The market for devices of Internet of things is rapidly growing - currently, there are about 14 billion such devices in the world and it is believed that due to the influence of 5G and other technologies, this number will have doubled by 2030. As communication technologies improve, however, there is a need to reduce the geometric dimensions of devices still widely used to maintain older technologies. Different scientists work on improving this and one of them is Diana Belova-Ploniene, a doctor of the field of Electrical and electronics engineering at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH), who in May defended her dissertation on "Investigation of frequency characteristics of hybrid meander structures".

Love for matural sciences - since childhood

Dr. Diana Belova-Ploniene's career path towards engineering was not accidental: already back in school she felt that natural sciences, especially mathematics, brought her most joy. According to the scientist, this is probably innate.

"I grew up with three older brothers, so the natural sciences, engineering, and technology were dominant topics in our family. Friends also saw and understood what I excelled at and enjoyed most," says Dr. Belova-Ploniene.

In her final years of high school, she already knew she wanted to study at VILNIUS TECH, and her interest in the study programs offered by the Faculty of Electronics was influenced by the fact that her older brother had already studied there.

Although it is often thought that engineering studies are predominantly chosen by men, supposedly these sciences are "unfeminine," Dr. Belova-Ploniene's example testifies otherwise - she never received comments that what she wanted to study was "masculine." Supported by her family, the talented high school graduate effortlessly entered the desired bachelor's program - Telecommunications engineering, which she chose as her first priority. She was accompanied by many girls in the course, and their results were excellent.

Having obtained her bachelor's degree, she did not stop - at VILNIUS TECH's Faculty of Electronics, Dr. Belova-Ploniene continued her master's studies. During her studies, Diana met her future husband, and after completing the studies, she found a job in the private sector, in the field of telecommunications.

"After that, there were children and the family expanded. While raising children, I again felt a great desire to learn, to acquire new knowledge. Doctoral studies attracted me because this is the kind of work that requires to constantly learn something new. You gain new knowledge and skills both in the field of science and in working with students," says Dr. Diana Belova-Ploniene.

Dissertation helps to improve devices used in communication technologies

Dr. Diana Belova-Ploniene chose to pursue a Ph.D. in the field of Electrical and electronic engineering. In her dissertation - "Investigation of the frequency characteristics of hybrid meander structures" - she researched and improved meander delay lines and their characteristics, which are widely used in electronic devices for signal synchronization.

According to the scientist, meander structures are one of the constructions used in microwave devices, allowing for the reduction of device dimensions while maintaining unchanged operational characteristics. This is necessary because one of the most important properties of modern Internet of things microwave devices is small dimensions.

"Improving delay lines would allow reducing the overall dimensions of the devices while maintaining unchanged operational characteristics. I also examined how artificial neural networks can be applied to the analysis of specific structures, speeding up the analysis of delay lines' characteristics, as such analysis, using computer modelling or mathematical calculations, takes several hours or even days," shares the scientist.

Throughout her doctoral studies, Dr. Diana Belova-Ploniene systematically conducted research, using analytical calculations, computer modelling, experimental measurements, and artificial neural networks. To implement these methods, the scientist used three different software programs and laboratory equipment, which accessed through her colleagues. Nevertheless, preparing the dissertation was not without its challenges.

"The biggest challenges arose when trying to publish the conducted research and its results in scientific journals - it takes quite a long time. When writing the dissertation itself, as probably for many other students, there was not enough time to read and revise the dissertation one last time, especially since constant writing and editing make you no longer able to see your mistakes. I am especially grateful to my supervisor, Associate Professor Andrius Katkevicius, for his assistance," says the scientist.

The research conducted in the dissertation is very relevant today and contributes to the improvement of widely used devices in communication technologies: Dr. Diana Belova-Ploniene managed to improve the researched meander structures by miniaturizing them while maintaining suitable operational characteristics. The analysis of such structures successfully applied various artificial neural networks, significantly speeding up the analysis of specific parameters of delay lines.

Having obtained a Ph.D. in the field of Electrical and electronic engineering, D. Belova-Ploniene is an excellent example that success in natural sciences is not determined by gender. She wishes other girls to listen to their inner voice more.

"If girls excel in natural sciences, I would like to encourage them to not hesitate, to listen to themselves, and choose what they enjoy most. The same goes for doctoral studies: if studying is something you’re interested in and scientific activities appeal to you - go ahead!" says Dr. Diana Belova-Ploniene.
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