College of Engineering Wireless Technology Initiative

Funding and Current Status of Program

1.

Jung-Chih Chiao

Research Areas: Microwave and Millimeter-wave Circuit, Microelectromechanical Systems, Quasi-optics, Optoelectronics

Spring 2000 Courses: On Leave

Michael P. DeLisio

Research Areas: Quasi-Optical Circuits, Antennas, and Millimeter-wave Electronics

Spring 2000 Courses: EE 323, Basic Electronics; EE 323L, Basic Electronics Lab

EE 372, Fields and Waves II; EE 372L, Fields and Waves II Lab

Fossorier, Marc

Research Areas: Linear Codes, Iterative Decoding Algorithms, Code Constructions, Communication Algorithms, Magnetic Recording and Statistics

Spring 2000 Courses:EE 442, Digital Communications

EE 643, Communication System Performance

Kuh, Anthony

Research Areas: Neural Networks (Reinforcement Learning, Statistical Learning Theory, Unsupervised Learning), Wireless Communications (Multiuser Detection), Signal Processing, Communication Networks

Spring 2000 Courses:EE 315, Signal and System Analysis

Lin, Shu

Research Areas: Algebraic Coding Theory, Decoding Algorithms, Error Control Techniques, Coded Modulations and Satellite Communications

Spring 2000 Courses: Emeritus Professor, no teaching

Malhotra, Vinod

Research Areas: Solid-State Electronics, Optoelectronic materials and Devices

Spring 2000 Courses: EE 621, Advanced Solid State Devices I

Sasaki, Galen

Research Areas: Performance Evaluation, Communication Networks, and Optimization Algorithms

Spring 2000 Courses:On Sabbatical

Shiroma, Wayne

Research Areas: Microwave and Millimeter-wave Integrated Circuits and Antennas; Quasi-optical Power-combining Techniques

Spring 2000 Courses: EE 371, Fields and Waves I

EE 673, Advanced Microwave Electronics

Syrmos, Vassilis

Research Areas: Numerical Analysis and its Applications to Control Systems and Signal Processing; Robust/Optimal Control and Estimation

Spring 2000 Courses:EE 213, Basic Circuit Analysis II

EE 655, Robust Control

Uehara, Gregory

Research Areas: Analog, Digital, and Mixed-Signal Integrated Circuit Design for Communication and Magnetic Storage Applications.

Spring 2000 Courses:On Sabbatical

Yee, James

Research Areas: Computer Communication Networks, Network Optimization, Stochastic Models

Spring 2000 Courses:EE 341, Intro. to Communication Systems; EE 341L, Intro. to Communication Systems Lab

EE 644, Computer Communication Networks

2. If the wireless initiative is not implemented this will have an adverse effect on the Electrical Engineering department. The Electrical Engineering department has lost several faculty due to retirements and resignations. We need to hire faculty to meet our basic teaching and research objectives. Without the initiative we will have less faculty resulting in a lower level of research productivity and less resources for teaching. This will result in fewer courses that can be offered to undergraduate and graduate students, larger class sizes, a less comprehensive curriculum, and a reduced quality of education for students.

3. By funding the Center we will be in a position to attract quality faculty, students, researchers, and visitors. This will enable members of the Center to provide more students with a broad-based education in

communications. More skilled employees will be available to provide the backbone for a high technology work force. State funding will also increase the likelihood of successful research funding from the federal government and industry. University research is a good predictor of what lies in the future. As an example, many of the key ideas in the development of the internet can be traced back to seminal research performed in Universities including the University of Hawaii. Our research in wireless communications will lead to ideas and expertise for development of broadband wireless communication technology. As in other high technology areas around the country (e.g. Silicon Valley, Silicon Forest, Route 128) this can lead to development of high technology startup companies. Members of the Center could also be instrumental in attracting high technology companies from the mainland and Asia to setup organizations in Hawaii. Members of the Center can also advise government and industry in Hawaii about development of a communications industry in Hawaii. These activities could all begin to occur within two years after the director is hired.

  1. The Hawaii Center for Advanced Communications offers the only program in Hawaii in broadband and wireless communications.

5. (Bob Nagao will answer.)

  1. It is the University of Hawaii’s understanding that this is not a one-time infusion, but will require several years to get the Center going and achieve our targeted goals.
  1. Faculty positions will be covered by General funds. Industry and federal government funds will provide the majority of support for staff, visiting researchers, and students. Larger government funds could also be used for equipment and charging parts of faculty salaries.
  1. Federal funds will be obtained from NSF, DARPA, NSF, and the Department of Defense. Industry funds will be obtained from mainland, Asian, and local high technology companies. Within in one year we plan to have at least two industrial partners to help support the Center and within five years we plan to have least five industrial partners. We have no guarantees of funding from external sources, however funding likelihood will increase with state support and quality personnel hired with the state support. As an example, we have requested equipment funds from NSF. Part of the funds require matching funds from the University and the state. Other federal grants provide matching funds to match state and industry support.
  1. If funds are appropriated by NSF, documentation will be supplied.

Enrollment

  1. Close to two thirds of the funding will be used to bring in a director and two other new faculty members to the Center (pay for salaries and provide startup funds). These faculty will spend a significant portion of their time in providing classroom instruction for undergraduate and graduate students. The faculty will also spend a significant amount of time in research instruction by advising and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students. The funds for equipment will also be used for research instruction.
  1. The main goals of the first year are to recruit a director and two other new faculty along with setting up the infrastructure for the Center. Enrollment is expected to remain about the same for Fall 2000 as students are now making decisions about Universities to attend. With faculty and infrastructure in place we will aggressively seek new students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Benefits from additional student enrollment with begin with the start of the second year.
  1. No expected benefit as students are now making decisions about Universities before funding of Center has been appropriated, before complete infrastructure has been setup, and before director and other faculty have been recruited. See item 2.
  1. Our eventual goal is to leverage funds from the federal government, state government, and industry. We will have a much better chance at getting significant federal and industry funds if the State of Hawaii and the University can support the Center. This support is crucial to get the quality personnel necessary to run a successful Center. A director needs to be hired who is a leader in communications with academic, industrial, and administration experience. Other faculty will be hired to support and bridge different technology areas. Support for this initiative will not come from the federal government or industry.