Multichannel signal processing technologies are moving toward the deployment of small and densely packed sensors yielding extremely large aperture arrays (ELAAs) in order to provide higher angular resolution and beamforming gain. In particular, technologies are moving beyond the fifth-generation (5G) networks, wherein the adoption of ELAAs or surfaces and the exploitation of higher-frequency bands, e.g., terahertz 

After nearly a century of specialized applications in optics, remote sensing, and acoustics, the near-field (NF) electromagnetic (EM) propagation zone is experiencing a resurgence in research interest. This renewed attention is fueled by the emergence of promising applications in various fields, such as wireless communications, holography, medical imaging, and quantum-inspired systems. 

As wireless technology begins to utilize physically larger arrays and/or higher frequencies, the transmitter and receiver will reside in each other’s radiative near field. This fact gives rise to unusual propagation phenomena, such as spherical wavefronts and beam focusing, creating the impression that new spatial dimensions—called degrees of freedom (DOF)—can be exploited in the near field.

I am writing this short note as I am about to board a plane to Abu Dhabi to join those of you who are attending the 2024 edition of the International Conference on Image Processing (ICIP 2024). The team organizing ICIP 2024 has put together an outstanding technical program that includes world-class plenary speakers discussing research and industrial trends.

This is our sixth and final issue of 2024. It is hard to believe that a year has gone by since our term as the new editorial team started in January. In our first year, in addition to our usual array of technical overviews and Society news, we addressed a number of topics of significance for our community in the hopes of starting a discussion.