It is my pleasure to welcome you all to CODEC 2012, the fifth International Conference in the sequel being organized by Institute of Radio Physics and Electronics. The main conference will be preceded by a Workshop on 16 December 2012 to be held at the Institute.

To recount briefly, radio science in India was initiated in Kolkata (previously known as Calcutta) by Sir J C Bose at Presidency College as early as 1895 when other stalwart radio scientists were engaged in the development of wireless systems in full swing. Sir Bose made pioneering and significant contributions in demonstrating the quasi-optical properties of radio waves at microwave and millimeter wavelengths and showed an exceptional ingenuity in developing small-sized components for his millimeter wave workbench. On his return from France, Professor Sisir Kumar Mitra, a student of Sir Bose at the Presidency College, introduced a curriculum on “Wireless” as a part of M. Sc. course in the Physics Department of the University of Calcutta and set up a Wireless Laboratory in 1925. The year also witnessed Appleton and Barnett's discovery of the ionosphere, the 'radio roof' which had made Marconi’s successful transatlantic transmission of radio signal possible. Professor Mitra and his group started radio probing of the ionospheric layers and many of their early findings greatly contributed towards the basic understanding of the behaviour of ionospheric layers which were the only means of long distance communications at that time. Their experimental system observing reflection of radio signals from lower heights around 30 km in 1930s was a forerunner of atmospheric radars that came into wide use in 1960s.

Professor Mitra laid the foundation of the Institute of Radio Physics and Electronics, a full-fledged post-graduate department of the University of Calcutta. The institute produced quite a number of very well-known teachers and researchers, then known as Calcutta School of Radiophysicists, who, as the faculty members of leading institutes, played a significant role in training telecommunication scientists in India. Also, radio related geophysical studies by Professor Mitra paved the path for modern radio and space research in India.

Carrying on the legacy of the Institute, the first CODEC conference was organized in 1998, in which Late Professor B. R. Nag, a distinguished academician of the Institute, was honoured. The subsequent CODECs were held in 2004, 2006 and 2009 making it an important international event attracting students, researchers, faculty members, professionals from different parts of the world. The topics covered in the conference have been slated in view of our broad based interest in communication, computers, devices, radio science and in the emerging areas.

We have received a very good response from the participants with submission of a large number of contributed papers. A distinguished panel of invited speakers will enrich deliberations in the conference.

The City of Kolkata has always provided a congenial atmosphere for such a scientific event. The distinctiveness of the city lies in its capability of weaving out a very cosmopolitan and contrasting mosaic of social, cultural and economic entities. For those who have already visited, another visit will be a chance to strengthen your bond with the city, and for the first timers this will be an opportunity to experience a different but loveable city.

I once again welcome you all to CODEC 2012 and to Kolkata.