_{Senior Technical Director and Fellow at Broadcom. Ph.D. - UCLA.}

_{Wireless Communications Industry Chair Professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of California San Diego. Ph.D. - California Institute of Technology.}

Microwave is a type of electromagnetic wave that has a wavelength between approximately one millimeter and one meter. This makes it a useful frequency range for a wide range of applications in electrical engineering and communications.

One of the most common applications of microwave technology is in wireless communications. Microwave frequencies are used for a wide range of wireless applications, including cell phone networks, satellite communications, and wireless local area networks (WLANs). These systems use microwave frequencies to transmit data and voice communications over long distances with minimal loss of signal quality.

Microwave technology is also widely used in radar systems. Radar uses microwave frequencies to bounce signals off of objects to determine their distance and location. This technology is used in a wide range of applications, including air traffic control, weather forecasting, and military surveillance.

Another important application of microwave technology is in microwave ovens. These ovens use microwave frequencies to excite water molecules in food, which causes them to heat up and cook the food. This process is much faster than traditional oven cooking methods and is widely used in households and commercial kitchens.

Microwave technology is also used in industrial heating applications. High-power microwave systems can be used to heat materials quickly and evenly, which is useful in applications such as drying, curing, and welding.

In addition, microwaves are also used in medical applications such as cancer treatment, where it is used to heat and destroy cancer cells. This method is known as microwave ablation, and it is considered a minimally invasive alternative to traditional surgical methods.

Finally, microwave technology is also used in remote sensing. By measuring the microwave radiation emitted by the Earth, scientists can obtain information about the Earth’s surface and atmosphere, which is useful for applications such as weather forecasting and climate research.