Backhaul Solutions for 6G Using Hybrid FSO/THz Communication Systems

Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/316378

The IEEE Toronto Chapter is delighted to host Dr. Behrooz Makki, a Senior Researcher with Ericsson Research, Gothenburg, Sweden. In his work, Dr. Behroooz studies the potentials and the challenges of hybrid free-space optics (FSO)/ terahertz (THz) based communications as a potential tool for high-rate reliable backhauling in 6G. He studies the effect of different data transmission models and parameters such as atmospheric turbulence and pointing error impairments on the performance of FSO/THz systems, and compares the results with those obtained in the cases with only the FSO or the THz links. The presented results indicate that, with a proper switching method, the joint implementation of the FSO/THz links improves the rate/reliability of the backhaul links with limited switching overhead. Speaker(s): Behrooz Makki, Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/316378

Monorail: A Sleek Way to Transport People in Railway

Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/317145

Propulsion systems on Monorails – a modern mass transit solution with efficient drive technology. The content will be about - General context of Monorail in transit system - Fully automated and driverless Monorail system - Propulsion technology in Monorails - Future of Monorail Co-sponsored by: IEEE Toronto Section Speaker(s): Marko Kroenke, Agenda: A Presentation from 5:00 to 6:30 PM Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/317145

DEVELOPMENT OF AN 8X8 AUTONOMOUS SCALED ELECTRIC COMBAT VEHICLE

Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/316156

Join the IEEE Toronto Instrumentation & Measurement – Robotics & Automation Joint Chapter for a talk on Autonomous Electric Combat Vehicles, presented by Prof. Zeinab El-Sayegh. Abstract: Current literature pertaining to multi-steerable mobile platforms and the progression of military vehicles in the past few decades suggest a lack of effort in pursuing advanced technologies in this joint area. As a result, a novel 1:6 scaled 8x8 electric combat vehicle prototype that features eight independently driven and steerable wheels is designed and developed. The intent is to create a scaled model for future autonomous vehicle navigation and control research in off road terrains. Starting with the mechanical design, this talk will discuss the details of the chassis, suspension, driving and steering systems development. The electronics necessary for vehicle actuation is implemented with custom nodes and topics created for hardware communication within the Robot Operating System (ROS). Lastly, path planning and obstacle avoidance abilities are implemented to achieve autonomous navigation. The result of this work is a fully functional and instrumented robotic platform with a modular software architecture. Vehicle design analysis, performance and autonomous navigation abilities are experimentally tested with promising results. This talk will also cover the future of autonomous electric combat vehicles. Speaker(s): Zeinab El-Sayegh, PhD, PEng Register: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/316156 Biography: Dr. Zeinab El-Sayegh is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Automotive and Mechatronics Engineering. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at Ontario Tech University. She received her master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Concordia, Montreal. Formally, worked at Volvo Group Trucks Technology Gothenburg, Sweden as a vehicle analyst. And, as a combustion analyst in Siemens aero-derivative gas turbines, Montreal. Her research interests are related to on-road and off-road vehicle design, and autonomous and hybrid electric vehicle simulation. She is involved in research related to tire-terrain interaction in cooperation with Volvo Group Truck Technology and NSERC.

DL Series Talks — Connecting People/Things/Vehicles

Room: 204, Bldg: DCC (Daphne Cockwell Health Sciecnes Complex), 288 Church Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5B 2K3

After two-years’ online events, IEEE Vehicular Technology Chapter of IEEE Toronto Section, is pleased to announce our first in-person Distinguished Lecturer (DL) Series Talks on June 23, 2022, for a theme as Connecting People/Things/Vehicles. This in-person series of talks will be a great opportunity to meet and chat and exchange with our International and National visitors, colleagues, and Chapter members in Toronto area. Details of the events are given below. All are welcome! Speaker(s): Dr. Duist Niyato, Dr. Jelena Mišić, Dr. Ping Wang, Dr. Hina Tabassum, Dr. Jie Gao Register: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/315859 Biographies: Dr. Ping Wang is an Associate Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, York University, and a Tier 2 York Research Chair. Prior to that, she worked with Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, from 2008 to 2018. Her research interests are mainly in the area of wireless communication networks, cloud computing and Internet of Things with the recent focus on integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques into communications networks. She has published more than 250 papers/conference proceedings papers. Her scholarly works have been widely disseminated through top-ranked IEEE journals/conferences and received the Best Paper Awards from IEEE Wireless Communications and Networking Conference (WCNC) in 2022, 2020 and 2012, from IEEE Communication Society: Green Communications & Computing Technical Committee in 2018, and from IEEE International Conference on Communications (ICC) in 2007. Her work received 21,000+ citations with H-index 70 (Google Scholar). She is an IEEE Fellow and a Distinguished Lecturer of the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society. Hina Tabassum is an Assistant Professor at the Lassonde School of Engineering, York University, Canada. Prior to that, she was a PDF at the Department of ECE, University of Manitoba, Canada. She received her PhD degree from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in 2013. She is a Senior member of IEEE and a P.ENG in the province of Ontario. She has published over 70 technical articles in well-reputed IEEE journals and conferences. She is the founding chair of a special interest group on THz communications in IEEE ComSoc: Radio Communications Committee (RCC). She has been recognized as an Exemplary Editor by IEEE Communications Letters, 2020, and an Exemplary Reviewer (Top 2% of all reviewers) by IEEE Transactions on Communications in 2015-2017, 2019, and 2020. Currently, she is serving as an Associate Editor in IEEE Communications Letters, IEEE Transactions on Green Communications, IEEE Communications Surveys and Tutorials, and IEEE Open Journal of Communications Society. Her research interests include stochastic modeling, analysis, and optimization of energy efficient multi-band 5G/6G wireless networks jointly operating on sub-6GHz, millimeter, and Terahertz frequencies with applications to vehicular, aerial, and satellite networks. Agenda: Program Chair 1:30-1:33 Dr. Lian Zhao, Opening and welcome 1:33-2:15 Dr. Duist Niyato, “Metaverse virtual service management: game theoretic approaches” Dr. Khalid Hafeez 2:15-3:00 Dr. Jelena Mišić, “Blockchain in IoT based on practical Byzantine fault tolerance” Dr. Khalid Hafeez 3:00-3:15 Break 3:15-3:45 Dr. Ping Wang, “Towards Fast-Convergent Federated Learning with non-IID data” Dr. Jie Gao 3:45-4:15 Dr. Hina Tabassum, “Mobility-Aware Performance Optimization for Next Generation Vehicular Networks” Dr. Jie Gao 4:15-4:30 Break 4:30-5:00 Dr. Lian Zhao, “Computing offloading and task scheduling at network edge” Dr. Ajmery Sultana 5:00-5:30 Dr. Jie Gao, “Network Planning: from Slicing to Digital Twin”  Dr. Ajmery Sultana 5:40-5:33 Dr. Lian Zhao, Closing remark  

MOVING THE DIAL, WOMEN IN STEM PANEL

Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/317339

In celebration of the International Women in Engineering Day, the IEEE Communication Society and the IEEE Women in Engineering Society are organizing “Moving the dial, Women in STEM Panel”. In this panel, we will listen to four powerful models to women in STEM Dr. Hina Tabassum, York University Dr. Sahar Azad, University of Waterloo Dr. Amina Hussein, University of Alberta Dr. Shurui Zhou, University of Toronto Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/317339

Overview of Electromagnetic Selective Structures (Prof. Zhongxiang Shen, NTU-Singapore)

Room: 1230, Bldg: Bahen Centre for Information Technology, 40 St George St, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/316544

In this talk, we intend to provide a brief overview of electromagnetic selective surfaces/structures (EMSS). According to the properties of an incident electromagnetic wave, EMSS can be divided into four categories: frequency-selective structure (FSS), polarization-selective surface (PSS), angle-selective surface (ASS), and energy-selective surface (ESS). Recent developments and advances in the design of EMSS will also be briefly introduced. Finally, future opportunities in the areas of the design and analysis of EMSS will be suggested. Speaker(s): Prof. Zhongxiang Shen , Room: 1230, Bldg: Bahen Centre for Information Technology, 40 St George St, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/316544

Microwave Medical Technologies: Foundations and Clinical Applications by Prof. Emily Porter

Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/317251

Please join us for an upcoming talk on Jul 06, 2-3pm (Eastern Time) by Prof. Emily Porter titled "Microwave Medical Technologies: Foundations and Clinical Applications," as part of the 2021-2022 IEEE AP-S seminar series. Abstract: Microwave medical technologies have promising potential for applications spanning health monitoring, detection and diagnosis of disease, and even treatment. These technologies are low-cost, non-/minimally-invasive, non-ionizing, safe and well-tolerated, and can be made wearable or portable. In this talk, the motivation and basic foundations of microwave techniques are discussed, followed by the challenges of designing high quality basic research to support such medical device development. Key factors influencing the design and development of next generation microwave medical devices will be discussed. In particular, the difficulties faced when measuring and reporting the dielectric properties of biological tissues are emphasised, focusing on the importance of achieving accurate and representative measurements. Promising microwave-based medical technologies designed to address high-priority clinical needs will be highlighted. Lastly, proposed future activities in this area will be discussed. About Speaker: Dr. Emily Porter is an Assistant Professor with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, where she is associated with both the bioECE and Electromagnetics & Acoustics research areas. Dr. Porter was granted her Ph.D. in 2015 from McGill University, Montreal, Canada. She also has an M.Eng. and a B.Eng. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, completed in 2008 and 2010, respectively. More recently, Dr. Porter was an NSERC Postdoctoral Fellow and then an EU Marie-Curie Research Fellow with the Translational Medical Device Laboratory at National University of Ireland Galway, from 2015-2019. In 2021, she was awared the IEEE Lot Shafai Mid-Career Distinguished Achievement Award for her contributions to microwave medical technologies, standardizing the methodology for measuring the dielectric properties of biological tissues, and advocating for women in engineering. Her research interests lie in applied electromagnetics, and particularly aimed at developing electromagnetic (EM)-based solutions with applications in diagnostic, therapeutic, supportive or assistive medical technologies. Speaker(s): Emily Porter, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/317251

IEEE Durham Region Speaker Series – Dr. Antonio Valderrabano-Gonzalez & Dr. Carlos Eduardo Castañeda

Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/318388

Dr. Antonio Valderrabano-Gonzalez & Dr. Carlos Eduardo Castañeda have accepted to give a talk on their research interest areas while visiting Ontario Tech University. Speaker(s): Antonio Valderrabano-Gonzalez, Carlos Eduardo Castañeda Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/318388

Novel solution for MVDC and HVDC cable insulation

Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/318272

The extension of power grid interconnection with an increased amount of power flow control, the long-distance transmission, and the integration of large blocks of wind, solar and hydro powers all call for the accelerated development of high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission. Despite the opportunities such as lower power loss, higher capacity for a fixed corridor, fully controllable power flow, better transmission and stabilization capabilities between non-synchronized AC power systems, and no length restriction because of free reactive power compensation, there are still significant technical challenges for HVDC cabling systems. The electric field distribution under DC voltage in the cylindrical cable insulation initiates with the Laplacian electric field distribution; however, the thermal gradient (TG) across the insulation and the change of the electrical conductivity because of its temperature dependence under loading conditions will lead to the phenomenon of electric field inversion across the dielectric. In addition, the electric field distribution across a DC cable insulation is affected and often distorted by the accumulation of space charge. Therefore, controlled electrical conductivity and highly suppressed space charge accumulation are desired for tailoring the electric field across the cable insulation under DC. Full characterization and detailed understanding of these properties as well as their correlation may bring the ability to engineer needed dielectric properties for using as DC cable insulation. With respect to implications for practical material design, the study demonstrates that a polymer material with activation energies in the range of 0.4 to 0.5 eV with relatively high trap density can be suitable for HVDC cable insulation. The mass-impregnated (MI) insulations have been used traditionally for DC cabling systems with line-commutated converter (LCC) schemes. The MI insulations produced by a lapping process could be considered as a layered composite structure with excellent performance under polarity reversal condition which is essential for changing the direction of power flow in LCC systems. Compared with MI insulation cables, polymeric insulations such as crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) insulations are lighter, less expensive, and less harmful to the environment compared with MI insulation cables and can be manufactured by continuous extrusion process and conveniently extended during installation by oil-free pre-molded joints. However, DC cables with XLPE insulation are only applicable for the voltage source converter (VSC) systems. Therefore, there still exists the need for insulation with the advantages of both MI and polymeric insulations, i.e., an extrudable insulation that is compatible with polarity reversal. A model DC material based on the ethylene propylene rubber (EPR) incorporated with 2D inorganic nanoclays is proposed. The DC electrical properties of the proposed material show large improvement in space charge suppression, controlled electrical conductivity and consequently more uniform electric field distribution. Microstructure studies suggest the uniform and oriented distribution of 2D nanoclay particles in EPR matrix causes a desired trap distribution with high density of shallow traps due to the presence of a high interfacial area between polymer chains and nanoclay particles. The macroscopic effect of that is a significant reduction of activation energy which contributes to controlling the charge transport and suppressing the space charge accumulation in the composite dielectrics. Results of the thermally stimulated depolarization current spectra of the samples are in good agreement with the predicted trap distribution based on the experimental results and morphological study. Co-sponsored by: IEEE DEIS M&C Co-chair - Jim Guo Speaker(s): Mohamadreza , Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/318272

Breaking down the Silos in Responsible AI

Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/318933

IEEE Canada Region and Toronto Section Industry Relations Committees are proudly presenting you with a lunchtime event organized by Borealis AI. Artificial Intelligence provokes creativity, innovation, and technological progress. However, fairness, privacy, and security are legitimate concerns companies face when developing AI products. Responsible AI is an emerging area of AI governance, and the use of the word responsible covers both ethics and standardization. This LinkedIn Live event will address the challenges and the steps Borealis AI is taking to implement AI ethically and responsibly. Panelists Dominique Payette, Lead, Responsible AI, Chris Srinivasa, Sr. Research Lead, and Alex Scott, Group BD, will share their insights on how everyone from business executives to developers can enable a more responsible adoption of AI technology. Check out Borealis AI's responsible AI model validation series here: https://bit.ly/3rOyglN. Learn about Borealis AI RESPECT AI online hub, bringing open-source research code, tutorials, academic research, and lectures to the AI community, helping to make ethical AI available to all: https://www.borealisai.com/en/applying-ai/respect-ai/ Co-sponsored by: Borealis AI Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/318933

Setting up Rural, Semi-Urban & Urban Microgrid pilots in India under a joint Indo-US project

Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/320141

Microgrids integrating RES and ESS are increasingly being deployed across the world. Isolated and grid connected microgrids require control and protection systems to ensure optimal power sharing, storage management, maintaining required power quality, stability, resiliency and reliability of supply. The main focus of an ongoing Indo-US joint project ‘UI-ASSIST’, involving 15 consortia partners from US and India, is to develop models including pilot demonstrations for future smart distribution networks integrating RES, ESS and microgrids. This talk will briefly discuss the technical details and challenges faced in setting up these pilots. Speaker(s): Dr. Suresh Chandra Srivastave, Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/320141