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What does it take to develop a new satellite constellation from the initial idea to the point of getting the funding to build it? And how are funding decisions actually made and are we really aware of what drives our own decisions in life? Helena van Mierlo was the driving force behind a constellation of satellites for wildfire monitoring which is slated for launch in 2029. She brings us on a journey of the eight years she spent to turn this novel space-based wildfire monitoring service into a reality. Along the way you will be learning some interesting facts about wildfires, satellites and her own career path, but above all she will share with us her lessons learned about what it takes to get your idea financed. Co-sponsored by: ETS. STARACOM. INTRIQ. PRIMA. Fonex. PreFab. Numana. Ansys. Femtum. Optech. Aeponyx. Excelitas Technologies. Speaker(s): Helena van Mierlo Agenda: - 1:00 PM - 1:10 PM: Welcome by Chairs of the 8th Montreal Photonics Networking Event - 1:10 PM - 2:00 PM: Plenary speaker Room: M1010 , Bldg: Pavillon Lassonde, 1e étage, 2700, Chemin de la Tour, Montréal, Quebec, Canada, H3T 1J4

Wide bandgap semiconductor devices based on gallium nitride (GaN) offer myriads of advantages over traditional silicon (Si)-based devices for applications in power electronics. These advantages include higher voltage-handling capability with associated low conduction loss, as well as faster switching capabilities, allowing for reduced filtering components within converter topologies, thus leading to improved power density. Despite the many advantages of GaN devices, several challenges related to technological readiness level (TRL) and practical implementation have hindered their widespread adoption, particularly at high voltage. For these reasons, advanced characterization methods for GaN semiconductors are needed, so that these devices can realize their full performance entitlement. This talk will present a broad array of new characterization and modeling methodologies for future GaN diodes, MOSFETs, and novel Photoconductive Semiconductor Switches (PCSS). The presented work will include device physics simulations using finite element modeling techniques, which facilitate the design of new architectures of vertical GaN diodes that are capable of withstanding high voltages. Relative to conventional bevel-angle diodes, the proposed “hybrid edge termination” structure is much simpler, yet produces similar breakdown characteristics. It will be shown that the simulated designs can be used to fabricate and empirically characterize the static and dynamic performance of the 1.2 kV diodes. The empirically validated diode simulations inform and guide the design of high voltage GaN MOSFETs, leading to the development of scaling rules which can reasonably project the performance of future GaN devices up to 20 kV. To address potential forthcoming challenges related to Electromagnetic Interference (EMI), a novel GaN-based PCSS device is proposed and characterized. PCSS devices are optically triggered, thereby electrically decoupling the input and output ports of the device, allowing for EMI mitigation. A new “Cascaded Double Pulse Test” (C-DPT) is used to empirically characterize the dynamic performance of the PCSS device. The C-DPT consists of a low-voltage DPT, strategically positioned overtop of a high-voltage DPT. The low voltage DPT drives a UV LED, acting as the freewheeling diode to provide optical triggering to the PCSS device, which is implemented on the high-voltage DPT. This novel proof-of-concept circuit can inform the design of next-generation power converters utilizing PCSS devices. Finally, the dispersive effect of the parasitic components contained in high-frequency GaN-based circuits is evaluated. As the spectral content in GaN-based circuits is infringing on frequencies previously only observed in the RF domain, new characterization and modeling techniques are needed. This talk will demonstrate that the extended spectral content, orders of magnitude above the switching frequency, associated with GaN-based converters is causing the parasitic components of the circuit to exhibit frequency-dependence. Strategies to account for, and predict this behavior will be presented. The talk will conclude with applying learned lessons from wide bandgap semiconductors to develop a roadmap towards the design of ultra-wide bandgap devices, such as gallium oxide, or aluminum nitride. Speaker(s): Raghav Khanna, Room: EV3.309, Bldg: Engineering Building, Concordia University, 1515 St. Catherine W, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3G1M8

The IEEE Power Electronics Society, Industry and Applications Society and Power Energy Society are inviting all interested IEEE members and prospective members to a webinar Evaluating High Voltage and High Frequency Capability of Future GaN-Based Diodes, MOSFETs, and Novel Photoconductive Switches By Dr. Raghav Khanna Co-sponsored by: IEEE Power Electronics Society, Industry and Applications Society, and Power and Energy Society Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/448920

From Intelligent Surfaces to Noise-Driven Communication: Innovative Technologies for 6G and Beyond Prof. Ertuğrul Başar Koç University, Turkey – [email protected] When: December 6th 2024, 11H00 AM Quebec-Canada Local Time Where: ONLINE VIA ZOOM: https://uqtr.zoom.us/j/81521084215?pwd=bchQDndZg7DTlpVuaeag6bhGwaOvn9.1 Meeting ID : 815 2108 4215 Password : 018477 Abstract - Our community has witnessed the rise of many exciting communication technologies in recent years. Notable examples include alternative waveforms, massive multiple-input multiple-output signaling, non-orthogonal multiple access, joint communications and sensing, AI-empowered systems, and so on. In this context, 6G wireless networks will inevitably require a rethinking of wireless communication systems and technologies, particularly at the physical layer, since the cellular industry reached another critical milestone with the development of 5G wireless networks with diverse applications. Within this perspective, first, this talk aims to shed light on the most recent developments in reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS)-empowered communication towards 6G and beyond wireless networks by discussing promising candidates for future research and development. Specifically, we emphasize different RIS architectures and emerging RIS use cases. Second, taking RIS-based radio frequency chain-free transmitters one step further, we put forward the paradigm of noise-driven communication. We discuss the potential of noise-driven communication systems for three purposes: low/zero-signal-power transmission by indexing resistors or other noise sources according to information bits, noise-alike waveform/modulation design for improved communication efficiency, and unconditionally secure key generation using noise-based loops. Biography - [] Prof. Ertuğrul Başar received his Ph.D. degree from Istanbul Technical University in 2013. He is a Professor at the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey, and the director of the Communications Research and Innovation Laboratory (CoreLab). He had visiting positions at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany (2022, Mercator Fellow) and Princeton University, USA (2011-2012, Visiting Research Collaborator). His primary research interests include 6G and beyond wireless networks, communication theory and systems, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, software-defined radio implementations, waveform design, physical layer security, and deep learning and signal processing for communications. In the past, Dr. Başar served as an Editor/Senior Editor for many journals, including IEEE Communications Letters (2016-2022), IEEE Transactions on Communications (2018-2022), Physical Communication (2017-2020), and IEEE Access (2016-2018). Currently, he is an Editor of Frontiers in Communications and Networks. He is the author/co-author of more than 170 international journal publications and 16 patents that received around 15K citations. He also supervised 5 PhD and 18 master’s students. He is an Associate Member of the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA). In recognition of his outstanding contributions to physical-layer design for next-generation wireless networks, Prof. Basar was elevated to IEEE Fellow in 2023, becoming one of the youngest IEEE Fellows of Turkey at the age of 37. He is also a Fellow of the Asia-Pacific Artificial Intelligence Association (AAIA) and the Artificial Intelligence Industry Academy (AIIA). Recently, Dr. Basar has been selected as an IEEE ComSoc Distinguished Lecturer for the Class of 2024-2025. Speaker(s): Prof. Başar, Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/443554

During this webinar a brief introduction to Altair Feko user interface (CADFEKO and POSTFEKO) will be presented, followed by live demo of the Feko to show case simulation of different antennas and application of various solver technologies explained in (https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/444953). Speaker(s): Gopinath Gampala, Dr. C.J. Reddy Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/445102

Abstract: Multilevel signaling has extended the lifeline of wireline signaling beyond 100 Gb/s. But it’s SNR penalty has mandated much more sophisticated equalization that is more suitable for digital implementation. This presentation aims at bridging the gap between well-understood analog/mixed-signal solutions and today’s DSP-based solutions. Starting from traditional analog architectures, this talk will walk through the evolution toward today’s DSP-based equalization and provide the background for tomorrow’s sequence decoding. Masum Hossain (M’11) received the B.Sc. degree from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 2002, the M.Sc. degree from Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada, in 2005, and the Ph.D. degree from the University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, in 2010. From 2007 to 2013, he worked in product development and industrial research, focusing on high-speed link design in multiple organizations, including Gennum and Rambus. In 2013, he joined the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. Recently in 2023, he joined Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. Dr. Hossain received the Best Student Paper Award at the 2008 IEEE Custom Integrated Circuits Conference and the Analog Device’s Outstanding Student Designer Award in 2010. In 2021 he received EPS society nominated best paper award in IEEE Transaction in Components, Packaging and Manufacturing. Contact Information: Dr. Glenn Cowan Professor Electrical and Computer Engineering Concordia University (514) 848-2424 ext. 4108 [email protected] Room: 11.119, Bldg: EV, 1515 Ste-Catherine Street West, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3G1M8

The Montreal Chapters of the IEEE Control Systems (CS), Systems, Man & Cybernetics (SMC), and Circuits & Systems (CAS) cordially invite you to attend the following in-person talk, to be given by Dr. Marzieh Amini from Carleton University. Co-sponsored by: Concordia University Speaker(s): Dr. Marzieh Amini Room: EV002.309, Bldg: EV Building, Concordia University , Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3G 1M8

In her talk Prof. Hatice KOSE will be presenting some of her recent robotic and AI based projects for children with disabilities and the emotion recognition models her team developed on different data modalities such as vision, audio, and physiological data and multimodal fusion of these. She will also share her experience on designing robotic experiments for children, and ethical use of AI and data in studies involving vulnerable groups. BIO: Hatice Kose holds a PhD in computer engineering and she is a full-time professor in AI and Robotics at the Faculty of Computer and Informatics Engineering, Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Turkey. She is the founder and coordinator of the Cognitive Social Robotics Lab, and Game and Interaction Technologies Lab. She is involved with the administration of AI and Data Engineering Department, Computer Engineering, and Game and Interaction Technologies Graduate programs. She is an IEEE Senior Member and has been working in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence for more than 20 years. Her research focuses on developing affective and social robotic systems for children with disabilities over a decade. Her expertise includes the Ethical use of AI in human centric applications, especially applications involving vulnerable groups and AI for Good. She pioneered in robotics for sign language tutoring, robotics and AI based research for children with hearing impairments. Her research team is developing robotic applications for humanoid robots and affective models including ML/DL models for emotion/stress/interaction recognition especially for children, in both application and theoretical levels. Their main motivation is to develop affective social robots for education, therapy and health applications using these models. She is part of several national and international research projects funded by European Union in collaboration with the leading European research facilities and universities, involving robotic and AI assisted health applications for children with disabilities such as hearing impairment, autism and cerebral palsy. Recently, her work is recognized by the EELISA European consortium, and she received 1st EELISA Diversity Award in October, 2023 with her research activities. Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/451115

Discuss recent advancements; Meet new member; Discuss future plans Room: M-6002, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada

Concrete encased electrodes for grounding electrical power systems, also called Ufer grounds, are highly effective grounding systems when installed correctly. James will explain what constitutes a Ufer ground and how one can be easily constructed in accordance with the IEEE Standard 142-2007 (the Green Book) and the National Electrical Code (NEC). He will also explain what common errors and myths surround Ufer grounds as well as an error in the IEEE Green Book, and errors in interpreting the NEC. James will also explain how Ufer grounds are essential to effective lightning protection systems. James’ background as an experienced construction electrician and a B.S. Civil Engineer makes him uniquely qualified to explain civil/structural concepts and practices, and how these are relevant to Electrical Engineers. Co-sponsored by: IEEE Hamilton PES Chapter, and other PES Chapters in R7 Speaker(s): James J. Mercier, Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/450987