IEEE Summit on Communications Futures
19 January 2019 // Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

Featured Speakers and Panelists

Featured Speakers

Kamesh Namuduri, Professor, University of North Texas College of Engineering

Kamesh NamuduriBiography: Kamesh Namuduri is a Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of North Texas. He received his B.S. degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering from Osmania University, India, in 1984, M.S. degree in Computer Science from University of Hyderabad in 1986, and Ph.D. degree in Computer Science and Engineering from University of South Florida in 1992. Over the past ten years, his research is focused on aerial networking and communications. He co-organized a series of workshops on “Airborne Networking and Communications” in conjunction with IEEE, AIAA, AUVSI, and ACM Conferences.  He is serving as the chair for the IEEE Standards Working Group (IEEE 1920.1: Aerial Communications and Networking Standards). He is also serving as the Chair for the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society’s Ad Hoc Committee on Drones. He is a co-editor for the book titled “UAV Networks and Communications” published by the Cambridge University Press in 2017. He published over one hundred research articles to date. He is leading the Smart and Connected Community project on “Deployable Communication Systems” in collaboration with the government, public, and private organizations. This living laboratory project was demonstrated thrice during the Global City Teams Challenge hosted jointly by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and US Ignite in 2015, 2016, and 2017. He contributed to the development of research agenda, requirements and blueprints highly deployable communications systems led by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and National Public Safety Telecommunications Council.

Talk Title: Safe and Trusted Unmanned Air Transportation

Abstract: The flying taxi business is projected to be a $5 Billion/year market.  The industry is moving fast to realize this potential, with both established and startup companies competing as well as collaborating in this race. Airline companies including Boeing, Airbus, and Bell, are building the electrical Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircrafts. Uber is collaborating with NASA to plan flying taxi service in Dallas by 2023 with early demonstrations planned in 2020. The big question that we need to address is “Are we ready for the big challenges that come with unmanned air transportation?”  Just to give a perspective, think about self-driving cars. When, where, and how did we begin this journey and where are we now in this journey? What are you likely see first – A fully autonomous self-driving car in an urban area or an unmanned air taxi?

In this presentation, we will discuss the critical aspects of unmanned air transportation: (1) Technology Readiness (2) Safety, Security, Regulations and Standardization Efforts and (3) Privacy, Ethics and Community Acceptance. This presentation is based on my active engagement  in activities  related to Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) research, including US Science and Technology Research Panel (SARP) discussions, NASA’s  UAS Traffic Management (UTM) flight tests, IEEE ’s P1920 Standards Working Group on  Aerial Networks and Communications as the chair,  IEEE’s Vehicular Technology Society’s Ad Hoc Working Group on Drones as the chair, NSF’s Cyber Physical Systems programs as a Principal Investigator, and NIST’s Global City Team Challenge initiative as an executive committee member of Public Safety Super Cluster and many others.

Bingli Jiao, Director of Wireless Communications and Signal Processing Research Center, Peking University

Bingli JiaoBiography: Dr. Bingli Jiao obtained his BS and MS at Peking University, China in 1983 and 1988, and Dr. degree at University of Saarland, Germany in 1995, respectively.  He is currently working in Peking University as a full professor, director of center of wireless communication and signal processing, and a PKU director of the advanced communication joint Lab between Peking University and Princeton University. His research interests are in the field of wireless communication and that of m-healthcare.  He initiated the R&D on co-frequency and co-time full duplex for the application to mobile network in 2006. So far, he has published more than 70 Journal papers.

Talk Title: Co-frequency Co-time Full Duplex Networking and Its Security Issue

Abstract: Radio full duplex (FD) technique has emerged as an attractive technique capable of doubling the spectral efficiency of the half duplex.  However, applications of FD technique to mobile network can suffer from strong base station to base station (B2B) interference and that of mobile station (MS) to MS as well.  This presentation propose a design that uses centralized base station (BS) transmit antenna and distributed BS receive antennas, each of which consists of an antennary to perform beamforming to nullify the B2B interference over the UL channel. To complete the system construction, the FD MSs have also been developed to enable the DL transmission. The demo system works in the scenarios of two cells and one FD MS for the tests of FD communication over UL- and DL channel by the video performances. As results, the two videos of good qualities are demonstrated at both the BS and MS as well.

In contrast to conventional Half Duplex systems, the B2B and M2M of the FD system can increase communication security level by the co-frequency and co-time transmission nature.

(Acknowledgment: The work was done by Meng Ma, Shuyi Tian, Yingyang Chen, Li Wang, Lei Wan, Bingli Jiao and Vincent Poor.)

Mehmet Ulema, Professor, Computer Information Systems, Manhattan College

Mehmet UlemaBiography: Dr. Mehmet Ulema is a professor of Computer Information Systems at Manhattan College, New York. Previously, he held management and technical positions in AT&T Bell Laboratories, Bellcore, Daewoo Telecom, and Hazeltine Corporation. Dr. Ulema has more than 30 years of experience in telecommunications as a professor, researcher, systems engineer, project manager, network architect, and software developer.

Dr. Mehmet Ulema has been actively involved in organizing many major international conferences. He served as the General Chair (IEEE NOMS, BlackSeaCom ISCC), Technical Program Chair (IEEE Globecom and ICC), and other leadership positions.

Dr. Ulema is the author of a book entitled “Fundamentals of Public Safety Networks and Critical Communications” to be published by Wiley in 1Q2019.

He has authored numerous papers, book chapters, and organized many special issues in several journals and technical magazines. He has been on the editorial board of a number of journals, including the IEEE Journal of Internet of Things, IEEE Transactions on Network and Service Management, and the Springer Journal of Network and Services Management.

Mehmet was actively involved in standardization in ITU, TIA, ATIS, and IEEE. Mehmet has been a prominent volunteer at IEEE Communications Society (ComSoc) and IEEE Standard Association (SA). Currently he is the chair of the IEEE COM/NetSoft Standards Committee. He is a member of the IEEE-SA Standard Board.

Dr. Ulema has received a number of awards including IEEE ComSoc Harold Sobol Award, IEEE SA Standards Medallion award, and IEEE ComSoc Salah Aidarous Memorial Award.

Dr. Ulema received MS & Ph.D. in Computer Science at Polytechnic University (now the NYU Tandon School of Engineering), Brooklyn, New York, USA. He also received BS & MS degrees at Istanbul Technical University, Turkey.

Talk Title: Emerging Communications Technologies for Emergency Situations in Public Safety and Security

Abstract: There have been, in the past few years, a number of new technologies such as 5G, AR, VR, IoT, Big Data, Machine Learning, AI, Blockchain has emerged. Many of these emerging technologies have significant applications in many different areas. There is also a great opportunities for using these and other emerging technologies in public safety and security areas such as aiding first responders in their recovery effort in natural and manmade disasters.

Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tsunamis, etc. tend to have greater impact on the lives of the most vulnerable groups of people, especially those who are less affluent. The application of the emerging technologies will be instrumental in making the efforts of first responders more efficient in the recovery process during these emergency situations.

This talk will focus on emerging communications technologies and discuss their potential applications to the public safety related activities.

Lara Garrett, Director of Product Line Management, SubCom LLC

Lara GarrettBiography: Dr. Lara Garrett is the Director of Product Line Management at SubCom LLC. Her interests are in advanced architectures for the next generation of reconfigurable high-capacity undersea networks. She received her Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in integrated photonics, and has extensive experience in the area of long-haul fiberoptic transmission research.

Talk Title: Submarine Fiberoptic Networks for Everyone

Abstract: Submarine fiberoptic networks are a significant portion of the backbone of modern internet communications. The unusual installation and operating conditions of these undersea networks lead to unexpected design priorities.  This talk will provide a general overview of the unique nature of submarine systems, discuss the impact on the industry of rapid capacity growth related to internet content providers, and then look at the increasing complexity of undersea network architectures that is facilitated by this growth.

Mahmoud Daneshmand, Industry Professor, Business Intelligence & Analytics, and Computer Science Departments, Stevens Institute of Technology

Biography: Dr. Daneshmand is Co-Founder and Professor of Department of Business Intelligence & Analytics; Professor of Department of Computer Science; and Academic Director of Network and Communications Management and Services M.S. program at Stevens Institute of Technology. He has more than 40 years of Industry & University experience as Professor, Researcher, Assistant Chief Scientist, Executive Director, Distinguished Member of Technical Staff, Technology Leader, Chairman of Department, and Dean of School at: Bell Laboratories; AT&T Shannon Labs–Research; University of California, Berkeley; University of Texas, Austin; Sharif University of Technology; University of Tehran; New York University; and Stevens Institute of Technology.

Dr. Daneshmand received his Ph. D and M.S. degrees in Statistics from the University of California, Berkeley; M.S. and B.S. degrees in Mathematics from the University of Tehran.

He is a Data Scientist, expert in Big Data Analytics, Machine Learning, and Artificial Intelligence with extensive industry experience including with the Bell Laboratories as well as the Info Lab of the AT&T Shannon Labs – Research.

He has published more than 180 journal and conference papers; authored/co-authored three books. He is well recognized within the academia and industry and holds key leadership roles in IEEE Journal Publications, Conferences, Industry – IEEE Partnership, and IEEE Future Direction Initiatives. He is Co-Founder and Chair of Steering Committee of IEEE IoT Journal; Member of Steering Committee of IEEE Transaction on Big Data; Advisory Board of the IEEE Blockchain Newsletter; Guest Editor of several IEEE Journal publications; Guest Editor of ITU Journal Special Issue on Data for Good; Co-Founder of the IEEE Big Data Initiative; Vice Chair of the IEEE Technical Community on Big Data. He has served as General Chair, Keynote Chair, Panel Chair, Executive Program Chair, and Technical Program Chair of many IEEE major conferences. He has given many Keynote speeches in major IEEE as well as international conferences.

Honggang Wang, UMass Dartmouth

Biography: Honggang Wang is the “Scholar of The Year” (2016, the highest research recognition at UMass Dartmouth). Before he joined UMass Dartmouth in 2009, he has worked for Bell Labs Lucent Technologies China from 2001 to 2004 as a Member of Technical Staff. He received his Ph.D. in Computer Engineering at University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2009. He is a tenured associate professor at UMass Dartmouth and is an affiliated faculty member of Advanced Telecommunications Engineering Laboratory at University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He is also the faculty member of Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology Ph.D. program (BMEBT) at UMass Dartmouth. His research interests include Internet of Things, Wireless Health, Body Area Networks (BAN), Cyber and Multimedia Security, Mobile Multimedia and Cloud, Wireless Networks and Cyber-physical System, and BIG DATA in mHealth. He has published more than 150 papers in his research areas. He was an invited participant by National Academic Engi! neering (NAE) for 2017 German-American Frontiers of Engineering Symposium, as one of about 50 outstanding engineers (ages 30-45) from US companies, universities, and government labs. He has served as the general chair/co-chair and TPC chair/co-chairs for many IEEE conferences. He also serves as the steering committee co-chair of IEEE CHASE and TPC co-chair of of IEEE CHASE 2016, which is a leading international conference in the field of connected health. He has also been serving as the Associate Editor in Chief (EiC) for IEEE Internet of Things journal (SCI impact factor: 7.596), associate editors for IEEE Transactions on Big Data, IEEE Transactions on Multimedia, and IEEE ACCESS, an Editor of IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology, Associate Technical Editor of IEEE Communication Magazine. He received IEEE Multimedia Communications Technical Committee (MMTC) Outstanding Leadership Award (2015) and IEEE HEALTHCOM 2015 Outstanding Service Award. His research is supported! by NSF DoT, UMass President office, and UMass Healey Grant (t! otal ove r 2M dollars).

Talk Title: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Driven Networks: Challenges and Solutions

Abstract: Artificial Intelligence (AI) such as Machine learning is able to discover the hidden and complex relationships from input data to the network output. In the literature, AI has been explored to address multiple network issues such as routing and clustering, network scheduling, network security, network quality of service (QoS) as well as dynamic spectrum access. It has drawn much attention as a key tool for the design of future wireless networks including 5G. However, the evolution towards AI-based data driven network is at the early stage. There are still significant challenges in the area. For example, how to choose appropriate AI algorithms for different networking applications such as Internet of Things (IoT), connected health, smart cities and connected/autonomous vehicle? What types of data should be collected from networks so that the network behavior/pattern could learned to optimize whole network performance? How the AI could re-design the networks and secure them, and etc.. In this work, we will present these challenges in details and discuss the potential solutions that could overcome performance limitations by exploring AI as a tool for the future wireless networks.

Magdy F. Iskander, Director, Hawaii Advanced Wireless Technologies Institute (HAWT Institute)

Magdy IskanderBiography: Magdy F. Iskander, Director of the Hawaii Advanced Wireless Technologies Institute (HAWT Institute), College of Engineering, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii http://hcac.hawaii.edu . He is Co-director of two NSF Industry /University Cooperative Research Center (I/UCRCs) with other universities. From 1997-99 he was a Program Director at the National Science Foundation, where he formulated a “Wireless Information Technology” Initiative in the Engineering Directorate. He edited two special issues of the IEEE Transaction on “Antennas and Propagation on Wireless Communications Technology,” 2002 and 2006, co-edited a special issue of IEICE journal in Japan in 2004. He was the 2002 President of IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society, Distinguished Lecturer for IEEE AP-S (1994-97), Lifetime Fellow of IEEE, 1993, and received the 2012 IEEE AP-S Chen To Tia Distinguished Educator Award and the 2013 IEEE MTT-S Distinguished Educator Award

He authored the textbook Electromagnetic Fields and Waves, Prentice Hall, 1992; and Waveland Press, 2001; second edition 2012, edited the CAEME Software Books, Vol. I, II 1991-94; and edited four books on Microwave Processing of Materials, published by the Materials Research Society, 1990-96. He has published over 250 papers in technical journals and book chapters, has 11 patents, and made numerous presentations in national and international conferences. He is the founding editor of the Computer Applications in Engineering Education (CAE) journal, published by John Wiley (1992-present). He organized and was the general chair of 9 IEEE conferences both in Utah (2) and Hawaii (7).

Dr. Iskander received many teaching excellence and research awards including the 2012 University of Hawaii Board of Regent Medal for Excellence in Research and the 2010 Board of Regents’ Medal for Teaching Excellence. In 2012 he received the IEEE AP-S Chen-To Tai Distinguished Educator Award, and the 2013 IEEE MTT-S Distinguished Educator Award. He also received the 2010 Northrop Grumman Excellence in Teaching Award, 2011 Hi Chang Chai Outstanding Teaching Award, and the University of Utah Distinguished Teaching Award in 2000. In 1985, he received the ASEE Curtis W. McGraw National Research Award, and in 1991 the ASEE George Westinghouse National Education Award. 1992 he also received the Richard R. Stoddard Award from the IEEE EMC Society. He was a member of the 1999 WTEC panel on “Wireless Information Technology-Europe and Japan”, and chaired two International Technology Institute Panels on “Asian Telecommunication Technology” sponsored by NSF/DoD in 2001and 2003.

Much of Dr. Iskander’s research is funded by the National Science Foundation, US Army CERDEC, and Office of Naval Research and several corporate sponsors. As a result of an NSF Major Research Instrumentation grant he establishing wireless testbed, indoor antenna range, and microwave network analysis lab, and an RF fabrication and characterization lab at the University of Hawaii. @ Manoa. His Center HCAC (now HAWT Institute) had an ongoing 10-year grant (2005-2014) for partnership in the NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Center in Telecommunications with the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, RPI, and the Ohio State University. His research focus was on antenna design and propagation modeling for wireless communications and radar systems. In 2018 Dr. Iskander established another partnership with the NSF IUCRC for Electromagnetic Compatibility with Missouri S&T University and the University of Houston. After receiving NIH grants and conducting successful clinical trials, his group established MiWa Technologies, LLC for the commercialization of their patented Cardio-Pulmonary Stethoscope Technology for lung water measurements.

Talk Title: Smart Physical Layer Based Directional Networking for Wireless Connectivity in Rural Areas

In this talk, a smart physical layer based directional communication networking approach is described. It is based on the “smart nodes” concept, where each node is equipped with multiple directional antennas, DSP codes, and propagation modeling capabilities. This approach brings more “intelligence” (computational capabilities and digital logic) in the physical layer to enable full directional wireless connectivity and information networking operation without requiring changes in the upper OSI layers. Smart nodes consist of six-sectors, each having a scanning array for user discovery and a dynamic AOA estimation and beamforming array for maintaining communication with users. Procedures are developed to enable seamless full-directional link between mobile users and smart nodes, within WiFi and LTE set standards. Simulations are performed using Matlab, and obtained results show successful tracking and continued maintenance of high data rate communication with mobile users. Basic components of proposed system and obtained simulation results will be presented.

Panelists

Isar Mostafanezhad, Senior Advisor, Smart Yields

Isar MostafanezhadBiography: Isar Mostafanezhad is Founder and CEO at Nalu Scientific in Honolulu, HI where they design and develop high speed Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC) with applications in precision timing measurements. He received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa in 2010 and has been working in academia and various tech-startups in Honolulu. He is also a co-founder at Smart Yields, Inc. where they are developing data analytics for crop protection and enhancement. Isar has served as the Associate Editor for the IEEE Microwave and Wireless Components Letters (MWCL) 2015-18 and has been a member of the technical program review committee for the International Microwave Symposium 2016-2019.

 

Upkar Dhaliwal, CEO, FutureWireless Technologies

Upkar DhaliwalBiography: Upkar Dhaliwal, IEEE TTM 2018 Local Arrangements, IEEE San Diego Section Chair, IEEE ComSoc Region 6 NA Board Member, IEEE IOT-J Steering ExCOM, SDN-I, 5G-I, CEO Future Wireless Technologies, Biz Dev: Cognition Systems, Phluido, AgShift, Big Data Federation

Upkar Dhaliwal is an Parallel Entrepreneur and Wireless Technology subject matter expert on Mobility, He has hands on wireless and internet experience undertaking Application, Intellectual Property, Business Development and Technical advisor support on Present and Future Wireless Technologies and its product development for start ups, OEMs, private equity and with most of Market Leaders. A Professional Chartered Engineer of Engineering Council UK, He is a Senior Wireless & RF System Architect Executive an industry expert serving on numerous industrial/technical/policy bodies with US National Policy influences and technical societies with specialized knowledge and technical leadership for many Start up and the investment community.

At present, he is working on beyond 4G charting towards 5G in terms of Cognitive Radios, Distributed Mesh Sensor Radios and beyond LTE-Advance into the World of Big Data and Internet of Things IoT that will drive next generation of Internet. He is a volunteer in many IEEE roles. He grew up in West London England and studied for Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Engineering, Leeds and University College London Universities respectively, leading to early career experiences & contributions in device modeling, circuit design and subsystem developments where he led World wide engineering teams in some World Class Firsts. Some new Firsts are still being implemented in MANET connected devices, Hybrid Cloud Services and Predictive Insight Big Data.

Vincent Kimura, CEO, Smart Yields

Vincent KimuraBiography: Vincent Kimura traces his farming roots back to his grandfather, who first moved to Kauai from Japan to work the sugarcane fields. Born in Honolulu and raised in Asia, Vincent has worked for more than 15 years as an entrepreneur, running three startups. He holds a master’s degree in Global Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management, has studied at Beijing Foreign Studies University, and earned his bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Oregon State University. Vincent was named the 2016 Clean Tech/Ag Entrepreneur by the Hawaii Venture Capital Association and a 2016 finalist in the Pacific Business News Business Leadership Awards. He was also named to the Pacific Business News 2016 40 Under 40 cohort, which recognizes outstanding young business professionals in Hawaii.

Penelope Nagel, COO-President, Persistence Data Mining

Penelope NagelPenelope is a 9th-generation farmer and brings extensive experience with asset management, project management, funding and consumer finance with leading global financial institutions such as HSBC and Santander.

 

 

 

 

 

Narayana Prasad Santhanam, Professor, University of Hawaii Department of Electrical Engineering

Narayana Prasad SanthanamBiography: My work covers theory and practical topics in information theory, statistical learning and signal processing. In particular, a lot of focus is on high dimensional problems, reflecting requirements for diverse applications in data processing, handling biological and genetic data, risk management, channels with memory, smart grids among others.

I gravitate towards solutions that involve nice combinatorics or probabilistic arguments where possible. During the course of obtaining engineering and statistically relevant solutions, I have enjoyed using results and insights from number theory, combinatorics, and topology to name a few seemingly uncommon subject areas.