Technical Sessions

Breakfast Keynote: Technology vs. Technique: the Needed Quantum Leap in Sustainability

Ralph DiNola, LEED AP & LEED Faculty - Green Building Services

Visit www.GreenBulidingServices.com

Ralph DiNola, a principal with Green Building Services, will review an emerging understanding of what is needed for humankind to take the next significant step in our approach to sustainability and getting beyond our current limitations and incremental improvement in performance.

Join us for this inspiring presentation focused on building green technologies and learn easy ways to make our current structures "more green".

More about Ralph DiNola and Green Building Services (PDF)

Time

• 8:00 am - 9:00 am

8:00 -
11:30 AM

Lunch 11:45 AM - 12:15 PM / Keynote 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM

Lunch Keynote: The sun rises over the Silicon Forest

Ben Santarris - Public Affairs Manager, SolarWorld Industries America

Visit www.SolarWorld-USA.com

Ben Santarris went to work at the Hillsboro headquarters of SolarWorld Industries America as public affairs manager in late 2008. He worked the previous eight years as a business journalist at The Oregonian, the last several years as business editor. He previously worked in various news editing and reporting roles in Bellingham, Wash., Seattle, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Boston. He earned master's degrees in business administration at Western Washington University and print journalism at Boston University. He majored in French literature at Williams College in Massachusetts. Ben grew up near Corvallis. He now lives in Southwest Portland with his wife, Marietta, and two teen-age kids, Rochelle and Nino.

1:30 -
2:15 PM

OB1A: Energy Conservation: The cause and effect of using new lighting technologies

Abstract:
The talk will center on the driving need to conserve our energy resources and how new lighting technologies and products are helping to achieve that goal. What are the external market drives allowing the customer in a recession to make a dollar driven decision. What is the latest in lighting technology and where are we headed.

Speaker:
Mike Gerard currently holds the position of President of Efficere Technologies a company solving high speed signal integrity issues and interconnect. Prior to Efficere Mike has worked in the Printed Circuit Board world and served as National Sales Manager. He helped found two Representative Sales firms ATMI and AESI in the Northwest. Both firms deal with differing aspects of lighting technology. Mike has worked in the Northwest market for over 30 years.

Contact:
Mike Gerard
President and CEO
Efficere Technologies
10906 NE 39th St., Ste A5
Vancouver, WA 98682
360-256-5525 x222
360-326-1495 (Fax)
503-791-9634 (cell)
Email mgerard@efficere.com

OB1B: Designing Electronics Across the System Hierarchy - Virtual Prototypes

Abstract:
As design has moved from the sub-system level through to system and system-of-systems, the design problems have also changed! Factors including higher complexity, migration to more software content, outsourcing and ageing expertise across the workforce, and supply chains changing often require system design houses to become system integrators. Teams are now concerned about different mandatory content: requirements, traceability, executable specifications, DO-254, etc. Systems span many modules, are physically and logically distributed, and have changed content allocation. In this realm, software and hardware make the system, requirements management is critical and interfacing/connectivity has new complexity. Virtual prototypes take their place for requirement collaboration, for integration verification and to bring software, hardware and mechatronics together. System Integration has become a nightmare!

Speaker:
Rick Pier has been with Mentor Graphics since 1995. Most recently he has been managing teams developing solutions for vehicle networking, design and verification. Previously he managed engineering groups developing board level signal integrity, timing analysis and EMI analysis applications. Before joining Mentor Graphics, Rick was a staff engineer at Siemens Medical Systems-Ultrasound Group, a hardware design engineer at Boeing High Technology Center, and a systems engineer at Singer - Link Flight Simulation Division and FLIR Systems, Rick holds a graduate degree in technical management from the University of Wisconsin- Madison, a masterÍs degree in electrical engineering from the University of Washington and a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Marquette University. Rick is an IEEE Senior Member.

Contact:
Rick Pier
Marketing Manager
Model Driven Engineering

Mentor Graphics Corp
8005 SW Boeckman Road
Wilsonville, OR 97070
Office (503) 685-4890
Cell (503) 200-7428
Email rick_pier@mentor.com

OB1C: Giant Steps Beyond Design for Manufacturing

Abstract:
Design for Manufacturing is often used to describe a report after a design rule check (DRC) of the Gerber data. This session will cover a broad range of topics including: Materials (RoHS, Halogen-Free, etc.), Surface Finishes, HDI (filled vias & filled microvias, etc.), BGA padstacks, Embedded Capacitance, Impedance Control, and Reliability concerns. The attendee should learn how to improve yields, reliability, and availability while lowering costs by making decisions earlier in the design cycle.

Speaker:
Darren has been a Senior Field Applications Engineer for Multek Inc. supporting customers in the Northwest for 4 years. Prior to working for Multek, Darren was a Field Applications Engineer for Merix Corporation for over 11 years. Earlier he worked as a mechanical process engineer at the circuit board divisions of Tektronix supporting flexible circuits and microwave circuits for 2 years. He received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Montana State University in 1992. He has given many industry presentations and seminars including some for EMA, SMTA, IPC, and the local chapter of the IPC Designer Council.

Contact:
Darren Hitchcock
Sr. Field Applications Engineer
Multek Inc.
1440 Alyssum Ave
Forest Grove OR 97116
(503)359-7928
(503)359-7929
Email darren.hitchcock@multek.com

This is a two hr session.

OB1D: Enhanced Standard User Interfaces for FPGA and Embedded Processor Debugging and Application Evaluations

Abstract:
Many fine software tools exist for FPGA and embedded system debugging and evaluation. However, a hard-wired debugging/evaluation tool, using reconfigurable buttons and potentiometers, along with diagnostic software or diagnostic HDL code, offers a number of benefits such as longevity, multiple debug platforms, a real touch-feel sense, and, for an FPGA, the easy ability of a user to create custom test instrumentation within an FPGA.

Speaker:
Joe Tabor has always kept up with digital and embedded processor designs, even though his career began with analog IC and PCB design, and he promotes his analog skills over all others. Joe has been an independent consultant for seventeen years, helping to create, improve or evaluate numerous products. Prior to this, he was employed for eight years by three companies in Oregon and California. Joe has recently enjoyed developing FPGA's, as the complexity is now sufficient to create highly functional digital architectures with high bit resolutions.

Contact:
H. Joe Tabor
Consultant
TaborCo
PO Box 4465
Portland, OR 97208
(503)274-8918
Email harryjoe@teleport.com

OB1E: Working Effectively with China

Abstract:
Learn insights about a culture that's counterintuitive to U.S. Americans and walk away with tips on how to build trust and relationships that will make a difference for your business.

Speaker:
Prior to starting The Tong Group LLC, Ted Cruise was the General Manager of Blount, Inc.'s $16 Million, 100,000 Sq. Ft. manufacturing plant in Fuzhou, China. Ted directed the project from concept to production in 14 months. He selected, hired, trained, and managed the staff of over 60 at all levels of the operation. Ted brings more than 15 years of manufacturing experience and more than six years of direct China work to his clients.

Earlier in his career, Ted worked as a Supply Chain Manager, Project Manager, and Manufacturing Engineer. He holds an M.S. in Materials Science and Engineering and a B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering from The Ohio State University and Michigan Technological University respectively. He has taught at Clark College and Clackamas Community College. Ted is conversant in Mandarin Chinese.

Contact:
Ted Cruise
The Tong Group llc.
(503) 929-4061
Email Ted.Cruise@tonggroup.us

2:30 -
3:15 PM

OB2A: Sustainable Practices at Work - Where to Begin?

Abstract:
Current market conditions present a great opportunity to improve the quality and environmental impact of our existing buildings. In addition local and state governments are beginning to establish and in some cases mandate building performance and efficiency standards. Attendees will learn about best practices for achieving sustainability and operations savings goals in existing buildings and to be better prepared to address government regulated "sustainable" performance.

Throughout his extensive and diverse career, Ted Spear has effectively managed all aspects of facility, energy, landscaping, and housekeeping operations for buildings. He has been involved in building assessments, performing facility condition assessments and quality assurance inspections of new building systems. In that role, he has developed and improved planned, preventive, and predictive maintenance programs, established procedures and policies in compliance with regulatory requirements. As a Senior Consultant within the Building Management Solutions Team, Ted brings valuable hands-on experience working inside of facilities to define policies and improve practices toward enhanced building performance and occupant well-being.

Speaker:
Ted Spear holds a Masters and Bachelors of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from University of Washington and Santa Clara University respectively and is also a registered Professional Mechanical and Environmental Engineer in Oregon and Washington. Ted is an active member in the International Facility Management Association and Association of Professional Energy Managers.

Contact:
Ted Spear PE, LEED AP
Senior Consultant
Green Building Services
133 SW Second Avenue, Suite 201
Portland, OR 97204
Phone: 503-467-4710
Direct: 503-546-4608
Fax: 503-467-4711
Email ted@greenbuildingservices.com
www.greenbuildingservices.com

OB2B:New Capabilities in Embedded CPU Design

Abstract:
Product development tools have evolved over the past few years and astute product managers are asking the question "why are we designing an onboard computer when we could buy one?" Wouldn't you prefer that your team focused on design challenges that differentiate your product? The effective solution is to consider an embedded CPU design as a mezzanine board. Today powerful Atom & Multi-core CPUs are offered as bolt-ons that "Plug & Play" right off the shelf, or can be ordered as a customized single board computer (SBC). PC/104 is adopted industry wide as a reliable, reconfigurable, rugged and low-cost solution that allows designers Simply select wide selection of stackable expansion cards & modules: SBCs, Digital I/O, Wireless Modules, Power Supplies, Memory, Ethernet, Frame Grabbers and more.

What's new in embedded?

• Faster CPUs for compute intensive applications
• New smaller ECB form factors
• Faster wide and narrow bus like PCIe & SUMIT
• Improved digital media, flash, DOM, SSD
• And More!

Solve the problems before your project slips and the finger pointing starts!

Speaker:
Bruce Virell is president of the Oregon Chapter of the Product Development Mangers association and a 20+ year product management veteran. He will introduce you to methods that have been developed, utilized and proven over the course of his 20+ year career. At companies like: GE, Tektronix, Mentor Graphics and others. He will share steps that are sure to help you deliver a superior product development plan.

Contact:
Bruce Virell
503-841-2991
Email bvirell@gmail.com

OB2D: CPU Performance Enhancement through Event System

Abstract:
In many embedded systems applications, it is often required for the MCU to be interrupted from the "main" task and attend to an event such as to collect analog samples from sensors, increase/decrease the speed of a motor, receive & store communications from a serial port, etc. Most MCUs handle such asynchronous or synchronous events through interrupts. Interrupts, while highly effective, often 1) reduce overall CPU performance, and 2) typically can not offer a quick and/or guaranteed uniform response time. To overcome such drawbacks, new families of Atmel 8/32bit MCUs offer a feature called "Event Systems". Event Systems is used in conjunction with DMA (Direct Memory Access) to help the MCUs achieve their max performance potential, as well as offer a deterministic and uniform response time to internal or external "events".

The presentation will focus on application of Event Systems + DMA in Atmel MCUs. We will have a quick overview of Atmel Xmega (8 bit) and AV32 (32 bit) MCUs which offer the Event System. The presentation will also include a short demo to illustrate the benefits as well as ease of implementation of Event Systems.

Speaker:
Bijan Kamran is an FAE with Atmel Corp, supporting embedded system development for Atmel 8 and 32 bit MCU families, as well as support for cap touch and wireless products. Previously, he has been an FAE with Future Electronics and Cypress Semiconductor. He has been an Engineering Manager, wireless engineer and taught courses in microcontrollers, programming, and networking at Seneca College (Toronto, Canada). He has a BSEE from Purdue University and MSEE from the University of Washington. He has two patents.

Contact:
Email Bijan.Kamran@atmel.com
425-760-5029
Eric Feign
FAE NW Sales
Atmel Corporation
1260 NW Waterhouse Ave., Suite 180
Beaverton, OR 97006
PH (503) 784-3312
Email efeign@atmel.com
http://www.atmel.com

OB2E: Quick and Dirty Lean: Applying Lean in Small Companies

Abstract:
Using real-world examples, this presentation explodes the myth that lean doesn't apply or is too expensive or won't work in small companies.

You will learn:

• The true foundations of Lean which are universally applicable
• How to apply Lean successfully in a small company.
• How to get 80% of the benefits for 20% of the cost and effort
• How to start getting long-lasting results

Who Should Attend:
Managers, executives, engineers, and professionals from small companies, or any company that is not receiving the full benefits that Lean offers.

Speaker:
Gary Langenwalter has spent more than 30 years helping manufacturers thrive (including 20 years with Lean). He is data-driven, and passionate about people. He has earned an MTS from Boston University, an MBA in Management from Michigan State, and a BA in Industrial Management from the U of O. He has consulted with organizations in almost all manufacturing sectors, ranging in size from the US Navy Supply Corps to a 10-person company. He is founding partner of Sustainability Partners International, headquartered here in Portland. He is a frequent speaker, from keynoting international conferences to after-dinner speeches in professional and civic organizations. He has written 4 courses for the AICPA and the AMA, 2 technical reference books, and The Squeeze, a business novel on sustainability. He is a member of SME, AME, and APICS.

Contact:
Gary Langenwalter, Managing Partner
Sustainability Partners Int'l
Portland, Oregon USA
971-221-8155
Email glangenwalter@sustainabilitypartnersintl.com

Robotics Display and Presentation

Blazing a trail like the first settlers of Oregon, Oregon City Pioneer Robotics Organization, FIRST Robotics Team 2550, is creating pioneers in technology. The students and mentors of Oregon City Robotics are paving the way to the future by inspiring hundreds of students to pursue STEM fields, and other professional careers. FRC 2550 is transforming Oregon City, a suburb of Portland, into a robotics center of the region. Our team hosts FIRST events, such as kickoffs and scrimmages for FIRST Lego League, FIRST Tech Challenge, and FIRST Robotics Competition, demo robots and otherwise participate in events, and help teach camps and classes for both students and adults.

Oregon City School District's FRC team 2550 is a second year team made up of students from all over the area and volunteers from around the area. We are a rather experienced team for only competing for the second time. Over half of the team members have been on a FLL team, in a robotics camp, or a robotics class in the district.

3:45 -
4:30 PM

OB3A: Beyond BETC! Research and Development Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency Manufacturers, Integrators, and End Users

Abstract:
This presentation will discuss the basics of innovation tax incentives, with focus on the relevance for Alternative Energy and efficiency projects, followed by Q+A.

 

Along with business energy tax credits, the latest stimulus bill provides further incentives for companies to invest in renewable energy and improve energy efficiency. Many manufacturing companies and engineering firms are unaware that another lucrative tax credit, the research and development (R&D) credit may also subsidize the cost of some of these investments.

Companies often fail to realize they are qualified for R&D credits if they engage in product design or process improvement activities. The definition of R&D, in the tax sense, is much broader than scientists and chemists in white coats. Most companies are surprised to find out that many of their daily activities qualify for the R&D Tax Credit.

Speaker:
Tony Hnyp began procuring federal and state incentive moneys in 1996, after the US manufacturer's representative firm he operated received a sizeable grant from the Japanese government in order to exhibit and sell US made products in Japan. In the following eight years Mr. Hnyp assisted his manufacturing clients in receiving over ten million dollars in federal and state research and export incentives. In 2005 he began procuring innovation tax incentives full time.

Mr. Hnyp manages the Pacific Northwest region for RnD Consultants, led by the nation's top specialists in the maximization and recovery of lucrative state and federal credits for engineering, manufacturing, design, software, and other industries. RnD Consultants work on-site with startups through middle market companies across the country. An engineering - based tool kit is created around each company's unique situation, allowing companies to receive their allowable credits (typically tripling a company's credit amount) for the next 20+ years.

Contact:
Tony Hnyp
Phone: 877-778-5784
Email tonyh@RnDconsultants.com

OB3B: Bringing A Medical Product To Market: Navigating The Regulatory Jungle

Abstract:
This presentation will delve into the details of government regulation covering medical device manufacturers, including both the FDA domestically, and CE marking for Canada, Europe and Australia. For the uninitiated, the regulation appears almost insurmountable, as it covers not only product technical issues, but many facets of the operation of the company itself. We will examine the rationale behind the regulation, and the processes for obtaining and maintaining certifications and compliance.

Speaker:
John Shaw, Ph.D. has served as the Quality System Manager for a small, local, medical company for most of the last ten years, helping the company gain and maintain its CE marking, and successfully pass its regular FDA and CE audits. In addition, he has managed their product R&D, and developed software and hardware in compliance with the regulatory mandated processes for product development.

Contact:
John Shaw
President
Shaw Technologies, Inc.
17780 SW Shasta Trail
Tualatin, OR 97062
(503)318-6328
(503)612-8515
Email john_shaw@shaw-technologies.com

OB3C: CAM Files to PCB: What really happens to your files

Abstract:
The presentation will starting with what files a fabricator needs as a minimum for fabricating PCB's , then gets into what modifications are made at the CAM stage for processing and what this means to the customer. This talk will cover validating Impedances and the Importance of feedback to the customer about specific Effective Dk values; dielectric constants of cores and pre-pregs and press values of various types of pre-pregs; and RoHS considerations such as alternative surface finishes and what that means to solder-mask files for instance. There will also be a virtual tour showing step-by-step the Fabrication process as it relates to Prototron Circuits Inc. with a brief synopsis of what is going on in each step.

Speaker:
Mark Thompson is an Engineering support person for Prototron Circuits Inc. He has been in the PCB fabrication side of Electronics for over 30 years. The last 10 of which his focus has been on Signal integrity and customer assistance relative to fabrication issues. He is the vice president of the Local IPC designers council group and has recently started writing and doing audio columns for PCB-007 an on-line PCB resource.

Contact:
Mark Thompson C.I.D.
Prototron Circuits Inc.
(425) 823-7000 ext 239
Email MarkT@Prototron.com

OB3D: ZigBee for Smart Grid: Energy Management-Monitoring & Control

Abstract:
This presentation will provide an introduction to ZigBee and how the technology is being considered for use in the Smart Grid.

Topics to be covered:

• Overview of "green":
  • Difference/overlap of Green Building and Green Energy
  • Smart Grid-components: Generation, Distribution, Management
• ZigBee Protocol Overview
• ZigBee Applications - How it is being utilized
• ZigBee Chip Manufacturers - Sources for Zigbee

Speaker:
Dan Russell, President and CEO, Powermind
Dan Russell, former Vice President of Intel Corporation leads PowerMand, which provides a technology platform to monitor and control energy use for energy management OEMs, electric utilities, energy aggregators and renewable energy suppliers. They enable customers to cost-efficiently reduce peak demand electricity usage at small commercial sites and residences. During his 21 years at Intel, he held positions spanning technical, marketing and sales, and ran several large business groups. Dan holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Idaho, and an M.B.A. from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University.

Contact:
Cipher Systems
Dan Russell
Email John@cipher.com

Cipher Systems

OB3E: How to Minimize the Pain and Maximize the Gain When Introducing New Products

Abstract:
Getting new products off the screen and successfully introduced into the marketplace is difficult at best. Most engineers haven't the faintest idea how to go about capitalizing on their good work. Because it's a lot easier to come up with a new widget that solves a problem than it is to develop a business strategy focused on ferreting out resources and creating profitable business models while retaining a reasonable equity position.

This presentation will provide strategies, tools, processes and resources to help you accomplish the task. A panel of a marketer, venture capitalist, business attorney and IP attorney will answer your questions.

Panelist Abstract: Wayne Embree
Most startups do not fail because they couldn't develop a product, or because they couldn't find a customer. Most fail because they do not adequately understand the mechanics of the markets in which their products must co-exist.

Panelist Abstract: Charley Huber
Ideas and thoughts on selection of the form of business entity to help protect your intellectual property assets.

Panelist Abstract: Kevin Ross
Understanding Why and How to stake out an intellectual property position for new products helps protect your investment. This can be done economically and yet maximize options while deferring larger IP expenses.

Session Moderator:
Terry Pennington is a practicing marketing professional with 40+ years of experience in developing and directing the sales and marketing efforts of firms of all sizes. His electronics and computer industry marketing background can be perused at www.businessmarketingimpact.com under the website's Experience Section.

Terry has been a management and marketing consultant to business, service, higher education, trade schools, and organizations since 1966. He was a Professor in the Marketing Department of the School of Business Administration and Economics at California State University, Fullerton from 1980 through 1984.

He is a respected author, guest columnist and public speaker-his published works have included White Papers and How To articles in business and trade journals, marketing publications, a variety of industry news letters and Chamber of Commerce news letters.

Panelists:
Wayne Embree is a co-founder and managing partner of Reference Capital Management, LLC, a Portland-based seed stage venture fund that has been investing in enabling energy, environmental and life science technologies since 1986.

Charles (Charley) Huber is partner with the law firm of Cosgrave Vergeer Kester llp, with over 30 years of experience. His practice focuses on corporate, general business, and real estate. In addition to his transaction work, he represents clients in complex business litigation matters. His practice focuses on representation of closely held businesses. Specialized areas include business start-up, shareholder agreements and representation of clients in the sale or transition of their businesses.

Charley earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Oregon in 1972 and his law degree from the University of Oregon Law School in 1976. He was admitted to the Oregon State Bar in 1976.

Kevin Ross is a Director at Marger Johnson & McCollom, previously Director of Intellectual Property at Ambric, Inc. and spent several years at an Italian patent firm learning European patent practice. Kevin's technical background is computer science and electrical engineering, and his primary practice areas are patent prosecution and IP portfolio planning.

Contact:
Terry Pennington, CBC
Chief Executive Officer
Business Marketing Impact, LLC
10101 SW Barbur Blvd., Ste 104
Portland, OR 97219-5915
Voice 503 292 2050
Email terry@BusinessMarketingImpact.com

www.businessmarketingimpact.com

Contact:
Wayne Embree
Reference Capital Management, LLC
12909 SW 68th Parkway, Suite 430
Portland, Or 97223-8387
Phone: 503-619-4310 x 202
Fax: 503-619-4311
Email wle@refcapllc.com

www.referencecapital.com

Contact:
Charles Huber
Cosgrave Vergeer Kester LLP
805 SW Broadway, 8th Floor
Portland, OR 97205
Telephone: (503) 323-9000
Fax: (503) 323-9019
Email bpiplovick@cvk-law.com

www.cvklaw.com

Contact:
Kevin S. Ross
Marger Johnson & McCollom PC
210 SW Morrison Street
Suite 400
Portland, Oregon 97204
Phone: 503-222-3613
Email Kevin.Ross@techlaw.com

www.techlaw.com