The 2026 IEEE International Microwave Symposium (IMS 2026) brought its theme “Revolutionizing RF” to life, not as a forward-looking promise, but as something the industry is already doing in real time. The event saw participation from 8,484 registered attendees across 55 countries with 500+ exhibiting companies, 98 first-time exhibitors, and 14 startup pavilion participants. As media partner, everything RF has extensively covered IMS 2026. Dive in to get IMS 2026 highlights!
IMS 2026 focused on how RF innovation is being driven by a convergence of technologies, including 6G and beyond wireless systems, mmWave and sub-THz technologies, advanced antenna systems and beamforming, AI/ML for RF design and optimization, RFIC/MMIC and heterogeneous integration, packaging and chiplet architectures, quantum and cryogenic microwave engineering, automotive radar and sensing, and satellite and space-based communications. Across sessions and exhibits, the emphasis was not just on performance improvement, but on scalability, efficiency, and real-world deployment.
This year, IMS was organized into three coordinated symposia, RFIC, RFSA, and RFTT, each addressing a distinct layer of the RF lifecycle. RFIC (Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits) focused on integrated circuit design and device-level innovation, forming the foundation for chip development. RFSA (RF Systems and Applications) is centred on system-level design, integrating components, subsystems, and signal processing to enable communications, radar, sensing, and applications such as 6G ISAC. RFTT (RF Technologies and Techniques) covered enabling technologies, including devices, packaging, passive circuits, CAD, computational electromagnetics, and quantum RF, bridging circuits and systems.
Together, these map to the development stack: RFIC builds chips, RFSA builds systems, and RFTT provides the enabling technologies. Complementing them was the co-located ARFTG symposium, dedicated to RF and microwave measurement science, including calibration, device characterization, nonlinear measurements, and system validation. As the stage where performance is verified against real-world conditions, ARFTG represents the critical measurement and validation layer of the RF lifecycle. The exhibition and MicroApps further showcased practical implementations and commercial products emerging from these advances.
For more than 70 years, IMS has served as a global forum for RF and microwave professionals to exchange research, evaluate emerging technologies, and align on key engineering priorities. Held from June 7 to 12, IMS 2026 brought all these elements together into a unified “Microwave Week,” spanning the full RF lifecycle from device innovation through system integration to measurement and validation.
From learning to research
The week opened on June 7 with a full day of workshops and bootcamps alongside the start of the RFIC Symposium. These sessions, covering technologies like AI/ML, quantum engineering, and sub-THz systems, were designed to prepare attendees with the context required for more advanced discussions later in the program.
From June 8, the program transitioned into its core research phase. Technical sessions began across RFIC, while RFSA and RFTT tracks were introduced, creating a multi-track environment where participants could engage with parallel topics across circuits, systems, and techniques. This marked a shift from a broad conference format to a more structured and focused technical program.
Where research meets industry
The program reached its most active stage on June 9 with the opening of the IMS Exhibition. Featuring more than 500 companies, the exhibition brought industry into direct interaction with the technical program through live demonstrations, product launches, and engineering discussions.
A key element of this interaction was the MicroApps program, which ran alongside the exhibition. These short, application-focused presentations delivered by exhibitors provided practical insight into tools, workflows, and real-world implementations. By complementing the academic sessions, MicroApps connected research outcomes to deployable solutions, reinforcing the link between innovation and commercialization. This year’s Microapps seminars were sponsored by everything RF.
Additional components, such as student design competitions, industry workshops, and dedicated platforms like the Startup Pavilion and RF Systems Pavilion, further strengthened this integration of ideas and applications.
Deepening engagement and discussion
On June 10, the focus shifted toward deeper engagement. While technical sessions in RFSA and RFTT continued, the program placed greater emphasis on interactive forums and panel discussions, encouraging dialogue around challenges such as AI-driven RF design, 6G systems, and system integration. Industry participation remained strong through exhibition activity and MicroApps sessions, while high-level events such as the IMS Executive Forum and the MTT-S Awards Banquet highlighted leadership and achievement within the field.
Closing the main program
June 11 marked the final full day of the main conference. Technical sessions, primarily within RFTT, continued alongside focused workshops and panel discussions. The exhibition concluded, and the emphasis shifted to wrapping up discussions, consolidating learning, and strengthening professional connections formed during the week.
Measurement: The final step
The program concluded on June 12 with the ARFTG Microwave Measurement Conference, a specialized segment focused on calibration, testing, and validation of RF systems. This closing stage addressed the practical challenges of accurately characterizing devices and systems, completing the progression from research to real-world deployment.
A complete RF ecosystem
Across six days, IMS 2026 delivered more than 200 technical sessions alongside workshops, tutorials, MicroApps presentations, panel discussions, and networking events. The structure of the program followed a clear progression from foundational learning to research exchange, to industry engagement, and finally to measurement and validation.
Event Table:
| Date | Main Focus | Key Activities | What It Represents |
| June 7, Day 1 | Kick-off + Learning | Bootcamps (AI/ML, Quantum); full-day workshops; start of RFIC symposium; RFIC plenary talks | Preparation and foundational learning before main sessions |
| June 8, Day 2 | Start of Technical Program | RFIC sessions continue; RFSA & RFTT begin; first technical paper sessions; panels and showcase sessions | Beginning of core research presentations and multi-track conference |
| June 9, Day 3 | Peak Activity + Exhibition | All tracks active; exhibition opens; student competitions; panels; industry workshops; startup pavilion; networking events | Busiest day combining research, industry, and networking |
| June 10, Day 4 | Deep Engagement + Industry | Ongoing RFSA & RFTT sessions; interactive forums; exhibition continues; industry demos; Executive Forum; Awards Banquet | Deeper discussions, industry interaction, and recognition |
| June 11, Day 5 | Wrap-up + Final Expo | Final technical sessions (mainly RFTT); workshops; panels; last day of exhibition; final meetings | Closing working day with wrap-up of sessions and networking |
| June 12, Day 6 | Specialized Closing (ARFTG) | ARFTG measurement conference; technical sessions on testing, calibration, validation | Final specialized day focused on RF measurement science |
Product Launches at IMS 2026
IMS is the world’s premier RF and microwave conference, bringing together thousands of industry professionals from around the globe to explore the latest technologies, tools, and technical developments. The event hosted more than 8,484 attendees across 55 countries with 500+ exhibiting companies. everything RF has provided the most comprehensive coverage of the event. Here are some key announcements from IMS 2026!
Click here to view our complete coverage of IMS 2026.
everything RF recorded over 100 videos at IMS 2026. These were taken at various company booths to capture what they were showcasing.
Click here to see our exclusive video coverage of IMS 2026.
We have also published a magazine for IMS 2026 that lists over 150 products featured by companies at IMS 2026.
