Program: 2008 Region 7 Meeting

John Howard, Vice President Business Development, Lyncole XIT Grounding Presentation

Grounding systems help telecom systems operate at peak performance. To keep grounding systems functioning at their best, it is essential to understand how the key elements of a grounding system function and how to solve common problems. Attendees of this practical workshop will learn about subjects including grounding electrode systems, single point grounding, isolated ring and halo grounds, as well as tower grounding practices and site bonding.

Chuck Perry, Systems Sales Engineer, Symmetricom Presentation

This session will cover the basics of network synchronization. Operational concepts are explained, and the importance of timing, especially for SONET networks, is addressed. Various methods to overcome common timing problems are offered.

Brett Kilbourne, Director of Regulatory Services & Associate Counsel  Presentation

Find out what the UTC Legal/Regulatory team is doing in the spectrum arena, and hear the latest on issues relating to infrastructure as well as rights-of-way.

Nate Robinson, Engineering Manager, ESEI Presentation

Utility telecom professionals will realize benefits and cost savings associated with early transition planning to IPv6 infrastructure. While lower run costs for internal applications (such as control systems and standard information networks) increase the attractiveness of the migration, the current of lack of IPv6 compliant SCADA devices and management software are issues preventing immediate transition. This session will discuss the evolutionary steps from IPv4 to IPv6 and transition mechanisms, along with their corresponding benefits and challenges. Learn how IPv6 infrastructure may offer long-term savings to your utility.

Jeff McElroy, Sales Engineer, GE MDS Presentation

Spread-spectrum technology offers a solution that works more effectively in environments with interference and noise compared to conventional radio transmission techniques. It can also provide a higher data rate because of wider allowable bandwidths. As a result, it has developed into a major SCADA solution. While spread spectrum products do not require an FCC site license, products do have to meet FCC technology regulations. This session will explore ways in which entities are using spread spectrum today and planned uses for future growth.

Klaus Bender, Director of Engineering, Utilities Telecom Council Presentation

Hear from UTC Spectrum Services experts on RF Engineering and spectrum management, including RF safety issues such as defining RF emission standards and the rules and regulations associated with these standards.  On the spectrum management side, experts will guide you through a review of the FCC mandate to upgrade land mobile equipment and a summary of common compliance questions.  This is a can’t miss session for anyone involved in these areas.

Mike Anderson’s Seafood Restaurant, 1031 West Lee Drive, Baton Rouge

Nate Robinson, P.E., Engineering Manager, ESEI Presentation

High performance microwave networks provide a viable, cost effective solution to highly reliable, secure point-to-point data transport. This discussion will point out the challenges and considerations that go into the design, implementation and regulatory issues of a point-to-point microwave system. It further describes the specifications and characteristics that are used to quantify the reliability and integrity of a microwave system and how those parameters can be employed by utility users.

• Microwave Radio Technology
• Radio Network Planning Considerations
• Design Criteria Analysis
• Radio Specifications
• Error and Quality Performance Parameters

Marilyn Swartz, Director, Compliance & Continuity, CHR Solutions Presentation

The PUC of Texas moved forward on 12/19/07 to replace Rule #25.53 which had been in place since 1999. Dealing primarily with increased Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery (BC/DR) requirements for electric providers, many will have additional requirements for the 5/1/08 deadline. CHR Solutions will discuss how these new requirements also apply to NERC compliance, protect your business and answer the following questions:

• Are you ready?
•  Where do you start?
•  Is a checklist enough?
• Do you need a pandemic plan?

Heather McGinnis, Associate, The Shpigler Group Presentation

A smart network is the linchpin of smart metering. AMI needs meters that measure interval consumption, record voltage, verify outage and accept commands. But, it is the network that creates the bridge between the user and the utility allowing for the efficient transfer of data between multiple endpoints and the utility’s operations center and its various business applications. This session will help make you smarter about knowing what kind of “smarts” your smart meter network really needs to deliver the best value.