IEEE MVL-TC Bulletin - August '99

Tutorials

Members of the MVL-TC have a wide range of interests and expertise. Circuits, algebra, logic design, and logic are the most active research areas. This is one of the strengths of our community. It also means that most of our members do not understand all papers presented at our symposium. Discussions about this problem have surfaced several times during past symposia. However, not adequate solution has been found. At our Freiburg meeting two suggestions where made. Both of them warrant our attention. It was first suggested to provide tutorials during our symposia. These tutorials should have the following characteristics:

1.  The aim of a tutorial should be to provide a basic understanding of one particular aspect of MVL. No previous knowledge of the subject should be required.
2. 2. They should be suitable for graduate students. It is very important to expose the next generation of researchers to the opportunities and challenges that MVL provides.
3. 3. The quality of the tutorials must be very high. This is paramount for the first time they are offered. It must be a success!
4. 4. Tutorial must be affordable.

To ensure that the criteria are met, proposals for tutorials are sought. Proposals will be accepted only if they meet the criteria outlined above. The Vice Chair for Tutorials and Workshops and members of the symposium program committee may invite experts to prepare a tutorial. A second suggestion was made during the panel discussion. We need a new edited book that introduces the different aspects of MVL to non-experts. The last time that such a book was put together was in 1977 (by David Rine) with a revision in 1984. Such a book must not consists of reprints since they are to specialized. The contributions must be carefully refereed and edited. The editor must make sure that the book is cohesive. Volunteers for editor(s) and contributors are required. More concrete plans should be developed at our next meeting in Portland.

Bulletin Editor: Yutaka Hata