PSU Magazine Fall 1999

- and the network as on-site workers. Small branch offices could also start up easily without leasing expensive high – capacity phone lines (like ISON) . And there's a real boon for households, according to Li. "When my daughter's surfing the Internet," he notes, "no one else can call in. With DSL, that's no longer a problem." t!\any of the first users are expected 'Ml to be small businesses, but consumers are also expected to be a significant market. Corporations and other large users-like Portland State– use technology that allows many users to simultaneously have high-speed connection to the Internet-a capac– ity that most small businesses and home users don't need and can't afford . Current DSL technology can accommodate a maximum of about five computers per telephone line. All these uses- and others not yet dreamed of- mean that corporations like Intel, Tektronix, ADC Kentrox, and others are keenly interested in hiring people knowledgeable about DSL technology. That's where Li stepped in. Recognizing the need for trained electrical engineers who understand the technology and how to create useful applications, Li applied for and received a $25,000 grant from Intel to develop a curriculum. His approach is comprehensive: • Beginning spring term 2000, senior and graduate electrical engineering students will be able to learn the mysteries of DSL technology in an elective course. • Intensive short courses during the summer will offer a thorough ground– ing to professionals nationwide. • Seminars by nationally recognized experts on the latest DSL develop– ments will keep the curriculum current in a rapidly evolving fi eld. • Seniors will have a chance to collaborate with professionals in designing their capstone projects. • Research projects will be developed to provide graduate students with special DSL expertise. • PSU will provide a forum for DSL knowledge sharing. O i is well-suited to develop PSU 's program. An active member of the prestigious Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) , he's organized numerous professional conferences and earned a slew of awards, including one of only 10 worldwide awards as Outstanding Counse lor and Advisor in 1995 . Since joining PSU in 1990, he has organized intensive short courses fo r profess ionals nationwide and organized international technology conferences. He served as program chair of the International Conference on Emerging Technology and Applications on Communications in 1996, and coordinated the popular Information Technology seminars at PSU from 1992 to 1995. "This technology is very, very new," says Li. "It's not in the curriculum of most universities. But the demand for engineers will be huge a demand for the DSL service grows. There will be a tremendous need for engineers tra ined in DSL." Ironically, because coverage is currently spotty, Li's phone company doesn't offer DSL to his neighborhood. For now he relies on reports from his students on the superiority of the DSL home connection. But as soon as DSL is offered, he promises to be the first on his block to sign up. D (Melissa Steineger, a Portland freelance writer, wrote the article "Ground Truth ," which appeared in the spring 1999 PSU Magazine. ) FALL 1999 PSU MAGAZINE 11