Definition of IEEE in the Network Encyclopedia.
What is the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers?
IEEE stands for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is a worldwide nonprofit association of technical professionals that promotes the development of standards and acts as a catalyst for new technology in all aspects of the engineering industry, including computer networking, telecommunications, electric power, aerospace, and consumer electronics. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has more than 330,000 individual members in 150 countries.
Its activities include standards committees, technical publishing, and conferences.
A major contribution of the IEEE in the field of computer networking is Project 802, a collection of standards for local area network (LAN) architectures, protocols, and technologies. These standards continue to evolve under the auspices of various working groups and committees.
Example of Project 802: 802.11g Wireless Network
IEEE Mission and Vision
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers is the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity. Here are their mission and vision.
The institute’s core purpose is to foster technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity.
IEEE will be essential to the global technical community and to technical professionals everywhere and be universally recognized for the contributions of technology and of technical professionals in improving global conditions.
How it all began – The foundation of AIEE
In the spring of 1884, a small group of individuals in the electrical professions met in New York, USA. They formed a new organization to support professionals in their nascent field and to aid them in their efforts to apply innovation for the betterment of humanity—the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, or AIEE for short. That October, the AIEE held its first technical meeting in Philadelphia, PA, USA. Many early leaders, such as founding President Norvin Green of Western Union, came from telegraphy.
Others, such as Thomas Edison, came from power, while Alexander Graham Bell represented the telephone industry. Electric power spread rapidly, enhanced by innovations such as AC induction motors, long-distance AC transmission, and larger power plants. Companies such as AEG, General Electric, Siemens & Halske, and Westinghouse underwrote its commercialization.
The AIEE became increasingly focused on electrical power and its ability to change people’s lives through the unprecedented products and services it could deliver. There was a secondary focus on wired communication, both the telegraph and the telephone. Through technical meetings, publications, and promotion of standards, the AIEE led the growth of the electrical engineering profession, while through local sections and Student Branches, it brought its benefits to engineers in widespread places.
IEEE today
IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity.
- Over 400,000 members in more than 160 countries, more than 60 percent of whom are from outside the United States
- More than 107,000 Student members
- 342 Sections in ten geographic Regions worldwide
- 2,562 Chapters that unite local members with similar technical interests
- 3,485 Student Branches at colleges and universities in over 100 countries
- 2,877 Student Branch Chapters of IEEE technical Societies
- 580 affinity groups; IEEE affinity groups are non-technical sub-units of one or more Sections or a Council. The affinity group patent entities are the IEEE-USA Consultants Network, Young Professionals (YP), Women in Engineering (WIE), Life Members (LM), and IEEE Entrepreneurship
