IEEE Cedar Rapids Section

Distributed Machine Learning for FPGAs in the Cloud Machine Learning (ML) is a growing area in both research and applications. Trends include larger and larger ML models and the interest in getting results from ML with low latency and high throughput. To address these trends, researchers are increasingly looking at accelerators (such as Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) and Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), especially those that are directly connected to the network to achieve low latency access to data. In this talk, I will introduce the Open Cloud Testbed (OCT): https://octestbed.org/ OCT is available to researchers who are interested in conducting cloud research with accelerators. We provide GPUS, FPGAs, and AI engines from AMD. The FPGAs and AI engines are directly connected to the network. I will discuss experiments on using OCT for distributed ML using multiple network connected FPGAs. Specifically I will present results for running Resnet50 inference on the imagenet dataset. No hardware knowledge is assumed for this webinar. Speaker(s): Miriam Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/473027

Have you ever wanted help completing a IEEE Committee application. IEEE, Technical Activities Board (TAB) and Member and Geographic Activities (MGA) will be accepting submissions for 2026 committee positions in May. Learn how to complete your application to get noticed. Learn more about the MGA N&A process at https://mga.ieee.org/board-committees/nominations-appointments. Learn more about the IEEE N&A process at (https://www.ieee.org/about/corporate/nominations/index.html) To be eligible to be a Chair or a voting member of any Committee, except the Student Activities Committee, the individual must be a member in good standing and shall be at IEEE Graduate Student Member, Member, Senior Member, or Fellow grade. Please note that at this time, the N&A committee is only querying individuals for their willingness to serve and an appointment cannot be guaranteed. Appointments are contingent upon N&A's recommendation and approval by the appropriate Board, or appointment by the VP. Speaker(s): Kathy Land, Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/477908

Join us for our monthly executive committee meeting from 5 - 6:30 pm. This is a great opportunity to meet like minded people, learn leadership skills, and to help steer the direction of your local IEEE chapter. Who should attend: Executive committee for the Cedar Rapids Section, and any other leaders and interested members that wish to attend. Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/463677

This presentation discusses high power monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) power amplifier (PA) design in Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) and Gallium Nitride (GaN). At a high level, GaN versus GaAs semiconductor technology from the perspective of power amplifier design metrics is analyzed to help determine the relative advantages and disadvantages of each technology. This is followed with an introduction of the most prevalent MMIC design topologies for the bulk of microwave applications which include reactively matched, non-uniform distributed, balanced, push-pull, Doherty and serially combined. Following introduction of the main topologies, the presentation focuses on the potential pitfalls the MMIC designer can encounter with detailed discussion on how to avoid them with the goal of first past design success. The presentation relies on experience from the author’s career with over 20 years of experience in the defense and commercial industries as well as academia. MMIC designers will appreciate the candid explanation of the design topologies and pitfalls while non-designers will come away with a good working knowledge of what can be achieved and what to watch out for. Speaker(s): Michael Roberg, Room: Beems Auditorium Room A, Bldg: Cedar Rapids Public Library, 450 5th Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, United States, 52401

Join us for this Virtual Senior Member Reference Review Panels Online interviews will be scheduled for members wishing to elevate by current Senior Members where the Seniors can get to know the candidates in order to act as references for your application. Senior Member Reviewers will assist interested member candidates with at least 10 years of experience in their profession. To sign up for "Review" Time Slot, please register for this event, send an electronic copy of your resume, and relevant supporting materials (list of papers published, standards work done, patents, senior/leadership positions, etc.) to vaozburn@ieee.org at least 2 weeks (May 6, 2025) before the event. IEEE membership enhances every stage of your career. Whether you are an established professional or just starting out, IEEE membership identifies you as superior talent. Advancing your member grade can bring added peer recognition to your accomplishments and shows your employer your desire to improve your technical and leadership skills. Senior Membership is encouraged because it is required, in most cases, for key volunteer positions at the IEEE. Benefit of being a Senior Member As an IEEE Senior member, you receive the following benefits: - Recognition: The professional recognition of your peers for technical and professional excellence. - Leadership Eligibility: Senior members are eligible to hold executive IEEE volunteer positions. - Ability to refer other candidates: Senior members can serve as a reference for other applicants for Senior Membership. - Review panel: Senior members are invited to be on the panel to review Senior member applications. - Letter of commendation: A letter of commendation on the achievement of Senior member grade will be sent to your employer (upon your request). The advancement to Senior Member provides the IEEE members with significant and distinct benefits. These benefits include the eligibility to hold Executive IEEE Volunteer Positions and getting recognition of your peers for technical and professional excellence. Newly elevated senior members will also receive an engraved senior member plaque from IEEE. Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/479632

IEEE EMC Seminar Speaker: Rick Hartley, recently retired senior principal engineer at L-3 Avionics Systems, is the principal of RHartley Enterprises, through which he consults and teaches internationally to resolve noise, signal integrity and EMI problems. Rick’s focus is on correct design of PC boards to prevent and/or solve problems. He has consulted with major corporations in the US and 12 other countries. His design career focused on circuits and PC boards for computers, aircraft avionics and telecommunications. His consulting focuses on those same areas, as well as the automotive and appliance space. Rick has an engineering degree and 52 years of experience. He has dedicated the past 42 years to PC board and circuit development with emphasis on control of noise, in digital, analog and RF circuits. Rick has taught seminars at numerous conferences, including the IEEE EMC Symposium, PCB West, IPC Apex/Expo and others. He is a member of the executive board of the IPC Designers Council and past member of the Editorial Review Board of Printed Circuit Design Magazine. Rick has written numerous technical papers and articles on methods to control noise, EMI and signal integrity. Rockford, Illinois is located just over an hour’s drive from Chicago’s O’Hare airport. Direct bus service from Chicago/O’Hare airport is available. There are several hotels within few blocks of the Giovanni’s Conference Center. For more information about things to see and do in Rockford, Visit https://www.gorockford.com/ This seminar will qualify for 7.2 Professional Development Hours (PDH) Agenda: To be announced Bldg: Tebala Event Center, 7910 Newburg Rd, Rockford, Illinois, United States, 61108, Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/462988

Join us for our monthly executive committee meeting from 5 - 6:30 pm. This is a great opportunity to meet like minded people, learn leadership skills, and to help steer the direction of your local IEEE chapter. Who should attend: Executive committee for the Cedar Rapids Section, and any other leaders and interested members that wish to attend. ***CANCELED*** Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/463680

Join us for our monthly executive committee meeting from 5 - 6:30 pm. This is a great opportunity to meet like minded people, learn leadership skills, and to help steer the direction of your local IEEE chapter. Who should attend: Executive committee for the Cedar Rapids Section, and any other leaders and interested members that wish to attend. Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/463679

Join the Cedar Rapids IEEE for a 2Pi Day or Tau Day pizza social event. We'll be holding it two days before Tau day, on Thursday, June 26th at 5:30 pm. Join us at Tomaso's on Blairs Ferry Rd for free pizza! 1950 Blairs Ferry Rd, Unit 108, Hiawatha, Iowa, United States, 52233

Join us for our monthly executive committee meeting from 5 - 6:30 pm. This is a great opportunity to meet like minded people, learn leadership skills, and to help steer the direction of your local IEEE chapter. Who should attend: Executive committee for the Cedar Rapids Section, and any other leaders and interested members that wish to attend. Virtual: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/463681