CASCOM Bylaws
CHARTER OF THE CIRCUITS AND SYSTEMS FOR COMMUNICATIONS (CASCOM) TECHNICAL COMMITTEE (TC) OF THE IEEE CIRCUITS AND SYSTEMS SOCIETY – Approved 19 October 2015
1. Preamble:
The Circuits and Systems for Communications Technical Committee (CASCOM TC or the Committee) is a Technical Committee of the IEEE Circuits and Systems Society (CASS or the Society). As a subsidiary committee of IEEE CASS, the CASCOM TC is governed by the rules and regulations of the IEEE and by the Constitution and Bylaws of CASS, which take precedence over this Charter in case of conflict.
TCs are established by IEEE CASS in significant fields of interest of the Society, through its Technical Activities Division (TAD), to advance the state of knowledge and educate Society members and the general IEEE membership. To these ends, TCs play a major role in creating a high quality technical program for the Society’s flagship conference, the International Symposium on Circuits and Systems (ISCAS). TCs also may organize other workshops and conferences, special sessions at conferences, and tutorial programs, and undertake other activities to help better achieve their purpose.
Further, the CASCOM TC may act as a bridge between CASS and related IEEE Societies and Councils, and other institutions in the general area of Circuits and Systems for Communications.
2. Purpose:
The Circuits and Systems for Communication technical committee focuses on the circuit theory and design for wireless, internet and wired communication systems; transmission, reception, interface and protocol. The committee deals with the issues of systems’ integration and interfacing.
Communication Systems will continue to become more complex in order to provide higher levels of performance. In addition, due to the increased variability inherent in nanoscale technologies, the scarcity of spectrum resources and the desire to provide additional communications services, systems will become increasingly flexible, adaptable, cognitive, and tolerant of increased variability in nanoscale technologies.
The ongoing purpose of the CASCOM TC is to provide a networking forum for leaders in the field and promote the exchange, advancement and dissemination of information about the research, development, applications and practice of design of circuits and systems technologies for communications systems.
The fields of interest in the CASCOM TC is currently sub-divided into 12 major areas as follows:
- Wireline Communications
- Wireless Mobile Communications
- Wireless Connectivity Communications
- UWB Systems
- MIMO Communications Systems
- Modeling and Analysis of Communications Systems
- SDR/Cognitive Radio Systems
- Circuits for Error Correcting Codes
- Cryptography and Security for Communications Systems
- Millimeter-wave & Optical Communications Circuits
- Low Power and Wearable Communication Devices
- Other Areas in Communication Circuits & Systems
These divisions may change over time in response to changes in technology and emerging areas of importance.
3. Activities:
The CASCOM TC activities include:
(a) Organizing that part of the technical program of ISCAS related to the CASCOM TC field; this includes review of all papers submitted to ISCAS in tracks on topics in the CASCOM field (appointing TPC Track Chairs, Review Committee Members [RCMs] and paper reviewers), and arranging Tutorials, Special Sessions, Workshops and other sessions
(b) Nominating individuals for (1) Society Awards, (2) Editorial appointments, (3) Distinguished Lecturer appointments, and (4) roles as CASS representatives for Steering and other Committees arising from joint efforts with other Societies and Councils
(c) Nominating papers for CASS journal Best Paper awards
(d) Preparing the TC Annual Report
(e) Preparing information for periodic Review of the TC by the Society
(f) Maintaining the TC website
(g) Reviewing and, if needed, updating the TC Vision & Mission statements at least every 5 years
(h) Assessing the quality and helping to maintain/raise the quality of any CASS-sponsored conferences in the field
(i) Other activities to help achieve the Purpose may be carried out, such as editing reprint books, the organizing of special issues of an IEEE publication, workshops, conferences, and other publication activities in the area of the CASCOM TC
4. Membership:
Membership of the CASCOM TC is open to any IEEE or CASS member of good standing and willing to perform the duties of membership. Membership is by nomination and submission of a CV at least three weeks before ISCAS, and is to be approved by a majority vote of members present at the Committee’s annual meeting or by internet ballot of the members. Prior to this vote, the TC Chair with assistance from the Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect may conduct an informal email poll seeking member comments on nominations.
All new members to be nominated should attend the TC meeting at ISCAS and express their interest to be very active members. A member is said to be active if he/she participates at least once every two years in one of the four activities: (i) attending the TC meeting; (ii) submitting a write-up for inclusion in the TC’s annual report; (iii) serving as Review Committee Member (RCM) or Reviewer for ISCAS paper submissions; and (iv) actively contributing to another Activity carried out by the TC, as listed in Clause 3 Activities (a) to (i) of this Charter.
A member is said to be inactive if he/she never participated in one of the aforementioned four activities in two consecutive years. The Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect emails all inactive members to encourage them to become active. Members who give sufficient cause for a 2 year absence yet fail to contribute for a 3rd consecutive year will automatically be removed from the Committee.
The TC will maintain and publish annually the TC Roll of Members, including a record of attendance at the Annual Meeting and participation in activities.
5. Duties and Election of Officers:
The Committee shall have three officers: Chair, Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect and Secretary. Each will serve a two-year term.
The Chair, supported by the other Officers, is responsible for
(a) ensuring that the purpose of the TC is well achieved through timely and diligent execution of the activities,
(b) ensuring that the TC operates according to all other aspects of its Charter, and
(c) establishing the TC Chair as a well-known channel of communication between the TC and the CASS Board of Governors.
The Chair will preside over Committee meetings and will be responsible for all interactions with the Society. She/he will report on Committee activities to the CASS Board of Governors, through its Vice President, Technical Activities, at least once a year, before ISCAS.
The Chair is a member of the CASS Technical Activities Division (TAD) and will attend the Annual Meeting of the TAD, normally held at the ISCAS site during or shortly before the symposium.
The Chair is normally not directly elected and is filled by transition of the Chair-Elect at the end of their two-year term. An out-of-sequence election for the Chair can be held should the Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect be unable to assume the role of Chair.
The Chair will oversee all activities of the TC, calling on assistance from the Officers and other members as necessary, and will be responsible in particular for: chairing the ISCAS TC Track; soliciting and making the TC’s nominations of individuals for awards and for editorial, Distinguished Lecturer and CASS representative roles; soliciting and making the TC’s nominations for Best Paper Awards; ensuring preparation of the TC Annual Report; preparing material for and participating in periodic TC Reviews; and maintaining the TC vision and mission; i.e. for aforementioned Clause 3 Activities (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (g).
The Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect is elected by the Committee members and must be a member of the Committee. The person elected will serve a two-year term as Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect commencing immediately after the ISCAS of his/her election. At the end of their term the Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect will become the Chair.
The Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect will assist the Chair as necessary in all activities, will participate in the TC Review meeting, will audit the member role and notify any members of lapses in activity, and will be responsible in particular for: quality assessment and maintaining/raising the quality of CASS-sponsored conferences in the CASCOM TC field; and other activities undertaken by the TC; i.e. for aforementioned Clause 3 Activities (h) and (i).
The Chair and Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect will be responsible for appointing and stimulating Committee members to promote CASCOM TC special sessions and workshops at ISCAS.
The Secretary is elected by the Committee members and must be a member of the Committee. The person elected will serve a two-year term as Secretary commencing immediately after the ISCAS of his/her election.
The Secretary will record meeting minutes and ensure their expeditious posting on the TC website, and maintain the roll of the Committee including email addresses, a record of attendance at the Annual Meeting and participation in activities. She/he also will be the focal point for maintaining the CASCOM TC website i.e. for aforementioned Clause 3 Activities (f).
6. Meetings and Conduct of Business:
Business relevant to this Charter may be conducted at meetings or by ballot via the internet.
Meetings may be held in-person, typically at a conference, or by electronic means.
• A meeting quorum is Ceiling function of one third of the TC members attending the meeting.
• A minimum of two weeks notice of any Motions shall be provided to voting members prior to the close of voting to allow members to consider the issues, except as otherwise provided in Clause 7 of this Charter.
• A majority of the legal votes cast by the TC members attending a meeting with a quorum is necessary to approve a motion, except as otherwise provided in Clause 7 of this Charter.
• For internet ballots, voting by a minimum of one-half of the TC members is a valid ballot.
• If a quorum is not reached, tentative actions may be taken which will become effective after subsequent ratification, either by internet ballot or at a subsequent meeting.
The Committee Annual Meeting shall be held at ISCAS. Any CASS or IEEE member is allowed to attend this Annual Meeting as an observer; the Chair may invite other observers to attend and speak.
At the Annual Meeting,
• An agenda is circulated prior to the meeting
• The CASCOM TC Chair will present an annual report on membership, activities and progress on achieving the TC vision and mission
• TC members will vote to elect new members and new Officers, if any
• The members may discuss any other business relevant to the TC Charter
• The members may vote on Motions provided the required notice periods are met; a quorum is needed to resolve any motions at the meeting
7. Amendments:
Any charter amendment, including closing the CASCOM TC, can be considered at a meeting provided that the Chair and Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect have been notified at least one month prior to the Meeting. Approval by the Officers is not necessary, but notification is required. An approved amendment will take effect the day following the conclusion of the ISCAS meeting when it has been approved.
Motions to Amend the Charter and to Close (i.e. shut down) the TC have special conditions to be consistent with CASS and IEEE rules. The conditions for such ballots at a meeting and by internet ballot differ:
(i) Internet Ballot: voting by a minimum of one-half of the TC members is a valid ballot; a two-thirds majority is required to pass the Motion
(ii) Ballot at TC Meeting: a Special Quorum of Ceiling function of one-half of the TC members at the meeting is required; a two-thirds majority is required to pass the Motion.
Approved 19 October 2015