Know Who you Are and Know
Where You’re Going To (“Slade,” the Seventies)
Hola! While writing this article, upon my return from yet another
pleasant global outreach trip to Colombia, South America and visiting
its IEEE EMC Chapter, and about to leave (a week later) to Argentina,
for the same purpose, I have just noticed that my term as President
of the EMC Society has almost reached its midpoint. This should
be a time for contemplating where we are, as a Society, how well
have I, in particular, and the Board of Directors (BoD), in general,
served you – our members, and where can we better serve
you in the future. As quoted from the famous song from “Oliver
Twist”: “I’m reviewing the situation…”
Indeed, up to now I am glad to say that 2008 has been thus far
a very enjoyable and rewarding year for me in my capacity as President
of the EMC Society. Over the past year, I have had many excellent
opportunities to personally outreach to our members around the
world in various occasions, through Chapter visitations and presence
in global symposia, engaging in fruitful discussions of issues
as well as new ideas that would benefit the EMC Society. Indeed,
it is my firm belief that the President and members of the BoD
should be more “visible” to the members of the Society.
I believe that this goal was met exceptionally well in several
of the Regions 1-6 (USA), Region 7 (Canada), Region 8 (Europe,
in particular), as well as Regions 9 (Latin America) and 10 (South
East Asia). At the end of the day, networking is one of the most
important benefits of membership in a professional society such
as the EMC Society.
In my visits I regularly observe the ever-increasing interest
in EMC and EMC technology. Globalization did not make our life
easier in that respect – EMI knows no geographic barriers
or borders and EMI control becomes a global concern. That is where
networking becomes so useful – meetings are so much better
than the written words, person to person contacts break some barriers
which are otherwise there, regardless…
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| Welcome Reception at “GM World”
in Renaissance Center, Marriott Hotel, Detroit. From left
to right in front are Mrs. and Prof. Shuichi Nitta, and Elya
Joffe. |
What a Week… EMC’2008 in Detroit
One of the best opportunities to network with your colleagues,
experts and novices alike, is at the annual International Symposium
on EMC. This year, the 2008 IEEE International Symposium took
place in Detroit, Michigan, organized by the outstanding team
with the leadership of Kimball (Kim) Williams. Taking place in
Detroit, it was but natural that the main theme of the Symposium
would be associated with “Automotive EMC.” The presence
of the automotive industry, particularly General Motors, was very
apparent, and not only from the professional aspect… but
more about that later on…
From my personal perspective, the week of the Symposium is one
of the most exciting, interesting and… yes, most tiring
weeks of the year. So much to do, so little time! It was no doubt
a true challenge to keep track of the technical sessions, workshops
and tutorials, committee meetings, as well as the various social
events. I am sure all of you who attended this symposium shared
this feeling. “Comfortably numb,” is that how “Pink
Floyd” would describe it?
I will write no more on the technical program, and not for lack
of words, but rather – for the overwhelming amount of words
necessary. Suffice it to say that the selection was so large and
the organization so well done, that regardless of what session
you attended – it was sure to be a success!
But truly, if I were to point out really outstanding events, that
would be the two social events, the Welcome Reception and the
Gala Banquet.
The Welcome Reception took place in GM World at the Renaissance
Center. What a great blend of old cars and new ones, coupled with
renewing old friendships and making new ones…
But the highlight? – No doubt, the “Big Band”
of the GM musicians! And to think that they were all amateurs?
As an amateur musician myself (Tenor Saxophone …), playing
in a similar band, I found them and their performance simply fascinating!
Many thanks are due to GM for their gracious support through the
free usage of the GM World venue and the inspiring “Big
Band” music.
The second very memorable social event was the Wednesday Gala
Banquet. This year in Detroit the banquet was held in the Renaissance
Center, and included, in addition to a great meal, also live dancing
music, setting the stage for us all – the “actors”
- of the evening. What an enjoyable and memorable event that was.
The Thursday EMC Symposium Awards Luncheon was yet another memorable
event, providing another opportunity to recognize many of our
Society’s leaders and professionals for their achievements
in 2007 and 2008. It was particularly exciting to present the
President’s Memorial Award this year in honor of Albert
A. Smith who passed away on 30 July 2006. His daughter, Denise
Wynters, was present in the ceremony when the award was presented
to Mr. Mosin Mondal from IBM. It was particularly exciting for
me to have the honor to present this award honoring Al Smith,
whose classic book “Coupling of External Electromagnetic
Waves to Transmission Lines” I keep on my desk and use regularly.
The entire Luncheon and awards ceremony was exceptionally well
organized and I would like to thank Bruce Archambeault, the outgoing
Awards Chairman, for his professional organization and his ability
to maintain a good spirit during the ceremony.
There is so much more to write about, however, knowing that this
issue is primarily dedicated to the Symposium, I will simply end
this Section by taking this opportunity to thank Kimball Williams,
2008 EMC Symposium General Chair, and his outstanding committee
for putting together such a wonderful, high-quality and extremely
enjoyable Symposium. This was truly a first class one, not easy
to match!
Be Prepared… for 2009 in Austin, Live Music Capital of the
World
While speaking about our annual Symposia, I invite you all to
mark your calendars. The call for papers of the 2009 IEEE International
Symposium on EMC (in Austin, TX, August, 2009) has just been released
(see page 88).
Austin is also known as the “Live Music Capital of the World”
and believe it or not – a “Call for Musicians”
(in addition to the call for papers) has also been issued. “No
kidding!” Join us and combine radio and audio frequencies
and enjoy a spurious-free spectrum of professional and social
experiences.
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| The Gala Banquet in the Renaissance
Center, Marriott Hotel, Detroit.Anat and Elya Joffe dance
with the band in the background. |
IEEE 2008 Sections Congress, the United
Nations of the IEEE
The IEEE 2008 Sections Congress took place in the beautiful city
of Quebec, Canada, in September. This event could jultifyably
be called the “United Nations of the IEEE.” Members
of most Sections of the IEEE worldwide attended this magnificent
event, focused on issues common to Sections and Chapters worldwide.
The EMC Society was one of the only Professional Societies represented
in the Congress, by Dave Staggs, the Vice President for Member
Services, and myself, your President. That was a wonderful opportunity
to meet members of Sections from literally all around the globe,
exchange ideas, and most important – reach out and work
together to form new Chapters of the EMC Society.
As a result of discussions held at the Sections Congress, ties
were formed with members from Macedonia, South Africa, Ghana,
Nigeria, and possibly the most exciting of all – Iraq.
In a presentation I made to the attendees in one of the breakout
sessions regarding the ties between Society, Section and Chapter,
it turned out that the services the EMC Society offers to its
Chapters (officially “belonging” to the Sections),
exceeds by far the services offered by many other, larger and
older Societies, even within our own Division (Division IV).
In addition to this being a very professional and great outreach
event, this was, no doubt, a great opportuntiy to make friends
from all around the world and form ties between different Societies.
Truly, this is an example of “engineering beyond barriers.”
The next Sections Congress will take place in San Francisco, USA
in 2011. I encourage those of you who are active in your Sections,
especially if you are part of the Section (or Chapter) leadership,
to attend this wonderful event.
IEEE 125th Anniversary (Young for 125 Years…)
The last quarter of the nineteenth century was marked by a tremendous
growth in electrical technology. This growth, coupled with plans
for an international Electrical Exhibition to be held by the Franklin
Institute in Philadelphia, prompted twenty-five of America’s
most prominent electrical engineers – including Thomas Edison,
Elihu Thomson and Edwin Houston – to call for the formation
of a Society to promote their burgeoning field. The birth of IEEE
is rooted in the founding of the American Association of Electrical
Engineers (AIEE) on 13 May 1884.
The global IEEE formed in 1965 as a result of a merger of the
AIEE and the Institute of Radio Engineers (IRE). In the 1930s,
the extensive applications of electron tube technology made it
more and more difficult to distinguish the technical boundaries
between the two organizations. After World War II, when problems
of overlap and duplication of efforts arose, the merger plan was
formulated and approved.
It was just less than two years ago, in 2007, that the EMC Society
celebrated its 50th anniversary. The official 125th IEEE anniversary
date is 13 May 2009. The EMC Society, as one of the Societies
of the IEEE, plans to commemorate this special event at its May
2009 BoD meeting and accompanying events, in particular, at the
Philadelphia Chapter meeting taking place on May 22, 2009.
Join us throughout the year as we celebrate 125 years of innovation
and ingenuity. Whether you participate in a local celebration,
or contribute to our online message boards and contests, everyone
can be a part of IEEE’s Anniversary Celebration.
By celebrating this milestone anniversary, you honor the countless
contributions that IEEE members and the technology profession
have made that have changed the world, and support the development
of future technologies that will benefit humanity.
Get involved in the IEEE's 125th Anniversary Celebration with
the EMC Society. Dan Hoolihan has agreed to lead the activities
of the 125th celebration. If you have any idea, please do not
hesitate to covey it to me <eb.joffe@ieee.org>
or to Dan <d.hoolihan@ieee.org>.
By celebrating with us you’ll be able to see what your colleagues
are doing, take advantage of excellent networking opportunities,
and participate in something truly unforgettable.
Recent Global Outreach Continues
I have just returned from Manizales, Colombia and am heading again
to Buenos Aires, Argentina, only five days later, in an outreach
endeavor to Latin America. Interest in EMC is growing fast, and
very high quality work was presented by members of the BoD delegation,
including John Norgard, our Vice-President for Technical Services,
and myself.
We had the chance to observe high quality work, particularly in
the field of Power Quality, High Voltage and Lightning, and were
thrilled to see the enthusiasm and spark in the eyes of professors
and students alike for the topic of EMC.
We were welcomed very warmly in Colombia and trust that this visit
will not only increase the activity of the Colombian members in
the EMC Society, but that their success will reflect on neighboring
countries and Sections, encouraging the formation of new Chapters
in Latin America.
A full article on the outreach efforts to both Colombia and Argentina
will be published in the next Newsletter, including impressions
on the coffee. Try “Juan Valdez” Coffee. You will
not regret it!
New Officer Elections
Finally, as I mentioned in the beginning of this column, I am
almost half way past my term as President, looking back in amazement
at time, as it flies. I am glad to have yet another one year to
serve you as President.
However, in the upcoming November BoD meeting (you will receive
this issue after that meeting), the BoD will be electing its new
slate of officers for the next two years, as well as the President-Elect
for the year 2009, to be installed as President in 2010.
As the preacher says in the book of Ecclesiastes (Qoheleth), Chapter
1:
One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but
the earth abideth for ever: The sun also ariseth, and the sun
goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose: The wind
goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth
about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his
circuits: All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not
full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they
return again.
Thus is the way our Society goes on: A generation passeth and
a new generation cometh, but the earth abideth for ever…
We have an excellent slate of candidates for the various offices,
and no doubt that those elected will continue to drive the EMC
Society to new heights.
Incidentally, do you realize that the last sentence: All the rivers
run into the sea; yet the sea is not full could be a reflection
on Ampere’s Law (or “Kirchhoff’s Law of Currents”)?
Think about it.
For me, this will be both a year of continued service to the Society
as your President, as well as for training my successor, whomever
he or she may be. I look forward to working with the newly elected
officers and trust that we will, as members of this great Society,
all benefit from their service.
I Would Like to Hear from You!
As I have repeatedly preached over the years, the best way to
benefit from your membership in the Society is to volunteer. As
the Society evolves, and new initiatives emerge, we are always
in need of volunteers. I look forward to working with all of you
who join the volunteers of the Society, helping achieve the set
of our goals for the benefit of us all.
For checking about volunteer opportunities, or simply for making
a suggestion, comment, or just for dropping a friendly note, please
do not hesitate to e-mail me at: eb.joffe@ieee.org.
You will receive a reply! EMC
President’s
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