The award, first bestowed in March 1997, commemorates services to the electrical engineering profession. It is one of the highest honours the Institution of Electrical Engineers bestows in Australasia. The award considers eminence and distinction in the electrical, electronic, communication, and computer-systems fields of engineering, or in related fields which may develop in future.
Judges also consider service to the community and assistance to educational and public institutions.
Professor Miller is one of Australia's foremost authorities in advanced satellite communications systems and error-control coding. Professor Miller is also Professor of Telecommunications at the University of South Australia, where he leads a team of 90 postgraduates, researchers and engineers in research project for Australian and overseas clients. ITR specialises in technology for wireless communications technology and, since commencement, has added several centres of excellence, including the Australian Space Centre for Signal Processing, the Mobile Communication Research Centre, and the Defence Communications Research Centre. Professor Miller was also a member of the Australian Space Council from 1993 to 1996, and has been a member of IEAust's National Committee on Space Engineering since 1987. In 1995 Professor Miller's contribution to the industry was recognised by the Institution of Engineers, Australia, when he was chosen over 100,000 professional engineers, as Australian Engineer of the Year.