Introduction to RLE Progress Report

Abstract

The Research Laboratory of Electronics, The Research Laboratory of Electronics (RLE) was established in 1946 as the Institute's first interdepartmental laboratory. Originally organized under the joint sponsorship of the Departments of Physics and Electrical Engineering, RLE has broadened its interests to cover a wide range of research. RLE's 50th Anniversary, In November 1996, RLE celebrated 50 years of technological impact and innovation with a technical conference, special exhibit, activities for alumni, and other events. Two special issues of RLE currents described the achievements of twenty of RLE's entrepreneurial alumni. See RLE's 50th anniversary page on the World Wide Web for photos of the event or contact RLE Headquarters, telephone: (617) 253-2509; fax (617) 253-1301. RLE Progress Report, RLE Progress Report Number 139 describes research programs at RLE for the period January 1 through December 31, 1996. Each chapter of the Progress Report includes a summary of research efforts for research projects listed. Faculty, research staff, students and others who participated in these projects are identified at the beginning of each project, along with sources of funding. There are four appendices at the end of the report: Appendix A is a bibliography of RLE publications and papers presented by RLE staff during 1996; Appendix B is a roster of current RLE staff; Appendix C is a list of RLE faculty and staff milestones and honors received during 1996; and Appendix D is an index of RLE sponsors. The Project Staff and Subject Index provides additional access to the information in this report. RLE on the World Wide Web, RLE has a presence on the World Wide Web (http://rleweb.mit.edu). RLE web pages include an introduction to RLE research and services; information about RLE's history, research groups, staff, and publications along with news of RLE events, and a history of the Radiation Laboratory (1940-1945). RLE Publications, RLE also publishes RLE currents, a biannual newsletter which focuses on RLE research interests; a technical report series; Speech Group Working Papers; and other information related to the Laboratory. For more information, write Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Research Laboratory of Electronics, Communications Office, Room 36-412, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139-4307, Tel. (617) 253-2566, Fax (617) 258-7864.