Lecture highlights Alaska’s role in Wi-Fi development
October 22, 2012
James Harper
907-451-2990
10/22/12
Wireless expert and former University of Alaska Fairbanks professor Alex Hills will discuss his book, “Wi-Fi and the Bad Boys of Radio,” during a free public lecture Monday, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. in Schaible Auditorium.
Known as “Alex in the Morning” to many rural Alaska radio listeners, Hills played a central role in developing Alaska’s broadcast and telecommunications networks. In the 1970s and 1980s, he worked to build public radio stations and telecommunications networks across Alaska, bringing television and telephone services to small villages. Hills is a former electrical engineering professor at UAF’s College of Engineering and Mines and led a small band of innovators to build “Wireless Andrew,” which was the precursor to today’s Wi-Fi.
“Wi-Fi and the Bad Boys of Radio” weaves personal adventures with descriptions of physical phenomena. Hills’ technical insights clearly explain how Wi-Fi works and his experiences show how a group of innovators advanced the world of wireless connectivity.
Hills is currently a Distinguished Service Professor at Carnegie Mellon University. He was Alaska’s 2007 Engineer of the Year and is a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.
For a map to the lecture hall, visit this website: https://www.uaf.edu/campusmap/buildings/bunnell/.
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Alex Hills, ahills@cmu.edu, 907-232-6088 (cell)
ON THE WEB: http://www.dralexhills.com/
NOTE TO EDITORS: A photo of Hills is available online at www.uafnews.com.
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