Each week, the editor of Planet Analog finds items of interest and then features them in two sections, entitled “Also of Interest” and “Elementals”. Each cites items from publications outside the Planet Analog and EETimes portfolios. And we also have an archive of recent weekly Planet Analog Newsletters, as pdf files; see the list at the very bottom.

“Also of Interest” and “Elementals” is an extension of our belief that engineers are interested in on-going tutorial on obviously relevant topics, as well as the serendipity of exploring topics which are not directly related to their jobs, but which will broaden their knowledge and sometimes spurs innovative and creative approaches. The first box highlights items of general interest to the engineer, while the second highlights basic and tutorial electronic-engineering material. Among the publications we check are IEEE Spectrum , Machine Design , Design News , Laser Focus World , EDN , Electronic Design , NASA Tech Briefs , Microwave Journal , RF & Microwaves , and Physics Today , plus others.

Consider these items as online extras, and worth a look. (Please note: there are also links to the previous weeks' editions, in the “Navigate” box to the right.)

Also of Interest:

• Beamforming is a signal processing technique that utilizes an array of sensors to achieve directionality, increase the strength of transmitted signals and improve the quality of received signals:
  “Harnessing FPGAs for Beamforming Software Radio Systems,”
  Defense Tech Briefs , February 2011
• The intrinsic physical characteristics of optical fiber combined with its versatility in remote sensing make it an attractive technology for biomedical applications.:
  “Optical fiber sees growth as medical sensors,”
  Laser Focus World , January 2011
• The minimal number of parts in this drill increases reliability and eliminates potential failure points:
  “Single Piezo-Actuator Rotary-Hammering Drill,”
  NASA Tech Briefs , March 2011
• Not many pieces of equipment operate well at –199°F, but telescope mounts at Concordia Station in Antarctica happen to be one of them:
  “–199°F? No Problem for Coreless Servos,”
  Machine Design , February 3, 2011

Elementals:

• Analog and digital oscilloscopes continue to improve in performance, serving as invaluable members of any RF/microwave design test bench:
  “Capturing The Essence Of An Oscilloscope,”
  Microwaves & RF , January 2011
• An LED lighting system can be optimized for efficacy, footprint, lifetime and cost by varying the LED's current and controlling its temperature with a heat sink:
  “Designing LED Lighting Systems For Optimal Light Output,”
  Power Electronics Technology , January 2011
• Advances in the algorithms underlying EM simulation techniques for signal integrity designers: fast solution techniques for Method of Moments solvers:
  “High-Frequency Algorithmic Advances in EM Tools for Signal Integrity—Part 1,”
  High Frequency Electronics , January 2011
• When engineers at Finisar need test equipment for their optical modules, they often have to build their own:
  “Optical testers for the next generation,”
  Test & Measurement World , March 2011

Recent Planet Analog Newsletters:

• April 13, 2011
• April 6, 2011
• March 30, 2011
• March 23, 2011