When We Wear Our Computers

Dr. Gene A. Frantz

TI Senior Fellow
Business Development Manager, Digital Signal Processing
Semiconductor Group

Friday, April 27th, 3:00 PM, ENS 302

genf@ti.com,

Abstract

Several interesting trends have characterized the history of the computer. The computer has moved from the mainframe, to the mini, to the PC to the Internet Appliance. Over this history, computers have gotten smaller and more personal. They have gone to one computer with many users to individuals with many computers. Where do we go next? I believe that our next step will be wearable computers, all connected by a Personal Area Network. Perhaps we will call it the "last meter". What will be the opportunity and challenges with this new era of computers? Come and find out.

Biography

As DSP Business Development Manager, Gene Frantz is presently responsible for creating new businesses within TI utilizing digital signal processing technology. In recognition of his leadership role in establishing TI as the world's leading DSP solutions provider, Frantz was elected to TI Senior Fellow in 1997, a privilege enjoyed by less than 0.1 percent of TI's technical personnel.

Frantz joined TI's consumer products division in 1974. While in that division, he took a leadership role in the development of TI's educational products: he was the program manager for the Speak & Spell™ learning aid, and led the development team for all of the early speech products for TI. In 1984, he transferred to Semiconductor Group's DSP Department to become the applications manager. Since this position, he has been recognized as a leader in DSP technology both within TI and throughout the industry.

Frantz received his BSEE from the University of Central Florida in 1971, his MSEE from Southern Methodist University in 1977, and his MBA from Texas Tech University in 1982.

Frantz is a Fellow of the Institution of Electric and Electronics Engineers. He holds 30 patents in the area of memories, speech, consumer products and DSP. He has written more than 50 papers and articles and continually presents at universities and conferences worldwide. Frantz is also among DSP experts widely quoted in the media, due to his tremendous knowledge and visionary view of DSP.

A list of Telecommunications and Signal Processing Seminars is available at from the ECE department Web pages under "Seminars". The Web address for the Telecommunications and Signal Processing Seminars is http://anchovy.ece.utexas.edu/seminars