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news@mcs 6th Edition
LIGHTe 0
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Let Intellect Go Forth and Harness Telecomm Engineering
OPEN HOUSE 2008
Message from COMMANDANT
I am delighted to see that the MCS Telecomm Society is working actively to promote a culture of curricular as well as extra curricular activities in the college. I am also extremely glad to see that they have come up with a brilliant edition of their newsletter, the “LIGHTE�. During the last few years, the Society has been transformed into a vibrant and energetic student body. This is evident from its enthusiastic patronage of students affairs. It is playing a vital role in representing and safeguarding the interests of students of Telecommunication Engineering, acting as a communication medium between the students and the administration. The current Society members have done a great job in making the Society more progressive and efficient. I render my full support to them for the continuation of their good work. Brig Waqar Ahmed
The Open House is an annual event held at MCS. The final year students of TCC-16 and BESE-10 displayed their degree projects and presented their ideas to the outside world, as their first step leading into practical and professional careers. Representatives from leading telecomm and software companies were invited to see these projects. This year the Open House was held on 6 March 2008. Members of the Telecomm Society prepared well in advance and catered to the swift registration of the guests. The guests appreciated the efforts of all students and the standard of display of projects. The Open House proved to be a well conducted and organized event and was appreciated by everyone.
WORKSHOPS
FPGA Based Chip Design Maj Abdul Ghafoor of the EE department arranged a 3-day intensive hands on workshop on FPGA based chip design that went on from 14th to 16th November 2008. It included a study of Verilog HDL with design issues, behavioral and RTL design, optimized state machine based design and testing and verification methodology. In addition, the participants were told about Xilinx FPGA/CPLD Architecture, the constraints definition and its analysis. In the lab digital circuits design for specific FPGA including timing analysis, core generator ,floor planner & FPGA editor were touched upon. Synthesis and implementation, real time debugging for Xilinx FPGA using Chip Scope pro and hardware testing on Xilinx training kits were also covered.
EDUCATIONAL TRIPS
Editorial Team
PASCOMS / DEFCOM EXCHANGES
President Telecomm Society
TCC-17 and TE-42 courses visited the PASCOMS and DEFCOM exchanges, located in the GHQ premises, on 19th May 2008. The students were given a tour of the complex and shown different telephone exchanges currently in use. They also visited the Network Management Centre (NMC) from where all microwave links as well as data communication of the Army are monitored. They also got the opportunity to visit the Army Data Network (ADN) setup from where internet facilities are provided to the cantonments all over the country.
NC Waqas Naeem, TE-42C Chief Editor NC Mehreen Tahir, TE-42A Editors PC Suhaib Hafeez, TE-44A NC Mahnaum Maqsood, TE-44C NC Sanam Rashid, TE-44B
INSIDE THIS EDITION
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Open House
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Telecomm Society Competitions Educational Trips Seminars Courses OPEN HOUSE Workshops
4 Sports 4 Annual Functions 5 Foreign Publications 5 Inter University Achievements
5 Alumni Comments 6 Co-Curricular Activities 6 Welcome/farewell 7 Extra Curricular 8 Picture Gallery
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Official Newsletter of the Telecomm Society
Editor’s Note
Telecomm Society
Dear Readers!
President: NC Waqas Naeem
I take great pride in bringing to you the 6th edition of LIGHTE, the official newsletter of the Telecomm Society. LIGHTE stands out as an annual chronicle that exclusively expresses the voices of the students of the Electrical Engineering (EE) Department of the Military College of Signals (MCS).
Vice President: GC Bilal Khan
This was an eventful year for MCS, with a melange of academic, co-curricular and extra curricular activities being organized on campus. The Telecomm Society continued its tradition of providing wonderful opportunities to the students where they could hone their academic skills. Different competitions, courses and extra curricular events were arranged all year round, which strove to strike a balance between academics and entertainment. The EE department played an important role in informing the students about new trends and advancements in the telecomm industry.
Secretary Finance: NC Jehanzeb Ayaz Mekun
I would like to thank my sub-editors here, whose help and support resulted in an exceptional year replete with charm and festivity. I hope that our readers will enjoy reading the newsletter as much as we have enjoyed bringing it out. NC Mehreen Tahir, TE-42A
Competitions Market Perspectives Zong (former Paktel) launched its GSM services. Private surveys showed that Telenor is currently the top EDGE data services provider in Pakistan. WorldCall started EVDO service from Karachi in Aug 2008. Entering into 2009, Huawei leads the global HSDPA market with 20% market share.
CTE2C College of Telecommunications Engineering Electronics Competition (CTE2C), was a first of its kind electronics competition organized by the Telecomm Society. The competition provided the perfect opportunity for the students to test their electronics skills and win prizes for their accomplishments. The competition was held on the 15th of January, 2009. It consisted of two contests: speed wiring and circuit design. The competition was held in the Electronics Laboratory of the EE Dept. The team comprising Umair Pirzada, Ahsan Rizvi and Maaz Naeem won the circuit design contest and the team comprising Muhammad Hassan, Raja Asad Jamal and Shakeel Salamat were declared winners in the speed wiring contest.
General Secretary: PC Fazeel Awan Secretary Events: NC Ahsen Mehmood Secretary Registration: NC Saad Bin Rafique
Girls Representative: NC Sanam Rashid
The Telecomm Society was formed in June 2001 to enhance the learning experience of the students of Telecomm Engineering. In this short time, it has made student life very vibrant by arranging numerous educational, co–curricular and extra-curricular activities. Its achievements include arranging competitions, educational and recreational trips, workshops, short courses, inviting guest speakers to enlighten the students about the current trends in the industry, and also arranging sports tournaments, concerts and art exhibitions. Each year, office bearers of the new Telecomm Society are elected through an electoral process. The electioneering adds a vibrant dimension to the initiation of the Telecomm Society’s one year term. An oath taking ceremony is held to formally welcome the new office bearers. The outgoing members are awarded certificates for their services and the new ones are sworn in by the Chief Instructor (Engineering Division).
Chief R&D Officer: NC Jehanzeb Rao R&D Officer: GC Taimur Anjum Chief Events Coordinator: NC Syeda Tabinda Shabbir Events Coordinator: PC Shabib Shakir NC Asad Abbas Chief Editor: NC Mehreen Tahir Editor: NC Mahnaum Maqsood Media Secretary: GC Saad Bin Abrar Media Coordinator: PC Suhaib Hafeez
EDUCATIONAL TRIPS
SUPARCO A visit to SUPARCO was arranged for the students of TCC-18 and TE-43 on 14th of June 2008. During the visit, students were shown the satellite remote sensing and land surveying equipment. They were also shown a video on land surveying by satellites. The visit enabled the students to clarify many of their concepts regarding the working of satellites and their development in Pakistan.
Frequency Allocation Board (FAB) The students of TCC-17 and TE-42 courses were taken to the F r e q u e n c y Allocation Board (FAB), situated in Islamabad on 15th June 2008. FAB is responsible for assigning and allocating useable frequency bands to public and private sector users and companies. The students were given briefings on the protocols followed by the board to ascertain that frequency allocation does not hamper quality of communication. The trip was very informative for the students as it was the first time they were learning the mechanisms of frequency allocation. The trip proved to be beneficial for the students as it highlighted a core aspect of operation of radio networks in Pakistan.
Official Newsletter of the Telecomm Society
ANNUAL FUNCTIONS
Basketball Tournament Basketball is a popular outdoor sport for the on campus students as both Jinnah and Iqbal Company have their own basketball courts. Keeping in view the great interest taken by the students in this game, the MCS Telecomm Society organized a basketball tournament that was held in the month of June 2008. Matches were played at the Iqbal Company court at the hostel. Teams from both EE and CS departments participated with great enthusiasm. Backed by cheering and vocal support, the teams came out with all guns blazing. The tournament was won by GCs of TCC 17.
Pantomime 2008
The annual extravaganza held in the honor of the outgoing senior courses, known as the Pantomime, was held in March 2008.
A very special stage was prepared which added glitz and glamour to the proceedings. After various formalities and opening address, the function commenced in all earnest. There were various delightful acts performed. The GC’s of TCC -17 and TCC -18 provided some brilliant performances. SGT Fahad Idrees was the president of the pantomime along with SGT Ghulam Hassan as vice president, who arranged an excellent evening, The “Anarkali” and “Bhola” skits from TCC -18, Qawwali and superb dance performances of TCC-17 were greatly enjoyed by the audience. The audience were enthralled by the singing prowess of NC Saad Rafiq of TCC -17. The Multimedia was also impressively handled by GC Amir Fayyaz and GC Shahan Khaliq, who along with GC Saad bin Abrar produced some wonderful videos that were shown at the pantomime and loved by all. The night concluded with an address by the commandant who congratulated all the participants on their work wished good luck to the outgoing course.
Cricket Tournament
Welcome Party for TCC-20 Cricket is one of the most popular and widely played games in our part of the world. Students at MCS are ardent lovers of the game so it was not surprising that a large number of teams turned up to participate, when a Cricket tournament was organized by the Telecomm Society in April 2008. The audience were presented with some thrilling encounters among equally matched teams. The final was played between TCC-18 led by PC Usman and TCC-17B led by PC Suleman Khalid. TCC 17B proved to be the strongest of the two and won the final by beating TCC-18 convincingly.
Traditions are highly valued at MCS, as it is these that give us our unique identity. One of the traditions of MCS is to welcome the fresh entries. In this regard, a welcome party for TCC-20 was organized by the students of TCC-19. Head of Department and many instructors were invited as guests. Students presented interesting skits and humorous videos. Outstanding performances by the young and talented actors, hosts and singers were thoroughly enjoyed by the audience. A sumptuous dinner was an added delight. The event concluded with a musical performance by the underground band SOS. Overall the event was a great success and everyone enjoyed it a lot.
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Official Newsletter of the Telecomm Society
Our Top Students....
GREEN
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Engineering Day The students of TE-44 organized and celebrated “Green Engineering Day”. The day was supposed to remind the students of MCS about the importance of environmental effects of engineering projects and also to raise awareness about ecological and environmental problems faced by Pakistani society in general and the world at large. Maj Gen Khalid Rao, Director General Special Communication Organization graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Students of TE-44 undertook special projects for this cause. These projects were done in groups and each group tried to highlight a different environmental issue. These projects and models were displayed at the Green Engineering Day exhibition. The exhibition was visited by students of all courses and faculty. Everybody appreciated the great effort put in by the students for a noble cause. CI(E) also visited the exhibition.
The projects displayed at the Green Engineering day exhibition were varied. From innovative recycling of computers, production of biofuel, design of hybrid aircrafts to water fuelled cars, there was an immense variety of new and inspiring ideas. Students had prepared working models of their projects. Some of the projects at display were green computing, hybrid aircraft, mobile phone recycling, thermal insulation, nanotechnology as a futuristic aim, efficient sewage treatment plants, production of electricity from wind, production of methane as biofuel were greatly appreciated by all those who visited the exhibition.
TE 42 NC Muhammad Ali Siddiqui
CGPA 3.95
TE 43 NC Ahsan Mehmood
CGPA 3.94
TE 44 NC Rafia Malik
CGPA 3.97
TE 45 NC Muhammad Assed
CGPA 4.00
We Congratulate.... NC Saad Islam and NC Muhammad Ali of TE-42 presented their research paper titled “Effective Normal Binary ordering in QAM Compared with Gray Coded Scheme for Enhanced Voice Quality in Software Defined Radios” in “The 2nd IEEE Intl Conf on Computer, Control and Comm” held on 17 - 18 Feb 2009 at Karachi. The paper was selected as best paper of the conf amongst 26 countries NC Syed Raza Mohsin of TE 41 completed his Telecommunications Engineering with CGPA of 3.99 and was awarded President’s Gold Medal for his achievements. The student was also declared as “Second Best Graduate of the year 2008” by Pakistan Engineering Council.
We Welcome.... Lecturer Khurram Shahzad completed MSEE course from Military College of Signals and joined Electrical Engineering Department as Lecturer on 3 March 2008. Lecturer Obaidullah Khalid completed his MS from Illinois Institute of Technology, USA in Network Engineering under NUST scholarship scheme and joined Electrical Engineering Department as Lecturer on 6 October 2008. Lecturer Kamran Arif completed his MS from University of Surrey, UK in Nano Technology and Nano Electronic Devices and joined Electrical Engineering Department as Lecturer on 13 October 2008. Lecturer Safwat Irteza But completed his MS from KTH University, Sweden in Wireless Systems and joined Electrical Engineering Department as Lecturer on 17 December 2008. Lecturer Swaleha Bano Shigri completed her basic studies in PhD in Mentoring and Induction of ESOL Teachers from University of Warwick Coventry, UK and joined Electrical Engineering Department on 9 January 2009.
We bid farewell to…. Dr M N Jafri left us on 17 March 2008. Lieutenant Colonel Mufassir Ul Haq, Head of Electrical Engineering Department bade farewell to arms on 30 September 2008 after 25 years of meritorious service.
Official Newsletter of the Telecomm Society
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EXTRA CURRICULAR The Telecomm Society organized a The students of MCS put up a variety of interesting stalls that offered food items as well as exciting games. Some of funfair on 19th June 2008. The
funfair turned out to be a major
attraction and was attended by a large number of students, faculty members and their families.
the major attractions were gol gappay, cafĂŠ 18, minigolf, sentiments that caught the attention of the audience. Moreover, fast food, chains like Pizza Hut and KFC also catered at the funfair along with the desi food corner set up by the cadets mess. The atmosphere reverbated with lively music. The funfair was a roaring success, providing much needed entertainment to the students of MCS.
This time, there was a scavenger hunt where participating teams had to collect items given
SCAVENGER HUNT
In the fall semester of 2008, Telecomm Society again came up with a unique idea to add much needed entertainment to the challenging academic routine of MCS.
on a list provided to them in the least amount of time. 25 teams of ten members each participated in the event making it a one of its kind success. Teams were given tricky stuff to collect and they also had to complete tasks that required interesting interaction with the faculty. The scavenger hunt was closely contested and in the end, teams from TCC-18 and TE-44 won the first and second place respectively. Cash prizes were awarded to the winners and runners-up. A consolation prize was also awarded through lucky draw.