Program: 2010 Region 10 Fall Technical Meeting

Room: Saddleback

Room: Trabuco Foyer

Room: Trabuco

Lee Onsager, Team Leader, Telecom Construction & Maintenance, NV Energy

Room: Trabuco

Engineers looking to build an ultra-reliable, wide-reaching communications infrastructure where fiber was not an option, predominantly turn to microwave. As networks evolve, rapidly become all IP-based, and are driven by escalating Smart Grid bandwidth requirements, microwave technology has struggled to find its niche in the modern network.

Join us as we explore how adding MPLS to the edge of existing solutions can give you more mileage out of your current microwave platform – effectively turning embedded microwave to packet.  Equipment manufacturers now offer a new category of transport called “microwave packet radio” that promises service aware bandwidth efficiency, a range of service interfaces and reduced operational costs of a converged platform – ideal for evolving further and green field applications.

Dean Campbell, CTO, LightRiver Technologies Presentation

Room: Trabuco

The migration to Smart Grid will demand increased network bandwidth, greater coverage, enhanced mobility, stronger security and mission-critical reliability of existing utility telecommunication network. This session examines the demands that will be placed on existing utility microwave radio networks from Smart Grids and discusses packet microwave options to provide a smooth evolution path from TDM to all-IP. In addition, details and applicability for utilities of new IP-based microwave features will be discussed including MPLS, adaptive modulation, XPIC, strong security, IP path engineering considerations, etc.

Gary Croke, Senior Product Marketing Manager, Aviat Networks Presentation

Room: Trabuco

Transport radio technologies are evolving rapidly due to new market and regulatory demands, and there is a natural tendency to gravitate to the leading edge of technology. However, to operate on the leading edge can in some cases result in applying unproven technology with the acceptance of all the risk and cost associated with it. This presentation will highlight the major considerations that should be considered when migrating from TDM to Ethernet transport radio networks to support mission critical applications such as system protection.

David Hulinsky, Engineering Manager- Telecommunications, Black & Veatch
John Flavin, Communications Engineer, Black & Veatch
Joint Presentation

Room: Trabuco

PG&E recently underwent the process of selecting a digital microwave system. Come and hear a case study from those involved in the selection process on how this system fits into our overall communications architecture and the importance of the microwave system both now and in the future. We will talk about the RFP process, including the features we needed on this microwave system and why, and how we justified the costs involved in our selection. We will share our best practices in selecting our vendor and the project as it stands today.

Dewey Day, Senior Telecom Engineer, Pacific Gas & Electric Presentation

Room: Trabuco

The FCC has recently turned its attention to updating its fixed microwave rules to encourage next generation devices. This session will focus on the FCC’s Part 101 rulemaking proceeding, including adaptive modulation, proposals for access to new bands, and reuse of licensed spectrum for auxiliary stations, as well as other relevant developments.

Greg Kunkle, Keller & Heckman Presentation

6ix Park Grill

Room: Trabuco

This session will look at why test LMR transmitters are interfering with Digital TV Receivers. It covers the testing and issues companies may need to consider in designing their new LMR systems. This session will also focus on why perfectly good analog LMR coverage become unpredictably different when converted to digital LMR.

Robin Smyth, President, Gillespie, Prudhon & Associates Presentation

Room: Trabuco

The FCC’s rules require licensees in the 150-174 and 421-512 MHz bands to complete migration from wideband to narrowband equipment by January 1, 2013. This session will outline the rules and policies utilities need to know for successful narrowbanding, cover recent developments, and discuss the next steps the Commission is likely to take.

Greg Kunkle, Keller & Heckman Presentation

Room: Trabuco

With the FCC’s narrowbanding rules radio system owners are faced with the choice of staying with narrowband FM radio systems or moving to a digital radio system alternative. This session will focus on the narrowband FM alternative and specifically, the impact narrowbanding has on FM receivers and FM system performance. Narrowbanding your current system may or may not have a significant impact on your system coverage. This session will explain why the impact on each system can be different and some ideas for addressing your own narrowband FM radio system design.

George Stoll, President, Utility Telecommunications Consulting Group Presentation