Prof. Mohamed-Slim Alouini

Computer, Electrical, and Mathematical Science and Engineering (CEMSE) Division King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) Thuwal, Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia.

 Addressing Spectrum Scarcity through Optical Wireless Communications

Time & Date: 10:30 am – 11:30 am, May 14, 2015
Location: EME 2141, UBC, Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC

Talk Abstract: Rapid increase in the use of wireless services over the last two decades has led the problem of the radio-frequency (RF) spectrum exhaustion. More specifically, due to this RF spectrum scarcity, additional RF bandwidth allocation, as utilized in the recent past, is not anymore a viable solution to fulfill the demand for more wireless applications and higher data rates. The talk goes first over the potential offered by optical wireless communications to relieve spectrum scarcity. It then summarizes some of the challenges that need to be surpassed before such kind of systems can be massively deployed. Finally the talk offers an overview of some of the recent results for the determination of the capacity of optical wireless channels.

Speaker Biography: Mohamed-Slim Alouini (S’94, M’98, SM’03, F’09) was born in Tunis, Tunisia. He received the Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena, CA, USA, in 1998. He served as a faculty member in the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA, then in the Texas A&M University at Qatar, Education City, Doha, Qatar before joining King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal, Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia as a Professor of Electrical Engineering in 2009. His current research interests include the modeling, design, and performance analysis of wireless communication systems.

Refreshments will be provided. For further information please contact:
Julian Cheng (email: Julian.Cheng at ubc.ca). Registration Page: (http://is.gd/cjHW94)

Calvin Reich
Capri Insurance, UAV Specialist

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones. Next Generation of Aviation Vehicles

Time & Date: 5 pm – 6 pm, April 29th, 2015
Location: E103, Okanagan College, 1000 KLO Rd, Kelowna, BC V1Y4X8 (parking info).

Talk Abstract: There has been a lot buzz recently about drones in the media. There is a whole new industry that is taking off. An industry that is outside the traditional and is different than anything we have seen in the past. With this new industry there is great potential and there are many that are starting to benefit from it. There are also plenty of challenges that have yet to be addressed and will continue as both technology and regulation try to find their role. We are seeing the blend of new technology pushing an aviation industry that is typically slow to change. Technology seems to push things to a whole new dimension. The Internet opened up a whole new world, and then it was cell phone and smart phone technology. This has all led to huge advancements in GPS systems and now is a driving factor in the UAV industry. As the industry is on the brink of exponential growth and regulators struggle with fitting this new technology into a pre-determined box it is an exciting time. It is somewhere between the Wild West and a robotic revolution. It is an exciting time and one that is a pleasure to be part of. We do not know exactly what it will look like in the future, as technology advances so will the UAV industry and the applications of the next generation of aviation vehicles. It is limited only by the imagination and rules governing the integration of this new sector of aviation.

Speaker Biography: Calvin has been with Capri Insurance for the past 14 years and has been involved in aviation since 1992. He holds a Commercial pilots license, float rating, multi Engine rating and has held an Instrument rating. He has been involved in the UAV industry for the past 3-4 years and was a speaker at the Unmanned Systems Canada Conference in 2014. Over the past number of years, Calvin has helped many new and seasoned operators with the rules and regulations that are involved for commercial operations of a UAV.

Refreshments will be provided. For further information please contact:
Youry Khmelevsky (email: youry at ieee.org).
Registration Page: (https://meetings.vtools.ieee.org/m/34488)

Scott McMillan
XCo Tech Inc., Software and Sensor Innovation
British Columbia, Canada

Exact Positioning Systems using Ultrawideband Technology

Time & Date: 5 pm – 6 pm, April 27th, 2015
Location: E103, Okanagan College, 1000 KLO Rd, Kelowna, BC V1Y4X8 (parking info)

Talk Abstract: XCo has developed Gauge, the first performance wearable to precisely measure your location, speed and acceleration. Built for sport and healthcare applications, it is the first wearable to fully integrate precise movement metrics with other body sensor data such as heart rate monitors and concussion sensors. This is made possible by combining XCo’s proprietary real-time software with our breakthroughs in cost-effective ultra-wideband positioning and data telemetry technology. The patent pending system is capable of determining location of a person or asset down to a few centimeters both indoors and outdoors. It has overcome the inability of GPS, video, WiFi and other RF based systems to track movements precisely and reliably. More importantly, XCo has achieved this level of performance at a fraction of the cost of other sport and asset tracking systems. Sport teams, facilities and athletes are the first target market for Gauge. Using this system, which includes tracking stations, wearable devices and software, athletes and teams can attain a competitive edge in their training without taking unnecessary risks of injury or illness. Performance data is displayed in real time to anyone, anywhere and may be used to monitor workload, technique, tactics and to minimize injuries. A healthy ROI may be achieved by facilities and other service providers who have purchased a system. Using the same technology platform, XCo is developing equally powerful products for the healthcare industry, in particular, remote patient monitoring. Positional information combined with clinical vital signs provides new value and safety features to in-home, assisted living and hospital tracking systems. Based in British Columbia, XCo’s founding team has deep experience in the sports, healthcare and information technology sectors.

Speaker Biography: Scott has a Master of Science degree in Exercise and Sport Science. Specializing in biomechanics, the study of human kinetics and kinematics, he has been using sensor technology for over 20 years to analyze human movement and performance. Prior to founding his own companies (Factor 9 Coaching, Blur Sports Inc and now XCo), he worked for the Adidas Innovation Team. At Adidas, he spent six years working across the company to bring new ideas to market. He has worked with and developed many sensor based products through all stages of innovation and commercialization.

Refreshments will be provided. For further information please contact:
Youry Khmelevsky (email: youry at ieee.org).
Registration Page: (https://meetings.vtools.ieee.org/m/34302)