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-only” extras, and worth a look. (Please note: there are also links to the previous weeks' editions, below this week's items.)
Also of Interest:
- An optical power meter and a thermopile detector both have applications in photovoltaics research.:
“PHOTOVOLTAICS: Measuring the ‘Sun’,”
Laser Focus World , June 2009 - The transition from analog to digital television promises high-quality images but reality can fall short, especially in environments with challenging topographies or climates:
“Thin air: ATSC reception isn’t always easy,”
EDN , May 14, 2009 - Electromagnetic clutches and brakes seem simple, but complex variations fit them to multiple applications:
“The Basics of Electromagnetic Clutches and Brakes,”
Machine Design , July 7, 2009
Elementals:
- The concept of using supercapacitors (also known as ultracapacitors, supercaps), and replacing the batteries in portable micropower applications, is gaining momentum:
“Capacitor-Powered Electronics Is At The Core Of Green Design,”
Electronic Design , April 23, 2009 - A simple and cost-effective solution for determining the return loss of a power amplifier under actual output-power drive levels:
“Theory and Proposed Method for Determining Large-signal Return Loss or “Hot S22 ” for Power Amplifiers,”
Microwave Journal , June 2009 - High-frequency lowpass filters with flat passband responses ideal for digital signal transmissions can be fabricated with microstrip dot-terminations:
“Build LPFs With Dot-Terminations,”
Microwaves & RF , May 2009 - Heat sinks are important in complex systems in which the sink's impact on airflow matters as much as its thermal resistance:
“Selecting heat sinks for heavily populated boards,”
EDN , May 14, 2009
Previous “Also of Interest” and “Elementals” Editions:
Recent Planet Analog Newsletters:
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