Thank you for your interest in the Transmission, Access, and Optical Systems Technical Committee!

With a history that goes back to more than 60 years, TAOS is one of the IEEE Communication Society’s (ComSoc) most active and vibrant Technical Committees (TCs). TAOS has its roots in the Wire Communication Technical Committee (1964-1975). As of 1976, this committee evolved to the Transmissions Systems Technical Committee. An Optical Communications Sub-Committee was formed under the Transmission Systems TC later during the 1970s. This Sub-TC was elevated to full TC in the 1980s and was very active throughout that decade. It is credited for introducing optical systems and networks into ComSoc’s activities. By 1994, access systems and networks had become an area of increasing interest and activity for the membership of the Transmission Systems TC. Therefore, the ComSoc Technical Activity Council (TAC) approved the addition of the word “Access” to the name of this TC.

By 1995-1996, the two TCs (now the Transmission & Access Systems TC and the Optical Communications TC) got together to merge into one TC. This was per recommendations made by ComSoc to reduce the rising number of TCs, and merge those with related/overlapping scopes. As of 1997, the name of the combined TC became the Transmission, Access, and Optical Systems (TAOS) Technical Committee.

Today, TAOS is active in a spectrum of activities. It specializes in transmission, and otherwise, systems of all kinds (optical, copper, and wireless); has special focus on Broadband Access; and is credited for introducing Green/sustainable communication systems and networks into ComSoc’s portfolio of activities. Our TC takes pride also in its substantial contributing to ComSoc leadership in all areas: Research, Publications, Technical activities, Education, Standards, and Member relations.

Past Officers: TAOS Hall of Fame

• Chair: Tarek S. El-Bawab (Jackson State University, USA)
• Vice Chair: Ahmed E. Kamal (Iowa State University, USA)
• Secretary: Athanassios Manikas (Imperial College London, UK)

• Chair: Tarek S. El-Bawab (Jackson State University, USA)
• Vice Chair: Michael Devetsikiotis (North Carolina State University, USA)
• Secretary: Ahmed E. Kamal (Iowa State University, USA)

• Chair: Tarek S. El-Bawab (Jackson State University, USA)
• Vice Chair: Ravi Subrahmanyan (Immedia Semi, USA)
• Secretary: Michael Devetsikiotis (North Carolina State University, USA)

• Chair: Tarek S. El-Bawab (Jackson State University, USA)
• Vice Chair: Ravi Subrahmanyan (Immedia Semi, USA)
• Secretary: vacant

• Chair: Stefano Bregni (Politecnico di Milano, Italy)
• Vice Chair: Tarek S. El-Bawab (Jackson State University, USA)
• Secretary: Ravi Subrahmanyan (NSC, USA)

• Chair: Mohsen Guizani (Western Michigan University, USA)
• Vice Chair: Stefano Bregni (Politecnico di Milano, Italy)
• Secretary: Tarek S. El-Bawab (Jackson State University, USA)

• Chair: Mohsen Guizani (Western Michigan University, USA)
• Vice Chair: Stefano Bregni (Politecnico di Milano, Italy)
• Secretary: vacant

• Chair: Jaafar Elmirghani (University of Wales Swansea, UK)
• Vice Chair: Mohsen Guizani (Western Michigan University, USA)
• Secretary: Stefano Bregni (Politecnico di Milano, Italy)

• Chair: Mounir Hamdi (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
• Vice Chair: Stefano Bregni (Politecnico di Milano, Italy)
• Secretary: Jaafar Elmirghani (University of Wales Swansea, UK)

• Chair: Robert E. Tench

• Chair: Robert E. Tench
• Vice Chair: Joseph D. Jensen
• Secretary: Steve Bootman

• Chair: Steve Gorshe
• Vice Chair: Joseph D. Jensen
• Secretary: Steve Bootman

(formerly known as) Transmission and Access Systems TC

• Chair: Steve Gorshe
• Vice Chair: George T. Hawley
• Secretary: Joseph D. Jensen
• TPC Chair: Michael Kincaid

• Chair: Steve Gorshe

(formerly known as) Transmission Systems TC

• Chair: S. D. Overby

• Chair: R. T. Bobolin

• Chair: D. M. Brady

• Chair: Michael Kincaid

• Chair: Dirk R. Callahan

• Chair: G. W. Bleisch

• Chair: R. P. Skillen

• Chair: D. W. McLellan

• Chair: I. Kolodny

(formerly known as) Wire Communication TC

• Chair: J. V. Buscemi

• Chair: W. W. Middleton

• Chair: C. D. Hansell
• Vice Chair: W. W. Middleton

• Chair: H. T. Uthlaut, Jr.

• Chair: A. F. Culbertson

• Chair: J. C. Leffel
• Vice Chair: A. F. Culbertson

• Chair: W. C. Burnett