VIRGINIA MOUNTAIN SECTION NEWSLETTER IEEE Region 3, Council 09, Section 65 January 2000 ******************************************** CONTENTS January Meeting Local Multipoint Distribution Services 1 Reservations 2 VMS Activities: Meeting Reports October 3 November 4 New VMS Web Site 5 Chair's Comments 6 Congratulations 7 CommSoc Members 8 Financial Services Site 9 Comp/Control/Ind. Eng. Chapter 10 Electronic Newsletter (Important) 11 Two New Technical Councils 12 IEEE Video-On-Demand 13 Education Conference 14 Chapter Chairs (Important) 15 VMS Web Site 16 1999-2000 VMS Schedule 17 Your IEEE Benefits 18 VMS Section 19 ********************************************( 1 ) January Meeting Local Multipoint Distribution Services (LMDS) Dr. Dennis G. Sweeney Research Assistant Professor Center for Wireless Telecommunications Department of Electrical Engineering VA Tech High-speed wireless data is coming to your door. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) held an auction for Local Multipoint Distribution System (LMDS) spectrum licenses in April of 1998. These licenses open a huge amount of spectrum (1,100 MHz) in the 28-30 GHz band that is capable of wirelessly transmitting data at unprecedented rates. VA Tech bought licenses for about the western third of Virginia. VA Tech was the only non-profit organization to participate in the auction and the university has innovative plans for a new generation of high-speed data services. This presentation will be an introduction to LMDS and some of the applications that may soon be available to you. About the Speaker Dr. Dennis G. Sweeney is a member of the Center for Wireless Telecommunications (CWT) at VA Tech. His interests are in unlicensed wireless applications, Local Multipoint Distribution Services (LMDS), and radio frequency (RF) circuit design. He directs the CWT's RF Design Lab. This lab has been involved in the design of a 900 MHz spread spectrum communications system, a third generation cellular test bed radio, and the radio link for a 2.4 GHz wireless PBX system to name just a few. As well as RF circuit design, Dr. Sweeney's interests include microwave propagation including satellite slant path propagation and propagation for wireless applications. He worked on Global Positioning System (GPS) receiving equipment and applications at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA. Dr. Sweeney has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses in Radio Engineering, undergraduate courses in electronics and satellite communications, and short courses on filter design and unlicensed wireless. ********************************************( 2 ) Reservations Date: Thursday, January 20, 2000 Social: 6:30 PM Dinner: 7:00 PM Talk: 8:00 PM Cost: Member or Guest $15.00 Student $ 7.00 Place: AEP Auditorium, Christiansburg Industrial Park. From the east and south: I81 exit 118, Rt. 11 south about 0.1 to 0.2 mile. Right into the Christiansburg Industrial Park (between the Exxon station and Pizza Hut), left onto Prospect to the end. AEP: brick green-roof building. Reserve by 5 PM Monday January 17 Roanoke: Dan Jackson (540) 774-0484 Blacksburg: Ira Jacobs (540) 231-5620 Lexington: David Livingston (540)464-7545 Radford and Christiansburg: Russell Churchill (540) 731-0655 ********************************************( 3 ) VMS Activities Meeting Reports October Electric Vehicles and Power Electronics The second meeting of the 1999-2000 season was held October 21, 1999 in the American Electric Power (AEP) Christiansburg facility. Thirty people enjoyed the catered dinner and presentation by Dr. Jason Lai of Virginia Tech. Dr. Lai is affiliated with the recently formed National Science Foundation's Engineering Research Center known as the Center for Power Electronics Systems. His presentation provided a comprehensive review of the goals and status of the various programs in existence to minimize gasoline consumption and still provide a practical transportation vehicle. A mileage equivalent of 80 miles per gallon with a range of 300 miles is a useful goal. The problem is complex since the system has to optimize the power sources, power conversion, power sharing and mechanical output. Power sources include alternate fuels as well as batteries and fuel cells. On-board power electronics is a key link in converting any source of electrical energy into means to create vehicle motion. Power sharing occurs in hybrid electric vehicles where multiple power sources have to be controlled as a function of operating mode. Mechanical output represents the system equivalent horsepower ultimately available at the drive wheels. Past designs did not gain consumer acceptance because of shortcomings in range, power or payload. However, Toyota and Honda are currently in the process of bringing practical hybrid electric vehicles to market. Ford, General Motors and Chrysler are not far behind with next generation vehicles. Dr. Lai's talk stimulated considerable discussion concerning what manner of machinery you will find under the hood of your future personal transportation pride and joy. Dave Kingma thanked Dr. Lai on behalf of the group for a very informative session. We would also like to express our appreciation to Ted Aaron for his hospitality in arranging the use of the facility. ********************************************( 4 ) November Partners' Night The third meeting of the 1999-2000 schedule was held November 18, 1999 at the Clarion Hotel in Roanoke. Spouses were encouraged to attend the festivities which featured Nancy A. Vorona as the invited speaker. Ms. Verona is the Industry Director for Advanced Materials and Electronics at Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology. In this role Ms. Vorona has been guiding the preparation of an Electronics Industry Strategic Plan to enable Virginia to become a globally recognized leader and accomplish sustained growth. Ms. Verona's presentation highlighted the importance of the electronics industry to Virginia with 302 companies paying $1.5 billion in total wages for 1998. The industry segments include computers and office equipment, consumer electronics, defense electronics, electronic components, electromedical equipment, industrial electronics, semiconductors and telecommunications equipment. Quite a range of products, but the companies involved do share common challenges and barriers to growth. The Strategic Plan is developing specific actions including enhanced information sharing, increased collaboration between industry and universities, and accelerated training of the required manufacturing workforce. An animated question and answer session with Ms. Verona followed her talk. Howard Moses presented John Fennick with an award plaque thanking John for his long and dedicated service to the IEEE Virginia Mountain Section as Newsletter Editor. Dave Kingma adjourned what was an enjoyable meeting for all present. Howard J. Moses Secretary/Treasurer IEEE Virginia Mountain Section ********************************************( 5 ) New Web Site The VMS Web Site has moved. Thanks to Scott Midkiff, our web site has resided on a server at VA Tech for several years. The service has been extremely reliable, I can recall no downtime, and Scott has been most helpful. Recently, the IEEE has offered use of its servers to the Sections. There are some advantages to this: . Inclusion in the scope of the IEEE search applications. . A somewhat more obvious URL. . Standardization of presentations for a stronger identity as an IEEE entity. The new site is up and running although some tweaking is no doubt in order. Please have a look and pass your comments back to me. The new URL is: www.ewh.ieee.org/r3/virginia-mountain ...editor ********************************************( 6 ) CHAIR'S COMMENTS by Dan Jackson d.jackson@ieee.org My thanks to the Senior Members and Fellows who came to the Wyndam Hotel on Dec 11 to be the working group of the Admission and Advancement Committee evaluating Senior Member elevations and applications. We acted on a number of out of the ordinary Member elevations, also. On behalf of the IEEE I wish to express appreciation to: Inder Bahl William A. Davis David deWolf Lee Eddy F. Gail Gray George Lezan David Livingston Monica Mallini Wayne Michie Ting-Chung Poon John C. Price Sedki M. Riad Loren Walker Fred Wang Among the nine sections which participated in this vital activity during the year Roanoke tied for second in the number of panelists who participated. Last month I wrote about Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD). So far I have had no calls. There must be some members of the Section who received their bachelor's degree since 1989. Let me hear from you. My email address is at the top of this article and my phone number is on the back page. My regrets for not being at the November meeting but a medical procedure the following day prevented my attendance. The test results were negative which is positive news. I hope every one had a happy holiday season and is now looking forward to a successful and prosperous new year. Dan Jackson d.jackson@ieee.org ********************************************( 7 ) Congratulations To Tom Hochkeppel who was elevated to Senior Member at the Dec 11 A & A Panel meeting in Roanoke. ********************************************( 8 ) COMMUNICATIONS SOCIETY MEMBERS The are 126 members of the Communications Society listed as members of the Section. Are we presenting programs of interest and value to you? If not let us know what you want. Although our programs for this year are mostly set we will need programs for next year. Also, we may be able to make some adjustments or add to our regular schedule. Contact Dave Kingma, Program Chair, 540-552-3011 x304, dkingma@swva.net, with your suggestions. ...Dan ********************************************( 9 ) IEEE Financial Services Web Site The Financial Services group at IEEE has put up a new Web Page, apparently with a lot of useful information. I tried accessing it, admittedly during a busy period, and it took four minutes and 19 seconds to load the first page. It is loaded with fancy pictures. (My modem was running at 28.6 KBPS.) Another attempt, late on the Sunday following Christmas, hopefully a quiet time, it loaded in two minutes, 35 seconds. The page does in fact have useful information on it BUT, (you have to look) there is a "TEXT ONLY" option appearing in the upper corner, sometime after the download begins. I encourage you to look at the services offered but be sure to click on the text only option ASAP. It will save you much heartache. And, after all, who needs lots of pretty pictures to get financial information? The URL is: www.ieee.org/services/financial/fap/ ...editor ********************************************( 10 ) Computer / Control / Industrial Electronics Chapter The current year schedule is under development Speakers and Topics – Any Ideas? What would you like to hear about at Chapter meetings? Here is your chance to express your views on computers, control systems, or any phase of industrial electronics. The audience consists of engineers, engineering students and professors, usually about a dozen or two. The talks are brief, one hour or less, with a half- hour for discussion afterwards. If you are developing a presentation for a larger audience, here is an opportunity to try it out. The format is informal. Please contact me with your ideas: Dave Geer, Chapter Chair 540 - 387 - 7359 (voice) 540 - 387 - 7631 (FAX) d.geer@ieee.org (email) The March Meeting is already scheduled. It will be joint with the Section and promises to be of wide interest. Dr. Ira Jacobs, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Va. Tech. will discuss a current industry hot topic: DSL vs. Cable Modems Telco and CATV Competition for Broadband Wireline Access Details at our Web Site www.ewh.ieee.org/r3/virginia-mountain …Dave Geer ********************************************( 11 ) Electronic Newsletter Attention All Members The Newsletter is the largest single expense in the Section's budget. The total cost is about $0.50 per copy. That's a small number but we send out about 500 copies each month. It would be nice to trim the mailing to free funds for other uses. We recently sent offers, to all members for whom we had valid e-mail addresses, to sign up for electronic distribution of the Newsletter in lieu of the mailed paper version. Many members responded favorably and (if our records are good) will now receive only the e-mail version. The program is off to a reasonable start but we would very much like to hear from more of you to realize a real savings. If you like the idea, please send your name to the editor (j.fennick@ieee.org) with a short note to that effect. We will see that you are placed on the distribution list. Note, the Newsletter is also available, along with back issues, on our Web site. www.ewh.ieee.org/r3/virginia-mountain All past subscribers to the electronic distribution service still receive the regular Newsletter and will continue to unless we are notified otherwise. ...editor ********************************************( 12 ) Two New Ieee Technical Councils Formed The Technical Activities Board has approved the formation of two technical councils: the IEEE Sensors Council and the IEEE Council on Superconductivity. The IEEE now has 36 technical Societies and four Councils. For more information, call Paula Dunne, IEEE Technical Activities, at MailTo:p.dunne@ieee.org. ...editor ********************************************( 13 ) Educational Activities Launches Video-On-Demand Service IEEE Educational Activities has launched Video-On-Demand, a service that brings technical video tutorials directly to users' desktops through the IEEE Web site. The tutorials take an in-depth look at critical technologies in electrical engineering fields such as computer engineering, communications, reliability, power, signal processing and more. To demo the service, visit "http://ieee.mediaplatform.com" during the introductory free trial period going on now through 31 Jan. 2000. For more information, contact Alan Trembly, IEEE Educational Activities, at: a.trembly@ieee.org. ...editor ********************************************( 14 ) Engineering Education Conference PISCATAWAY, NJ, 10 November 1999 The IEEE and United Engineering Fund (UEF) invite IEEE members to submit papers to an Interdisciplinary Conference on Electrical, Electronics, and Computer Engineering Education (ICEECEE) in the third Millennium. The conference will take place in Davos, Switzerland from 10-15 September 2000. Abstracts should be submitted electronically via the UEF Web site at www.engfnd.org no later than 31 Jan 2000. The scope of the conference includes identification of both foreseeable and unforeseen challenges and problems that will impact future EE&C Engineering Education and proposal of agendas for finding solutions to these problems and challenges. By addressing all topics, ranging from technological to sociological through interdisciplinary means, this unique conference will assuredly impact future Engineering Education. The conference theme will include topics related to the following subjects: . Setting the expected needs for Engineer's knowledge in the future workplace by industry, information services, and governmental agency leaders. . Define and propose future EE&C Education requirements . Develop and propose curriculum for the third millennium . Similarities and differences in EE Education between national educational systems . Educational techniques, tools, and experiments . Social implications of future Engineering Education . Costs of future Engineering Education Both oral and poster presentations are invited. Prospective authors of papers or poster presentations related to the topics of the conference and institutions interested in presenting results of activities in related fields are invited to submit an abstract. All accepted papers will be peer-reviewed for publication in the conference proceedings which will be distributed to all conference participants. For more information, call Rosa at 212. 591.7836. ...editor ********************************************( 15 ) ATTENTION CHAPTER CHAIRS Money Funding is available for IEEE geographic units in the form of a rebate distributed to IEEE Sections each year. The following reports are the minimum required for Chapters: current officer report, reports of two (2) technical meetings and, if applicable, a financial report. Reports must be submitted in time for the Section to compile all of their information and submit the completed report to the IEEE Operations Center by 22 February 2000. Please contact your Section Secretary or Treasurer should you have any questions regarding the requirements. The forms, as well as instructions and information can be accessed from the Section/Chapter Support web site at www.ieee.org/ra/scs. Your timely cooperation in submitting these reports will be appreciated and will result in a larger Section rebate. successful chapter meetings Meetings help to achieve the goals of education and professional advancement basic to all IEEE Technical Societies and provide a way to manage Chapter business. For some pointers on the basic components of holding successful meetings, go to the Section/Chapter Support web page at www.ieee.org/ra/scs. Select the link for Resources for Officers, then "How to hold a Successful Chapter Meeting." ********************************************( 16 ) VMS Web Site www.ewh.ieee.org/r3/virginia- mountain . Announcements . Meeting Notices . Chapter Activities . Special Reports . Newsletters: Past & Present . Leadership Wire (Archive) . Important dates . PACE information . An IEEE FAQS list . Links to Student Branches . More ********************************************( 17 ) 1999-2000 MEETING SCHEDULE DATE SPEAKER/TOPIC MEETING PLACE September 16 50th Anniversary Hotel Roanoke October 21 Joint Meeting with Industry Applications Dr. Jason Lai, Virginia Tech Topic: "Electric Vehicles and Power Electronics" Appalachian Electric Power, Christiansburg November 18 Partners' Night Nancy Vorona, Industry Director for Advanced Materials & Electronics, Virginia Center for Innovative Technology "The Electronics Industry in Virginia - Plans for the Future" Clarion Hotel, Roanoke January 20 Dr. Dennis G. Sweeney Center for Wireless Telecommunications Department of Electrical Engineering, VA Tech "Local Multipoint Distribution Services" Appalachian Electric Power, Christiansburg February 17 Bart Cregger, Assistant Dean of Engineering, VCU "Engineering Education for the 21st Century: The Model at VCU" Appalachian Electric Power, Christiansburg March 16 Joint Meeting: Industrial Electronics/Computer/Control Systems Ira Jacobs, Virginia Tech DSL vs. Cable Modems Telco and CATV Competition for Broadband Wireline Access VMI, Lexington April 20 Student Project Night Virginia Tech May 18 Plant Tour Cloverdale Station ********************************************( 18 ) Take Advantage of Your Member Benefits CONTINUING EDUCATION CURRENT TECHNICAL INFORMATION IEEE INFORMATION RETRIEVAL Ask*IEEE Document Delivery Service INFO: EMAIL: askieee@ieee.org CAREER TRANSITION SUPPORT . Employment Services . Job Listings . Entry Level Resources . Resume Listing Service . Job Fairs . Job Search Tools and Advice LINKS TO OVER 30 OTHER EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES SUCH AS: THE ACADEMIC POSITION NETWORK ADAMS JOBBANK ON-LINE AMERICA'S JOB BANK CAREERBUILDER OTHER . Electronic Communications Services . Directory Service (Aliases) . Electronic Mail Services . Mailing-Lists and Discussion Groups . Majordomo Tutorial for ListOwners . Usenet Newsgroups - ieee.* hierarchy . Public Information Retrieval . Anonymous-FTP Server . File-Retrieval via E-Mail . Traveling the Information Highway with Bob Alden . IEEE Internet Project . Info on IEEE RABFacts System HERE ARE SOME OF THE PERSONAL BENEFITS IEEE MEMBERSHIP BRINGS YOU: . Receive your own personal subscription to SPECTRUM. . Become an active part of your local professional community. . Enhance your career by networking with technical experts. . Save with low member prices on IEEE products. . Attend top technical conferences at low member rates. . Increase your professional prestige. . Join a technical society. . The IEEE Financial Advantage Program Program Highlights: IEEE Gold MasterCard and VISA Gold IEEE Mutual Funds IEEE Group Insurance IEEE Conference Management and Travel Program Benefits and Services: Business Services Education Services Financing, Planning & Investing Home Services Insurance Plans/ Supplements Travel & Conference Registration For access information and details on any of these, point your browser t http://www.ieee.org/member.html ********************************************( 19 ) IEEE Virginia Mountain Section VMS OFFICERS Chairman: Daniel W. Jackson d.jackson@ieee.org( 540) 774-0484 Vice Chairman: Dave Kingma dkingma@swva.net (540) 552-3011 x304 Sec./Treasurer: Howard J. Moses hjmoses@aol.com (540) 953-5069 VMS Executive Committee John Bay bay@vt.edu (540) 231-5114 Russell Churchill arcova@swva.net (540) 731-0655 John Fennick jhfslf@swva.net (540) 552-0052 Ira Jacobs ijacobs@vt.edu (540) 231-5620 Junior Past Chairman: David Livingston d.livingston@ieee.org (540) 464-7545 Virginia Council Representative: David Livingston d.livingston@ieee.org (540) 464-7545 VMS Chapter Chairs Industry Applications Dal Y. Ohm ohm@usit.net (540 ) 552-8973 Industrial Electronics/Computer/Control Systems David Geer d.geer@ieee.org (540) 387-7359 Microwave Theory & Techniques/Electron Devices Tim Gittemeier Tim.Gittemeier@gaastek.de.ittind.com (540) 563-3972 Power Engineering Ted Aaron Tea45@aol.com (540) 381-2521 COMMITTEE CHAIRS Awards: Ira Jacobs ijacobs@vt.edu (540) 231-5620 Education: Russell Churchill arcova@swva.net (540) 731-0655 Membership Development: Ira Jacobs ijacobs@vt.edu (540) 231-5620 Nominations: David Livingston d.livingston@ieee.org (540) 464-7545 PACE : Dan Jackson d.jackson@ieee.org (540) 774-0484 Program : Dave Kingma dkingma@swva.net (540) 552-3011 x304 Publicity : John Fennick j.fennick@ieee.org (540) 552-0052 Student Activities: John Bay bay@vt.edu (540) 231-5114 NEWSLETTER Editor: John Fennick j.fennick@ieee.org (540) 552-0052 e-mail Newsletter Subscription Send the one-line message: SUBSCRIBE IEEEVMS your-name to: LISTSERV@listserv.vt.edu Anyone may submit material for the Newsletter Deadline: Monday following each meeting Submit To: Editor Change of Address VMS Web Page: http://fiddle.visc.vt.edu/ieeevms/ US Mail: IEEE Service Center 445 Hoes Lane, PO Box 1331 Piscataway, NJ 08855-1331 e-mail: address.change@ieee.org Tel: 800-678-IEEE Fax: 732-981-9667 IEEE Web: http://www.ieee.org/i3e_mailer.html (Changes are forwarded to the Newsletter) Visit the VMS WEB page: www.ewh.ieee.org/r3/virginia-mountain Section/Chapter meeting notices, and reports. Past issues of the Newsletter, PACE Patter, etc. Articles, organizations, and activities affecting our profession. Contributions welcomed - make them on-line.