Introducing Ray Adams

Ray Adams

The EMC Personality for this issue of the IEEE EMC Newsletter is Ray Adams. Ray attended the College of New Jersey from 1977 to May 1981 and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electronic Engineering Technology. Ray was particularly interested in the RF/microwave classes taught by Dr. Allen Katz, the advisor for the local student chapter of the IEEE. Dr. Katz blended theory with practice and he was instrumental in getting Ray to join IEEE. Ray took additional courses in Electronic Engineering and Engineering Mathematics at California State University Fullerton and the University of California Los Angeles Extension.
     Ray is the Chairman of the 2011 IEEE International Symposium on EMC. Chairing an EMC Symposium is a major responsibility and we all owe Ray hearty thanks for taking on this monumental task. I can appreciate what Ray is experiencing because I chaired the 2000 IEEE International Symposium on EMC in Washington, DC.
     The Symposium is the highlight of the year for the EMC community. This year, the Symposium will be held on August 14 through August 19 at the Long Beach, California Convention Center. Dr. Bruce Archambeault, Chairman of the EMC Society Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) reports that the committee has organized an excellent Technical Program this year. Some of the highlights are:

• Henry Ott will teach the fundamentals of EMC based on his award winning book Electromagnetic Compatibility Engineering;
  
• The Global EMC University will be in its 5th year; and
  
• A Special Session on Signal Integrity is being organized by Dr. Howard Johnson.
  

The host hotel is adjacent to the convention center making it convenient for attendees and exhibitors. There are plenty of restaurants and attractions within walking distance from the convention center and there is also a free “Passport” bus service. You should plan to attend. I am sure you will find that it is a very worthwhile activity.
     In addition to chairing the symposium, Ray is an EMC Systems Engineer with the Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems in El Segundo, California. Ray joined Boeing in November 2007. He performed analyses and derived unit and system level EMC requirements for scientific and communications satellites. He developed test methods for EMC qualification and developmental testing. He also mentored several mid-level to entry level EMC engineers and performed troubleshooting to resolve out of specification conditions.

     From August 2004 to November 2007, Ray was a Senior Project Manager for Fischer Custom Communications. While he was at Fischer, he designed EMC test accessories for MIL-STD-461, CISPR and IEC test methods. He performed SPICE analyses to support design and trouble shooting efforts and provided engineering support to customers. Ray also authored product application notes and equipment manuals and presented training to Fischer lab technicians.

Ray’s son Joe is shown with his daughter Gabby on the ski slopes of Colorado.	Ray’s family includes (from left) son Joe, wife Sylvia and daughters Nicole and Sarah.

     Prior to joining Fischer, Ray was an EMC Engineer for Hughes Space and Communications (Boeing Satellite Systems), a Senior Section Manager for TRW Space and Defense, and a Senior Electronic Engineer for General Dynamics.
     His assignments included designing, overseeing the installation and managing the operation a 14,000 square foot EMC Test Facility. As a result of Ray’s efforts, the cost per unit of EMC qualification was reduced by 50% and made the lab competitive with outside test laboratories. Ray also performed high power microwave tests on various tactical missiles and weapon systems.
     Ray is an active member of the IEEE EMC Society. He has been the Chairman of the Los Angeles IEEE EMC Chapter since 1993, and as mentioned earlier, he is chairing the 2011 IEEE International Symposium on EMC. He is also a member of the IEEE Microwave Theory and Techniques Society.
     In addition to his interests in RF/microwave antennas, systems and measurement technology, Ray spends his spare time road cycling, snow skiing and scuba diving.
     Ray and his wife Sylvia have three children: Joseph, Nicole and Sarah as well as four grandchildren: Noble, Jewels, Gabrielle and Robert.     EMC