Lecture Series Archive

Internet Technology: Liberating or Controlling

Farid Farahmand

Dr. Farid Farahmand
Assistant Professor
Engineering Science Department, Sonoma State University

Thu, 11/01/2012

Abstract – The rise of the Information Technology has revolutionized every facet of our existence. At the heart of this upheaval is the Internet, particularly the World Wide Web technology. The Internet was introduced as a tool of freedom, freeing its users from any physical limitation, a challenge to media monopoly through enabling the free flow of information, and thus a new realm in which the power of institutions over people would be eroded. In this discussion we explore contradictions of the Internet and the Web, both in the ways we use them and the ways they operate. Undoubtedly, these technologies offer tremendous convenience and innovative ways connecting people together. Yet, as we point out, they are increasingly being embraced as instruments of control, monitoring, and oppression by powerful institutions and governments. In fact, the Internet and the Web, similar to any other technology, are far from neutral and their power can only be understood within the existing socio-economic forces.

Dr. Farid Farahmand is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering Science at Sonoma State University. He is also the director of Advanced Internet Technology in the Interests of Society Laboratory. Prior to this position, Dr. Farahmand worked as the research scientist at Alcatel-Lucent Corporate Research and was involved in development of terabit optical routers. Dr. Farahmand holds multiple international patents, numerous reference conference articles and journal publications, and several book chapters, on the subjects of wireless communications, optical networking, green networking, and delay tolerant networks. He has also authored many educational papers focusing on eLearning and Active Learning in classrooms. Farid is actively involved in organizing many conferences and serves as the reviewer and co-editor to a number of technical conferences and journals. He is a member of IEEE, ASEE, and Engineers Without Borders- USA.

Energy Efficient Networking

Wael Diab

Mr. Wael Diab
Senior Technical Director
Office of the CTO, Broadcom

Thu, 10/18/2012

Abstract – The talk will introduce energy efficient Ethernet (EEE), overview related developments in the industry and will overview how Broadcom is using EEE as a foundation for its EEN (Energy-efficient Networking) portfolio.

Wael William Diab works as a Senior Technical Director in the Office of the CTO at Broadcom. He is responsible for defining technical strategy for the Infrastructure & Networking Group (ING). Prior to Broadcom, Diab worked at Cisco in various technical, architectural, and business leadership roles, focused on next-generation networking products and technologies. Diab is a Senior Member of the IEEE and was elected as the Vice-Chair of the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet Working Group, serving in that position since 2008. Diab is a member of the IEEE-SA Standards Board and the IEEE Standards Education Committee (SEC). He was elected to the IEEE-SA Corporate Advisory Group (CAG) and serves as its Vice-Chair. He is also the IEEE-MGA liaison to the IEEE-SA. Named winner of the 2011 TechAmerica Innovator Awards for his leadership in Green Technology, Diab was recognized by the David Packard Medal of Achievement and Innovator Awards for his leadership in the development of Energy Efficient Ethernet Networking solutions. Diab holds BS and MS degrees in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, a BA degree in Economics from Stanford, and an MBA with honors from the Wharton School of Business. He holds over 100 US issued patents in the networking space.

Low Power Analog IC Design for Biomedical Devices

Stephen O'Driscoll

Dr. Stephen O'Driscoll
Professor
Electrical and Computer Engineering, UC Davis

Thu, 10/04/2012

Abstract – Implantable medical devices are a rapidly growing area of technology. Invivo monitoring and treatment of key biological parameters can greatly assist in managing health and preventing disease. This talk will focus on innovative solutions to deliver power wirelessly to a greater range of implanted devices including choice of optimal frequency, adaptive matching, high efficiency rectifier design and implant location estimation. We will also discuss innovations in ADC design for implantable devices to minimize power consumption including dynamic resolution adaptation and capacitor array reconfiguration to overcome mismatch limitations. Application to neural sensing will be also discussed.

Dr. Stephen O'Driscoll is a professor at UC Davis and a Visiting Scientist at Google[x]. He received his B.E. degree in Electrical Engineering in 2001 from University College Cork, Ireland and the M.S. and PhD degrees in Electrical Engineering in 2005 and 2009 from Stanford University. He was an Analog IC Designer at Cypress Semiconductor, San Jose from 2001 to 2003 where he worked on clock and data recovery PLLs. During 1999 and 2000 he worked as microwave circuit designer at Farran Technology, Ireland. His research focuses on low power analog and RF IC design with emphasis on biomedical applications.

PG&E's Smart Grid, a Foundation for a Sustainable Electric System

Suna Taymaz , Dan Pearson

Ms. Suna Taymaz & Mr. Dan Pearson
Managers,
Smart Grid & Technology Integration, PG&E

Thu, 09/20/2012

Abstract – Utilities across the world are deploying "Smart Grids" that will fundamentally change the way that we create, control and consume electricity. Such changes will improve the safety, reliability, and resiliency of the electric grid system, create a cleaner "green" environment, and integrate new and renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar power onto the grid. This presentation will discuss Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s (PG&E) Smart Grid vision, strategy and long term roadmap to modernize the electric grid. We will discuss the environmental and societal benefits to implementing the Smart Grid as well as some of the unique challenges faced in undertaking one of the largest overhauls of the electric system in the U.S. in over 70 years.

Ms. Suna Taymaz joined Pacific Gas & Electric's Smart Grid and Technology Integration group in 2011. She is responsible for helping to formulate the Smart Grid vision, strategy & roadmap by working across various PG&E lines of business including the Transmission & Distribution, Customer Care, Energy Procurement & Information Technology departments. Prior to joining PG&E, Suna worked at Deloitte for 12 years & has a broad consulting background focused on business & technology policy & strategy, program design & development, & working with stage government & regulated industries to implement new technology initiatives.

Mr. Dan Pearson joined Pacific Gas & Electric in 1981 out of Oregon State University with a BS Electrical Engineering. Dan is a registered professional engineer in California & a member of IEEE. Dan has held many positions at PG&E from supervising all distribution planning engineer work to being PG&E’s General Rate Case witness on all distribution capital investment funds amounting to over a billion dollars & is considered as one of PG&E’s business & technical experts.

Design Aspects and Performance Parameters of Microwave Signal Sources

Salam Marougi

Dr. Salam Marougi
Expert Engineer
Agilent Technologies

Thu, 09/06/2012

Abstract – Signal Sources are critical parts of many test and measurement systems. They are required to generate well-controlled and calibrated signals to stimulate the device or the system under test to generate a calibrated response that can be measured to determine the device or system performance. Signal sources have evolved from a single continuous wave (CW) generator operating over a decade of frequency range to generators of highly complex and calibrated waveforms that will operate over multiple decades and well into the Microwave and Millimeter wave frequency bands. This seminar will introduce the basic concept of designing state of the art signal sources. The most important performance parameters will be discussed. Examples of such parameters are presented for state of the art signal sources.

Dr. Marougi has received his Master’s and Ph.D. Degrees from the University of Birmingham-United Kingdom in Electronics and Electrical Engineering. He has many years of academic experience in various Universities. He has taught courses for Santa Clara University and for The University of California- Berkeley Extension. For the past eighteen years, Dr. Marougi is working full time in the Hi-Tech industries. Currently he is with the Signal Sources Division of Agilent Technologies. His areas of interest are Test and Measurement, Signal Analysis, and Synchronization in Telecommunications. Dr. Marougi has published extensively in areas that cover Microwave Antenna, Signal Processing, and Phase Locked Loops.

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