Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Chicago/Rockford Consultants' Network.

Consultants In Private Practice Serving The Public.

A joint Affinity Group of the Chicago and Rock River Valley IEEE Sections.

To find the best Chicago/Rockford based technology consultants, click here: Link to local consultants data base.

For the best technology consultants, through out the United States click here: Link to national consultants data base.

Next Meeting November 23 2009: It will start at 6:45 pm in room 1A at the Palatine Library. click for map

Annual Member's Meeting: Election of Directors and

PRESENTATION: Real Time Embedded Systems by Andy Mehta (reschuled from 28 September)

What are Embedded Systems? Many choices of microcontrollers are available. How is one selected for an application? Evaluation criteria include speed, memory, inputs/outputs, analog, digital, sensors, and battery powered applications. Hardware design, software development aspects, and development tools will be discussed. Andy will also explain how he made his start in consulting. 

A Nominating Committee will also be appointed to select candidates for 2010 director positions, to be voted at our Annual Member Meeting in November.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:

Andy has 25+ years of experience in Embedded Systems. He is the Founding President of amVare Technologies Inc., a company specializing in hardware and software development of Embedded Systems. The company has also developed LED Lighting products, Electronic Appliance Controls and Defense Systems. Andy had also Founded and grown Intelec Technologies for 10 years, and developed mobile phones, industrial controls, machine controllers and embeddable PCs. He was also CTO and VP of Engineering at Entrada Networks, focused on Storage Area Networking, and Sr. Director of the Program Management Office at Magellan GPS. Andy has a BSEE from the University of Jodhpur, India, and an MSEE from Illinois Institute of Technology, He is a member of the IEEE Chicago/Rockford Consultants Network.

Please meet us for an optional dinner before the meeting: 5:30 pm at Bakers Square on Northwest Highway, 2 blocks south of the library. Guests are always welcome, both for dinner and the meeting.

Do you know that networking is responsible for most professional jobs? Do a friend a favor; invite him/her to a meeting. There is no admission fee. Don’t forget to bring business cards for networking! Attendees may earn 1 PDH.

Future meetings will be on 01 February, 29 March, 24 May, July, September and November in 2010.

Copies of available past meeting presentations, (some are available only from the presenter.)

From the July 27, 2009 meeting two presentations by Joseph Auer, sole proprietor JAuer Consulting Enterprises and current Chair of the IEEE Chicago / Rockford Consultants' Network are available:

To download "How to Set your Consulting Fees" Click here.
To download "Giving a Lift to the Elevator Speech" Click here.

Joseph Auer

From the May 18, 2009 meeting one presentation and two handouts are available:

"Project Management - An Electric Utility Perspective" by Michael Jackovich, PE, President and Owner of Project Management Plus Inc. Click here to download.

For the Handouts: (A) "Wind Energy related Organizations" and (B) "Turbine Manufacturers" furnished by Peter Czutrin, PE, senior project manager with Patrick Engineering and an independent consultant in power distribution and renewable energies. Click here to download A. Click here to download B.

Mike Jackovich and Peter Czutrin

For copies of the two presentations of the April 30, 2009 joint meeting with the Rock River Section:

"An overview of system engineering tools including processes, methodologies, and good practices" by Bob Parro, VP of Business Development at River North Solutions. Click here to download.

"Brushless DC Motors, and How IEEE Consultants Networks Benefit IEEE Members in Challenging Times" by Gary Blank Ph.D., an independent engineering consultant, VP of Member Activities on the IEEE-USA Board of Directors, the National Chair for all the IEEE Consultants Networks and the elected Member-at-Large on the IEEE-USA Board of Directors. Click here to download.

Bob Parro and Gary Blank

For copies of the two presentations of March 2009:

"An overview of emerging technologies including wind, solar cell, fuel cell and biofuels" by Stafford Cuffe, a practitioner of emerging technologies, engineering management, energy management/development, lean manufacturing, business development and higher education tools/strategies. Click here to download.

"PLC's in the 21st Century" by Benjamin D. Miller, president of B. Miller Engineering. Click here to download.

Stafford Cuffe and Benjamin D. Miller

For copies of the two presentations of Jan. 2009:

“Installing Linux on a USB drive and its uses for system backup, diagnostics, and data recovery” by William Boyle, President of Application Frameworks and Systems. Click here to download.

“Product Safety” by Harry Jones, Underwriters Laboratories. Click here to download.

Front row: Joseph Auer-Chair, Stafford Cuffe-Public Relations, Andy Mehta-Membership. Back Row: Harry Jones-Secretary (November Presenter), Wesley Marten-Venue, Benjamin Miller-Treasurer and William Boyle-Vice Chair (November Presenter).

For a copy of the Nov. 2008 presentation notes on Modeling a Physical System with Euler Identities and Residue Arithmetic, by NIU Professor Vincent McGinn, click here: to download the PDF notes.

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For a copy of the Sept. 2008 presentation: "The Wind (Power Generation) Industry in Illinois", by Kevin Borgia, Wind for Illinois (WFI) Click here: to download the PDF presentation.

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The July 2008 presentation: "Using Independent Test Labs, was by Mike Miller, Ingenium Testing.

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For a copy of the May 2008 presentation: "General Principles of Functional Safety in Consumer Product Design" by Anura Fernando, Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Click here: to download the PDF presentation.

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For a copy of March 2008's presentation: "Small Business Retirement Plans" by David Burke, Fidelity Investments. Click here: to download the PDF presentation.

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The Jan. 2008 presentation: "How to Find Clients for Consultants, and How to Find Employment if You Need a Job" was by Dr. Gary Blank, Electrical/Electronic Engineering Consultant.

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For a copy of November 2007's presentation: "Functional Verification Methodology" (of digital ASICs and FPGAs) by Paul Egan, Mentor Graphics. Click here: to download the PDF presentation.

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For a copy of Sept 2007's presentation: "Convergent Security Risks in Physical Security Systems and IT Infrastructures" by Ron Hale CISM, ISACA's Director of Information Security Practices and Terry Trsar, Chief Professional Development Officer ISACA. Click here: to download the power point presentation.

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For a copy of July 2007's presentation: "Product Certifications - Like Hitting a Moving Target" by Ken Thomas, President of Global Safety Solutions Inc. Click here: to download the power point presentation.

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