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:
- Robots taking over the Georgia Dome in a battle for world domination? It’s the FIRST Robotics Competition Championship:
“FIRST Robotics Competition Brings Students, Engineers, and Suppliers Together Over Science and Technology,”
Machine Design , June 24, 2010 - Through-Hole Reflow Beefs Up Circuit-Board:
“Through-Hole Reflow Assembly Process Strengthens Connections to Printed-Circuit Boards,”
Machine Design , June 24, 2010 - Advances in photonics and materials science are enabling researchers to harness sunlight in new ways that go well beyond conventional photovoltaics:
“Harnessing sunlight moves beyond conventional photovoltaics,”
Laser Focus World , June 2010 - Exciting new findings about crystals, on subjects as diverse as diamonds, peptide nanofibers and colloids, could prove useful in science and industry, perhaps leading to new nanoscale constructs and better electronics:
“Crystal-Clear Research,”
Photonics Spectra , April 2010
Elementals:
- This rectenna dipole element uses matching stubs for increased power capability and improved efficiency for microwave-power-transmission applications at 5.8 GHz:
“Antenna Assists MW Power Transmission,”
Microwaves & RF , May 2010 - By using diversity switching with multiple antennas, it is possible to achieve a 100-percent read rate in a practical RFID system even when the scanned objects are orthogonal to the interrogator antenna:
“Design Diversity RFID Systems,”
Microwaves & RF , May 2010 - The “trimpot” is the standard solution to the analog designer’s occasional need to fine-tune a resistance in a precision circuit, but this old standby isn’t always available:
“Fine-Tune Resistance In Precision Circuits Without Costly Components,”
Electronic Design , May 6, 2010 - You thought your electrostatic-discharge protection was bulletproof, yet the IC still fried in test. Now what?:
“Four Ways to Enhance ESD Protection After Your Design Flunks Its ESD Test,”
Machine Design , July 8, 2010
Recent Planet Analog Newsletters:
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