Intelligent and sustainable communication networks
by Messaoud Ahmed Ouameur, UQTR.
PULR Technologies by Francois Menard, Président.
Lime Microsystems by Tristan Martin, Manager.
TechNUM Québec by Manon Duclos, CEO.
Zone VTE – Vallée de la transition énergétique by Alain Lemieux, CEO.
ISEQ by Geneviève Ouellet, Présidente, Faxiom Electronix.
Pôle bioalimentaire by Jennifer Larouche, Coordonnatrice, Université Laval.
PROMPT by Jinny Plourde, Directrice de programmes.
DigiHub by Dominique Oury, Responsable accompagnement des entreprises.
NUMANA by François Borelli, Président directeur général.
Title: Intelligent and sustainable communication networks
Speaker: Messaoud Ahmed Ouameur, UQTR.
— Abstract — It is anticipated that the next generation communication system, 6G, would meet previously unheard-of demands on system performance, including throughput, latency, massive connections, and so on. We are looking forward to Internet of Things (IoT) applications in a number of domains, such as smart cities, smart factories, smart homes, smart grids, e-health, smart farming, and smart transportation, along with new services that offer rich experiences, like truly immersive VR/AR/MR (XR), etc., in the 6G era, when everything is hyper-connected, including humans. But given the variety of networking entities, various application needs, and resource limitations in IoT contexts, new and sustainable hardware and software improvements are required. Larger device counts and multi-access settings are expected in future IoT systems, necessitating the effective use of various wireless spectrum types, such as Sub-6 GHz, millimeter-wave, and telecom technologies. In addition to making it more difficult to maintain a net zero carbon emission rate, the proliferation of IoT devices makes it more difficult to accomplish the objectives of COP26. Creating an IoT design that maximizes resource use and can handle the limitations of IoT devices is essential to addressing these issues. Energy-efficient communication networks can be designed and implemented in a variety of attractive ways. Holographic multiple-input-multiple-output (H-MIMO), intelligent reflecting surface (IRS), and AI-native air interface are a few instances of these technologies. Therefore, Prof. Ahmed Ouameur will begin the discussion by outlining his vision for the smart radio environment from three perspectives: the infrastructure level, the algorithm level, and the device (hardware) level. He will wrap up by discussing the most recent findings of his team’s research on physics-aware IRS-assisted communication.
— Bio — Messaoud Ahmed Ouameur received a bachelors degree in electrical engineering from the Institute national d’électronique et d’électricité (INELEC), Boumerdes, Algeria, in 1998, the M.B.A. degree from the Graduate School of International Studies, Ajou University, Suwon, South Korea, in 2000, and the masters and Ph.D. degrees (Hons.) in electrical engineering from the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR), QC, Canada, in 2002 and 2006, respectively. Before joining UQTR in 2018, Dr. Ahmed Ouameur was an radio system expert at NUTAQ innovation, Quebec, Canada. Therein, he was a major system architect and design engineer for several software defined radio development systems including Titan MIMO, a 23-by-32 massive MIMO text bed. As a professor at UQTR, his research interests include embedded real-time systems, parallel and distributed processing with applications to distributed Massive MIMO, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, deep learning and machine learning for communication systems, and the Internet of Things with an emphasis on embedded AI using approximate computing.
Speaker: Francois Menard, President.
— Bio — François Ménard is the President of PULR Technologies Inc. and the CEO of Cooldat.ai. With over 20 years of experience in the technology sector, Menard has founded several companies and holds granted patents. At PULR Technologies, he leads the development of innovative fiber optic products, while at Cooldat.ai, he focuses on leveraging AI for data-driven decision-making. He is a recognized leader in his field, frequently speaking at industry conferences and contributing to various technological advancements.
Speaker: Tristan Martin, Manager.
— Bio — Tristan Martin is a self-employed embedded systems professional. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Université de Moncton and a Master degree in Computer Engineering from École Polytechnique de Montreal. He is the owner of Altus Technologies, a LoRa cold chain monitoring service provider, and Nutaq, a 5G test and measurement equipment supplier. He is also a business representative for Enclustra, an FPGA module supplier, and Lime Microsystems, an RF silicon, SDR module, and 5G network equipment supplier.
— Bio — Manon Duclos is the CEO of Technum Québec, one of the first innovation zones in Quebec specializing in electronics and semiconductors. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Université Laval and a Master’s in Engineering Management from Université de Sherbrooke. With over 30 years of experience in innovation, quality, and organizational excellence, Manon Duclos has held strategic roles at IBM, Mitel Semiconductor, and Teledyne DALSA. She has authored several guides on innovation and organizational excellence and is a sought-after speaker. At Technum Québec, she continues to drive innovative collaborative projects and position the industry as a pillar of digital transformation in Quebec and internationally.
— Bio — Alain Lemieux is the CEO of Vallée de la Transition Énergétique (VTE), where he leads initiatives to accelerate the energy transition and reduce environmental footprints within urban, industrial, and port environments. With over 25 years of experience in the energy sector, Alain Lemieux has been instrumental in developing innovative solutions for sustainable energy and decarbonization. Under his leadership, VTE has become a national and global reference in research, development, and industrialization of energy transition technologies.
Speaker: Geneviève Ouellet, Director, Faxiom Electronix.
— Bio — Geneviève Ouellet was the President of Board of Director of the Industrie des Systèmes Électroniques du Québec (ISEQ). She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the École Polytechnique de Montréal, specialized in telecommunications. She has experience in telecommunications companies, transportation and in the support of the production and development of electrical and electronic products. Currently, she is a representative of Faxiom Electronix Inc. and E Cubed Components.
Speaker: Jennifer Larouche, Coordinator of the Pôle bioalimentaire, Université Laval
— Bio — Jennifer Larouche is the Coordinator of the Pôle bioalimentaire, where she fosters collaboration between researchers, industry, stakeholders, and government to drive innovation and build a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable biofood sector. She holds a Master’s degree in Animal Science from Université Laval and has extensive expertise in sustainable food systems, particularly in the field of edible insects. Jennifer Larouche is dedicated to advancing concrete projects that promote the circular economy and support the transition towards more sustainable food systems.
Speaker: Jinny Plourde, Director of Academic programs
— Bio — Jinny Plourde is the Director of Academic Programs at Prompt, where she oversees the development and management of collaborative innovation programs, quantum technologies, and greenhouse gas reduction initiatives. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geomatic from Université Laval. With over 20 years of experience in the technology and innovation sector, Jinny has been instrumental in fostering partnerships between academia and industry to drive technological advancements.
Speaker: Dominique Oury, Director of Incubation and International Development
— Bio — Dominique Oury is the Director of Incubation and International Development at DigiHub Shawinigan, Quebec, where he has been fostering business innovation since 2021. Over his career, he has taken on roles ranging from interim Deputy General Director to project manager, and has a profound dedication to community involvement, holding positions in business, sports, and arts organizations. With expertise in IT, market development, and business strategy, Dominique has also authored five books, reflecting his diverse talents and commitment to both professional excellence and cultural contributions.
Speaker: François Borelli, Président directeur général.
— Bio — François Borrelli serves as the interim Chief Executive Officer at Numana, bringing over five years of strategic leadership to the organization. He was the vice president of partnership development at PROMPT Quebec and the founder of OblikMind, a business management services company. He has also been instrumental in launching several startups. With a Master’s degree in Engineering Management from Université de Sherbrooke and a strong foundation in electronics and avionics, he combines technical expertise with business acumen.
