IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin July 2006 Volume 55, No. 7

Included in this issue: • From the Chair • Pirates at PNC Park – Aug 11 • Roller Coasters – July 12 • Electromagnetics Report • Future of Engineering – July 19 • Become a Senior Member of IEEE • Pitt Golf Outing – July 17 • Future City Volunteers • Engineers and Public Policy – Aug 8 • PES Conference 2008

Editor of this issue: Jace Cochrane, P.E. [email protected] (412) 390-0718 Contributors: Joe Kalasky, Karl Muller, Andy Novotny, Mike Oliver, Bill Pruss, John Twigg, Chuck Urso and Dave Vaglia.

All announcements for publication in a particular month’s bulletin are due to the Editor by the 20th of the previous month. The accuracy of the published material is not guaranteed. If there is any error, please bring it to the Editor’s attention. The Section’s web site www.ewh.ieee.org/r2/pittsburgh has past issues of the bulletin and lots of other useful information.

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• From the Chair Section

Chair & Awards Co-Chair – David J. Vaglia, P.E. Members of IEEE Pittsburgh Section, [email protected] (412) 491-6944

Vice Chair – John Twigg [email protected] (412) 795-4444 I hope that you are enjoying the summer. One of our activities this month will be a presentation with Secretary – Charles Urso, P.E. [email protected] (412) 338-4871 videos on Roller Coasters (July 12), given by David Treasurer – Harold Hagerty, P.E. Markus and David Altman. We are lucky to have [email protected] (412) 492-0943x226

experts on the subject here, along with an amusement Webmaster – Andrew Novotny [email protected] (412) 351-4954 park in our backyard that has several outstanding Immediate Past Chair – Dr. Kalyan Sen (Kal) coasters to give us thrill rides. [email protected] (724) 696-1611

John Paserba, Power Engineering Society Vice UpperMon Subsection Chair: Dr. Dimitris Korakakis President for Meetings & Activities, informed us in [email protected] (304) 293-0405 x2512 June that Pittsburgh has been selected for the PES Chapters 2008 General Meeting. The meeting is scheduled for Communications Society July 20 – 24, 2008 and will be held at the David L. Chair: Phil Cox [email protected] (724) 443-0566 Lawrence Convention Center. Computer Society – Chair: John Twigg (see above) Dr. Ralph W. Wyndrum, Jr., current President Engineering In Medicine & Biology Society of IEEE-USA, will address us and key Pittsburgh Co-Chair: Dr. Zhi-Hong Mao leaders from universities and industry on July 19. He [email protected] (412) 624-9674 Co-Chair: Bob Brooks will be talking about the status and future of [email protected] (412) 767-2400 x3506

engineering in the US today. Dr. Wyndrum is coming Electromagnetic Compatibility Society Chair: Michael J. Oliver to Pittsburgh to learn about Vision 20/10, spearheaded [email protected] (814) 763-3211 by John Twigg, our Section Vice Chair and Computer Power Engineering & Industry Applications Societies Chair: Charles Urso, P.E. (see above) Society Chapter Chair. Vice Chair: Andrew Novotny (see above)

Our Section is now officially calling for Magnetics Society – Chair: Dr. Ganping Ju [email protected] (412) 918-7046 nominations for candidates to fill the Executive Robotics Society – Chair: Dr. Guy Nicoletti Committee positions of Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, [email protected] (724) 836-9922 and Secretary for 2007. Please contact me for details if Signal Processing Society – Chair: Dr. Heung-No Lee [email protected] (412) 624-9677 you are interested in the nominating process. Affinity Groups We are still looking for Members who want to GOLD – Chair: Andrew Rydholm become Senior Members. It costs nothing but your [email protected] (412) 261-3200 x281

time, if you meet the requirements. (Details on page 9) Life Member – Chair: Bob Grimes, P.E. [email protected] (412) 963-9711 The Executive Committee (ExCom) is Vice-Chair: Wally Raisanen [email protected] (724) 986-4467 scheduled to meet again on July 20, when we will Committees continue to plan our activities for the rest of this Consultants Network calendar year. Please come forward and give some of Co-Chair: Dr. George Crawford, P.E. [email protected] (412) 675-9164 your valuable time. We need additional volunteers. Co-Chair: Peter Mantzouridis [email protected] (412) 780-0201 You can reach me at [email protected] or (412) Professional/Career Activities (PACE) 491-6944. Chair: Joe Kalasky, P.E. [email protected] (724) 838-6492

Dave Vaglia Student Activities – Chair: Ralph Sprang [email protected]

Membership Development Chair: Dr. Karl F. Muller, P.E. th [email protected] (412) 374-6051 Celebrate the 150 anniversary of Awards – Co-Chair: Ray Valentine, P.E. Nikola Tesla’s birth on July 10, 2006. [email protected] (724) 733-5083

www.teslasociety.com Publicity – Chair: Thomas Dionise, P.E. [email protected] (724) 779-5864

IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin July 2006 Volume 55 No. 7 Page 2 of 10 • A History of Thrills – Roller Coasters Bring the family to this one!

Speakers: David Markus and David Altman Date: Wednesday, July 12, 2006 Time: 6:30 PM Videos of coasters from around the world 7:00 PM Presentation Place: West Tower Auditorium Westinghouse Energy Center, Monroeville Directions on page 8. Cost: No charge RSVP: REQUIRED to Andy Novotny at [email protected] or (412) 351-4954. Limited to 50 people. Sponsor: PES and IAS Chapters

Abstract: The parks are open! ARE YOU READY for a Summer of the greatest of the thrill rides – the ? This presentation will trace the history of the King of Thrill Rides. We will look back to the 1400s and follow the evolution to rides over 450 ft high and faster than 120 mph. The key role that Pennsylvania played in their development and preservation will be revealed. See how the modern steel thrill machines began and evolved. Hear about the first steel coasters and the first to turn you upside down. We will visit the rides and designers of the First Golden Age – the 1920s; the decline of coasters and their rebirth in the 1970s; and the Second Golden Age – the 1990s. Learn about the designers – John Miller, John Allen, Harry Traver, Ron Toomer, Walter Bollinger, Claude Mabillard, Werner Stendle, and the great builders – PTC, , B&M, GCI, , Vekoma, Permier Rides, and others.

About the speakers: Dave Markus is a member of American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE), and Dave Altman is an Assistant Regional Representative for western Pennsylvania and former treasurer of ACE. Dave Markus has made this presentation on coaster history at the Monroeville Public Library and is a regular guest lecturer on coaster design topics for Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment Engineering course offered by the Mechanical Engineering Department. Dave Altman has been a member of ACE since 1985 and has ridden nearly 600 different coasters in 15 countries. He has written articles for ACE’s member publications and has made several presentations on foreign amusement parks at the local ACE midwinter events. Both speakers work at the Westinghouse Energy Center.

To get you in the mood, coaster videos begin at 6:30 PM. So drop by a little early!

IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin July 2006 Volume 55 No. 7 Page 3 of 10 • Improving the State of Engineering in the United States

Speaker: Dr. Ralph Wyndrum, Jr 2006 President of IEEE-USA and IEEE Fellow Date: Wednesday, July 19, 2006 Time: 6:00 PM Refreshments and networking 7:00 PM Presentation Place: Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, 4500 Fifth Ave, Oakland, Pittsburgh PA 15213 A public parking garage is available behind the Software Engineering Institute. Sponsors: IEEE Pittsburgh Section and Computer Society Chapter RSVP: By July 18 to John Twigg at (412) 795-4444 or [email protected]

Abstract: In ‘Improving the State of Engineering in the United States’, IEEE-USA President Ralph W. Wyndrum, Jr. will be addressing how US engineers can succeed in the new global environment in which technology has opened up challenges and opportunities for engineers worldwide. Dr. Wyndrum will discuss specific IEEE and IEEE-USA programs to provide continuing education for IEEE members, as well as cover precollege education programs to help maintain US leadership in innovation by preparing future generations. About the speaker: Dr. Wyndrum is currently CEO of Executive Engineering Consultants, focusing on R&D portfolio management. A member of Eta Kappa Nu,

IEEE Pittsburgh Section Sigma Xi, and Beta Gamma Sigma, he has authored 40+ technical papers and textbook chapters. Wyndrum joined warmly welcomes the Bell Laboratories in 1963 and held various positions in President of IEEE-USA, Integrated Circuit Design and Transmission Development Dr. Ralph Wyndrum, Jr. and 6 patents. In 1980-1987 he led the SLCR-5 digital loop carrier systems development, now serving over five million telephone customers globally. From 1987-1995, Wyndrum was Director of Systems Analysis, Director of Process Engineering, and Director of Quality, Engineering, Software and Technology. In 1996 he was appointed Technology Vice President at AT&T Labs. In 1999 he was appointed Program Planning and Management Vice President at AT&T Labs. Wyndrum was Adjunct Professor at Stevens Institute from 1980-1988 and now teaches at Rutgers University. He began his IEEE affiliation at Columbia University where he earned his BSEE and MSEE. He earned a Eng.Sc.D. at NYU and an MS in Business Administration at Columbia. About IEEE-USA: IEEE-USA advances the public good and promotes the careers and public policy interests of more than 220,000 engineers, scientists, and allied professionals who are US members of the IEEE. IEEE-USA is part of the IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional society with 360,000 members in 150 countries. For more information, go to http://www.ieeeusa.org.

IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin July 2006 Volume 55 No. 7 Page 4 of 10 • Patent Reform, Immigration Innovation and IEEE Government Relation Internships

Speaker: Erica R. Wissolik, Program Sixth Annual Golf Outing Manager, Government

Monday, July 17, 2006 Activities, IEEE-USA Date: Tuesday, August 8, 2006 Montour Heights Country Club, Moon Township Time: 6:00 PM Place: Room 360, Benedum Hall Cost: $155 per person; $620 per foursome University of Pittsburgh, (includes greens fees, cart rental, lunch, and Oakland Campus dinner) Cost: No charge Sponsors: Professional Activities Registration and Lunch: 11:30 a.m. Committee (PACE) & Shotgun start: 1 p.m. Graduates of the Last Decade This is a four-person scramble, and all alumni (GOLD) and their guests are welcome to participate RSVP: Give your name, phone regardless of skill level. All participants must number and email address to have their own clubs. Joe Kalasky at (724) 838-

Reservations due July 5, 2006. Contact Kristen 6492 or [email protected]. Bires Carothers at 412-624-9813 or [email protected] for more information or Miss Wissolik, a native of the Pittsburgh to make a reservation. a paid advertisement area, has agreed to return here to speak of her work in the IEEE-USA Government Activities Department. This special event will edify how IEEE-USA follows, comments, and lobbies on federal legislation crucial to the vitality of IEEE members in the USA. Current hot legislative items for engineers that will be covered are (1) patent reform, commonly known as intellectual property rights, and (2) immigration reform and innovation programs such as the President’s American Competitiveness Initiative. Also covered will be ways that we can influence legislation and how to participate in the renowned IEEE government internships such as WISE (Washington Internships for Students in Engineering) and IEEE Fellowships for practicing engineers. These interns and fellows assist either Congress or the Department of State with reliable technical and engineering career information which affects legislation and policies.

• Power Engineering Society Meets in Pittsburgh

The international Power Engineering Society of IEEE will meet in Pittsburgh in 2008 from July 20 – 24. Having the PES General Meeting here is probably a twice-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so don’t miss it. The meeting is expected to have more than 1500 attendees and will include technical paper presentations, committee and working group meetings, the presentation of awards, and more. Pittsburgh Section members who are interested in volunteering to work on this conference are asked to contact Chuck Urso, Pittsburgh PES Chapter Chair, at [email protected] or Dave Vaglia, Pittsburgh Section Chair, at [email protected].

IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin July 2006 Volume 55 No. 7 Page 5 of 10 • Bobblehead Night at PNC Park

Date: Friday, August 11, 2006 Time: Game starts at 7:05 PM Place: Section 323, PNC Park, North Shore, Pittsburgh Cost: $16.00 per ticket Sponsors: PES/IAS Chapter RSVP: By sending your check payable to “IEEE Pittsburgh Section” to Andrew Novotny 514 Price Ave North Braddock, PA 15104

Come out and enjoy an evening at PNC Park with the IEEE Pittsburgh Section. It will be Satchel Paige Bobblehead Night and Heritage Weekend with Pittsburgh Pirates hosting the St Louis Cardinals. Join other IEEE members and their guests for a fun-filled evening. Section 323 is on the third base side of the park. Be sure to reserve your seats early. Contact Andrew Novotny at (412) 351-4954 or [email protected] if you have any questions.

• Future City Mentors

The Engineers Society of Western PA and the Carnegie Science Center are gearing up for the 2007 Future City program in Pittsburgh. In Future City, teams of seventh and eighth graders design a future city with a software package and the help of an engineer mentor. Why should you volunteer to be a mentor? Read on. The word rejuvenate comes from the Latin “young again.” Appropriately enough, that is precisely the word Jane Sternemann uses to describe the benefits of volunteering as an engineer mentor in the National Engineers Week Future City Competition. Mentors say the experience provides them with a fresh perspective on their profession, a perspective only the young can offer. “Future City rejuvenates me,” says Sternemann, when asked why she takes time from her job as an engineering group manager at General Motors’ Vehicle Safety and Crashworthiness Integration program in Warren, MI. “When you’ve been in engineering a long time – I’ve been in the crash area for 17 years – it can get a little old. My interaction and connection with these kids rejuvenates me.” Stefan Gantert, PE, a civil engineer with the Rice County, MN highway department, has a similar take on the power of seventh- and eighth-graders. “Too often we get stuck in a rut of doing things the same way over and over,” he says, “when a little creativity might lead to great things. These students remind me that it’s good to dream as long as you base the ideas in reality.” Sternemann and Gantert are among hundreds of engineers who volunteer in the annual Future City Competition, the nation’s largest and most successful not-for-profit engineering education program. Students work with a teacher and mentor as they create cities of tomorrow using SimCity 3000, build a large 3-D tabletop model, write an essay, and create an oral presentation. More than 30,000 students from 1100 schools participated in Future City in 2006.

IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin July 2006 Volume 55 No. 7 Page 6 of 10 • EMCS Meeting Report

The second meeting of the newly formed Pittsburgh Chapter of the Electromagnetic Compatibility Society was conducted on May 11, 2006 at the Westinghouse Energy Center. Michael Oliver, Chapter Chair, hosted the meeting, which started with a social for the 15 attendees. Harry Godlewski, Chapter Vice Chair, gave the technical presentation titled “EMC – an Overview”. Mr. Godlewski presented the historical origins and the driving interest in EMC. Reviews of the impact of EMC engineering from component level, to intra-system, to inter- systems were discussed. Various modes of interference were presented, and methods and approaches available for mitigation and prevention of electromagnetic interference (EMI) were summarized. He concluded with an overview of the guidance/compliance documents that are available and with some field examples of EMI investigation. You are welcome to join EMCS for their September and October meetings this year. Check the calendar in this bulletin and future bulletins for more details.

IEEE Pittsburgh Section EMCS Chapter May 11 meeting

Good food Thank you Harry Godlewski for your contributions to our EMCS Chapter

IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin July 2006 Volume 55 No. 7 Page 7 of 10

DIRECTIONS TO WESTINGHOUSE ENERGY CENTER

From Pittsburgh take Interstate 376 East (Parkway East). Take Exit 14A to Monroeville.

Cross Business Rt 22 at the traffic light and proceed on Rt 48 South (Moss Side Blvd) approx

½ mile (two traffic lights). The 2nd traffic light is at a 4-way intersection with an Exxon

station on the right. Turn left onto Northern Pike. Proceed approx 0.2 miles and turn right at

the 1st traffic light onto Westinghouse Dr. Travel 0.7 miles (past the guard stand) to the 3

flags where the building’s main entrance is located. Parking in the evening will be plentiful.

Use the main entrance and check with the security guards inside. You will be directed to the

proper room for your meeting.

From the PA Turnpike, take Exit 57 (Monroeville). After the toll plaza, get in the left lane

to get on Business Rt 22 West. At the first light, turn left onto Rt 48 South (Moss Side Blvd) and follow the above directions.

• Advertise in the Pittsburgh Bulletin

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• Keep Receiving the Bulletin

Sometimes members of the IEEE Pittsburgh Section report that they are not receiving their Bulletins via email. Here are some troubleshooting tips. • Is your IEEE membership still current? If not, you will not receive the Bulletin. (If you are still getting Spectrum magazine every month, your membership is current.) Please renew your membership via the IEEE web site, www.ieee.org, or 1-800-678-4333. • Does IEEE headquarters have you in the Pittsburgh Section or another section? If you aren’t in the Pittsburgh Section, you will not receive the Bulletin. If you know your IEEE member number and PIN, you can revise your section on the IEEE web site. Otherwise call IEEE at 1-800-678-4333 to check on your section. • Does IEEE headquarters have your current email address? Many people frequently change their email addresses because they change jobs or change ISP providers. (Consider a free IEEE email alias to avoid this problem.) If you know your IEEE member number and PIN, you can update your email address on line. Otherwise call IEEE at 1-800-678-4333 to give them your latest email address. • Is your spam blocker blocking the Bulletin? You’ll have to fix this yourself.

IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin July 2006 Volume 55 No. 7 Page 8 of 10 • Become a Senior Member

We have been receiving inquiries from members on how they can become Senior IEEE members. This has been discussed by the Executive Committee, and we have decided to set up a procedure to help members through the process. The basic concern of our members has been identifying references who are familiar with their work and are Senior members or Fellows of IEEE. We will help you find qualified references. You will need to provide a detailed resume/list of your work experience for them. We will also set up a meeting for the applicants and references to discuss the applicant’s work experience.

Basic Requirements of Senior Membership: 1. Engineer, scientist, educator, etc. in professional practice for 10 years, showing significant performance over at least 5 of those years. 2. Recommendations from 3 Senior or Fellow IEEE members. Additional detailed requirements should be reviewed at: http://www.ieee.org/organizations/rab/md/smguide.html

Guide to Applying for Senior Member Grade • Once you determine that you fulfill the requirements for Senior Member (SM) grade, identify your three references, who must be IEEE Senior Members or Fellows. • If you have difficulty in locating individuals to serve as your references, contact Karl Muller at [email protected] or (724) 327-0016 for assistance.

Fill out the electronic form to provide to your references • Download the electronic SM Application form in Word and fill out the form completely. Fill in your references’ Member numbers if known. Save this file and name it accordingly. You can then send this document to your references as an email attachment. • Contact your references and ask them for a recommendation. Send them your completed application form as suggested above to give them supporting information on which to base their recommendation and to fill out the required reference form. • Each reference must send a brief note of recommendation directly to IEEE, preferably using the online SM Reference form.

Submit the application form • After you have notified all your references and given them the proper instructions, fill out the online form by cutting and pasting information from the electronic form that you have already prepared. You may submit your application in any of the formats provided, but for the quickest processing of your application, it is suggested that you submit the Web form, with the electronic format as the second preferred option. • It is encouraged that a resume be submitted as well. Without a resume, there may not be sufficient information for the Admission & Advancement (A&A) panel to make a favorable decision.

If you have questions, contact Karl Muller, Membership Development Chair at (724) 327-0016 or [email protected].

IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin July 2006 Volume 55 No. 7 Page 9 of 10 2006 Calendar – Meetings of IEEE Pittsburgh Section Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Executive 19 16 16 U Pitt 27 18 Panera 15 Panera 20 Committee Point Park Point Park Greensburg Point Park Monreville Oakland Place TBD Section 18 Engr 31 Science 20 History 19 Future Date TBD Week table Fair Dinner of Engring Picnic in USA Commu- 24 Random nications coding bounds Computer 18 Tour 18 Robot 29 19 17 21 19 Improvg 16 SunGard Race Applctn Outsourc’g Vision Vision State of Technolg Moderniz America 20/10 20/10 Engring in Co stories US EMBS 15 Transm data: body as cable EMCS 31 FAQs 1 Path of 11 EMC Date TBD 12 Least Induc Overview New EU Testing for &EMF EMC EMC phobia Directive Compliance PES/IAS 25 P.E. 13 Power 25 6 CMU 31 14 & 21 12 Roller 11 6, 13, 20 & 4, 11 & 18 License Quality Grounding MBA HV ckt brkr 2005 NEC coasters Pirate game 27 FE FE review & bonding program design course review class course 5, 12, 19 & 2, 9, 16, 23 class 20 History 3, 10, 17, 28 Inverters 26 FE & 30 FE Dinner 24 & 31 FE & motor review review review insulation class class 26 FE class review 7, 14, 21 & class starts 28 FE review class Magnetics 28 Beyond mag record limits Robotics 16 Next Level Signal 9 Sensor 22 Tem- 12 Gene Processing Network poral role- reg based ac- networks cess control Upper Mon 6 Interconn to Backplan 13 Fingerprint please 20 Magnet Reson Microscopy Consultants 24 Expand 28 Business 28 25 Neural 23 Legal 27 Network business Mtg Networks questions Life 11 Intellec- 14 Ansoft Member tual Propty business & technol. GOLD 18 Engrs as 8 Govt Attys activities PACE 18 Engrs as 8 Govt Attys activities Student Activities TBD means ‘to be determined’

IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin July 2006 Volume 55 No. 7 Page 10 of 10