning the practical stuff , getting that feeling is very hard ”. That is the feeling these enthusiastic students yearn for through working in these projects associated with the laboratory . Engineering undergraduates of the University of Peradeniya can experiment in various kinds of ways while enjoying the beauty of microwave technology . Simply , they can start swimming into the depths of the ocean of microwave technology with the aid of this laboratory in the Faulty of Engineering , University of Peradeniya . Apart from the research , considering the undergraduate course , it facilitates the complete process from concept to design and further to testing of the prototypes of microwave-related applications . The students are given an idea of the correct measurement techniques and instrument handling . Also , they are expected to be exposed to many professional and high-end design tools available in the lab and use them to realize the theories they have learned in the lectures .
Beyond above , the Microwave lab provides facilities for accurate and reliable measurements on Microwave related products and as this is the only place in Sri Lanka for that , it can be utilized to uphold the standards of them . And as its researches and projects are focused on areas which are practically applicable , the society can benefit much from them . For instance , the ongoing research associated with ‘ Radar systems ’ can assist in predicting landslides , and the outcomes of ongoing ‘ amateur radio ’ and ‘ walkie-talkie ’ projects would come in handy in a disastrous situation where all the telephone and communication networks would be down . Along with these realizable researches in hand , the microwave lab is always willing to serve its community . Even with all the equipment available still it hasn ’ t stopped growing . A new ‘ Network Analyzer ’ has been proposed to the laboratory which allows measuring frequencies up to 26.5 GHz , which will allow the laboratory to design and fabricate MICs to work at very high frequencies .
Growing up with both physical and human resources , the Microwave laboratory in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering , Faculty of Engineering , University of Peradeniya , when taken as a whole unit , can be considered as an immeasurable resource not only to the University of Peradeniya , but to whole country . Therefore , it is convenient to expect that , it would play a major role in the development Microwave technology-related practices in Sri Lanka in times to come . The immense support extended and valuable information provided by Dr . Aruna Gunawardhana , ( Dept . of Electrical and Electronic Engineering ), and the ‘ Micro-Wave Theory and Techniques Society , University of Peradeniya student branch ’ is much appreciated .
SACHINI EKANAYAKE AND NILANGA THELASINGHA Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering ( Third Year )
18 Gauge Newsletter University of Peradeniya