ARFTG was originally set up in 1972 to help end-users get the most from the latest generation of test and measurement equipment. It has been in continuous operation ever since, and today operates as a not-for-profit corporation affiliated with IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers).
The main activities of ARFTG include: organising and delivering two international scientific conferences each year; offering Student Fellowship financial sponsorships for research; and running training courses and education programmes
organising workshop and user forum meetings.
Nick Ridler's own research concentrates on measurements at millimetre and sub-millimetre wavelengths, as well as measurements of high-speed signals on printed circuit boards. His appointment places NPL in a leading position within the organisation and reinforcess the laboratory's international reputation for the traceable measurement of electromagnetic parameters at RF and microwave frequencies.