The

MONITORPUBLISHED BY THE NEW YORK SECTION OF THE INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS

October 2004(VOL 52, NO. 7)

PERIODICALTIME SENSITIVE

MATERIALVisit our web page at:http://www.ewh.ieee.org/r1/new_york/

Don’t forget to vote for your IEEE officers !

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Two important IEEE conferences are being held this month in our area. The Power Engineering

Society is holding its inaugural Power Systems Conference and Exposition (PSCE) at the Grand Hyatt in Manhattan on October 10-13, 2004. The Instrumentation and Measurement Society and the Laser and Electro-Optics Director Society are

cosponsoring with METSAC the Lightwave Technologies in Instrumentation and Measurement Conference on October 19-20, 2004 at the IBM Palisades Executive Conference Center in Palisades, NY. The PSCE will provide a venue to share and discuss various issues and developments in electrical power systems. The plenary session on Monday morning will focus on "Balancing the Needs of Competitive Markets with Confidentiality and System Security" and will look back and address the lessons learned in the year following the August 14, 2003 North American blackout. The conference will comprise an outstanding combination of technical sessions, panel sessions, and tutorials. Tutorials will be presented on October 10 (with CEU Certificates available) on “Enterprise Integration for the Digital Utility”, “Congestion Management and Transmission Rights”, and “Cyber Security of Control Systems”. A special tutorial, “Power Systems Basics for Non-Engineering Professionals” is planned for Thursday October 14. Poster sessions will be held on Monday where technical papers will be displayed and the authors will be present to discuss them with the attendees. A student poster contest will also be held. Technical panel sessions will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday and will focus on Planning and Operation, Markets, Policies, and Economics; Dynamic Performance of Power Systems; and Real-Time Applications. Technical tours will be available on Thursday to New York Subway Rail Control Center, Keyspan

Co-Generating Station, Con Edison Learning Center and a NYPA Gas Turbine Station. The exposition hall will feature over 30 Company exhibits where the attendees may obtain information on available products and services. This ambitious program also includes refreshment and social events, student activities and companion activities. For more information go to www.pscexpo.com. The Lightwave Conference will be application and learning oriented and be dedicated to applying and developing Lightwave technologies in instrumentation and using Lightwave technologies for monitoring, understanding and controlling industrial, biomedical, material, communications and natural events and processes. The Conference will begin with a keynote lecture on Tuesday “Mode-Locked Diode Lasers for Ultra-Wideband Communications and Signal Processing”. Tutorials will be presented on Tuesday and Wednesday on “A Practical Approach to Understanding Today’s Electronic Packaging Issues”; “Merging Traditional VLSI with Photonics”; “Making A Many-Colored Processing Engine”; and “Signal Processing with Optical Filters”. Technical presentations on Tuesday and Wednesday will cover such topics as electro-optical design and packaging; measuring and sensing techniques; instrumentation; test and analysis techniques; imaging techniques and systems; sensors and transducers; and opto-electronic and fiber optic devices. A panel session on Wednesday afternoon on Applications and Markets for Lightwave Instrumentation will present outlooks for the future of lightwave technologies and markets. Please go to http://www.ewh.ieee.org/r1/metsac/LTWV.htm for up-to-date conference information. We are obligated, as engineers, to continue to our technical knowledge development and enhancement. These conferences afford us the opportunity to do so – right in our area. I hope to see you there! Regards, Benjamin Schall

Chairman’s Column

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The election meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, November 12, 2004 beginning at 5:30 PM in Pete’s Tavern, 129 East 18th Street on Irving Place, Manhattan, New York. Voting will take place at 6:00 PM. The Nominations Committee of the IEEE New York Section proposes the following slate for election as officers and elected chairs of the Executive Committee for the period: January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005. Other Chapters of the New York Section are welcome to participate. Officers Chairman - Paul J. Sartori Vice Chair Chapter Operations - Stanley Karoly Vice Chair Section Activities - Ken Vought Treasurer - Warner Johnston Secretary - David Weiss Elected Committee Chairs By Laws - William N. Coyne Chapter Organization - Open Managing Editor - Open Historian - Melvin Olken L. R. Planning - William L. Perlman Publications - Dr. Frank E. Schink Special Events - Ralph Tapino Web Master - Harold Ruchelman Tappan Zee Subsection PES / IAS New York & Long Island Chairman - Robert M. Pellegrino Chairman - Ralph A. Mazzatto Vice Chair - Open Vice Chair - John Michelson Treasurer - Dr. Shu-Ping Chang Treasurer - Bill Montgomery Secretary - Warner Johnston Secretary - Garth Forde Sr. Member at Large – John Pascu Jr. Member at Large – Neil Weisenfeld

The

MONITOR Postmaster: Send Address change and returns to the IEEE MONITOR, c/o Membership Services, IEEE Service Center, PO Box 1331, Piscataway, NJ 08855 (ISSN 0164-9205) Published monthly, except for June, July and August, by the New York Section of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., c/o Michael A. Miller, Con Edison room 1208. Phone (212) 460-4911, Fax (646) 654-3083. IEEE Corporate Office, 3 Park Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10016-5997 Annual subscription: $4.00 per member per year (included in annual dues) for each member of the New York Section: $10.00 per year for non-IEEE members All communications concerning The IEEE MONITOR should be addressed to: The IEEE MONITOR, c/o Michael A. Miller, Con Edison room 1208, 4 Irving Place, NY, NY 10003 or e-mail: MillerM@ConEd.Com Responsibility for contents of articles, papers, abstracts, etc. published herein rests entirely with the authors, not the editor, Publication committee, IEEE or its members. Periodicals Postage Paid at New York, NY and additional mailing offices.

Vol. 52 No. 7 October, 2004

OFFICERS SECTION CHAIRMAN - Benjamin Schall VICE CHAIRMAN, OPERATIONS - Robert P. Noberini VICE CHAIRMAN, ACTIVITIES - Paul J. Sartori TREASURER - Stanley Karoly SECRETARY - Neil Weisenfeld

COMMITTEE CHAIRS AWARDS CHAIRMAN - Peter Mauzey BY-LAWS – William Coyne HISTORIAN – Melvin Olken MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT – Leon Katz P.A.C.E. CHAIRMAN - Peter J. Greco PUBLICATIONS CHAIRMAN - Frank E. Schink PUBLICITY & PUBLIC RELATIONS – Paul Sartori EDUCATION – Len Rubenstein SPECIAL EVENTS – Ralph Tapino STUDENT ACTIVITIES – David Weiss TAPPEN ZEE SUBSECTION – Robert M. Pellegrino LONG RANGE PLANNING – William Perlman WEBMASTER – Harold Ruchelman

STAFF MANAGING EDITOR - Michael A. Miller ASSOCIATE EDITOR - Harold Ruchelman HISTORIAN - Melvin Olken

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Professional Activities Information Page

This page dedicated to member professional activities information

New York Section PACE Calendar of Upcoming Events: The following are proposed Section activities. Note that there will be a Financial Seminar this month. Look for the details on the announcement page of this issue. Please plan to attend a meeting or seminar.

October 13: General Meeting

October 20: Financial Seminar November 10; General Meeting

If you have suggestions on areas of professional activities that interest you please contact me.

Peter Greco PACE Chairman Tel.: 212-614-3357 Fax: 212-529 5237 email: p.j.greco@ieee.org

IEEE-USA’s and IEEE Job Site: This highly rated job listing service was replaced by a new internet-based job site, and is sponsored by IEEE-USA and IEEE Spectrum. The site allows the active and passive job seeker more control over the recruiting process. For more details go to:

www.ieee.org/jobs

The Employment Assistance Web Site brings together dozens of job-search resources in a single location. The site includes the following:

Entry-Level Employment Assistance Site: If you are an engineering graduate, recent graduate, of IEEE Student Member looking for the first job this is one of the best places to begin your career. Special entry-level employment services include job listings, links to company sites and job-search tips and techniques:

www.ieeeusa.org/EMPLOYMENT/entry.html IEE-USA’s New Resume Referral Service: Put your resume for maximum exposure! IEEE-USA in cooperation with Resume- Link has established a members-only Resume Referral Service which IEEE members may register, FREE of charge via web registration or by hard copy. Your resume will stay on file for six months (with an option to renew the listing up to a year). Make sure you check out this great new service to promote your credentials! For hard copy registration forms, contact Resume-Link at 614-923-0600 or

socmember@resume-link.com

The Engineers Guide to Lifelong Employability This is a practical complete resource book on Engineering Careers into the 21st Century Offers strategies and insights for engineers working in today’s dynamic professional environment IEEE Members: $20.00

EMPLOYMENT AND CAREER ENHANCEMENT PUBLICATIONS

IEEE EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

WEB SITE: www.ieeeusa.org

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The IEEE New York Section PACE, with IEEE Chapter of PES and IAS NY & LI,

and the Edison Engineering Society

Presents

Principles of Investing

Topics to be discussed:

• Discover the significant benefits derived from a 401 (k) savings plan • Assess your current and future sources of retirement income • Discuss the possibility of additional retirement funding • Understand the basics for managing 401(k) investments

Special Topic:

Managing Your Investments in Volatile Markers

Date

Tuesday, October 20th, 2004 5:30 P.M. – 7:30 P.M

(Refreshments will be served at 5:30pm). Con Edison Executive Dining

4 Irving Place, 19th Floor New York, NY 10003

Speaker:

Jeremy A. O’Brien, Financial Consultant Smith Barney

Due to Security Restrictions Reservations Are Necessary

Please RSVP by Friday, October 15th, 2004 to: Peter J. Greco by phone (212) 614-3357 or by email p.j.greco@ieee.org

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POWER ENGINEERING SOCIETY AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS SOCIETY

NEW YORK & LONG ISLAND CHAPTER

YOU ARE INVITED TO A JOINT MEETING of the IEEE with Edison Engineering Society

PRESENTING: The GP7200 Jet Engine

As Developed by GE & Pratt–Whitney Engine Alliance Tuesday, November 9, 2004

Craig R. Bolt, of Pratt & Whitney, will talk about the new, clean, fuel efficient, and quietest jet engine in its class. It was jointly developed by GE & Pratt-Whitney. Rated at 81,500 lb of thrust, while generating less noise than the 747 with a 30-50% greater load, using only 1.2 gallons of fuel per passenger every 95 miles which equals the best turbo-diesel cars on the market. Craig R. Bolt holds a BS in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the University of Illinois. He has worked for Pratt & Whitney since 1973, moving from an analytical engineer in compressor research technology to Director of Validation and Certification. Currently, he is responsible for the development, testing, and certification of the GE/PW manufactured GP7000 engine. Over the course of 30 years, he has worked on the Quasi – 3D fan blade design, V2500 engine by International Aero Engines, the PW4168 & PW4084 engines, and many others leading to the development of the GP7200 that will be used to power the Airbus A380 jumbo jet, seating 555. New technology had to be employed in the area of fuel economy and noise reduction without sacrificing thrust. Once the consumer and government mandated these improvements the technology was developed for both a cleaner and more efficient engine. Using titanium blades, digital controls, carbon seals to reduce oil consumption, and other advanced techniques, engineers were capable of solving the engineering problems. Consider coming to this informative meeting to learn how it is done on a grand scale.

Please Post Please Post All Invited !

THE INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS, INC.

All activities are posted on the PES Chapter Web Site: http://ewh.ieee.org/soc/pes/newyork/ Tuesday, November 9, 2004

Refreshments: 5:15 pm Program: Starting at 5:45 pm Location: Con Edison Executive Dining Room, 19th Floor Nearest Subway: Union Square 4 Irving Place, NY 10003

Reservation to : John Michelsen @ 914 968-8400 or Michael A. Miller @ 212 460 4911

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Calendar of Upcoming Events October 2004 – The nominations committee of the IEEE New York Section and the PES / IAS New York and Long Island Chapter is seeking nominations for officers. The election is scheduled for November 12, 2004 and a slate of officers for the election are posted in this issue. October 14, 2004 (Thursday) IEEE New York Section – Vehicular Technology Society Sharing Forum: Radio Frequency Identification by Howard Lock of Cisco & Vehicle Telemetric Applications by Ralf Hug of Mercedes Benz, 6 to 8 p.m. at Cisco Systems, Inc. 5th floor, One Penn Plaza, contact Joern Fellenberg at 212-672-4052, joern.fellenberg@ieee.org see flyer page 13. October 10-13, 2004 (Sunday – Wednesday) IEEE PES Power Systems Conference & Exposition at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, New York, NY See Page 16, back cover for details. October 19 & 20, 2004 (Tuesday & Wednesday) IEEE Lightwave Technologies in Instrumentation & Measurement Conference, IBM Palisades Executive Conference Center. October 20, 2004 (Tuesday) 5:30 to 7:30 PM, refreshments, Con Edison executive dining room, 19th floor, 4 Irving Place, NY, NY 10003. Reservations a must. The IEEE New York Section PACE presents Principles of Investing featuring Jeremy A. O’Brien highlighting 401(k) benefits & management, additional and future sources of retirement income, with the special topic “Managing Your Investments in Volatile Markets” contact Peter J. Greco by phone (212) 614-3357 or by email p.j.Greco@ieee.org October 21, 2004 (Thursday) PES/IAS Technical Discussion Group Meeting and the Edison Engineering Society – Presentation: Seismic Bracing in the Con Edison Executive Dining Room, 4 Irving Place, 19th Floor, New York, NY. For information or Reservations call : Sukumar Alampur Sukumar@JRLA.comn or (646) 674-6351 / Jim Nucito J.R.Nucito@IEEE.org or (732) 380- 1100 Ext. 4149 November 9, 2004 (Tuesday) PES/IAS Program Committee Meeting is scheduled for 5:30 PM at the Con Edison, 19th floor, Executive Dining Room, 4 Irving Place, NYC. , Subject: The GP7200 Jet Engine developed by GE & Pratt-Whitney, RSVP to John Michelsen at (914) 968-8400 or Michael A. Miller by email at MillerM@ConEd.Com or at (212) 460-4911 December 2004 PES/IAS Technical Discussion Group Meeting and the Edison Engineering Society – Presentation: General Electric discussing Controls in the Con Edison Room 1425, 4 Irving Place, 14th Floor, New York, NY. For information or Reservation call : Sukumar Alampur Sukumar@JRLA.comn or (646) 674-6351 / Jim Nucito J.R.Nucito@IEEE.org or (732) 380- 1100 Ext. 4149 The following New York Section members have been elevated to Senior Member.

Frank P. Giordano

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STUDENT ACTIVITIES NEWS

By Balvinder Blah, Student Activities Chair of Power Engineering Society

and David Weiss, Student Activities Chair of NY Section While much of the IEEE is devoted to the professional development of our members, one of our societies (Power Engineering) and our NY Section have committees to oversee the student branches in our area. Why? Because we’re looking at the future of the IEEE. The IEEE helps your students and your colleges meet many important objectives that we want to bring to your attention. Students want to learn more about real world engineering and want to improve their job prospects. How does IEEE help? Its technical societies collectively have several meetings every month as well as tours of notable facilities. The meetings are an excellent place to learn what engineers are doing today in power, transportation,

communications, broadcasting, computers, medicine, and more. You can also watch engineers at work to develop Standards for state-of-the-art technologies from wireless to voting systems. At all these meetings, students can introduce themselves (I’ve seen this happen) and find out about internships and job prospects. Colleges can enrich and broaden their programming. Student Professional Awareness Conferences (S-PACs) and Student Professional Awareness Ventures (S-PAVs) introduce students to non-technical aspects of the profession. This can range from leadership training seminars (one is offered at the Power Engineering Society conference October 10th) to improving etiquette. Moreover, these established, successful programs come complete with lists of speakers and the possibility of some funding. There may also be some cases where your program isn’t big enough to attract the speaker you want or as often as you want. The IEEE sponsorship is a convenient way to enable schools to jointly set up programs. Students and Colleges can both benefit from numerous awards and contests that the IEEE sponsors. They bring desirable international recognition and honor. Finally, we’d like to note the outstanding quality of the IEEE’s publications which range from advanced topics to tutorials to general engineering interest like Spectrum. Did you know the IEEE is the world’s largest technical publisher? We’ve scheduled a meeting with our College Branch Advisors and representative on September 27 at Con Ed HQ to go over these offerings and to hear their ideas. For those interested in learning more, please drop a line to Balvinder Blah (blahb@coned.com) or David Weiss (daweiss@nyct.com). We’ll keep you posted.

The Centennial Anniversary of the New York City Subway (1904-2004) By Melvin I. Olken, P. E. – Historian

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October 27, 2004 will mark the centennial anniversary of the New York City subway. From our prospective as professionals in the electric power industry, this event had significance. When the initial contract was drawn up for the city’s first subway in the late 1890s, electric power was chosen but all details were deferred. Thus, the subway engineers were given the allowance “to take full advantage the changes and improvements” in the rapidly evolving electrical technology, as manufacturers competed for this huge market. Therefore, this bit of history closely parallels the advances that were occurring 100 years ago. Robert Lobenstein, General Superintendent of Power Operations for the New York City Transit Authority and unofficial NYCT Historian, has prepared the article “The Race to Provide Electric Power” which is our issue’s history column. On behalf of the IEEE New York Section I offer thanks to “Loby” for permitting us to reprint his work. The Race to Provide Electrical Power By Robert W. Lobenstein The subway system is New York City’s largest single user of electricity. So it’s no surprise that planning and building the subway were major factors in the City’s evolution to electrical power. Ever since, the technology of transit electrification and the general electrification of homes and businesses have worked together.

1904 Powerhouse designed by McKim, Meade and White at 59th Street and 11th Avenue. Beginning in 1892, Thomas Edison-style direct current (DC) generators were used to power

trolleys and elevated trains in Brooklyn. Then, in the mid-1890s, a new scheme of power generation and transmission, the Tesla-Westinghouse system of AC (alternating current) that could be safely transmitted long distances, proved much more efficient for powering homes, industry and transportation. AC generators, first installed in 1895 at the Great Niagara Falls powerhouse, produced 25-cycle power that was transmitted 22 miles to Buffalo. There, some of the first rotary converters changed the AC to DC to operate streetcars. As engineers embraced this dual-mode system, big electrification projects began worldwide. In New York City in 1896, the East 96th Street Powerhouse supplied electricity to several substations that energized Manhattan’s trolleys – the Broadway Battleships. In 1899, contracts were signed signaling the first large-scale electrification of Manhattan’s steam-powered Els. This conversion from steam required immense amounts of electricity. Edwin Reynolds of Allis-Chalmers Company began to design the world’s largest generators driven by reciprocating steam engines, on a train from Chicago to New York. These four-cylinder “Manhattan” engines, with huge pistons 88 inches in diameter, went on line in 1901 at the East 74th Street Powerhouse. Thomas E. Murray Sr. designed the Brooklyn Rapid Transit (BRT) Central Powerhouse and many of the original BRT-BMT substations it supplied. This new form of energy allowed the Brooklyn Els and trolley operators to close seven original 1892-93 Edison-style DC plants, greatly reducing smoke and pollution in many Brooklyn neighborhoods. Enter the Subway To satisfy the massive energy demands of the new subway, the world’s largest powerhouse (at the time) was designed by architects McKim, Meade and White, noted for the old Pennsylvania Station and other fine public buildings. It began operation at 59th Street and 11th Avenue in the summer of 1904 (pictured at left). With steam turbines only in development, reliable “Manhattan” steam-engine generators were again

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chosen, with an installed capacity of 100,000 horsepower. Alternating current was sent through high-tension cables routed through ducts within the subway walls, in cables that terminated at eight substations along the subway route.

These nine “Manhattan” piston steam-generators housed in the 59th Street Powerhouse produced 100,000 hp for the subway. There, in Westinghouse rotary converters designed and built for the IRT, electricity was changed from AC to DC to energize the third rail. In addition, the substations distributed high-tension power to light nearby stations and power the underground signal system. They also served as pneumatic pumping stations to power air-operated track switches, stop arms and signal semaphores. Since the subway opened on October 27, 1904, the system has added hundreds of track-miles and stations and thousands of subway cars to serve the needs of a far larger City. But our modern substations, now numbering 215, continue the unsung job of their prototypes 100 years ago, quietly powering the rails from hidden vaults and building along the way. And no one knows they are there until the lights go out and the trains stop. Life at the Turn of the Last Century Ever wondered about City life at the turn of the 20th Century when subway construction began? New Yorkers commuted on horseback or crowded into horse-drawn streetcars. Steam-powered elevated trains crisscrossed the City spewing smoke and cinders. The very rich owned a handful of automobiles. Tom Edison’s electric lights had

made inroads, though most homes, businesses and streets were lit by gas or kerosene. But inventions of the Tesla-Westinghouse alternating current (AC) power system would change all this. Relatively quickly, major powerhouses were built around the City, and substations serving transportation, homes and industry went on line. Imagine the shock and awe of a new powerhouse employee as he entered a seemingly magical world of high-powered generators and rotary converter equipment. Electricity was a mysterious force to understand, while the average worker was considered lucky if he had a high school education. Electrical engineering staffs set up schools in the powerhouses to teach new hires safety and the operating skills to become high-board operators, rotary tenders and helpers. I can picture the intensive training sessions explaining rudimentary electrical theory and its practical applications. The inexperienced or inept were relegated to boiler rooms for the dirty, backbreaking work of shoveling coal into the boilers. Some would go on to maintaining the huge steam engines and rotating equipment. When things went wrong, they really went wrong. A maintainer could bring massive machines up to speed improperly and send hot metal and solder flying around the room. Pails of sand were strategically placed to extinguish transformer fires and an oil lantern hung on every rotary converter for the all too frequent blackouts. While homes and business were electrified first in Manhattan, early transit substations also supplied power for locations in the other boroughs. These included Coney Island and other amusement parks, 242 streets in Upper Manhattan, resort hotels at Brighton Beach and breweries in Brooklyn. Back then, children pressed their noses at the substation gates and marveled at the huge, humming machines inside. Incandescent lamps cast a soft glow on their faces while sparks from the rotaries sparked their imagination. I am fortunate to have been one of those children in the early 1950s, outside looking in when these magnificent substations still hummed.

Editorial Editorial

An Engineer's View on Election Issues 2004

Issue Facts & Current Policy Opinion9/11 Report Water-Down committee objectives. We should accept and implement.Alzheimer's Policy is not clear. Allow scientific advancement.Axis of Evil Ferment antagonism. We should strengthen national alliances.

Balance of PaymentThe U.S. current-account deficit increased $17.9 billion to $144.9 billion in the first quarter of 2004.

Those countries with trade deficits will have currency decline in value except where

foreign funds are used to purchase financial (capital) assets in host country.

Blackout of August 17, 2003 Stalled in Energy Bill. It is unfortunate this issue was buried.

Bankruptcies 1 out of 73 US households filed for bankruptcy in 2003, a record high.

1999 - 1,281,581; 2000 - 1,217,972; 2001 - 1,492,129; 2002 - 1,577,651;

2003 - 1,661,996Campaign Ads Character assassination. Avoids meaningful discussion of issues.

Child Health Care Costs $ 2,000 per child. We need universal health insurance for children.

Compassionate Conservatism Polarization. Neither compassionate nor conservative.

Congressional Relations Congress is split on Party lines. We should work together as a team.

Consumer Confidence

The Consumer Confidence Index dropped to 98.2 from 105.7. The reading was well below the 103.5 that analysts expected, and is the

lowest since May, when it registered

This is a measure of how we feel about the economy - not too good.

Cuba Frigid detachment. We should move towards opening trade. 40 years of isolation is not working.

Energy Initiatives Every increasing demand. We need reusable resources and more efficient cars. The technology exits now.

Environment Protection is lacking. Drilling in wildlife preserves should be controlled if not prevented.

Flex Time Time spent with the family. It should not be the end of 'overtime'.

Food Stamps Increased by 6.4 Million people between 2000 and 2003. We need to increase minimum wage.

Foreign Policy Confrontational isolation. We can not go-it-alone.Global Warming Hands Off. Control Greenhouse Gases.

Gun Control & Assault Weapons

Unlimited use of assault weapons. Bill to expire the summer of 2004.

We need gun licensing, control, and removal of assault weapons for the streets.

Head Start Program Costs $ 7,000 per child We need to spend more.

Health Insurance Allow private companies to sell. We need federally funded universal coverage.

Healthcare 1.4 Million people without health insurance since 2000.

We need universal health insurance for everyone.

Homeland SecurityCurrent pork-barrel program is

funded on political favor, not on rational need.

Abusive infringement on personal rights seems to be promoted under current

program.

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Editorial Editorial

Issue Facts & Current Policy Opinion

Inflation

The latest figures for inflation show that the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) is at a four-year high of

8.17%

This will cost us dearly in the future.

Iraq

135 Billion Dollars spent to 9/30/04 plus $ 177 Million per day. 985 killed to 9/5/04 plus 2 (average)

killed per day.

After all is said and done we will have spent billions and lost many brave soldiers with no

gain. We cannot guarantee a democratic government favorable to our interests.

Israel No clear policy or new initiative. We need insightful and meaningful foreign policy.

Manufacturing Jobs No policy. Use tax structure to increase jobs in the US.Middle East No program or plan for peace. No Future Vision.

Minimum Wage Currently $ 5.15 We need a Minimum was of $ 7.00 to get it over the poverty level.

No Child Left Behind Charter schools. Public education is proving more effective.

National Debt

$ 7.3 Trillion total, added $ 700 Billion this year. $ 25,000 per

person, $ 318 Billion in interest to service dept.

Clinton stopped the bleeding in just 3 years & reduced the dept in the next 5 from 67% to 57% of the GNP. This was reversed in the following 4 years. By the end of 2004 we will have the highest ratio of debt to

GNP in 50 years.Oil Prices No policy. We need to promote more efficient cars.

Outsourcing Jobs1.7 Million Jobs lost since 2000. 300,000 jobs left the US the past

year.

We need to eliminate Tax credits for companies that send jobs overseas.

Poverty 1.3 Million people more in poverty since 2000. We need a better policy.

Same sex marriage Proposed constitutional amendment. This is a states rights issue.Social Security Allow separate accounts. Fund existing system.

Sudan No clear policy or new initiative. We need to take immediate action.

Unemployment Claims

Unemployment Rate 5.4% as of August. Not the real rate, many have left job market.

War on TerrorOsama bin Laden has not been

apprehended. It is a war between the US & Al Qaeda.

The 'War on Terror' is not a war between the US & Iraq, nor is it between Russia &

Chechen, Israel & Palestine. Each has it's own roots. Lets not use slogans to define

'war'.Woman's Right to Choose Curtail. Ensure.

Are we better off today than 4 years ago?No matter how you view the issues, or of which party your affiliated with - Your Vote Counts

VOTE !

In the week ending Aug. 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 362,000, an increase of 19,000 from the previous week's unrevised

figure of 343,000. The 4-week moving average was 343,000, an increase of 6,250 from the previous week's unrevised average of 336,750.

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VTS New York 13 www.ieee.org/vtsny

IEEE THE INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERS, INC.

Vehicular Technology Society October 14th Technology-Sharing Forum

Join the NY Section of the VTS presenting

Radio Frequency Identification By Howard Lock of Cisco

& Vehicle Telematics Applications By Ralf Hug of Mercedes Benz USA

October 14th, 2004, 6:00 to 8:00 PM

Refreshments and Registration: 5:30PM

Hosted by: Cisco Systems, Inc. 5th Floor One Penn Plaza, New York City

The presentation by Howard Lock will focus on a new technology to revolutionize supply chain operations, logistics, healthcare, education, consumer goods, national defense, and a host of other industries, including Transportation. Radio Frequency Identification technology can be utilized beyond asset tracking to enhance security and protect transportation assets such as airports, rail, and seaports. By 2010 it will surpass use of UPC or bar-code technologies. Ralf Hug will present an insight into today’s and future suite of safety, communication and entertainment systems for vehicles. He will cover innovative Telematics systems such as Tele Aid, Hands-free Communication System, Satellite Radio, and other new technology systems.

Advance registration is required for admission. There is a $35.00 charge for the forum and refreshments, Checks Payable to IEEE NY Section Registration Mail to Mr. Chris Pacher Online at http://www.ieee.org/vtsny

LTK 335 Adams Street, Suite 2702 Brooklyn, NY 11201

IEEE Members and non-members may register for the October forum. If you are an IEEE member, please provide your membership number. Program specifics and directions: Online at the VTS NY Website, or Contact Mr. Joern Fellenberg at 212-672-4052, joern.fellenberg@ieee.org.

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Your Vote Really Counts I started this series of what I hoped would be a few articles that would help in making a logical choice based on the issues in this election. Over the past year we have been bombarded by many sound bites and visual images. Many have been negative to the extreme and few have touched on the issues. When we hear of the exit poles that describe the basis of decision making I am truly impressed with the knowledge, understanding, and wisdom of the electorate. Many did not make a decision until entering the voting booth. Whether a button was pushed, a lever pulled, or a card punched each of us had a chance to vote. Technology has come to voting machines too; but not uniformly and not with any standards. If one thing is clear from this election it is that “Your Vote Really Counts.” Each and every one of us, as citizens, participates in this process and how we think and vote is important and will determine to a considerable extent our health, welfare, and life style. Our vote and our choice will carry us over into the next generation and those to come. Think of WW1, The Great Depression, WW2, the Camelot era of the Kennedy’s, Watergate and Richard Nixon. What will the next administration bring? If we choose incorrectly is it unprecedented that the door would open to an economic depression, poor schools, and no health coverage for our parents, or policies we find abhorrent. These are the choices before us in every election. Many nations can not believe or understand the process and yet every four years millions participate in the election of our President. This year with the photo finish in so many contests it is evident that our national parties are infinitely close in both policy and programs. We wait now for the correct count, not the fair count, the democratic count, not the right count, but the representative count which is as specified in our constitution. What differentiates the aspiring candidates? Is it policy, values, judgment, experience, or just good looks? This was both the biggest and most expensive election in our history. It was also the closest. One candidate won on the popular vote and the other won on the electoral count. We had

a third party candidate who drained enough votes to throw the election into a hair splitting contest. Those who voted for these minority candidate used their votes to advance special interests and programs not presented by either major party. Union workers and other workers in the mid to low income groups gave their support to the party promising them the best economic growth. Those in poor schools for the candidate who promised vouchers. Those on Social Security for a ‘locked box’ of secure benefits. Those who are wage earners for the ability to invest some of the Social Security savings. As I write this article the final outcome of this election is yet to be determined. Many irregularities remain in both the balloting and voter count; but we will deal with these in the most civilized and politically correct manner. The voter turnout predominated in the final analysis. One vote for each person is the rule and “Your Vote Really Counts.” This is a proven fact in this election as in no other. I can conclude that when the last ballot is counted and the election is put to bed our government will function as always and I’ll be glad it is all over for this year. They’ll always, I hope, be another election and another chance for the candidate who didn’t make it this time around to have that second chance. The voting experience is never perfect, how many things in life really are? Can we expect perfection if the machines between one area and another vary so widely as do the very methods of tabulation? Could we produce a more perfect machine and make it uniform by creating a standard, YES! Is this feasible from an engineering view, YES! Maybe what we need is for the IEEE to address this issue, certainly we have all the needed expertise and this would be in the interests of our nation, our society, and the organization. It would enhance our image and certainly go a long way to correct a high visible problem across this country. If you support this effort please contact the editor with your views or write directly to the IEEE. Maybe we can generate something positive out of this election, more than just a large number of legal actions.

Michael A. Miller, Past Chair New York Section

Voting Machine Standard Up for Vote: Standing Up For a Better E-Ballot Box by EricaVonderheid appeared in the September 2004 issue of the IEEE The Institute. Erica begins by saying: “Itwon’t be ready for this election, but the hope is that it will be ready before the next one, four years hence.We’re talking about an IEEE standard that specifies the performance requirements of electronic votingmachines.” The standard, IEEE P1583 produced by Stephen Berger, that Ken Vought and MichaelMiller originated four years ago after an article in the January 2001 Monitor (below). It is disappointingthat so little has happened over the past four years and it looks like we are heading for a problem greaterin scope and magnitude than ever before, bringing into question our right to a secret ballot. I hope thisnever comes to pass and we get through the election of 2004. Stephen Berger is asking us to join theStandards Association (SA) and vote on standards coming from SCC 38, go to the IEEE SA web site fordetails.

15

IEEE Lightwave Technologies in Instrumentation & Measurement Conference

October 19 & 20, 2004 Sponsored By

IEEE Metropolitan Sections Activities Council, IEEE Region 1, IEEE Lasers & Electro-Optics Society, IEEE Instrumentation & Measurement Society AND

Optical Society of America at

The IBM Palisades Executive Conference Center in Palisades, NY (near New York City)

An application and learning oriented conference dedicated to applying and developing lightwave technologies in instrumentation and using lightwave technologies for monitoring, understanding and controlling industrial, biomedical, material, communications and natural events and processes. The conference field of interest and related topics also includes related software and advanced concepts.

Please go to http://www.ewh.ieee.org/r1/metsac/LTWV.htm for up-to-date conference information

including Conference and CEU Registration and Exhibitor Information. Applicants will receive 0.3 CEU. Keynote Lecture – “Mode-Locked Diode Lasers for Ultra-Wideband Communications and Signal Processing “ by Peter Delfyett, University of Central Florida Trustee Chair Professor of Optics, ECE & Physics, School of Optic, Center for Research & Education in Optics & Lasers (CREOL), Florida Photonics Center of Excellence (FCPE)

Tutorials - Integral Part of Technical Program

• “A Practical Approach to Understanding Today’s Electronic Packaging Issues” - Warren D. Dyckman, Program Manager of High Speed and RF Semiconductor Applications at IBM MD in the Packaging Development Department located at Hopewell Junction, NY

• “Merging Traditional VLSI with Photonics” - Alyssa Apsel, Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Cornell University

• “Making A Many-Colored Processing Engine: Signal Processing with Optical Filters” - Christi K. Madsen, Distinguished Member of Technical Staff, Lucent Technologies, Bell Laboratories

SessionsElectro-Optical Design & Packaging Measuring & Sensing Techniques Instrumentation

Test & Analysis Techniques Imaging Techniques & Systems Sensors & Transducers

Opto-Electronic & Fiber Optic Devices Industry Panel on Applications and Markets for Lightwave Instrumentation

Panel Members will present outlooks for the following questions

• Which markets have found lightwave measurement and instrumentation most valuable? • How large are these markets? • What are their growth prospects? • What technology breakthroughs would make the biggest difference for each of these applications?

Moderator: Karen Liu, Managing Director, RHK Inc

Panel Members:

Dave Crohn, Managing Partner of Light Wave Venture LLC - “Fiber Optic Distributed Sensing Systems Enabled by Telecommunications”,

Paul E. Sanders, Director, Technology Acquisition, Weatherford International Ltd. - “A Current View of Fiber Optic Sensing in the Oil and Gas Industry”,

George Abe, President & CEO, CRI, Inc -- “Photons and Biology: An Overview of Optical Instrumentation in the Life Sciences”, and

Chad Clark, Product Line Manager, Optical Subsystems, JDS Uniphase – “All About Fiber-Optics Moving Into New Markets”

2004 IEEE PESPower SystemsConference & Exposition

October 10 - 13, 2004New York, NY, USA

www.ieee.org/power

New Solutions for New Challenges2004 IEEE PES Power Systems Conference & Exposition:This inaugural power systems event will provide an exceptional venue for discussing issues and developments in the multifaceted fi eld of electrical power systems. The meeting will begin with a timely and valuable plenary session entitled “Balancing the Needs of the Competitive Markets with Confi dentiality and System Security,” and will also address the lessons learned from the August 14, 2003 blackout in North America. The conference will comprise an outstanding combination of technical sessions, panel sessions and tutorials focusing on the following tracks:

• Track 1: Planning and Operation• Track 2: Markets, Policies, and Economics• Track 3: Dynamic Performance of Power Systems• Track 4: Real-Time Applications• Educational Track: Understanding Power Systems

Who Will AttendPower systems engineers, operators, planners, policy makers, economists, academics, and others working in the areas of planning, operation, implementation, security, and related areas, will greatly benefi t from the discussions. Meeting sessions and the exposition will describe, high-light, and demonstrate the most up-to-date systems technologies in the industry. Vendors providing software and hardware systems as well as consulting services can access a large number of leaders in fi elds utilizing their products and services by participating in the PSCE ’04 exposition. Both the conference and exposition of this inaugural event are sure to make this a premier international power systems gathering.

Register now by accessing the meeting website at www.pscexpo.com

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