The Denver SSCS Chapter hosted a total of eight seminars in 2007, three of which were sponsored by the SSCS Distinguished Lecturer Series. Topics ranged from cutting-edge microprocessors to techniques for designing high-speed serial links to forefront technologies such as next-generation lithography.

The year started with Robin Porter from Venture Operations describing ingredients for establishing a successful start-up.  By comparing two companies  competing in the thin server appliance space (Cobalt and Whistle), she emphasized the importance of business model strategy and supply chain management in contributing to boom vs. bust.

Given the high concentration of local companies involved in serial link design, it was no surprise that our next talk by Troy Beukema from IBM Research (Yorktown, NY) was a big hit.  Mr. Beukema provided a broad overview of the systems, circuits, and modeling challenges that lie ahead to overcome successful links beyond 10Gb/s.

Three new SSCS Distinguished Lecturers visited our chapter:  Dennis Fischette, from Advanced Micro Devices (Sunnyvale, CA), delivered a practical overview of monolithic phase-locked loop design. Next, Prof. David Allstot from the University of Washington did a phenomenal job explaining bandwidth extension fundamentals using inductors and transformers.  Shunt and series peaking never looked easier!  Finally, Prof. Clark Nguyen from the University of California rounded up the year with a fascinating seminar on MEMS for RF front-ends.

After SSCS DL David Allstot explained bandwidth extension fundamentals in Fort Collins, from left: Bob Barnes (Vice Chair & Treasurer), Ron Kennedy, Bruce Doyle (Program Chair), Mike Gilsdorf, Prof. David Allstot, Don McGrath (former Chair), Alvin Loke, and Tin Tin Wee (Secretary & Webmaster).

Dr. Shawn Searles from Advanced Micro Devices (Austin, TX) gave an extended encore of his ISSCC 2007 paper on AMD's Barcelona native quad-core processor.  In addition, Profs. Gu-Yeon Wei and David Brooks came from Harvard University to explain how they are tackling device variability using joint architecture and circuit techniques such as local voltage regulation for dynamic voltage-frequency scaling for multiple cores and alternative memory structures.

Local adjunct professor Dr. Hugh Grinolds from Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO) presented a nice overview of extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography as the next viable replacement for 193nm immersion ArF.  He introduced key optical principles and discussed the present state of development from both equipment and process perspectives.

The 2008 elections for chapter officers were recently held and we welcome two new members to the team:  Steve Martin from Avago Technologies and Visvesh Sathe from AMD.

Please visit ewh.ieee.org/r5/denver/sscs/ for more information, including past presentation slides, about our chapter events.  Starting in 2007, all seminars have been videotaped onto DVDs, thanks to Program Chair Bruce Doyle doubling his duties as videographer!