IEEE Central Texas Section

ANALOG NEWSLETTER

Volume 48-08 August 2004

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


Published monthly (Deadline for inclusion is the 25th day of the previous month). Marian Stasney, Editor, (marian@ieee.org). Have a question or comment? Contact us.

Quick Links

The Chairman's Column

Student Branch Report: Student Branch Funding First Round

Paul Kaschube, Student Liaison, Central Texas Section

The IEEE Central Texas Section has budgeted $10,000 to support the four student branches in the section. The student branches are UT Austin, UT San Antonio, Trinity, and St. Mary's. The Central Texas Section has a two tier funding process to allocate these funds to the student branches. The first round requires the branches to submit a written funding proposal by June 30th to receive a grant of $1,500 each. The second round requires the branches to prepare a competitive funding proposal by September 30th, where the amount granted to each branch from the remaining $4,000 depends on the strength and merit if its proposal.

The written proposals must be of professional quality. They must explain how the funding would support the student branch program and how it would fit into the overall program of the school. They must show successful the student branch has been historically in utilizing funds provided by the Central Texas Section of the IEEE. They must give a brief history of the last three projects funded by the Central Texas Section and describe the impact of those projects. All four branches submitted their written proposals for the first round of funding by June 30th. All four proposals are in good order and have been forwarded to the Executive Committee for their review.

The next step in this first funding round is for the student branches to make an oral presentation of their proposals and activities at the Fall Planning meeting scheduled for August 21, 2004, in San Marcos. Upon a satisfactory presentation, checks for $1,500 will be disbursed within 30 days. The student branches are never at a loss to highlight and laud their achievements and accomplishments. Each branch has programs to recruit IEEE members. Each branch will tell what it does for the benefit and enhancement of its IEEE student members. These will include pizza talks, social events, cash awards, robotic competitions, and field trips. There will be reports on workshops and tutorials in soldering, PBASIC programming, the BASICStamp microcontroller, and more. The student branches will also explain how creative and resourceful they are in budgeting and managing funds, especially in planning trips to the Region 5 Conferences.

Central Texas Section Society and Affinity Group Chapter Activities

Communications/Signal Processing Societies

Speaker: Jeremy Lewis, Product Line Director for the Packet Processing line of Zarlink Semiconductor
Topic: Delivering:TDM Services Over Pact Networks, (Circuit Emulation over Packet - CESoP)
Date: Thursday, August 19
Time: 6:30pm - 9:00pm
Location: We will be meeting at the ENS Bldg., Room # 637, University Texas Austin (UTA), Department of Computer Science & Electrical Engineering; 24th St. Please Find Below Directions for Location and Parking.
Reservations: If you plan to attend, please send Email to Howard Headrick at hfrjr@swbell.net for planning purposes.

Directions and Parking: Exit I 35 at Dean Keaton (26th St.) Exit, proceed West on Dean Keaton (towards the UTA Campus) to the intersection of Dean Keaton and San Jacinto, where you will turn left ( South) on to San Jacinto. Proceed south on San Jacinto, approximately one block, past the parking garage on your left, proceed past the guard station to the intersection of 24th St, West and San Jacinto. Then turn right ( going west) on to 24th St. West. Drive over creek, past the Utility Services building on right and then drive up to construction on left and right and either park on street or park in Parking Lot # 16 which is in front of the of the ENS building on the right side of 24th St. (Note: If you go to the intersection of 24th & Speedway you have gone to far.) After parking, look to your right. looking toward the two buildings, walk in between the two buildings. The ENS building will be building on your right. Walk up to the ENS building Entrance. Walk thru the ENS building's entrance into the building's lobby. Facing the two elevators in the Lobby take one of the elevators up to the 6th floor and then follow sign to Room number 637. Parking: Meeting Attendees will be able to park in Lot 16 (outside the ENS building) and park on the street beginning at 5:45pm. The only caution to everyone is that those without a Faculty Permit must not park in any space that has a sign showing .F parking AT ALL TIME.. These spaces are reserved for only those with permits, so those without one could be ticketed and towed away.

Computer Society - San Antonio [for more information]
    Topic: No meeting planned for August. We are on Summer Break. Our next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 16, 2004 at Trinity University.
    Reservations: RSVP to Kevin Nickels 210-999-7543
    Location: Skyline Room, Coates Center, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX
Computer Society - Austin [for more information]

    PLEASE CHECK WEB SITE BEFORE THE MEETING

    Speaker: TBD
    Topic: TBD
    Date: Wednesday, August 25, 2004
    Time: 6:30pm
    Location: National Instruments, 11500 North MoPac, Building C, room 1S15, Austin, TX 78759

Consultant's Network [for more information]

    Speaker(s): Emanuel Shah, independent consultant.
    Topic: "High Performance Low Power Cacheless Computer System with Deterministic Power Management"

    A cacheless computer system comprising a central processing unit (CPU) and a high speed transition buffer interacting with different computer system resources such as address controller, main semiconductor memory and input output devices by means of plurality of system buses. The transition buffer contains starting memory locations of each jump or branch location of the program. When a branch or jump instruction is encountered by the CPU, it fetches the starting locations from the high speed transition buffer executing at CPU speed. When multiple instructions are executed from the transition buffer, enough time is available to the address controller to access the remainder of the branch or jump program located on the slower, low power, low cost DRAM type memory. The program then continues to be executed from the parallel blocks of memory pre-fetched and available on parallel memory blocks without access time requirements until the program is completed or a next jump or branch instruction is encountered. The size of the program that can be executed without interruption can be the size of the entire main semiconductor memory. The system also works on multiprocessing system where cache coherency problems are eliminated. Time critical real time applications are more deterministic, Digital signal processors (DSP) for real time applications are able to implement larger programs without cache miss and latency problems. A new compiler is required to compile the program for the unique requirements of this architecture. Timing characteristics of the implementation is understood well in advance at the compile time.

    Emanuel Shah has been working as independent consultant for several years in the area of computer architecture, CPU desing, ASIC desing and methodology flows and communication systems.


    Date: Thursday, August 12, 2004 (2nd Thursday)
    Time: 6:30pm - Networking, 7:00pm - Program
    Location: China Star Restaurant, 6134 Hwy 290E, Austin, Texas, located at the north east corner of IH-35 and 290E

    The consultants' web directory has been updated. The directory is to be found at https://www.alesu.com/xltrp/ieeecons/listzero.htm

Electromagnetic Compatibility Society [for more information]

    Speaker: Panel Discussion
    Topic: 2004 EMC Symposium Panel discussion. EMC Society members who went to the Symposium will be able to provide feedback on the Symposium to the Section. This will be beneficial to those that did not make it, plus provide some coverage for those that went but attended different sessions.
    Date: August 19 2004 (third Thursday of the month)
    Time: 6:30 Social, 7 PM Lecture
    Location: National Instruments [directions]

Engineering Management Society [for more information]
Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society
    Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Engineering in Medicine and Biology Chapter will suspend monthly meetings temporarily while a new Co-Chair is being sought to assist this technical society. If you are interested in participating, please contact David G. Kilpatrick, P.E., 210-695-1406, d.kilpatrick@ieee.org, or John R. Purvis III, P.E., 512-823-7654, j.purvis@computer.org,
Power Engineering Society [for more information]
    Topic: EMI
    Speaker: Walter May, LCRA
    Date: August 24 2004
    Time: 6:00PM Social
    6:30 to 7:00PM Dinner
    7:00 to 7:30PM Business Meeting
    7:30 to 8:30PM Program
    Cost: $10, free for students
    Reservations: For further information, please contact Susan Thompton or Steve Kanetsky, at 512-326-3380
    Location: El Gallo Mexican Restaurant, 2910 S. Congress Ave, Austin, TX , 512-444-2205
Women in Engineering [for more information]

    The Next Women in Engineering Event will be the Student Poster Competition at Texas Symposium on Software Engineering. [more]

Upcoming Meetings include:

October 19, 2004 Texas Conference for Women
Austin Convention Center [ more info ]
November 14, 2004 Tour of SEMATECH Clean Room [ more info ]

Joint Solid-State Circuits / Circuits and Systems Societies

    Topic: No meeting planned for August
    Speaker: TBA
    Date: TBA
    Time: TBA
    Location: TBA
For further information, contact Gerald Garcia at gerald.garcia@ieee.org

Product Safety Engineering Society

Topic: TBA
Speaker: TBA
Date: August 14 (4th Tuesday of the month)
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Crossroads Systems, 8300 N. Mopac The new Product Safety Engineering Society provides a forum for the exchange of ideas, techniques and information in all aspects of product safety, regulatory compliance and related professional issues.

We encourage you, others in your organization, or other interested parties to participate in our meetings every month. The PSES meets at Crossroads Systems, 8300 N. MOPAC in Austin, on the fourth Tuesday of every month except in November/December. A combined monthly meeting is held in early December to allow members and guests to enjoy the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. For further information about the PSES, please contact Dale Ritzen at (512) 651-5338.

Learn more at https://www.theinstitute.ieee.org/inst_art.jsp?isno=09031&arnumber=09031_9w.newssociety&section=5

Laser and Electro-Optics Society

    Topic: TBD
    Speaker: TBD
    Date: TBD
    Time: TBD
    Location: TBD

For information contact Ray Chen raychen@uts.cc.utexas.edu.
CTS Student Branches

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Call for Papers

Women in Engineering: Student Poster Competition at Texas Symposium on Software Engineering (Austin, Texas), August 28, 2004 [more info]

The TSSE Student Poster Competition is open to all full and part-time undergraduate and graduate students. The Competition is intended to allow students to share research results related to software engineering, exchange ideas, gain insights, understand practical applications of their research, perfect their communications skills, and meet conference attendees from academia and industry. Students may work individually or in groups. Groups may consist of all undergraduate students, all graduate students, or a combination.

Location: Pickle Research Campus

IEEE Wireless Communications & Networking Conference (WCNC) seeks original contributions in topical areas for 3G/B3G systems, WMAN, WLAN, WPAN, WBAN, broadband satellite systems, broadband fixed wireless systems, ad hoc and sensor networks.

The paper submittal site is now open. Submission deadline is 1 August 2004. Proposals are also being accepted for Tutorials and Technology/Businesses Applications Panels. The complete Call for Papers is available on the Web at www.ieee-wcnc.org [more info]

The Optical Fiber Communication Conference & Exposition (OFC) and the National Fiber Optic Engineers Conference (NFOEC) will take place together on March 6-11, 2005 at the Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California, USA.

Submissions are currently being accepted for the OFC Technical Program. Click here for more information and to submit your paper online. The deadline for the 35-word abstract and 3-page summary is September 14, 2004 at 12:00 p.m. EDT (16:00 GMT).

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Important Events and Notes of Interest

 


5th Annual Engineering Management Conference, August 12 - 13
Austin, Texas



IEEE and The University of Texas at Austin invite you to attend the 5th Annual Engineering Management Conference. This year's theme is Managing the Future, which includes topics such as globalization, international project management, multicultural and virtual teams, economics, R&D, and team synergies. A powerhouse of case studies, best practices, and panel discussion from a full spectrum of industries, organizations, and reference points will be showcased. The final result will be a working knowledge of how engineers can best align their current work practices to better meet the demands of the future.

Keynote addresses will be provided by Angelos Angelou, Chief Economist with Angelou Economics, and
LaVerne Council, VP, I/T Global Technology Development & Services at Dell.

Attend EMC 2004 to:

  • Become a more competitive, more informed engineer.
  • Learn about the latest tools, trends, and issues regarding the future face of the engineering profession.
  • Find out what others are doing now to prepare themselves and their organizations for tomorrow's trials.
  • Exchange views on the issues and challenges pertinent to the future of engineering with your peers
    during ample networking opportunities.

 

EMC 2004 is sponsored by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Center for Lifelong Engineering Education.

Click here for more information and to register for the 5th Annual Engineering Management Conference
Register by July 15 for a discounted fee

www.AngelouEconomics.com

 

 

 

 

The Texas Symposium on Software Engineering (TSSE) Austin, Texas, August 27-28, 2004

IEEE International Symposium on Electrical Insulation 19 - 22 Sep. Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana USA. Co-located with EME (Electrical Manufacturing Expo). [More]

2004 IEEE Workshop on Signal Processing Systems: Systems-on-a-Chip for Wireless Networking, Co-sponsored by IEEE Signal Processing Society and IEEE Circuits and Systems Society

2004 IEEE Information Theory Workshop

2005 IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition - APEC 2005 (#10091)"

IEEE Industry Applications Society & Power Electronics Society will sponsor the conference entitled "2005 IEEE Applied Power Electronics Conference and Exposition - APEC 2005 (#10091)". This conference will be held March 6-10, 2005 in Austin, TX. For further information, please contact: Mr. Jason Lai, +1 540 231 4741, +1 540 231 3362 (Fax), laijs@vt.edu, or Conference Services Dept., at IEEE Operations Center at +1 732 562 3878

2004 CPS Electric Service Standards

Copies of the newly adopted 2004 edition of the CPS Electric Service Standards are available in San Antonio at the following locations:

  1. CoSA Business and Development Center (One Stop Center) 1901 South Alamo Street
  2. CPS Gugert Storeroom (Meter Can Distribution Center) 100 Gugert Street
  3. City Hall (2nd floor, City Clerk's Office) 100 Military Plaza (Corner of South Flores and Commerce)
  4. Eastside Service Center 4919 East Houston Street
  5. Northside Service Center 2362 North West Loop 410
  6. Southside Service Center 7242 South Zarzamora Stree

The 2004 CPS Electric Service Standards are effective January 1, 2004. If you have any question please contact Geraldine M. Flores at 210-353-3381 or Tony Valdez at 210-353-2988.

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Special Thanks To our EWeek Volunteers

The number of schools who hosted visits by engineers to the classrooms was up this year to 108 from 100 in 2003. Austin Independent School District actively encouraged participation among their schools. Multiple grades were visited in many of the schools and, in some, all grades received programs. The average number of students per school visits was 175 or seven to eight classrooms. For more information, check out the Central Texas Eweek website at https://www.centexeweek.org.

Among the volunteers who identified society or organization membership were 43 members of ASCE, 19 members of IEEE, four members of TSPE, and three members of SWE. Our IEEE members include:

John Purvis, IBM (Steering Committee)
Marian Stasney, Telecom Inquiry Solutions
Ching-Yun Chao, IBM
Thomas Cockerill, IBM
Ahlam Elakkad, IBM
Christina Lynch, IBM
Wayne Tobias, IBM
Sung (Sam) Baker, IBM
Madeline Vega, IBM
Elmer Moreno
Brian Veraa, IBM
Oliver Ban, IBM
MJ Peterson, IBM
Bob Minns, IBM
RONALD WOAN, IBM
Rohini Rao, Applied Materials
Faizul Alam, IBM

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Here's a synopsis on news around the IEEE, from the editors of The Institute. The most current version of The Institute can always be found at https://www.ieee.org/theinstitute

________________________________________________________
IN THIS ISSUE:

1. Professional Development Programs Earn Awards for Sections
2. Scholarship Goes to Developer of Keystroke Software for Disabled
3. Share Ideas for Enticing Members On Online Community
4. Wrench Thrown Into Workings of Visa Renewal
5. Submit Your Honors and Recognitions to The Institute
6. What the Tango Can Teach You About Communicating at Meetings
7. Consumer Communications Conference Proceedings Available

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From Washington, DC: IEEE-USA NEWS & VIEWS E-MAIL ALERT for August 2004.

*BOOKMARK THIS SITE*: For career-building resources, including articles and product and service notices, visit IEEE-USA's CAREER NAVIGATOR at: https://ieeeusa.org/careers/.

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Editor's Notes

Email List