Following is a listing of the workshops and papers composing the technical program of the 2001 Wireless Symposium/Portable by Design Conference to be held February 1216 in San Jose, CA.
MONDAY, February 12, 2001
9:00 am to 4:30 pm
ONE-DAY WORKSHOPS
WKS01: 3G Made Simple
Speaker: Al Scott, Instructor, Besser Associates
This one-day course explains the excitement surrounding Third Generation (3G) Wireless. Basically, 3G systems aim to provide cellular phones that handle telephone voice, e-mail and Internet access (with video), and enable seamless interoperability worldwide. That's a tall order, with many technical, business and political challenges. This course explains the challenges, solutions and potential of 3G.
WKS02: Balanced Circuit Design and Measurement for Wireless Applications
Speaker: Bob Stengel, Instructor, Besser Associates
This industry-unique one-day short course demonstrates how to use mixed-mode and four-port S-parameters to characterize balanced and differential circuits, CMRR, crosstalk and mode conversions at RF/microwave frequencies. S-parameter theory and test equipment revolutionized RF/MW circuit design and measurements three decades ago. However, only recent technology has enabled the measurement and application of S-parameters to balanced RF/microwave circuits and systems.
WKS03: Antennas & Propagation for Wireless Communications
Speaker: Dr. Steven Best, President, Cushcraft Corp.
This one-day workshop provides a fundamental and broad introduction to antenna properties, antenna design considerations and RF propagation issues. The workshop begins with the basic concepts and definitions used in the antenna and propagation industry. Antenna characteristics such as SWR, radiation pattern, polarization, axial ratio, directivity, gain, EIRP, etc. are defined and their impact on wireless system performance is illustrated. Additionally, an overview of different antenna types, including wire antennas, portable, microstrip, circularly polarized and aperture antennas is presented. The basic concepts associated with the design and performance of antenna arrays are also discussed. RF propagation issues such as path loss, multipath fading, polarization distortion, noise and interference, and diversity implementation are described and their impact on system performance is illustrated. An overview of the different types of antennas used in today's wireless communications systems is also presented. The workshop concludes with some practical examples of the concepts presented and demonstrations of actual antenna design using some commercially available antenna design software.
WKS04: Behavorial Modeling
Speaker: Tom Turlington, Instructor, Besser Associates
This one-day workshop provides an introduction to behavioral modeling, a discipline for characterizing non-linear device and circuit behavior with new curve-fitting techniques. Model equations based on measured parameters such as V, I, Pin, Pout, Gss, Psat, compression depth, P1dB, P3rdOIP, frequency, phase and temperature predict nonlinear behavior of transistors, amplifiers, circuit assemblies and subsystems observed in measured data but unexplained by conventional CAD software. Unique optimum parameter trade spaces are developed.
WKS05: Wireless Internet Made Simple
Speaker: TBA
In the last five years, two technologies have radically changed our day-to-day lives: wireless communications and the Internet. Now these dynamic tools are converging to form a new market space called the Wireless Internet. Along with this convergence comes a host of new confusing terms and acronyms, such as WAP, WML, 2G, 3G, etc. This workshop will provide an understanding of the technologies that are involved in bringing Internet data to the mobile user, without overwhelming technical jargon. The workshop presents a comprehensive overview of the current market environment and trends, the technologies involved and the applications that are together shaping the evolving wireless Internet space.
WKS06: PLL Design
Speaker: Eric Drucker, Consultant, PLL Consultants
This one-day workshop provides an introduction to behavioral modeling, a discipline for characterizing non-linear device and circuit behavior with new curve-fitting techniques. Model equations based on measured parameters such as V, I, Pin, Pout, Gss, Psat, compression depth, P1dB, P3rdOIP, frequency, phase and temperature predict nonlinear behavior of transistors, amplifiers, circuit assemblies and subsystems observed in measured data but unexplained by conventional CAD software. Unique optimum parameter trade spaces are developed.
WKS07: RF System Fundamentals
Speaker: Rick Fornes, Instructor, Besser Associates
Close the gap between traditional RF design and the needs of modern communication systems. This one-day course combines theory with real life examples to provide participants with a basic understanding of digital communications techniques and their effects on RF circuit parameters.
WKS08: Fundamentals of Short-range Wireless
Speaker: Robert K. Morrow, Consultant, Morrow Technical Service
This one-day course covers the fundamentals of short-range wireless systems design and deployment, with emphasis on Bluetooth. Participants will study indoor propagation characteristics, connectivity options and design techniques to enable the wireless system to perform properly in a particular environment. The Bluetooth specification is presented as a case study.
TUESDAY, February 13, 2001
10:30 am to NOON
MINI-TUTORIAL
IP02: Indoor Propagation
Track: Indoor Propagation
Track Chair: Peter Rha, Associate Professor, San Francisco State University
Wireless connectivity is easy to imagine where the communications are line-of-sight. Indoors, however, the environment is undefined. Walls, mirrors, metal doors and appliances all impact the propagation and reliability of wireless connectivity. Raising the power in a multi-path environment does not always solve the problem. A tutorial on indoor propagation is offered in this session to start the track.
FL02: The Latest Developments in Filter Technology
Track: Filters
Track Chair: Jeffrey Pawlan, Owner, Pawlan Communications
New things are happening in the quiet land of filters. Long considered the exclusive domain of miniature coaxial filters, low loss diplexers and filters are now available in SAW, FBAR and other technologies. Come to this session to learn and ask questions about these newest additions. Power handling, insertion loss, reproducibility and ruggedness will all be considered.
UL02: Ultrabroadband Market Outlook
Track: Terahertz Ultrabroadband
Track Chair: Doug Lockie, Executive VP and Founder, Endgate Corporation
The market for massive bandwidth (greater than a Gigabit) in metropolitan networks is driven by computer networks such as Gigabit Ethernet. Because of the high cost of installing fiber optics -- mostly trenching cost -- only 5 percent of the business enterprise buildings are on fiber net. This creates a potentially explosive market for millimeter-wave and submillimeter wave radios operating at gigabit class data rates. The session opens with a review of market opportunities.
DC02: Modules and Components for Digital Communications
Track: Digital Communications
Track Chair: Dr. Michael Lauterbach, Director-Product Manager, LeCroy Corporation
This session will cover digital communications hardware topics ranging from new DSP devices to RF components, batteries and power supplies for portable devices or base stations.
SR02: Current Issues in Software Radio Design
Track: Software Radio
Track Chair: TBA
The goal of the direct digitization of the signal after the diplexer and eliminating all other filters has seen a lot of interest in the past. Noise figure, spurious responses, power consumption and dynamic range still loom as difficult problems. Moreover, the cell phone environment seems too demanding. Is this a solution waiting for a benign enough problem? How about Bluetooth? Learn the truth.
WI02: Enabling the Wireless Internet
Track: Wireless Internet Technology
Track Chair: George Bechtel, Director Wireless Program, Strategies Unlimited
This mini-tutorial will explore today's market environment and trends in wireless Internet connectivity. The session will take an intuitive look at 2G, 2.5G and 3G wireless Internet technologies and examine mobility-centric applications and technologies that will enable delivery of Internet content to mobile users.
IR02: IrDA: A New Era of Promised Wireless, Delivered Today
Track: IrDA
Track Chair: Dr. Keming Yeh, President, ACTiSYS Corp.
IrDA was formed in 1993 and the first spec. published in 1994. It reached its height in 1997, essentially becoming then what Bluetooth is today. Poor usability, difficult setup and inter-operability problems led to a disappointing low period throughout 1998 and 1999. With these problems solved through the release of Windows 2000, the "IrReady" inter-operability certification program and the application standard of IrObex, IrDA has experienced major growth in 2000, despite Bluetooth publicity. This session addresses the Implementation of VFIR (16 Mbps) spec. and the IrReady certification program and test detail.
1:30 to 3:00 pm
IP03: Propagation Models and Measurement Techniques
Track: Indoor Propagation
Track Chair: Peter Rha, Associate Professor, San Francisco State University
This session will address issues and solutions related to indoor propagation and coverage of wireless systems such as cellular, PCS and Wireless LAN. Topics in this session focus on indoor propagation models, measurement tools and strategies.
FL03: Extending Filter Design Methods to Other Passive Devices
Track: Filters
Track Chair: Jeffrey Pawlan, Owner, Pawlan Communications
Increasingly, filter design methodologies are being applied to the design of matching, coupling and impedance transforming circuits. This session will explore the benefits of using filter techniques when working on other passive components within a communications system.
UL03: Radio Subsystems for Ultrabroadband
Track: Terahertz Ultrabroadband
Track Chair: Doug Lockie, Executive VP and Founder, Endgate Corporation
Technology development in a wide range of disciplines, computer chips, DSP, error correction, solid state millimeter-wave components and Computer Aided Design have resulted in a new and exciting generation of millimeter-wave radio systems. This session reviews some recent progess in radio subsystems.
DC03: Digital Communication Hardware Measurement and Optimization
Track: Digital Communications
Track Chair: Dr. Michael Lauterbach, Director-Product Manager, LeCroy Corporation
Proper measurement and optimizing types of equipment and interfaces can improve the efficiency of an overall system, whether it is a garage door opener, remote keyless entry device, security devices or RF Identification (RFID) System. This session explores practices that will lead to better system performance.
SR03: Designing with High Speed ADC's
Track: Software Radio
Track Chair: TBA
ADC's are being used to under-sample IF frequencies of over 100 MHz. The ADC's used are very high performance. This presentation will review the design in and application of these high speed ADC's. The presenter will discuss ADC architectures, testing, driving the ADC, coupling output words and board layout, and will also discuss troubleshooting around ADC's.
WI03: M-Commerce: Reaching the Mobile Customer through the Wireless Internet
Track: Wireless Internet Technology
Track Chair: George Bechtel, Director Wireless Program, Strategies Unlimited
This session will explore how wireless technology is used to interact with the customer to deliver customized content. The role of device and network independent wireless messaging services to empower remote and mobile workforces and customers is described. How to best market to wireless customers will be addressed.
IR03: IrDA: The Smart Wireless
Track: IrDA
Track Chair: Dr. Keming Yeh, President, ACTiSYS Corp.
IrDA has grown to a solid and matured technology confident of its unique advantage -- low cost (4 Mbps component at $3), low power, small size (8 * 2.5 * 3 mm), solid inter-operability, secure, personal, controlled short distance and narrow angle, no health concerns and easy to use. The industry is finally free of the issues encountered by any new wireless connectivity technology and is now able to concentrate on useful applications. This session will discuss the new IR e-cash spec., IrFM (Infrared Financial Messaging), which received widespread support from industry segments of financial transaction, credit card processing, POS, cellularphone and PDA. The specification and implementation detail, real product and demonstration will be introduced here.
3:30 to 4:30 pm
IP04: Antennas and RF Equipment for Indoor Coverage
Track: Indoor Propagation
Track Chair: Peter Rha, Associate Professor, San Francisco State University
This session continues with issues and solutions related to indoor propagation and coverage of wireless systems. Topics in this session focus on Antennas and RF equipment for indoor coverage.
FL04: New Approaches to Filter Design
Track: Filters
Track Chair: Jeffrey Pawlan, Owner, Pawlan Communications
New levels of performance have been achieved through innovative application of FBAR and highly-tuned SAW techniques. The papers in this session describe how well and how reliably the new approaches solve real world problems.
UL04: Ultrabroadband Network Radio Systems
Track: Terahertz Ultrabroadband
Track Chair: Doug Lockie: Executive VP and Founder, Endgate Corporation
The role of radio systems in ultrabroadband networks is expanding very quickly. Among the myriad of network architectures and standards ranging from ATM to Sonnet to Ethernet, radio implementation is providing the network designers with substantial additional options.
DC04: Hardware Testing Routines
Track: Digital Communications
Track Chair: Dr. Michael Lauterbach, Director-Product Manager, LeCroy Corporation
This session continues the theme of digital communication hardware with verification of component performance, timing jitter, modulation effects and other hardware testing routines. There will also be a discussion of methods for testing instantaneous power consumption.
SR04: Enabling Software Radio Via Direct Modulation Based Synthesis
Track: Software Radio
Track Chair: TBA
This session will discuss the implementation of synthesizer technology using direct modulation, including how the design can provide unique benefits. This paper will discuss the application of fractional-N synthesizer technology in high bandwidth applications and discuss differences in the implementation of fractional-N synthesizer technology in low and high bandwidth applications.
WI04: Security From the Wireless Customer to the Web
Track: Wireless Internet Technology
Track Chair: George Bechtel, Director Wireless Program, Strategies Unlimited
Security is a paramount issue surrounding e-Commerce and m-Commerce. This session will discuss security requirements, network and data architecture, and the integration of new handheld and wireless information appliances into an e-business infrastructure. Security solutions such as encryption and smart cards will be described.
IR04: IrDA: Simply Wireless
Track: IrDA
Track Chair: Dr. Keming Yeh, President, ACTiSYS Corp.
The IrDA component hardware and protocol software stack are well-developed, well-supported, competitively priced and inter-operable. The implementation of IrDA into new or legacy devices is now made easy and practical. This session will cover the detail of various practical IrDA solutions. This includes IrDA transceiver design and implementation, IrDA protocol processor, instant IrDA enabler kit and handheld BER (Bit Error Rate) tester.
WEDNESDAY, February 14, 2001
9:00 to 10:00 am
BS05: Architecture Concerns in Modern Base Station Design
Track: Base Station Architecture
Track Chair: TBA
Expectations for added services to subscribers are constantly mounting, while capacity and cost remain issues that designers must constantly keep in mind. Furthermore, competing technologies offer differing tradeoffs between complexity, compatibility with existing systems and other concerns. This session will showcase base station architecture techniques that have been employed to successfully navigate the ever-changing landscape of wireless communication protocols.
MINI-TUTORIAL
WP05: LTCC Technology: Designing for Wireless Applications with Green Tape LTCC Ceramic Technology
Track: Packaging for Wireless/RF
Speaker: Daniel Amey, Research Fellow, DuPont Microcircuit Materials
Packaging for wireless products is nothing less than a systems level problem. One can no longer consider just a device package connected to a board or substrate as meeting the needs of the product designer. This session will focus on LTCC technology, which is emerging as a key enabling technology for a wide-range of wireless/RF and microwave applications. Industry experts will discuss advances in Materials, Design and Applications.
Co-sponsored by IMAPS and the Ceramic Interconnect Initiative and the International Wireless Packaging Consortium.
BB05: Fixed Wireless Access
Track: Broadband Wireless Access
Track Chair: Dr. Armapal (Paul) Khanna, R&D Section Manager, Agilent Technologies
Broadband wireless access is beginning to play a key role in the deployment of the new high speed information infrastructure. This session will be an update on Fixed Wireless Access status on applications and standards.
WLA05: High Performance Wireless LANs
Track: Wireless LAN
Track Chair: Tim Carey, Director of Marketing, Anritsu Company
This session will describe the new high data rate specifications for wireless LANs. The presentations will help you understand the data rates and frequencies associated with the different specifications.
3G05: Spread Spectrum Fundamentals
Track: 3G, Cellular and PCS
Track Chair: Rob McMorrow, Cellular, Cordless, PCS Design Eng. Mgr., Alpha Industries
This tutorial will present the basic concepts of spread spectrum communications. It is intended for individuals new to the field who wish to gain a basic understanding of this area. The emphasis will be on the how and why, with a minimum of mathematical formulation. Topics to be covered include basic concepts in spread spectrum comm systems, frequency-hop systems, direct sequence pseudonoise (PN) systems, hybrid systems, processing gain, code division multiple access (CDMA) and IS-95 CDMA.
WE05: Mobilizing Internet Content
Track: Wireless e-Commerce
Track Chair: David Trollman, Co-Founder, Silicon Valley WCA
This mini-tutorial assesses the prospects of those products and technologies that enable high speed, high bandwidth access to the entire Internet. It then compares them to those that provide limited access to reduced content and examines the need for mobilizing the desktop experience.
PB05: Memory Components for Wireless Applications
Track: Portable Products
Speakers: Phil Martin, DRAM Market Development Manager; Cecilia Regolo, Wireless Systems & Applications Engineer; Beth Skidmore, DRAM Applications Engineer; Tom Pawlowski, Micro Fellow, SRAM, Micron Technology
Cut the wires, not the performance. As the functionality and sheer quantity of wireless products increases, so does the need for ultra low power DRAM, SRAM and Flash semiconductor memory devices. In fact, since the memory requirements of wired applications do not mirror the requirements of the wireless sector, new attention is being given to memory densities, organization, speeds, packages and the critical low power requirements. In essence, new types of memory functionality and interfaces are being defined specifically for wireless applications. This presentation will be led by three experts in the area of DRAM, SRAM and Flash Memory. Each expert will provide insight into the evolving memory technologies surrounding the wireless applications arena, with a review of both technological and industry trends.
11:00 am to NOON
BS06: 3G Challenges to Base Station System Designers
Track: Base Station Architecture
Track Chair: TBA
While global standards for 3G systems are still evolving, high level architectures and overall network characteristics are beginning to solidify within the industry. This session focuses on the challenges that 3G wireless technology, standards and protocols present to base station system designers.
WP06: Trends in Wireless Packaging and LTCC Design
Track: Packaging for Wireless/RF
Co-Chairs: Don Brown, Director, IWPC; Dr. Samuel Horowitz, Marketing Manager, DuPont Microcircuit Materials
This session continues the focus on LTCC technology with two paper presentations discussing future trends in packaging, and describing a simplified design method for 3D integrated passive RF functions in LTCC.
Co-sponsored by IMAPS and the Ceramic Interconnect Initiative and the International Wireless Packaging Consortium.
BB06: Broadband Wireless Access Systems
Track: Broadband Wireless Access
Track Chair: Dr. Armapal (Paul) Khanna, R&D Section Manager, Agilent Technologies
This session will focus on the update of Broadband Wireless Access Systems from 2 to 11 GHz. Papers will discuss Licensed as well as License Exempt systems for fixed wireless access.
WLA06: WLAN and Bluetooth Coexistence Issues
Track: Wireless LAN
Track Chair: Tim Carey, Director of Marketing, Anritsu Company
This session focuses on the coexistence of both Bluetooth-based products and IEEE 802.11b-based products in the unlicensed 2.4 GHz band. Bluetooth is a frequency-hop technology used in personal area networks, while IEEE 802.11b is a direct sequence spread spectrum and single-tone technology for wireless local area networks. Both technologies enjoy substantial industry support and have or will have significant deployments. Naturally the question arises as to whether or not these devices will coexist in the presence of one another. Will my laptop with an 802.11b connection to the Internet remain functional while my mobile phone with Bluetooth is operating and visa versa? This session addresses these serious questions of coexistence and evaluates the level of risk to those deploying these technologies.
3G06: Code Domain Measurements
Track: 3G, Cellular and PCS
Track Chair: Rob McMorrow, Cellular, Cordless, PCS Design Eng. Mgr., Alpha Industries
Code-domain power is a measurement that was unique to IS-95 or cdmaOne. Now it is also used for 3G CDMA formats (cdma2000 and W-CDMA). It measures the base station output and quantifies the power into each code channel. The code-domain power measurement concept is the same. Due to differences such as true QPSK data and the use of variable length spreading codes to provide for multiple data rate capability, the measurement for 3G formats is more complicated and requires a different algorithm. An explanation of what a code-domain power measurement is and how it is made is covered.
WE06: Mobilizing Enterprise Data
Track: Wireless e-Commerce
Track Chair: David Trollman, Co-Founder, Silicon Valley WCA
This session presents a range of solutions available to enable enterprises to move their applications and information systems beyond the desktop to appropriate wireless appliances. Enablers and integrators discuss how and why enterprises are outsourcing the delivery.
MINI-TUTORIAL
PB06: Filterless Class-D Audio Amplifiers for Wireless Phones
Track: Portable Products
Speakers: Michael Score, Systems Engineer; Donald Dapkus, Systems Engineer, Texas Instruments
The paper has four main topics: 1 benefits of class-D amplifiers; 2 details of filterless class-D modulation scheme; 3 why it is possible to operate class-D without a filter when using the filterless modulation scheme; 4 system level design guidelines with filterless class-D in wireless phones. The class-D amplifier extends battery life up to four times, lowers supply current and reduces heat generation from the amplifier. The filterless modulation scheme allows the amplifier to operate without the filter by reducing the wasted switching energy into the load. Filterless class-D amplifiers are easy to use if a few simple design guidelines are followed.
1:30 to 3:00 pm
BS07: High Power Amplifiers for Base Station Applications
Track: Base Station Amplifiers
Track Chair: Dave Osika, Chief Scientist for Strategic Technologies, ANADIGICS Inc.
High power amplifiers used in base stations face ever-increasing demands as modulation schemes become more and more complex. This session presents techniques and technologies that competitive designers are using in state of the art systems to deal with today's quasi-random, noise-like signals and maintain high efficiency and performance.
WP07: LTCC Materials and Applications
Track: Packaging for Wireless/RF
Co-Chairs: Don Brown, Director, IWPC, Warrington, PA; Dr. Samuel Horowitz, Marketing Manager, DuPont Microcircuit Materials
This session continues the focus on LTCC technology with paper presentations discussing LTCC systems and solutions, as well as new generation silver conductor systems.
Co-sponsored by IMAPS and the Ceramic Interconnect Initiative and the International Wireless Packaging Consortium.
BB07: Fixed Wireless Access Solutions
Track: Broadband Wireless Access
Track Chair: Dr. Armapal (Paul) Khanna, R&D Section Manager, Agilent Technologies
This session on Broadband Wireless Access will focus on the recent developments in the field of Fixed Wireless Access Solutions using microwaves and millimeter-waves in the frequencies above 11 GHz. The focus will be on LMDS, as well as low cost issues.
WLA07: Wireless Networking Fundamentals
Track: Wireless LAN
Track Chair: Tim Carey, Director of Marketing, Anritsu Company
This session provides a background on the technological building blocks of a wireless networking system. The session describes the differences between wired and wireless networks, circuit vs. packet switching, data packet structure, network architectures, multiple access techniques, error control and throughput comparisons.
3G07: Components for 3G
Track: 3G, Cellular and PCS
Track Chair: Rob McMorrow, Cellular, Cordless, PCS Design Eng. Mgr., Alpha Industries
As wireless service provides roll-out advanced networks for 2.5 and 3G wireless services such as cdma2000, W-CDMA and EDGE, wireless infrastructure and handset manufacturers are looking to semiconductor companies for high performance RF components and system solutions. The bandwidth and data rate demands of 2.5 G and 3G wireless systems, as well as the low cost and QoS demands of wireless communications customers, are putting increased demands on the performance of key RF components. The papers in this track look at solutions at the component level.
WE07: Enterprise Solutions to the Wireless Web
Track: Wireless e-Commerce
Track Chair: David Trollman, Co-Founder, Silicon Valley WCA
This session presents a range of solutions to the wireless web, from repurposing Internet content for wireless devices to making the entire Internet available on any device. User requirements are related to available bandwidths, display templates and personalization are discussed, and the role of ASPs and content providers is debated.
PB07: Enabling Low Cost Chargers for Portable Systems
Track: Portable Products
Speakers: Jason Hansen, Applications Engineer; Jim Hill, Applications Engineer, ON Semiconductor
This paper describes how proper design of an AC/DC adapter can help with power dissipation issues in portable devices. This approach enables portable designers to minimize the power lost across internal pass devices by controlling the output characteristics of their chargers. It also enables the designer to implement an extremely cost-effective charging solution. The approach simply uses a 50/60 Hz transformer as the AC/DC converter and a current limiting resistor (or winding resistance) as the current limit. The only active electronics in the AC/DC converter is the diode bridge. The output voltage will drop with current due to this current limiting resistor. Therefore, the charge control in the portable device must account for this. Since the output voltage drops with current, the voltage drop across the pass device also decreases which lowers power dissipation. This enables the designer to use smaller devices to save space. When one designs the transformer, the resistor and the charge control scheme correctly, one can realize an extremely cost-effective and space efficient solution. The paper will show examples of one to three NiMH cell charging schemes, and some one-cell Li-ion charging schemes. The information presented comes from the design and testing of various charging schemes, research into portable battery systems and the implementation of various integrated circuits into portable systems.
3:30 to 4:30 pm
BS08: Base Station Devices and Modules
Track: Base Station Amplifiers
Track Chair: Dave Osika, Chief Scientist for Strategic Technologies, ANADIGICS Inc.
Service providers are rushing to provide added services to subscribers, while capacity and cost remain issues that designers must constantly keep in mind. Ultimately, the performance of high power components can make or break the success of a base station system. This session continues the discussion of new technologies for base station amplifiers.
WP08: Plated and Bonded Cu and Interactive Discussion Session
Track: Packaging for Wireless/RF
Co-Chairs: Don Brown, Director, IWPC; Dr. Samuel Horowitz, Marketing Manager, DuPont Microcircuit Materials
This session focuses on plated and bonded copper on ceramic, which brings high adhesion and thermal conductivity and line density to RF and wireless applications. This session also includes an interactive discussion session with all presenters.
Co-sponsored by IMAPS and the Ceramic Interconnect Initiative and the International Wireless Packaging Consortium.
BB08: Technology Update
Track: Broadband Wireless Access
Track Chair: Dr. Armapal (Paul) Khanna, R&D Section Manager, Agilent Technologies
This session will focus on the technology update for fixed wireless access. Semiconductor technologies, as well as new antenna and filter technologies for future systems, will be presented.
WLA08: Real World Experiences WLAN Systems
Track: Wireless LAN
Track Chair: Tim Carey, Director of Marketing, Anritsu Company
With increased adoption of common standards, wireless LAN technologies are becoming integrated into many popular computing products. This session explores real world performance issues that developers have faced in deploying WLAN systems.
3G08: 3G Outlook: Evolving Standards and Alternatives
Track: 3G, Cellular and PCS
Track Chair: Rob McMorrow, Cellular, Cordless, PCS Design Eng. Mgr., Alpha Industries
Papers in this session will explore the evolving standards for 3G, as well as alternatives and intermediate steps on the way to providing higher data rates and increased services to users. Possible speed bumps, including slow roll-out, confusing regulations, the specter of inadequate bandwidth and looming questions of interoperability with other systems and technologies, will also be discussed.
WE08: Personalizing, Transcoding and Repurposing Content for the Wireless Web
Track: Wireless e-Commerce
Track Chair: David Trollman, Co-Founder, Silicon Valley WCA
This workshop focuses on tradeoffs in content, bandwidth, latency and display, and summarizes available wireless web solutions and sources based on transcoding Internet content, repurposing it to suit device-specific templates, and personalizing it. The feasibility of browsing the wireless Web is explored and a range of solutions proposed.
PB08: Rotating-Wheel Braille Display Provides Accessibility for Compact Portable Devices
Track: Portable Products
Speaker: John W. Roberts, Program Manager, NIST
More than ten years after the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, and with the explosive growth of the Information Economy, information accessibility is more important than ever before. Calls for accessibility are extending to portable information devices, and are being met by several different approaches in response to the needs of the user community. For many blind and visually impaired users, refreshable Braille displays offer a powerful means to access, but their use for small portable devices has been hampered by high cost and by the tradeoff between bulky structure (for long lines of Braille text) and inconvenience of use (for short lines of text). The NIST rotating-wheel Braille display technology places refreshable Braille text on the rim of a rotating wheel, giving the functionality of long lines of Braille text in a space as small as two inches or less. A high level of performance, plus very low cost of manufacture, will provide a powerful accessibility solution for small portable devices.
THURSDAY, February 15, 2001
9:00 am to 4:30 pm
ONE-DAY WORKSHOPS
WKS09: Oscillators
Speaker: Randy Rhea, Eagleware Corporation
Learn a unified approach to the design of oscillators with L-C, transmission line, SAW and crystal resonators. Oscillators are demystified. Design by modifying existing designs is replaced with a complete understanding that leads to higher performance and lower cost oscillators. Both VCO and high stability fixed oscillators are covered. Topics include starting, non-linear behavior, phase noise, harmonics, tuning, Q and low and high power. Principles apply to most oscillators, but the 100 to 2400 MHz frequency range is emphasized.
WKS10: Cellular CDMA Technology for 2G and 3G Systems
Speaker: Darryl Schick, President, Linear Lightwave Inc.
This full-day seminar provides a complete introduction to CDMA wireless technology. This course provides the necessary background for the course "WCDMA, cdma2000 and HDR" to be held on February 16th. Topics include Vocoding, error protection, interleaving, orthogonal (Walsh) coding, PN coding, I/Q modulation, the RAKE Receiver, Soft Handover and DMA Capacity.
Note: This course is recommended as a prerequisite for "WCDMA, cdma2000, and HDR" to be held on February 16th.
TWO-DAY WORKSHOPS
WKS11: RF & Wireless Made Simple, Part I
Speaker: Al Scott, Instructor, Besser Associates
This tutorial-level course is ideal for technical managers and marketing professionals who need to know about RF and wireless technologies but don't want to suffer through lengthy and complex mathematical explanations. This lively and informative course will highlight wireless systems at a block-diagram level and provide insight into different modulation techniques, system functions (such as error correction and voice coding) and wireless markets.
WKS12: RF Fundamentals, Part I
Speaker: Rick Fornes, Instructor, Besser Associates
In these two days, you'll get a sound introduction to passive and active RF circuit design with minimal mathematics. Emphasis is placed on practical real life components, circuits and design procedures. Network analyzer measurements and interactive Computer Aided Design (CAD) projections liven the presentation. During the first day, participants will learn about the unique challenges that RF circuit designers face in their work. Scattering (S-) parameters replace traditional voltage/current measurements and are used to characterize RF circuit and system components. Graphical (Smith Chart) techniques will be used to replace some of the complex algebra required for RF design. The importance of impedance matching will be explained and simple methods are introduced for eliminating mismatch. Since transmission-line components are often used about 1 GHz, some time will be spent comparing the performance of lumped and distributed circuits. Part two will focus on active RF circuit considerations. A comparison of transistor parameters in various configurations (common-emitter, common-bas and emitter-follower) while discussing the advantages and disadvantages will be covered. RF stability and DC biasing will be discussed next, leading into linear, small-signal amplifier design. Two special cases will be reviewed: low noise and linear power amplifier requirements. Since circuit layout is a critical factor in RF performance, the course will conclude with layout considerations -- pointing out design rules and commonly found mistakes.
WKS13: DSP Made Simple for Engineers, Part I
Speaker: Rick Lyons, Instructor, Besser Associates
This two-day course provides a comprehensive and understandable introduction to Digital Signal Processing (DSP). Although the mathematical content of the course is low to moderate, the fundamental equations of DSP are gently introduced and carefully explained. With full sympathy for the struggling DSP beginner, the course uses just enough mathematics to develop a fundamental understanding of DSP theory. It illustrates the theory with well-chosen examples. Low pass and bandpass sampling, discrete fourier transform and the finite-impulse response filters will be covered.
ONE-DAY WORKSHOP
WKS14: Amplifier Linearization
Speaker: John Soliday, Executive Director of Advanced Systems, Repeater Technologies Inc.
This one-day course provides extensive coverage of multi-carrier power amplifier (MCPA) usage and design. Practical examples are used to demonstrate theoretical concepts. Real world modulations are defined and the unique effect of each on MCPA circuit block design is addressed. Circuit techniques which will maximize overall performance or specific parameter optimization are discussed. A wide-range of system architectures are evaluated. A final design example reviews the topics discussed throughout the course (time permitting).
9:00 to 10:00 am
TM09: Real World Measurements
Track: Test & Measurement
Track Chair: Ben Zarlingo, Product Manager, Agilent Technologies
Predicting the performance of digitally-modulated systems is more reliable and accurate if testing is performed using real world signals. This session covers test techniques using complex I/Q digital waveform sources and analyzers capable of I/Q demodulation and error analysis.
MINI-TUTORIAL
AN09: Active Integrated Antennas
Track: Antennas
Track Chair: Dr. Peter Slettman, Product Engineer, Remec Magnum
Active Integrated Antennas provide a new opportunity by combining active microwave circuits and devices with integrated antennas. In the past, these two areas have been treated separately by researchers in the separate disciplines. Traditionally, engineers and researchers in the field of electromagnetics have treated antennas, while the microwave circuit engineers and solid state electronics researchers have studied the active devices and circuits separately. This mini-tutorial describes the benefits that can be achieved by combining these two, formerly disparate subject areas.
MT09: Identifying Modulation Error Sources
Track: Modulation Techniques
Track Chair: Earl McCune, Jr., Chief Technology Officer, Tropian Inc.
This session addresses typical modulation errors related to the RF and digital sections of today's complex digital communications systems. The information will particularly benefit engineers working with modulators of specified signals by demonstrating techniques that can improve the accuracy and efficiency of their designs.
BT09: Bluetooth Case Study Bluetooth & Personal Area Networks
Track Chair: Robert K. Morrow, Consultant, Morrow Technical Services
The Bluetooth protocol standard has been designed as a generic standard upon which multiple wireless applications will be developed. Applying a generic system to different types of wireless applications such as PC Laptops, cellular phones and network access devices requires tailored and flexible system architectures. Based on a current commercial product design, this session presents a detailed examination of key system architecture decisions required to implement Bluetooth into a real world application. The session will identify and discuss the architecture design challenges faced when integrating Bluetooth functionality into a product, identify and assess the system architecture options available to design engineers, and provide practical design recommendations covering hardware, software and firmware.
IC09: New Developments in Wireless IC/RF IC Solutions
Track: Wireless IC/RFIC
Track Chair: Mark McDonald, Design Manager, Linear Technology Corporation
Customers buying Wireless ICs to integrate into their communication systems continue to demand improved performance, higher levels of integration, lower power consumption and lower supply voltages. At the same time, they want lower costs as well. This session will cover how the IC manufacturers have solutions to the challenges presented by their customers.
WC09: Understanding, Predicting and Measuring Wireless Capacity
Track: Wireless Capacity
Track Chair: Joseph Jesson, Wireless Practice Leader, GE Capital Services
How can wireless network operators Wireless ISP's and ASP's increase the capacity of their networks? How do we really test facilities under load? Can you really scale? Given that there will most likely always be allocated spectrum and server infrastructure capacity, the operators must find a way to increase their capacity in a cost-effective manner. The current solutions are not perfect in terms of reducing capital spending, so what options are out there? An operator could add servers and smart antennas, could build more towers or could increase data rates, etc. Each of these solutions has its individual concerns and limitations. Increasing wireless capacity is critically important as voice traffic increases and as new data services are being layered on top of it. This session kicks off the topic with a keynote presentation focused on testing.
BP09: Batteries & SuperCaps
Track: Battery Power Management
Track Chair: Barry Huret, President, Huret Associates Inc.
This session will explore the changing role and capabilities of batteries & SuperCaps in the portable communications and computing markets. The session will include Zinc-Air, Rechargeable & Primary Alkaline and SuperCapacitor presentations.
11:00 am to NOON
TM10: Testing for Bluetooth, Wireless LAN and Other Short-range Wireless
Track: Test & Measurement
Track Chair: Ben Zarlingo, Product Manager, Agilent Technologies
Low cost, frequency-hopped, and spread spectrum signals and systems pose a special set of test and measurement challenges. This session covers tools and techniques for testing these applications.
AN10: Compact Antenna Design
Track: Antennas
Track Chair: Dr. Peter Slettman, Product Engineer, Remec Magnum
Portable communications devices are getting smaller and smaller, placing increased importance on making antennas more compact and efficient. This session demonstrates the limitations that designers face in the quest for achieving smaller antenna designs.
MINI-TUTORIAL
MT10: Taming the Quadrature Modulator
Track: Modulation Techniques
Track Chair: Earl McCune, Jr., Chief Technology Officer, Tropian Inc.
The quadrature modulator is a key signal processing component in modern digital communications hardware. Though the theory of quadrature modulation is exact, any engineer who has worked with these modulators knows that their performance is often far from ideal. This presentation provides a more realistic model for the quadrature modulator, which includes many of its non-ideal characteristics, including several which do not appear on data sheets. The effects of these non-ideal characteristics are individually examined, followed by several combination cases. A minimum interaction strategy for optimizing a quadrature modulator is presented.
BT10: Bluetooth Coexistence with Other Protocols Bluetooth & Personal Area Networks
Track Chair: Robert K. Morrow, Consultant, Morrow Technical Services
In the not too distant future, the boardroom of any large leading-edge corporation could be a challenging RF battleground. Busy executives with their assortment of Bluetooth-enabled cellular phones, laptops and palm top computers will form multiple wireless piconets which will be in direct conflict with Wireless LAN/802.11 networks. How will Bluetooth devices operate in this environment without interfering with other networks competing for the same spectrum, yet provide the maximum mobility that users demand of their portable devices? The design of a "friendly" Bluetooth RF IC is required. This session will identify and discuss Bluetooth coexistence and present key characteristics of a "friendly" Bluetooth RF IC.
PANEL SESSION
IC10: "Is the Super-heterodyne Radio Dead?"
Track: Wireless IC/RFIC
Track Chair: Mark McDonald, Design Manager, Linear Technology Corporation
Is the Super-heterodyne Radio dead? Will its tombstone read that it was buried by direct conversion, a software radio, or maybe even super-regeneration? Or has its demise been predicted too soon? Come join our panel of experts to debate this issue. Audience participation is encouraged. This promises to be a lively event.
WC10: Understanding, Predicting and Measuring Wireless Capacity
Track: Wireless Capacity
Track Chair: Joseph Jesson, Wireless Practice Leader, GE Capital Services
A top wireless analyst, Joe Jesson from GE Corporation, moderates this panel session. Participants in the panel will include smart antenna companies, base station manufacturers, service providers, handset companies and Wireless ASP's, essentially encompassing all sides of the issue of increasing wireless capacity.
BP10: Rechargeable Batteries and Battery Recycling
Track: Battery Power Management
Track Chair: Barry Huret, President, Huret Associates Inc.
Track sessions will explore the changing role and capabilities of rechargeable batteries and battery recycling in the portable communications and computing markets. Sessions will include papers on Ni-MH, Li-ion, LiPoly and Battery Recycling.
1:30 to 3:00 pm
TM11: Wide Dynamic Range Measurements
Track: Test & Measurement
Track Chair: Ben Zarlingo, Product Manager, Agilent Technologies
Making measurements with wide dynamic range is a critical task for wireless applications. This session covers the different types of dynamic range measures as they apply to typical signals and systems. The session also describes, through several examples, the best techniques for making fast and accurate measurements.
AN11: Practical Approaches to Antenna Design
Track: Antennas
Track Chair: Dr. Peter Slettman, Product Engineer, Remec Magnum
This session focuses on different practical antenna designs and design methodologies. Examples of low cost, efficient antenna integration in portable devices with good shielding are presented. The session also includes a general discussion on the different requirements on the antenna in different applications.
MT11: Improving Modulators for Specific Signals
Track: Modulation Techniques
Track Chair: Earl McCune, Jr., Chief Technology Officer, Tropian Inc.
The purpose of this session is to primarily support engineers working on modulators of specified signals by demonstrating techniques that can improve the accuracy and efficiency of their designs.
BT11: Bluetooth Applications and Developments Bluetooth & Personal Area Networks
Track Chair: Robert K. Morrow, Consultant, Morrow Technical Services
Bluetooth is rapidly becoming one of the hottest topics in the wireless industry. By bringing the benefits of wireless connectivity to data-driven devices, Bluetooth is making mobility a new functional paradigm for product developers. While Bluetooth is gaining momentum, some industry professionals are wondering whether simpler, less costly protocols can achieve many of the same results.
IC11: RFIC Fundamentals, I, II and III
Track: Wireless IC/RFIC
Track Chair: Mark McDonald, Design Manager, Linear Technology Corporation
The secrets of RFIC design will be revealed in this three-part mini-tutorial. An expert in the field will discuss in-depth the innovative techniques and architectures demanded by the increasingly complex communication systems.
PANEL SESSION
WC11: Understanding, Predicting and Measuring Wireless Capacity
Track: Wireless Capacity
Track Chair: Joseph Jesson, Wireless Practice Leader, GE Capital Services
Continuation of panel session WC10 (Thursday, February 15, 2001 -- 11:00 am)
BP11: Chargers & Battery Management
Track: Battery Power Management
Track Chair: Barry Huret, President, Huret Associates Inc.
Track sessions will explore the changing role and capabilities of chargers and battery management -- chips and software, in the portable communications and computing markets. Sessions include papers on Smart Battery Chips, Software and Chargers.
3:30 to 4:30 pm
TM12: 3G Testing
Track: Test & Measurement
Track Chair: Ben Zarlingo, Product Manager,Agilent Technologies
Accurate measurement of complex modulated and noise-like signals such as those used in 3G systems requires new tools and techniques. This session covers some essential basic concepts and the latest techniques for making accurate measurements of these demanding systems.
AN12: Antenna Design
Track: Antennas
Track Chair: Dr. Peter Slettman, Product Engineer, Remec Magnum
One of the key components of a wireless communication system is the antenna. In most cases, the design of the antenna greatly affects the overall form factor and performance of the final wireless product. New techniques in antenna design are being used to increase system capacity, decrease size and improve performance. This track presents the latest developments, as well as fundamental techniques that will enable professionals to ensure their products remain competitive.
MT12: Advanced Modulation Schemes that Improve System Performance
Track: Modulation Techniques
Track Chair: Earl McCune, Jr., Chief Technology Officer, Tropian Inc.
Advanced modulation schemes have the capability to improve power efficiency and system capacity while reducing interference. This session looks at the latest modulation schemes and the benefits that they can provide to wireless communications systems performance.
BT12: Bluetooth Access Points Bluetooth & Personal Area Networks
Track Chair: Robert K. Morrow, Consultant, Morrow Technical Services
While Bluetooth is gaining popularity as a "cord killer" between devices, the technology can also be used to provide these devices high speed wireless access to fixed networks and the Internet. This opens up a wide range of new and exciting proximity-based applications and services for the industry. This session explores this new functionality and the potential that it holds for wireless developers. Topics will include security, authentication, positioning and developing applications that support both data and voice services.
IC12: Wireless IC Issues
Track: Wireless IC/RFIC
Track Chair: Mark McDonald, Design Manager, Linear Technology Corporation
Fewer and fewer chips are being used in today's wireless equipment. What is the limit? Is it worthwhile to build a single-chip transceiver? What kind of package? What do you do to keep the design current? Is a chip designed for very low data rate and battery drain suitable for 10 MB/s LANs? How about those 5 to 6 GHz systems? There are many questions to be answered in this session.
PANEL SESSION
WC12: Understanding, Predicting and Measuring Wireless Capacity Track: Wireless Capacity Track Chair: Joseph Jesson, Wireless Practice Leader, GE Capital Services
Continuation of panel session WC11 (Thursday, February 15, 2001 -- 1:30 pm) and WC10 (Thursday, February 15, 2001 -- 11:00 am)
BP12: Chargers & Battery Management
Track: Battery Power Management
Track Chair: Barry Huret, President, Huret Associates Inc.
Continuation of session BP11 (Thursday, February 15, 2001 -- 1:30 pm)
FRIDAY, February 16, 2001
9:00 am to 4:30 pm
ONE-DAY WORKSHOP
WKS15: WCDMA, cdma2000, and HDR
Speaker: Darryl Schick, President, Linear Lightwave Inc.
This full-day seminar provides a complete tutorial of the 3G Wideband CDMA technologies, WCDMA and cdma2000. The air interfaces are thoroughly described, as well as the interfaces to the core ANSI-41 and GSM/GPRS core networks. This course explores both the similarities and the differences between the standards, and explains the new packet data protocol (HDR).
Note: The course "Cellular CDMA Technology for 2G and 3G Systems" on February 15th is recommended as a prerequisite for those not familiar with CDMA fundamentals and IS-95.
WKS16: Introduction to Bluetooth
Speaker: Robert K. Morrow, Consultant, Morrow Technical Services
Replacing cables with wireless links using Bluetooth opens up new possibilities in short-range wireless networking. This mini-tutorial discusses how Bluetooth devices find each other, establish a reliable connection and pass data between them. The RF change, range calculations and Bluetooth packet structure are also presented. Finally, the authentication and encryption options available on the Bluetooth link are examined.
TWO-DAY WORKSHOP
WKS17: RF & Wireless Made Simple, Part II
Speaker: Al Scott, Instructor, Besser Associates
Continuation RF & Wireless Made Simple, Part I WK11 (Thursday, February 15, 2001)
WKS18: RF Fundamentals, Part II
Speaker: Rick Fornes, Instructor, Besser Associates
Continuation of RF Fundamentals, Part I WK12 (Thursday, February 15, 2001)
WKS19: DSP Made Simple for Engineers, Part II
Speaker: Rick Lyons, Instructor, Besser Associates
Continuation of DSP Made Simple for Engineers, Part I WK13 (Thursday, February 15, 2001)
ONE-DAY WORKSHOP
WKS20: Practical Filter Design
Speaker: Randy Rhea, Eagleware Corporation
This one-day workshop covers the design of lumped-element and distributed filters for wireless, satellite, communications, broadcast, instrumentation, RFID, components and other RF and microwave systems. Emphasis is on the application filter theory to practical, real world problems. Computer-aided design techniques are integrated into the class. Important modern trends and needs such as ceramic resonators, helical inductors, electromagnetic simulation, compact designs, direct synthesis, high dielectric constant materials and new models are fully covered. The class is significantly updated from previous presentations. After completing the class the attendee will understand important principles and be able to apply them to filters ranging from low cost to high performance. An electronics degree or equivalent RF design experience is recommended.