Dr R. Nilavalan(Nila)

Dr. R. Nilavalan obtained the B.Sc. Eng. in Electrical & Electronic Engineering (First Class) from University of Peradeniya, SriLanka in 1995 and his PhD in Near-field microwave imaging from University of Bristol, UK in 2001.  From 1999 to 2005 he was a researcher at Centre for Communications Research (CCR), Bristol University working in the field of Radio Frequency Engineering. 

He was member of the European commission, Network of Excellence on Antennas from 2002 - 2005. He joined Brunel University in September 2005 as a lecturer in wireless communications.

Professional Memberships and Services

• Senior member of the IEEE
• Member of the IET
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Research Interests

Antennas and Propagation

• Reconfigurable Antennas
• Flexible Antennas
• Wideband and Ultrawideband

Microwave and RF Systems

• RF MEMS
• FDTD Techniques

Wireless Communication Systems

• MIMO
• DVB

Antennas and Propagation, Microwaves, FDTD methods, THz Propagation Modelling

Teaching

1. Radio and Optical Communication Systems (EE5550, MSc)
2. Communications (EE2600, Level 2)
3. Wireless Communication Workshop (EE5517, MSc)
4. Electronics Engineering Workshop (EE1068, Level 1)

Director for PG studies(ECE)

Course Director for MSc Wireless Communication Systems - Off-campus (Thessaloniki, Greece)

Exam board Chairman for,

• MSc - Advanced Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Automotive & Motorsport Engineering, Biomedical Engineering. 

Web coordinator for ECE in School of Engineering and Design

School representative for University’s PGT marketing and recruitment and admission group

Publications

Journal Papers

(2012) Spasos, M., Charalampidis, N., Tsiakmakis, K. and Nilavalan, R., An easy to control all-metal in-line-series ohmic RF MEMS switch, Analog Integrated Circuits and Signal Processing 71 (1) : 21- 28 Download publication

(2012) AbuTarboush, HF., Nilavalan, R., Peter, T., Cheung, SW. and Budimir, D., Reconfigurable penta-band PIFA for small and slim mobile handsets, MICROWAVE AND OPTICAL TECHNOLOGY LETTERS 54 725- 729

(2012) Abutarboush, HF., Nilavalan, R., Cheung, SW., Nasr, KM., Peter, T., Budimir, D. and Al-Raweshidy, H., A reconfigurable wideband and multiband antenna using dual-patch elements for compact wireless devices, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation 60 (1) : 36- 43 Download publication

(2012) Abutarboush, HF., Nilavalan, R., Cheung, SW. and Nasr, K., Compact Printed Multiband Antenna with Independent Setting Suitable for Fixed and Reconfigurable Wireless Communication Systems, IEEE Transaction on Antennas and Propagation

(2012) Abutarboush, HF., Nasif, H., Nilavalan, R. and Cheung, SW., Multiband and wideband monopole antenna for GSM900 and other wireless applications, IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters 11 539- 542

(2011) Spasos, M. and Nilavalan, R., On the investigation of a reliable actuation control method for ohmic RF MEMS switches, Microelectronics Journal 42 (11) : 1239- 1251 Download publication

(2011) AbuTarboush, HF., Nilavalan, R., Nasr, KM., Cheung, SW., Peter, T., Al-Raweshidy, HS. and Budimir, D., Reconfigurable tri-band H-shaped antenna with frequency selectivity feature for compact wireless communication systems, IET Microwaves, Antennas and Propagation 5 (14) : 1675- 1682 Download publication

(2011) Spasos, M., Tsiakmakis, K., Charalampidis, N. and Nilavalan, R., RF-MEMS switch actuation pulse optimization using Taguchi's method, Microsystem Technologies 17 (8) : 1351- 1359 Download publication

(2011) Abutarboush, HF., Nilavalan, R., Peter, T. and Cheung, SW., Multiband inverted-f antenna with independent bands for small and slim cellular mobile handsets, IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation 59 (7) : 2636- 2645 Download publication

(2011) Spasos, M., Nilavalan, R., Tsiakmakis, K., Charalampidis, N. and Cheung, SW., Optimization of a 12.5 GHz microstrip antenna array using Taguchi's method, International Journal of Antennas and Propagation 2011458569 Download publication

(2010) Peter, T., Nilavalan, R., Abutarboush, HF. and Cheung, SW., A novel technique and soldering method to improve performance of transparent polymer antennas, IEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters 9 918- 921 Download publication

(2010) Di-Bari, R., Zhang, Y., Cosmas, J., Nilavalan, R. and Bard, M., Measurement Campaign on Transmit Delay Diversity for Mobile DVB-T/H Systems, IEEE Transactions on Broadcasting, 56 (3) : 369- 378 Download publication

(2010) AbuTarboush, HF., Nilavalan, R., Budimir, D. and Al-Raweshidy, HS., Double U-slots patch antenna for tri-band wireless systems, International Journal of RF and Microwave Computer-Aided Engineering 20 (3) : 279- 285 Download publication

(2009) Hadjinicolaou, MG., Nilavalan, R., Itagaki, T., Voskarides, SC., Pattichis, CS. and Schizas, AN., Emergency TeleOrthoPaedics m-health system for wireless communication links, IET Communications 3 (8) : 1284- 1296 Download publication

(2009) Spasos, M., Charalampidis, N., Mallios, N., Kampitaki, D., Tsiakmakis, K., Tsivos Soel, P. and Nilavalan, R., On the design of an Ohmic RF MEMS switch for reconfigurable microstrip antenna applications, WSEAS Transactions On Communications 8 (1) : 153- 161 Download publication

(2008) Gravalos, A., Hadjinicolaou, M., Ni, Q. and Nilavalan, R., Spatial data stream multiplexing scheme for high-throughput WLANs, IET Communications 2 (9) : 1177- 1185 Download publication

(2008) Nilavalan, R. and Craddock, IJ., Interpolation/averaging in nonorthogonal FDTD algorithm, Microwave and Optical Technology Letters 50 (4) : 846- 851 Download publication

(2008) Di Bari, R., Bard, M., Zhang, Y., Nasr, KM., Cosmas, J., Loo, KK., Nilavalan, R., Shirazi, H. and Krishnapillai, K., Laboratory measurement campaign of DVB-T signal with transmit delay diversity, IEEE Transactions on Broadcasting 54 (3, Part 2) : 532- 541 Download publication

(2007) Nilavalan, R., Craddock, IJ., Preece, A., Leendertz, J. and Benjamin, R., Wideband microstrip patch antenna design for breast cancer tumour detection, IET Microwaves, Antennas and Propagation 1 (2) : 277- 281 Download publication

(2004) Nilavalan, R., Craddock, IJ. and Railton, CJ., Modelling metallic discontinuities with the non-orthogonal finite difference time domain method, IEE Proceedings on Microwaves, Antennas and Propagation 151 (5) : 425- 429 Download publication

(2003) Nilavalan, R., Gbedemah, A., Craddock, IJ., Li, X. and Hagness, SC., Numerical investigation of breast tumour detection using multi-static radar, Electronics Letters 39 (25) : 1787- 1789 Download publication

(2002) Nilavalan, R., Craddock, IJ. and Railton, CJ., Quantifying numerical dispersion in non-orthogonal FDTD meshes, IEE Proceedings on Microwaves, Antennas and Propagation 149 (1) : 23- 27 Download publication

(2001) Nilavalan, R., Craddock, IJ., Paul, DL. and Railton, CJ., Conformal antenna array modeling using a locally nonorthogonal FDTD, Microwave and Optical Technology Letters 30 (4) : 238- 240 Download publication

(2001) Nilavalan, R., Craddock, IJ. and Railton, CJ., Practical method for the determination of time step in non-orthogonal FDTD, Electronic Letters 37 (11) : 679- 680 Download publication

(2001) Benjamin, R., Craddock, IJ., Hilton, GS., Litobarski, S., McCutcheon, E., Nilavalan, R. and Crisp, GN., Microwave detection of buried mines using non-contact, synthetic near-field focusing, IEE Proceedings on Radar, Sonar and Navigation 148 (4) : 233- 240 Download publication

(1999) Nilavalan, R., Hilton, GS. and Benjamin, R., Wideband printed bowtie antenna element development for post reception synthetic focusing surface penetrating radar, Electronics Letters 35 (20) : 1771- 1772 Download publication

(1999) Benjamin, R., Hilton, G., Litobarski, S., McCutcheon, E. and Nilavalan, R., Post-detection synthetic near field focusing in radar or sonar, Electronic Letters 35 (8) : 664- 666

Conference Papers

(2011) Peter, T., Sun, YY., Yuk, TI., Abutarboush, HF., Nilavalan, R. and Cheung, SW., Miniature transparent UWB antenna with tunable notch for green wireless applications, 2011 International Workshop on Antenna Technology (iWAT),, Final Program and Book of Abstracts - iWAT 2011: 2011 IEEE International Workshop on Antenna Technology: Small Antennas, Novel Structures and Innovative Metamaterials 259- 262 Download publication

(2010) Peter, T., Nilavalan, R., AbuTarboush, HF. and Cheung, SW., A non-thermal soldering technique to improve polymer based antenna performance, 40th European Microwave Conference, In proceedings of the 40th European Microwave Conference 1476- 1479 Download publication

(2010) Abdollahi, SR., Al-Raweshidy, HS., Mehdi Fakhraie, S. and Nilavalan, R., Digital radio over fibre for future broadband wireless access network solution, 6th International Conference on Wireless and Mobile Communications, In proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Wireless and Mobile Communications 504- 508 Download publication

(2010) AbuTarboush, HF., Nilavalan, R. and Peter, T., PIFA based reconfigurable multiband antenna for wireless applications, International Conference in Electromagnetic in Advanced Application, In proceedings of the International Conference in Electromagnetic in Advanced Application (Invited Paper) 232- 235 Download publication

(2010) Abdollahi, SR., Al-Raweshidy, HS., Fakhraie,, SMB., Nilavalan, R. and Kamarei, M., Full duplex 60 GHz millimeter wave transmission over multi-mode fiber, 2nd International Conference on Ubiquitous and Future Networks, 2nd International Conference on Ubiquitous and Future Networks 222- 226 Download publication

(2010) Spasos, M., Charalampidis, N., Tsiakmakis, K. and Nilavalan, R., Analysis and design of an all metal in line series ohmic RF MEMS switch for microwave applications, 2010 Symposium on Design Test Integration and Packaging of MEMS/MOEMS (DTIP) Download publication

(2010) Abutarboush, HF., Nilavalan, R., Nasr, KM., Al-Raweshidy, HS. and Budimir, D., A frequency reconfigurable multiband patch antenna for wireless applications, Fourth European Conference on Antennas and Propagation (EuCAP 2010), EuCAP 2010 - The 4th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation Download publication

(2010) Abutarboush, HF., Nilavalan, R., Nasr, KM., Al-Raweshidy, HS. and Budimir, D., A reconfigurable CPW antenna for GPS, GSM and WLAN applications, Fourth European Conference on Antennas and Propagation (EuCAP 2010), EuCAP 2010 - The 4th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation Download publication

(2009) AbuTarboush, HF., Budimir, D., Nilavalan, R. and Al-Raweshidy, HS., Wide-band planar inverted-F antenna for cognitive radio, 39th European Microwave Conference (EuMC 2009) Download publication

(2009) AbuTarboush, HF., Nilavalan, R., Al-Raweshidy, HS. and Budimir, D., Design of planar inverted-F antennas (PIFA) for multiband wireless applications, International Conference on Electromagnetics in Advanced Applications (ICEAA 2009) Download publication

(2009) AbuTarboush, HF., Nilavalan, R., Budimir, D. and Al-Raweshidy, HS., Compact planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA) for WiMAX application, IEEE Antennas and Propagation International Symposium /USNC/URSI National Radio Science Meeting Download publication

(2009) Di Bari, R., Bard, M., Arrinda, A., Ditto, P., Cosmas, J., Loo, KK. and Nilavalan, R., Rooftop and indoor reception with transmit diversity applied to DVB-T Networks: a long term measurement campaign, IEEE International Symposium on Broadband Multimedia Systems and Broadcasting (BMSB '09) Download publication

(2009) AbuTarboush, HF., Al-Raweshidy, HS. and Nilavalan, R., Bandwidth enhancement for patch antenna using PBG slot structure for 5, 6 and 9 GHz applications, 10th Annual IEEE Wireless and Microwave Technology Conference Download publication

(2009) AbuTarboush, HF., Al-Raweshidy, HS. and Nilavalan, R., Bandwidth enhancement for microstrip patch antenna using stacked patch and slot, IEEE International Workshop on Antenna Technology (iWAT 2009) Download publication

(2009) AbuTarboush, HF., Al-Raweshidy, HS. and Nilavalan, R., Multi-band antenna for different wireless applications, IEEE International Workshop on Antenna Technology (iWAT 2009) Download publication

(2008) Spasos, M., Charalampidis, N., Mallios, N., Kampitaki, D., Tsiakmakis, K., Soel, PT. and Nilavalan, R., An ohmic RF MEMS switch for reconfigurable microstrip array antennas built on PCB, 7th WSEAS International Conference on Circuits, Systems, Electronics, Control and Signal Processing (CSECS'08) Download publication

(2008) AbuTarboush, HF., Al-Raweshidy, HS. and Nilavalan, R., Triple band double U-slots patch antenna for WiMAX mobile applications, 14th Asia-Pacific Conference on Communications (APCC 2008)

(2008) AbuTarboush, HF., Al-Raweshidy, HS. and Nilavalan, R., Compact double U-Slots Patch Antenna for Mobile WiMAX Applications, International Symposium on Antenna and Propagation (ISAP'08) Download publication

(2008) Di Bari, R., Cosmas,, J., Nilavalan, R., Loo, KK. and Bard, M., Evaluation of diversity gains for DVB-T systems, 2008 Electronic and Networked Media (NEM) Summit Towards Future Media Internet,, In proceedings of the 2008 Electronic and Networked Media (NEM) Summit Towards Future Media Internet, Download publication

(2008) Di Bari, R., Bard, M., Cosmas, J., Nilavalan, R., Loo, KK., Shirazi, H. and Krishnapillai, K., Field trials and test results of portable DVB-T systems with transmit delay diversity, 12th IEEE International Symposium on Consumer Electronics Download publication

(2008) Bari, RD., Bard, M., Cosmas, J., Nilavalan, R., Loo, KK., Shirazi, H. and Krishnapillai, K., Field Trials and Test Results for Transmit Delay Diversity Applied to DVB-T/H Network, 2008 IEEE International Symposium on Broadband Multimedia Systems and Broadcasting, In proceedings of the 2008 IEEE International Symposium on Broadband Multimedia Systems and Broadcasting

(2007) Nilavalan, R., Craddock, IJ. and Hadjinicolaou, MG., Metal boundary modeling for non-orthogonal FDTD, 5th European Workshop on Conformal Antennas Download publication

(2007) Shirazi, H., Di Bari, R., Cosmas, J., Nilavalan, R., Zhang, Y., Loo, J. and Bard, M., Test-bed development and measurement plan for evaluating transmit diversity in DVB networks, 16th IST Mobile and Wireless Communications Summit Download publication

(2007) Di Bari, R., Shirazi, H., Nasr, KM., Cosmas, J., Loo, KK., Nilavalan, R., Zhang, Y. and Bard, M., Measurements, processing functions and laboratory test-bed experiments for evaluating diversity in broadcast network, IEEE International Symposium on Broadband Multimedia Systems and Broadcasting Download publication

(2008) Craddock, IJ., Preece, A., Leendertz, J., Klemm, M., Nilavalan, R. and Benjamin, R., Development of a hemi-spherical wideband antenna array for breast cancer imaging, European Conference on Antennas and Propagation, in Proceedings of the European Conference on Antennas and Propagation (v 626 SP) : 1- 5 Download publication

(2006) Craddock, IJ., Nilavalan, R., Leendertz, J., Preece, A. and Benjamin, R., Experimental Investigation of Breast Cancer Detection using a Fully-populated Array of Antennas and Real Aperture Synthetically Organised Radar, 17th International Zurich Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility, in Proceedings of the 17th International Zurich Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility

(2005) Nilavalan, R., Craddock, IJ., Leendertz, J., Preece, A. and Benjamin, R., A wideband planar antenna for in-body imaging, Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium Download publication

(2005) Craddock, IJ., Nilavalan, R., Leendertz, J., Preece, A. and Benjamin, R., Experimental investigation of real aperture synthetically organised radar for breast cancer detection, Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium Download publication

(2005) Lenler-Eriksen, H-R., Meincke, P., Sarri, A., Chatelee, V., Nair, B., Craddock, IJ., Alli, G., Dauvignac, J-Y., Huang, Y., Lymperopoulos, D. and Nilavalan, R., Joint ACE ground penetrating radar antenna test facility at the Technical University of Denmark, Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium Download publication

(2005) Nilavalan, R., Leendertz, J., Craddock, IJ., Benjamin, R. and Preece, A., Breast tumour detection using a flat 16 element array, 16th International Zurich Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility-Topical Meeting on Biomedical EMC Download publication

(2004) Nilavalan, R., Leendertz, J., Craddock, IJ., Preece, A. and Benjamin, R., Numerical analysis of microwave detection of breast tumours using synthetic focussing techniques, IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society International Symposium Download publication

(2004) Nilavalan, R., Craddock, IJ., Preece, A., Leendertz, J. and Benjamin, R., Breast cancer tumour detection using microwave radar techniques, URSI International Symposium on Electromagnetic Theory Download publication

(2003) Nilavalan, R., Craddock, IJ., Preece, A., Leendertz, J. and Benjamin, R., Microwave detection of breast tumours, 6th International Congress of the European Bioelectromagnetics Association Download publication

(2002) Craddock, IJ. and Nilavalan, R., Dispersion in non-orthogonal FDTD meshes, Progress in Electromagnetics Research Symposium Download publication

(2002) Benjamin, R., Craddock, IJ., McCutcheon, E. and Nilavalan, R., Synthetic focusing into the ground and into buildings, using real aperture radar, Progress in Electromagnetics Research Symposium (PIERS 2002) Download publication

(2000) Nilavalan, R., Hilton, GS., Benjamin, R. and Craddock, IJ., FDTD analysis of a post-reception synthetic focusing surface penetrating radar performance in various ground conditions, Millennium Conference on Antennas and Propagation Download publication

(1999) Nilavalan, R., Hilton, GS. and Benjamin, R., A FDTD model for the post-reception synthetic focusing surface penetrating radar with mine detecting applications., IEE National Conference on Antennas and Propagation Download publication

(1998) Benjamin, R., Hilton, G., Nilavalan, R., Litobarski, S. and McCutcheon, E., Synthetically-focused surface-penetrating radar for operation from a moving vehicle, 2nd International Conference on the Detection of Abandoned Land Mines Download publication

(2011) Abdollahi, SR., Al-Raweshidy, HS., Ahmadinia, A. and Nilavalan, R., An all-photonic digital radio over fiber architecture, , 2011 IEEE Swedish Communication Technologies Workshop, Swe-CTW 2011 62- 67

(2011) Abdollahi, SR., Al-Raweshidy, HS., Radhi, N. and Nilavalan, R., Non-uniform wavelength allocation in all-photonic digitized-radio over fibre access network, , 2011 the 14th International Symposium on Wireless Personal Multimedia Communications: Communications, Networking and Applications for the Internet of Things, WPMC'11

(2008) Di Bari, R., Bard, M., Cosmas, J., Nilavalan, R., Loo, KK., Shirazi, H. and Krishnapiliai, K., Measurement results of transmit delay diversity for DVB-T networks, IEEE International Symposium on Broadband Multimedia Systems and Broadcasting