IEEE Central Texas Section

THE ANALOG

Volume 56-11

November 2012

Newsletter of the Central Texas Section of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Inc.

Archives of The Analog can be found on the CTS web site here.

Published monthly. Deadline for inclusion is the 26th day of the previous month. Send submissions, comments, questions to John Purvis, Editor, john.purvis@ieee.org

CONTENTS

General Interest

Chairman's Column

Membership Development

News of Interest to the Section

Continuing Education

Student Branches

Calls for Volunteers

Local Chapter Activities

Antennas & Propagation/Microwave Theory and Techniques

Joint Circuits and Systems/Solid-State Circuits

Components, Packaging and Manufacturing Technology

Computer Society - Austin

Computer Society - San Antonio

Consultants Network

Electromagnetic Compatibility Society

Electron Devices Society

Engineering in Medicine and Biology

Graduates of the Last Decade

Instrumentation and Measurement Society

Laser and Electro Optics Society

Life Members Affinity Group

Joint Power and Energy, Power Electronics, Industrial Electronics, and Industrial Applications Societies - Austin

Power Engineering Society - San Antonio

Product Safety Engineering Society

Joint Signal Processing/Communications Society - Austin

Joint Communications and Signal Processing Society - San Antonio

Systems, Man and Cybernetics

Technology Management Council - Austin

Technology Management Council - San Antonio

Women in Engineering

Conferences, Events and Other Meetings

Local IEEE Conferences, Events and Workshops

Non-IEEE Meetings and Events of interest suggested by the membership


Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Events and Information

Career

Tips, Tools and Gadgets

IEEE EXTERNAL LINKS

IEEE

IEEE-USA

IEEE Region 5

IEEE Central Texas Section

Call for Papers

IEEEXplore - full text access to IEEE Publications

What's New at IEEE

SocietyNews from IEEE

IEEE Standards Association

The Spectrum Online - The Magazine for Technology Insiders

IEEE Regional News

IEEE Member Newsletter https://theinstitute.ieee.org

General Interest

Chairman's Column

It is the time of year for Chapters to start planning for next years activities. Elections of new officers should be completed this month and reported. Chapter budgets for 2013 are due to the Section Treasurer by November 30th.

On November 12th the CTS Austin Communication Society Chapter is hosting a workshop titled Home Networking Summit. Attend this event to gain insight into home networking technologies and platforms including best practices that will help you develop your home networking strategy and solution road-map for home automation, media/entertainment, home security & surveillance and health monitoring & management. Click on this link to register:
https://meetings.vtools.ieee.org/meeting_view/list_meeting/14521

Due to the storm that hit the East coast, the IEEE servers may be down or intermittently up.  Please be patient and keep trying to use vtools. If you have received the Analog, then the IEEE servers are most likely available. 

Kenny Rice
Chairman, Central Texas Section
krice@ieee.org

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Membership Development

New to IEEE? Want a refresher on the benefits of your membership?

Go to https://www.ieee.org/start  for a step by step approach to maximizing your membership benefits.

ALSO, the IEEE has a special program to support new members with navigating all the benefits of being an IEEE member.  Each month IEEE hosts a New Member Orientation Webcast at 9:00 AM ET.  These one hour Webcasts are intended to assist new IEEE members in navigating all the benefits of being an IEEE member.  Go to https://www.ieee.org/start and look for the “register now” hotlink on the right of the page.

Not an IEEEE Member?  Have you been waiting for the right time to join?

Join the IEEE this month and receive 14 months of the benefits of being an IEEE member for the price of 12.  Go to https://www.ieee.org/join to begin receiving all the benefits of being an IEEE member NOW.

 IEEE is the world's largest technical society, bringing members access to the industry's most essential technical information, networking opportunities, career development tools, and many other exclusive benefits.  To find out more, go to https://www.ieee.org/membership


Did you know about IEEE – Life Membership

Close to retirement?

Don’t retire your IEEE membership too soon!

IEEE Members who are over 65 and have been dues paying members for over 35 years qualify for IEEE Life Membership with waiver of future dues and begin the next chapter of your life as a IEEE Life Member.  Find our more at https://www.ieee.org and searching on “Life Member”.

The CTS has an active Life Member Program with meetings and activities tailored specifically for those honored members.

Joe Redfield
CTS Membership Development Chair
J.Redfield@ieee.org
210-522-3729

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News of Interest to the Section

Austin First Market For Mobile Wallet Effort
Austin is one of the first markets to support a new, mobile wallet software product from wireless joint venture Isis, the firm said October 22. The join venture of AT&T Mobility, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless said it has launched its new mobile wallet application--powered by secure SIMs--in both Austin and Salt lake City, which allows users to turn their mobile phones into a secure payment device. Isis said that it currently has nine, Isis Ready handsets supporting the NFC payment service, which will allow users to pay  bills with their mobile phone using a American Express, Capital One or Chase credit card account. The new app works with Android handsets.

You, too, can submit to IEEE Potentials Magazine, the "student" magazine
IEEE Potentials is the IEEE publication dedicated to undergraduate and graduate students and young professionals.  Potentials explores career strategies, the latest in research, and important technical developments.  Articles also relate theories to practical applications and highlights technology’s global impact.  Subjects are explored through timely manuscripts with a goal of assisting readers on technical, professional, and personal levels.  The Potentials IEEE web page, https://www.ieee.org/membership_services/membership/students/potentials.html, describes the magazine and has links to abstracts and articles that can be downloaded after logging in. 

In addition to looking for students and  recent graduates to write for the magazine, IEEE Potentials accepts articles from professionals with unique viewpoints and cutting-edge ideas.  If you have an interesting technical article or want to contribute your ideas to an existing opinion column, we can assist you in seeing your ideas through submission to publication. 

If you’re an engineer who possesses cutting-edge technical ideas, formulated concepts about what will work, or opinions about the forces that influence the problem-solving process, IEEE Potentials would like to hear from you.  Want to share your knowledge, wisdom, and advice with the engineers of the future?  Then submit to Potentials.

IEEE Potentials is interested in manuscripts that deal with theory, practical applications, or new research. They can be tutorial in nature.  Submissions may consist of either full articles or shorter, opinion-oriented essays. When submitting an article, please remember:
••All manuscripts should be written at the level of the student audience.
••Articles without equations are preferred; however, a small number of equations is acceptable.
••List no more than 12 references at the end of your manuscript. No embedded reference numbers should be included in the text. If you need to attribute the source of key points or quotes, state names in the text and give the full reference at the end.
••Limit figures to ten or fewer, and include captions for each.
••Articles should be approximately 2,000–4,000 words in length; essays should be 900–1,000 words.
••Include an individual e-mail address and a brief biography of four to six lines for each author.

All submitted manuscripts are evaluated by the IEEE Potentials reviewer team and graded in accordance with the above guidelines.  Articles may be required to go through multiple revisions depending on reviewers’ grades and comments.  The Potentials IEEE web page includes links to authors' instructions and submission procedures.  Jump in and submit your article through Manuscript Central at:  https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/pot-ieeeIEEE.

Study Guide for New Software Engineering Exam Now Available
A study guide for those planning to take the new software engineering exam is now available from IEEE-USA. It includes 40 representative questions and solutions, a suggested reference list and test specifications.

The Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Software Engineering exam -- PE Software exam -- will be offered by NCEES, The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying, for the first time in April 2013.

IEEE Fellow Dr. Phillip Laplante, a professor of software engineering at Penn State University’s Malvern, Pa., campus and chair of the Software Engineering Licensure Examination Development Committee, said the study guide is an essential tool in preparing for the exam.

“All prospective exam takers would be well-served to review the book to help identify weaknesses in their knowledge prior to taking the exam,” Laplante said.

The study guide is $39.99 for IEEE members and $49.99 for nonmembers. https://ieeeusa.org/communications/ebooks/info.asp?Keyword=career&Product=Software+PE+Exam+%96+Sample+Questions+and+Solutions#=

PE Software exam registration begins 17 December. Check https://ncees.org/exams to find out about your state’s approval and registration process. See exam specifications at https://engineers.texas.gov/downloads/ncees_PESoftware_2013.pdf.

GM Tech Hiring In Austin On Fast Track
General Motors is looking to put hiring at its newly announce technology center in Austin on the fast track, with plans to complete hiring of 500 people for the center by January, according to a report Nov 2 from the ABJ. The report, quoting Timothy Cox, GM's Executive Director for Enterprise Solutions Delivery, says that the available worker pool has exceeded the company's expectations.

Tech Shop Opens in Round Rock
Tech shop, a membership based community workshop recently opened in La Frontera shopping center in Round Rock.  Tech Shop (https://www.techshop.ws/) offers members the use of a wood shop, metal shop, machine shop, electronics room, laser cutter and more to those wanting to design, build and create. 

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Continuing Education


November 8, 2012: Webinar LTE-Advanced Modems Coming to Life
When it comes to LTE/LTE-A modem development, achieving standard compliance is a key requirement. Planning for an integrated verification and testing flow from concept to implementation is mandatory to avoid late-minute surprises. This webinar will explain the steps that need to be taken at the different stages of the design process, and how these steps can be integrated into a complete design and verification flow.  Register here.

November 13, 2012: Wireless Communications Engineering: Current Practice
Jonathan Levine
Take this classic course to learn about seven key areas every professional working in wireless should be proficient in. Designed to help you stay up-to-date or as a jumping off point if you are just starting to work in wireless. Think of this as your appetizer to the full course which is the 3 day intensive course we're running at Globecom (in person if you can make it to Anaheim) or webcast/online next month.

With each course, earn 0.6 IEEE Continuing Education Units (equivalent to 6 Professional Development Hours). Each course participant recieves a print handout of the instructor's PowerPoint slide deck and access to the streaming video recording of the instruction for seven days after the day of the course.

Each course starts at 8:00am EDT and ends at 4:30pm EDT. Priced $300 non-member; $250 IEEE/ComSoc member.

November 16, 2012: Self Oganizing Networks
Javan Erfanian
A big hit at 4G World in Chicago this past week when Javan taught it in person; take this brand NEW! course to learn how self organizing networks are impacting wireless technology paradigms within LTE / LTE-Advanced Roadmap. If you've already taken the one day LTE course we have offered this is a natural choice for you.

With each course, earn 0.6 IEEE Continuing Education Units (equivalent to 6 Professional Development Hours). Each course participant recieves a print handout of the instructor's PowerPoint slide deck and access to the streaming video recording of the instruction for seven days after the day of the course.

Each course starts at 8:00am EDT and ends at 4:30pm EDT. Priced $300 non-member; $250 IEEE/ComSoc member.

November 28, 2012: Overview of Machine-to-Machine (M2M) for Engineers and Managers
Lee Vishloff
Take this NEW! course to gain insights and perspectives required to take your  cellular-based Machine-to-Machine (M2M) solutions from promising concept to marketplace success by successfully navigating the maze from analysis, design, approvals and support, all the way through to marketing options and launch.

With each course, earn 0.6 IEEE Continuing Education Units (equivalent to 6 Professional Development Hours). Each course participant recieves a print handout of the instructor's PowerPoint slide deck and access to the streaming video recording of the instruction for seven days after the day of the course.

Each course starts at 8:00am EDT and ends at 4:30pm EDT. Priced $300 non-member; $250 IEEE/ComSoc member.

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Student Branches

St Mary's University - San Antonio (https://engineering.stmarytx.edu/ieee/)
Faculty Adviser: Djaffer Ibaroudene, email: dibaroudene@stmarytx.edu
Branch Chair: Jordan Dean, email: jdean5@mail.stmarytx.edu

Texas State University - San Marcos (new branch, 2009)
Faculty Adviser: Larry Larson, email: Larry.Larson@TXState.edu
Branch Chair: Adrian Fabian, email: af1362@txstate.edu

Trinity University - San Antonio (https://www.engr.trinity.edu/)
Faculty Adviser: Farzan Aminian, email: Farzan.Aminian@Trinity.edu
Branch Chair: Mohsin Rahim, email: mrahim@trinity.edu

University of Texas at Austin (https://ieee.ece.utexas.edu/)
Faculty Adviser: Sriram Vishwanath, email: sriram@ece.utexas.edu
Branch Chair: Connor Weins, email: chair@ieee.ece.utexas.edu

University of Texas at San Antonio (https://www.utsaieee.org/)
Faculty Adviser: Shuo Wang, email: Shuo.Wang@utsa.edu
Branch Chair: Michael Starkweather, email: michael.starkweather@ieee.org

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Calls for Volunteers

2012 Future Cities Competition
Future City Competition (https://futurecity.org/texas-central) judging will be coming up early in 2013 and they are looking for Mentors or Volunteers to be judges.  If you aren't already familiar with this outreach, please consider watching this short video of Greg Bentley, CEO of Bentley Systems, discuss why he and his company have been supporting Future CIty for over 10 years (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYvAK3TvS9k&feature=player_embedded&noredirect=1). After you have seen the video and have checked out the Future City website, I hope you will consider volunteering.  You can volunteer at the FutureCities website.

Future Cities is actively looking for mentors. 

What Does an Engineer Mentor Do?

For one hour a week, over 12 to 14 weeks, you will serve as project advisor and:
  • Focus the kids on the big picture of creating their city
  • Help students break the project into manageable pieces
  • Review the essay and city narrative
  • Offer advice and guidance on the model
  • Have fun and help kids explore engineering 
Why Be an Engineer Mentor?

As a Future City Engineer Mentor, you will:
  • Share your enthusiasm for engineering with kids
  • See kids come up with the most amazing ideas
  • Be a key team member and instill the value of teamwork in kids
  • Plant a seed and watch it grow
Which Schools still need an Engineer Mentor?

Check out our on-line map to find a Future City Student Team near you in need of your support: Click Here the Map

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Local Chapter Activities

Antennas & Propagation/Microwave Theory and Techniques (APS/MTTS)
https://ewh.ieee.org/r5/central_texas/ap_mtt/


Topic/Title

 High-Performance Micromagnetics for Nanostructured Materials and Devices

Speaker

 Vitaliy Lomakin
Associate Professor
Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering
University of California San Diego

Abstract

 Magnetic materials and devices are an inherent part of a host of physical and engineering systems. Micromagnetic and electromagnetic simulations have a significant predictive power and are important for our ability to analyze and design such systems. We present our recent work on the development of high-performance micromagnetic and electromagnetic simulators as well as their use for applications in magnetic material and device analysis and design. We demonstrate a high-performance fast magnetic simulator (FastMag) framework, which solves Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert type equations for simulating non-linear magnetization dynamics in complex magnetic materials and devices. We show coupled electromagnetic-micromagnetic simulators, which allow accurately accounting for linear and non-linear electromagnetic dynamic phenomena including Eddy currents. The performance of these simulators is based on efficient methods for computing effective magnetic fields, efficient methods for non-linear time integrations, and massive parallelization. Examples of using the developed simulators for applications in magnetic recording, magnetic memories, microwave magnetic materials, and permanent magnets are presented.

Date/Time

 Friday, Nov. 2,  2012
10:00am,

Cost


Reservations

Location

 ACES 2.402 at UT Austin

Notes

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Council on Electronic Design Automation (CEDA)
https://ewh.ieee.org/r5/central_texas/ceda


Topic/Title

 No meeting scheduled at thist time

Speaker

Abstract

Date/Time

Cost


Reservations

Location

Notes

The CEDA chapter normally meet on the 3rd Mondy of every month. This meeting is open to the public and interested parties. Additional details will be posted at the website. If you have any questions about this meeting or this group, please contact zhuoli@ieee.org.

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Joint Circuits and Systems/Solid-State Circuits (CASS/SSCS)
https://ewh.ieee.org/r5/central_texas/cas_ssc/


Topic/Title

 No meeting scheduled at thist time

Speaker

Abstract

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Reservations

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Notes

The joint Circuits & Systems/Solid State Circuits Societies normally meet on the 2nd Tuesday of every month. This meeting is open to the public and interested parties. Additional details will be posted at the website. If you have any questions about this meeting or this group, please contact renhaoxing@ieee.org or zhuoli@ieee.org
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Components, Packaging and Manufacturing Technology (CPMT) - Austin
https://cpmtaustinchapter.org/

Topic/Title

No meeting scheduled at thist time

Speaker

Abstract


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Computer Society - Austin (CS)
https://www.austin-cs.org/

Topic/title

 Security in your SDLC

Speaker

 Bankim Tejani is the Senior Security Architect at ServiceMesh in Austin, TX.  His origins in this domain began with a childhood hobby of! programming, and a college hobby of security.  He has developed software in a variety of languages including Fortran, C/C++, Java, and .NET.  He jumped into information security 10 years ago, and has conducted both security research and assessments.  He spent much of the last 5 years advising companies and government agencies on integrating static analysis into their SDLCs.  Bankim is an active member of the Austin OWASP chapter.

Abstract

 Security is a pressing issue for any software development team.  However it is often unclear, external, undefined, and reactive.  This talk will cover a variety of tools, techniques, practices, and compromises that you can take to better meet security needs and compliance in your SDLC.


Sub topics will include:

- Common security requirements (OWASP Top 10, SANS Top 25, etc)

- Static & dynamic analysis tools

- Integration of security in to SDLC

- Security Design Reviews & Assessments

Date/time

 Wednesday, November 14th
6:30 p.m. Networking and Gathering
7:00 p.m. Call to Order, Announcemen
7:15 p.m. Presentation, with Q/A
8:45 p.m. Meeting Evaluation, Adjourn

Location

 THE ADVISORY BOARD - BUILDING 7 (map)
Room Number: Suite 100
12357-C Riata Trace Parkway
Bldg 7, Suite 100
Austin,  Texas

Cost

Reservations

 https://meetings.vtools.ieee.org/meeting_view/list_meeting/15009

Notes

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Computer Society - San Antonio (CS)
https://www.ieee-cs-cts.org/

Topic/Title

Communications as the key to the large scale adoption of PEVs
Speaker Joe Redfield, Principal Engineer, Advanced Vehicle Technology Section, Southwest Research Institute.
Joe Redfield has been at SwRI for 29 years working in advanced energy technologies.  Mr. Redfield is currently working on several programs involved In the development of advanced PEV charging systems. Mr. Redfield is a Senior IEEE member.
Abstract The large-scale adoption of Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEVs) will require a new paradigm in vehicle-based communications. Primarily, these new communications will be from the vehicle to the Electric Vehicle Support Equipment (EVSR) that is, the charger, and to the outside world. Although initially only for charge control, these communications will eventually contain a host of other bits of information to allow for the efficient operation of the vehicle. The presentation will leave the viewer with an appreciation of the opportunities and challenges associated with this new paradigm of vehicle communications.
Date/Time Tuesday, November 27, 2012; Dinner 6:30, Networking 7:15, Program 7:30
Location Conference Room B, University Center, St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, TX
Cost Dinner will be in the St. Mary’s Cafeteria downstairs in the University Center.  They have an all you can eat buffet for $8.50 plus tax.  Each person will pay for his or her own meal.  We will have a block of tables so we can sit together – look for Small IEEE Computer Society Signs on the tables.  Dinner is optional. You are welcome to skip dinner and come only to the technical presentation.
Reservations Not Required but for head count please email Dr. Djaffer Ibaroudene, dibaroudende@stmarytx.edu , or call (210) 431-2050
Notes See website for directions and parking,
  https://www.ieee-cs-cts.org

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Central Texas Consultants Network Affinity Group
https://ewh.ieee.org/r5/central_texas/cn

Topic/Title Green Trends and Innovations in the Electronic Industry
Speaker Albert Tsang,  Sr. Engineer,  Dell Environmental Affairs
Speaker Bio Albert has spent 14 years of his career in various supply chain and engineering positions in the electronic industry with Celestica, ATI Technologies, AMD, and now with Dell.  The focus for the past 10 years has been on environmental materials compliance with emphasis on RoHS type regulations, halogen free initiatives, REACH Directive, and other ‘Green Materials’ initiatives.  Albert is currently the Subject Matter Expert (SME) on materials in Dell’s Worldwide Environmental Affairs Organization.  Albert is a member of the Board of Directors of HDPUG and he had chaired the HDPUG halogen free cables & wires project and PWB LCA project.  He is also an active member of iNEMI’s Environmental Leadership Council. Albert holds a B. Eng in Chemical Engineering and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from McGill University. 
Abstract This presentation will provide electronic manufacturers an opportunity to learn about a Green Trends and Materials program that electronic OEMs are exploring and potentially introduce into their products if proven viable.  Not only are hazardous materials being phased out through Restricted Substance Lists, but there are other areas to further improve the environmental footprint of an electronic product.  The introduction of sustainable solutions such as bio-based plastics or Post Consumer Recycled (PCR) plastics will likely compliment this drive towards greener electronics.
Date Wednesday,  November 28, 2012
Networking at 6:00 pm;  Business and Program from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Location PoK-e-Jo’s,  2121 W. Parmer Lane at Lamplight Village,  Austin  TX  78727
Cost $5.00 minimum charge for the restaurant.   Supper is at optional extra cost.
Reservations Not required.  All interested parties are invited to attend.
For more information, go to:  https://ewh.ieee.org/r5/central_texas/cn/
Notes

Do a friend a favor. Bring your colleagues to grow the Consultants Network.

More information on Consultants Networks: https://www.ieeeusa.org/business/whatis.asp

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Electromagnetic Compatibility Society
https://ewh.ieee.org/mu/ctx-emcs/

No meeting scheduled at this time.

Topic/title

 No meeting scheduled at thist time

Speaker

Abstract

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Electron Devices Society (EDS)
https://ewh.ieee.org/r5/central_texas/eds/

Topic/Title

 No meeting scheduled at thist time

Speaker

Abstract

Date/Time

Refreshments


Reservations


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Engineering in Medicine and Biology (EMBS)
https://ewh.ieee.org/r5/central_texas/embs/index.html

Topic/Title No meeting scheduled at thist time
Speaker
Abstract
Date/Time
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Engineering Management
https://www.ewh.ieee.org/r5/central_texas/ems

The Engineering Management Society has become the Technology Management Council. Information about meetings can be found in the sections for Technology Management Council - Austin and Technology Management Council - San Antonio

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Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) Affinity Group

Topic/Title No meeting scheduled at thist time
Speaker


Abstract
Date/Time


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Reservations


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Notes

More information on GOLD: https://www.ieee.org/membership_services/membership/gold/index.html

GOLD Launches Mentoring Connection Webinar
Are you interested in becoming a mentor or finding a mentor to help with  your professional development? If the answer is yes, check out a free new IEEE Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) webinar aimed at
helping mentors and mentees connect with each other. Learn more at https://bmsmail3.ieee.org:80/u/17953/32170

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Instrumentation and Measurement Society (I&M)

Topic/Title

 RF Measurement Systems for Demanding RF Applications of Today and Tomorrow

Speaker

 Jaffar Shah, National Instruments
Jaffar Shah is a Chief Engineer at National Instruments. He received his BSEE and MSEE degrees from University of Texas, Austin. He has worked on data acquisition and control products in design  as well as development management roles early in his career and provided technical leadership for the some of the company’s first high speed digitizer and arb products.  Presently, as a member of the Analog Measurements and Technology Group, he has responsibilities for RF measurements systems design.

Abstract

 Presentation followed by chapter officer elections.  Please contact Kristi.Hummel@ni.com if you have an interest in chapter leadership.

High dynamic range RF measurement systems are increasingly required as bandwidth and spectral efficiency demands have driven the performance of RF communication systems. This tutorial covers signal chain design for high dynamic range in such measurement systems. The signal chain has to be optimized for linearity and noise. Graphical techniques for identifying weak links in the signal chain  will be covered.

Date/Time

 November 19, 2012 - Reception 6-6:15pm, Presentation 6:15-7:30pm

Cost

Reservations

 https://meetings.vtools.ieee.org/meeting_view/list_meeting/15005

Location

 National Instruments Building C 1S13

Notes


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Laser and Electro Optics Society

No meeting scheduled at this time.

For more information, contact Ray Chen

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Life Members (LM) Affinity Group - San Antonio

Topic/Title Youth Robotics in San Antonio
Speaker Mike Henry
Mr. Henry is a Senior Mentor with FIRST Robotics, and has coached several successful teams in FIRST Robotics and BEST Robotics
Abstract The San Antonio area is a hotbed of school Robotics. Many high/middle/elementary schools have Robotics programs, some with just small clubs, and others with large clubs integrated with Engineering classes. Mr. Henry will survey the many varieties of school Robotics activities in San Antonio. It is rumored that some Robots will attend.
Date/Time November 8 Thursday
11:30 am to 1 pm
Location Lion & Rose British Restaurant & Pub
Loop 410 at Blanco Road
Cost


Reservations To RSVP and Register (Seating is limited):https://meetings.vtools.ieee.org/meeting_registration/register/14487
Or contact Tom O'Brien at: t.p.obrien@ieee.org or 210 481 3443
Notes


More information on LM: https://www.ieee.org/societies_communities/geo_activities/life_members/index.html

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Power and Energy Society - Austin (PES)
https://www.ewh.ieee.org/soc/pes/centraltexas/austin

Topic/Title No meeting scheduled at thist time
Speaker
Abstract
Date/Time
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Power and Energy Society - San Antonio
https://ewh.ieee.org/soc/pes/centraltexas/sanantonio

Topic/Title No meeting scheduled at thist time
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Abstract
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Product Safety Engineering Society (PSES)
https://www.ewh.ieee.org/soc/pses/

Topic/Title No meeting this month!
Speaker
Abstract
Date/Time
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Reservations
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Notes

We encourage you, others in your organization, or other interested parties to participate in our meetings. The PSES meets on the third Tuesday of every month at 6:30pm, with the program starting at 7:00pm. For further information about the PSES, please contact Dale Ritzen at (512) 651-5338.

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Joint Signal Processing/Communications Society - Austin

https://sites.ieee.org/ct-comsp/



Topic/Title

 No meeting scheduled at thist time

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Abstract

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Joint Communications and Signal Processing Society - San Antonio (Com/SP)
https://ewh.ieee.org/r5/central_texas/satx

Topic/Title

 Energy-Efficient Wireless In-Home:  The Need for Interference-Controlled Femtocells

Speaker

 Dr. Mischa Dohler, Senior Member and Communications Society Distinguished Lecturer, IEEE
Dr. Mischa Dohler is now leading the Intelligent Energy [IQe] group at CTTC in Barcelona, with focus on Smart Grids and Green Radios, currently working on machine-to-machine and micro grids.  He is Senior Member of the IEEE and Distinguished Lecturer of IEEE ComSoc. He is fluent in 6 languages and an experienced lecturer with more than 30 tutorials over the past decade. He has published around 150 technical journal and conference papers at a citation h- and g-index of 28 and 60, holds a dozen patents, authored, co-edited and contributed to 19 books, has given 31 international short-courses, and participated in various standardisation activities. He has been TPC member and co-chair of various conferences, such as technical chair of IEEE PIMRC 2008 held in Cannes, France.  He is Editor-in-Chief of ETT and is/has been holding various editorial positions for numerous IEEE and non-IEEE journals. Since 2009, he is also CTO of Worldsensing. From 2005-2008, he has been Senior Research Expert at France Telecom, France.  From 2003-2005, he has been lecturer at King's College London, UK. He obtained his PhD in Telecommunications from King's College London, UK, in 2003, his Diploma in Electrical Engineering from Dresden University of Technology, Germany, in 2000, and his MSc degree in Telecommunications from King's College London, UK, in 1999.

Abstract

 Fostering growth in provisioning of wireless data, at the same or even reduced energy expenditure levels, is crucial to society and thus one of the most important goals of the information and communication technology (ICT) sector.
Femtocells, installed at customer premises, have emerged as a promising energy efficient solution as connectivity is provided where and when needed.

This article thus provides first overviews femtocell deployments in the context of 3rd generation (3G) long-term evolution (LTE) and its advanced (LTE-A) networks. It will be shown that, to increase the spectral efficiency, operators envisage to utilize the same spectrum for femtocells as well as overlaying macrocells. This in turn leads to significant interference between macro and femto as well as adjacent femtocells, the mitigation of which yields some major power gains.

We therefore present various recent interference management schemes and quantify their throughput in the context of an LTE-A cellular networks overlaying femtocells. Complete downlink system-level simulations corroborate exposed analysis and thus confirm the performance effectiveness of femtocell deployments.

Date/Time

 12:00 noon, November 14, 2012

Location

 UTSA, Loeffler Rm, Bldg BSB 3.02.02

Cost

Reservations

Notes

 For Info Contact:  T. Scott Atkinson, (210) 410-0382, s.atkinson@ieee.org.
Light refreshments provided

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Systems, Man & Cybernetics Society

Topic/Title

 No meeting scheduled at thist time

Speaker

Abstract

Date/Time

Location


Cost

Reservations


Notes

 For further information, contact David Akopian david.akopian@utsa.edu

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Technology Management Council - Austin
https://www.austin-tmc.org/

Topic/Title No meeting scheduled at thist time
Speaker
Date/Time
Location
Cost
Registration
Notes

Contact Leslie Martinich (lmartinich@ieee.org) for more information about the Austin TMC.

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Technology Management Council - San Antonio (TMC)

https://webinabox.vtools.ieee.org/wibp_home/index/CH05214
Topic/Title No meeting scheduled at thist time
Speaker
Abstract
Date/Time
Location
Cost
Registration
Notes

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Women in Engineering Affinity Group
https://www.austin-wie.org/

Topic/Title No meeting scheduled at thist time
Speaker
Date/Time
Location
Cost
Registration
Notes

Contact Leslie Martinich (lmartinich@ieee.org) for more information about the Austin TMC.

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Conferences, Other Meetings and Events

Local IEEE Conferences, Events or Workshops

  • November 5-7, 2012 Austin, Texas Marriott Austin South - Plain Talk about the Electric Power System
    Education for Power Industry Professionals. CHOOSE YOUR ENROLLMENT OPTION:
    THREE COURSE ENROLLMENT (please check the appropriate box)
    □ Early Bird Fee (paid registration on or before October 8, 2012) - $1,935
    □ Regular Fee (paid registration after October 8, 2012 and on site) - $2,150
    □ Group Rate (10% discount from Early Bird or Regular Fee)
    On or before October 8, 2012: $1,742 per person After October 8: $1,935 per person Group Name: ___________________
    TWO COURSE ENROLLMENT (please check the appropriate box)
    □ Early Bird Fee (paid registration on or before October 8, 2012) - $1,360
    □ Regular Fee (paid registration after October 8, 2012 and on site) - $1,510
    □ Group Rate (10% discount from Early Bird or Regular Fee)
    On or before October 8, 2012: $1,224 per person After October 8: $1,360 per person Group Name: ___________________
    ONE COURSE ENROLLMENT (please check the appropriate box)
    □ Early Bird Fee (paid registration on or before October 8, 2012) - $715
    □ Regular Fee (paid registration after October 8, 2012 and on site) - $795
    □ Group Rate (10% discount from Early Bird or Regular Fee)
    On or before October 8, 2012: $644 per person After October 8, 2012: $715 per person
    TO REGISTER ONLINE, AND TO FIND INFORMATION ON LOCATION AND ACCOMMODATIONS: https://ieee-pes.org/plain-talk-austin-2012

  • November 12, 2012: Home Networking Summit Austin

    Building A, 7700 W. Parmer Lane (Freescale Auditorium), Austin, Texas
     
    Theme:
    Future vision of Internet of Things (IoT) for Home Networking and adjacent markets (e.g. SOHO, building, mobile homes and automotive).
     
    Thesis:
    The trend toward increasing pervasiveness of compute and network capabilities into an expanding number of devices and device types in our home networks are creating an “Internet of Things (IOT) “, now being called “Internet of Everything (IOE)”. Consequently, this technology trend is driving the need to create Smart Network Gateways (SNGs) or Smart Converged Gateways (SCGs) capable of unifying connectivity amongst these devices. These new SNGs and SCGs will likely employ a wide variety of both wired and wireless home networking technologies such as Ethernet, 3G/4G broadband, 802.11 compliant WLANs, G.hn, 802.15.4 ZigBee sensor networks (ZSNs, and wired and wireless Machine-to-Machine  (M2M) solutions to form a cohesive, reliable, adaptive and personal Internet of Things. They will also serve as the facilitator for unifying data exchanges amongst these various sources, as well as transforming it into useful, personal information. These new distributed processing and networked devices will provide sensing, data acquisition, adaptive real-time decision making, data distribution access, machine vision with real-time video analytic, and over time, an adaptable learning ability, each with an intent to help make our word safer, greener, and secure.
     
    Who can Attend?
    Communications and networking product and marketing managers
    Software and hardware engineers
    Decision makers
    Entrepreneur
    Home networking and multimedia providers and consumers
    Providers of content, utility, security, entertainment and other services
     
    Format:
    One day, single track including keynote speaker, presentations by experts, panel session, state of the art demos and networking.
     
    Agenda (8:00 am – 7:30 pm)
    8:00 -   8:30am     Registration and Networking
    8:30 -   8:40am     Introduction and Program Outline
    8:40 -   9:30am     Keynote Speaker and Q&A
    9:30 – 11:00am     Home Networking Landscape, Technology and Standards
    11:15 – 12:15pm     Requirements and Home Networking Architecture
    12:15 -   1:30pm     Lunch/Demos
    1:30 -   2:30pm     Panel on Home Networking Solutions
    2:30 -   3:15pm     Home Networking Integration System – Features and Services
    3:30 -   4:15pm     Development Kits and Reference Solutions
    4:15 -   5:00pm     Practical Tips on Maintaining Secure Home Networks
    5:00 -   7:30pm     Networking and Demos
     
    Companies & Associations presenting/demonstrating at the event: CTTC, AT&T, Freescale, IBM, Sigma Designs, HBMG, IHS/IMS, UT, NI and others.
     
    Keynote
    Topic:  “Machine-to-Machine Facilitating the IoT for Smart Homes: Vision, Standards, and Technologies”
     
    Speaker:
    Dr. Mischa Dohler, Head of Intelligent Energy Centre Tecnologic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya (CTTC), in Barcelona, Spain
     
    Abstract:
    Notably, I will provide an introduction to the particularities of M2M systems, mainly in the context of smart homes. Architectural, technical and privacy requirements, and thus applicable technologies will be discussed. Notably, we will dwell on the capillary and cellular embodiments of M2M in smart homes. The focus of capillary M2M, useful for real-time data gathering in homes, will be on IEEE (.15.4e) and IETF (6LoWPAN, ROLL, COAP) standards compliant low-power multihop networking designs; furthermore, for the first time, low power WiFi will be dealt with and positioned into the ecosystem of capillary M2M. The focus of cellular M2M, useful for both data gathering and increasing multimedia contents in smart homes, will be on latest activities, status and tends in leading M2M standardization bodies with technical focus on ETSI M2M and 3GPP LTE-MTC.
     
    Open technical challenges, along with the industry’s vision on smart home developments, will be discussed during the talk.
     

    Bio:
    Dr. Mischa Dohler is the Head of Intelligent Energy Centre Tecnologic de Telecomunicacions de Catalunya (CTTC), in Barcelona, Spain. He has published around 150 technical journal and conference papers at a citation h-index of 29 and citation g-index of 61, holds a dozen patents, authored, co-edited and contributed to 19 books, has given more than 30 international short-courses, and participated in ETSI, IETF and other standardization activities.
     
     
    For more details and Early Bird registration, please visit the website
    https://austinhomenetworkingsummit.org/?page_id=18
     
    If you are interested for:
    a)       Speaking: There are limited number of speaking & demos.
    b)       Volunteering by helping out prior/at the conference
    Then please communicate with the Summit chair at f.behmann@ieee.org

  • April 7-10, 2013: 21st IEEE Symposium on Computer Arithmetic, AT&T Conference Center, Austin, Texas, USA.  See https://www.arithsymposium.org for information
    Deadline for paper submission: Sept 10, 2012

  • IEEE Conference Search can be found at https://www.ieee.org/web/conferences/search/index.html

  • See also https://www.wikicfp.com - A place to organize and share Calls for Papers.


Non-IEEE Meetings and Events of interest suggested by the membership
November 1, 2012: Dimensions of Electronic Design Seminars
The challenges of electronics design are numerous, and many can be formidable: packing greater functionality into smaller portable devices while extending battery life, integrating multiple antennas into a single platform or developing 3D-IC architectures. Join ANSYS and Apache for this complimentary technical seminar as we introduce our latest electronics design technology and simulation breakthroughs that will help you to design next-generation electronics products.

Seminar attendees will have the opportunity to interact with colleagues, hear from industry experts, and gain knowledge about the latest technology from ANSYS and Apache, with the opportunity to meet our technical staff first-hand and discuss your design challenges.

What You Will Learn

Get technology updates on ANSYS HFSS, Apache RedHawk, ANSYS SIwave and more
See the latest advancements in high-performance computing (HPC) for simulation speed and capacity beyond your expectations
Learn how the integration of ANSYS and Apache products will revolutionize the design of chip−package−system
Listen to designers share how they meet power, performance and price targets for their most advanced electronic designs
Who Should Attend
System architects, chip and package design engineers, simulation and modeling experts, engineering managers, technical project leaders and staff who must meet stringent design objectives and cost targets.

Seminar Cost
Complimentary to qualified registrants.

Seating is limited - register today!

Date/Time:
Thursday, November 1, 2012
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Venue:
Hyatt Regency Austin
208 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78704

Agenda:
View the agenda for the event.

November 8, 2012: Innotech Austin
The technology innovation conference and expo on Thursday, November 8 at the Austin Convention Center.  Register for this one-day conference to visit the Women in IT Summit, attend a security-focused track sponsored by the ISSA-Austin Chapter, learn about mobile application development and devices, attend the eMarketing Summit (social, search, and more), over 45 other conference sessions.  Make sure to visit the 8 AM session hosted by Timothy Cox from General Motors Information Technology.  Receive 20% off InnoTech Austin or all special events by using Discount Code TECH20GEN during registration.

November 8, 2012:Door64 is holding the Innotech Austin After Party!
On November 8, immediately following Innotech Austin, Door64 will be hosting an after party to which all conference attendees and Door64 members are invited!  Please RSVP to attend.    https://door64.com/innotech2012

November 12-13, 2012:  2012 SVS San Antonio
What:  San Antonio Simulation and Visualization Symposium 2012
When:  November 12-13, 2012
Where:  UTSA 1604 Campus
Tracks include:    Mathematical modeling and simulation
    Uncertainty quantification and model validation
    Imaging and visualization
    Applications in various scientific and engineering fields
A function of the UTSA Center for Simulation, Visualization, and Real Time Prediction. 
The SiViRT Center conducts research in computer simulation, high-performance computing, and advanced visualization in various disciplines of engineering and sciences with broad application areas ranging from structural reliability, UAV, nanotechnology, to computational neuroscience and cancer treatment simulation.
Further information on the symposium, registration and abstract submission at:      sivirt@utsa.edu and 210-458-6570

November 16, 2012: 2012 Agile Austin Conference – Keep Austin Agile
Please visit the conference site at https://2012conf.agileaustin.org/ for more information. To register, CLICK HERE! .

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Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Events and Information

December 2, 2012: Name That Asteroid Contest
Students worldwide have an opportunity to name an asteroid from which an upcoming NASA mission will return samples to Earth. The competition is open to students under age 18 from anywhere in the world. Each contestant can submit one name, up to 16 characters long. Entries must include a short explanation and rationale for the name. Submissions must be made by an adult on behalf of the student. The contest deadline is Dec. 2, 2012. The asteroid was discovered in 1999 by the Lincoln Near Earth Asteroid Research, or LINEAR, survey at MIT's Lincoln Laboratory. LINEAR is part of NASA's Near Earth Observation Program in Washington, which detects and catalogs near-Earth asteroids and comets. The asteroid has an average diameter of approximately one-third of a mile (500 meters). To review contest rules and guidelines, visit https://planetary.org/name.  

March 5, 2013: Change the World Challenge
The Siemens We Can Change the World Challenge, a national environmental sustainability competition for grades K-12, is now accepting applications for the 2012-2013 program. Through project-based learning, students learn about science and conservation while gaining 21st-century skills. The deadline for all entries is March 5, 2013. Additional information is available at https://www.wecanchange.com. 

March 15, 2013: Space Settlement Design Contest
The NASA Space Settlement Design Contest is intended for students in grades 6-12, although younger students may enter. Individual or teams from anywhere in the world may enter. Grade levels are judged separately, except for the grand prize. All participants will receive a certificate.https://settlement.arc.nasa.gov/Contest/  

Career

The IEEE-USA Career Manager (https://www.ieeeusa.org/careers) is organized into eight categories designed to help you manage and advance in your career:

* Career Management Interactive Workshop
* Salary Service
* Consulting and Entrepreneurship
* Professional Development Webinars
* Employment Assistance and Job Search
* IEEE Online Distance Learning
* E-Book Library
* IEEE.tv

Tips, Tools and Gadgets

I came across https://ifttt.com recently.  So what is ifttt?  IFTTT is a service that lets you create powerful connections with one simple statement: if this then that, where this is a trigger and that is the action to take.  Triggers are taken from any of the 55 supported channels.  Included are FaceBook, Evernote, email, Weather and LinkedIn.  The this part is a Trigger. Some example Triggers are “I’m tagged in a photo on Facebook” or “I check in on Foursquare.”  The that part is an Action. Some example Actions are “send me a text message” or “create a status message on Facebook.”

This seems like a tool that may allow some of us to automate our electronic lives. 

If you have comments, or suggestions as to something I should mention in a future issue, please let me know at john.purvis@ieee.org.  I look forward to reading your comments and suggestions.