SmartCom 2025 (Eindhoven)
Introduction
I participated in SmartCom (Smart Wireless Communications) 2025, organized by the Committee of Smart Radio (SR-Ken) of the Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers (IEICE). This is a conference to promote international collaborative research on mobile communications technology. During the free time at the conference, I recorded GNSS radio waves from the Netherlands using Pocket SDR, a open source GNSS software radio.
SmartCom 2025
This year’s SmartCom was held from June 4th to 6th at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, the air gateway to the Netherlands, is directly connected to the train station, allowing for a smooth transfer from plane to train.
Tickets for the Netherlands Railways NS can be purchased from vending machines. It seems that you can also use a credit card to “touch board”. However, if you use the smartphone app of the same name, NS, you can conveniently purchase tickets, view your current location and transfer information, and check operation information.
At the train station, there were clear signs to ensure that even first-time NS passengers would not get lost.
It took an hour and a half on the InterCity train from Schiphol Airport Station to Eindhoven Central Station.
It was a comfortable journey on a spacious double-decker train. Apparently there is no express fare on Netherlands Railways, even for InterCity trains.
Also, some stations do not have train ticket gates (for example, Schiphol Airport station) and some have automatic ticket gates (for example, Eindhoven Centraal station). At ticket gates, you can pass through by scanning a QR code or credit card.
It is about a 10-minute walk from Eindhoven Centraal Station to Eindhoven University of Technology.
On the way to the university, one of the attractions is Flying Pins, a symbol of Eindhoven, the Brain City of engineering and art.
This is the venue, Zwarte Doos. The first floor is a cafe, and the second floor is the main conference hall. You can see the poster session stand through the glass on the second floor.
The conference room was spacious and comfortable, like a movie theater.
This is a wireless microphone for questions. The black part at the top is the microphone, and the logo of Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is on the side.
The chairperson would throw the microphone cube to the questioner, which made for a lively Q&A session. This microphone has a built-in shock sensor, so it automatically mutes when it is thrown or dropped. It’s so light that it will be fine even if it hits someone. It’s a great product idea. According to the logo on the bottom, it’s a product called CatchBox.
This is a photo of the lunch and poster session. I also gave a poster presentation while drinking coffee and eating a sandwich.
Phillips Museum
Eindhoven is also a city that prospered together with the electronics manufacturer Philips. Apparently there used to be a large incandescent light bulb factory here. The SmartCom 2025 social gathering was held in the Philips Museum, which showcases the history of Philips incandescent light bulbs.
Immediately upon entering the museum, there was a panel explaining the history, and beyond that was a display of an old multi-filament incandescent light bulb.
There was also an X-ray tube in 1918.
There was also an exhibit that recreated an incandescent light bulb factory from that time. Cotton was used for the filament, and on the right side of the photo was a device for measuring the brightness of the light bulbs.
Other exhibits included CRT televisions, CD players, old computers, and magnetic tape storage for mainframe computers.
High Tech Campus Eindhoven
On the last day of the conference, we had a company tour. The High Tech Campus Eindhoven is an industrial area located 15 minutes by car from Eindhoven University of Technology. It is possible to walk there from the university, but the conference chartered a bus for the tour.
The city is home to many high-tech companies, including the headquarters of ASML, a semiconductor lithography equipment manufacturer, and the research base of NXP.
On campus, even trash cans and parking lots were covered with stones.
I visited Signify Bright Sites and IMEC & TNO Holst Center as part of a company visit organized by the society. When entering, you are required to write your name and affiliation and show your passport.
This is a next-generation street light with wireless technology. On the back side, there is an LED driver and an antenna that communicates in multiple directions.
Outside, multiple high-tech street lights were installed.
We also visited many other things, including the Healthcare IC.
Satellite signal recording with Pocket SDR
During a break from the conference, I walked around Eindhoven University of Technology. I found a plaza on campus, so I recorded GNSS signals for a short time.
I’ve put the recorded data in Pocket SDR Captured Data. I checked and found that GPS L1C/A, SBAS L1C/A, Galileo E1-B, and Galileo E6-B were recorded.
Eindhoven cityscape
During my free time, I walked around the town of Eindhoven. This is St. Catherine’s Church (Sint Catharinakerk), a 10-minute walk from the station. I quietly enjoyed the view. Admission is free.
This is a clothing store. It’s a stylish building.
The Netherlands is a bicycle-oriented society, and many people travel by bicycle. For an additional fee, you can bring your bicycle onto the train. This is a bicycle parking lot.
During the day, a market was held in the square in front of the station, and many records were on sale.
The city is bustling with activity.
