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:

• Effects of gravity on thermal fluid systems and small living things can be tested:
  “Maglev Facility for Simulating Variable Gravity,”
  NASA Tech Briefs , September 2010
• Sikorsky aims to break the helicopter speed record:
  ” The Fastest Helicopter on Earth,”
  IEEE Spectrum , September 2010
• Simulations with computational fluid dynamics show aerodynamic and loading effects on everything from a single turbine to complete wind farms:
  “CFD Software Helps Build A Better Wind Turbine,”
  Machine Design , August 12, 2010
• 10 distinguishing factors to help design engineers select a system:
  “3-D Printers versus 3-D Production Systems,”
  Design News , September 2010
• Defining your options for rapid manufacturing:
  “Additive Manufacturing 101,”
  Desktop Engineering , November 2010

Elementals:

• Minimize the current drawn from the utility company:
  “Methods measure power electronics’ efficiency,”
  EDN , July 29, 2010
• This compact printed monopole antenna is well suited for ultrawideband wireless communications systems that must deal with interference from other wireless systems:
  “UWB Antenna Stops Two Bands,”
  Microwaves & RF , August 2010
• Explore all aspects of this critical element in the MIMO system signal chain:
  “The MIMO Antenna: Unseen, Unloved, Untested!,”
  Microwave Journal , August 2010
• Hybrid-electric vehicles must operate reliably under harsh conditions that demand special qualities on the part of power-conditioning electronics:
  “Optocouplers for hybrid electric power trains,”
  Machine Design , November 4, 2010
• A new, simple, and accurate expression lets you calculate the coupling factor between multilayer PCB inductors:
  “A new calculation for designing multilayer planar spiral inductors,”
  EDN , July 29, 2010

Recent Planet Analog Newsletters:

• December 1, 2010
• November 24, 2010
• November 17, 2010
• November 10, 2010