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:

• Juno will become one of the biggest planetary spacecraft ever launched when it takes off next year on its five-year journey to Jupiter:
  “Juno prepares for mission to Jupiter,”
  Machine Design , November 4, 2010
• Development of a light source technology using small, electrode-less quartz light bulbs driven by an RF amplifier:
  “RF Driven Plasma Lighting: The Next Revolution in Light Sources,”
  Microwave Journal , December 2010
• Direct torque control technology plays a key role in moving the world's largest roof and video display:
  “Automating the World’s Largest NFL Stadium,”
  Design News , November 2010
• For vibration isolation in semiconductor manufacturing, for space-based imaging systems, or fine pointing of free-space optical communication transceivers:
  “A Sub-Hertz, Low-Frequency Vibration Isolation Platform,”
  NASA Tech Briefs , January 2011

Elementals:

• Description of a repeatable reference environment for over-the-air (OTA) testing of multiple input multiple output (MIMO) devices and why the reverberation chamber is uniquely suited to provide insight into MIMO device performance:
  “Embracing Complexity: MIMO Over-the-Air Testing with the Reverberation Chamber,”
  Microwave Journal , August 2010
• When downtime could result in serious security breaches or even loss of life, reconstituted mica paper capacitors provide the required reliability, while still providing for end-user customization:
  “Mission-Critical Applications Require High-Voltage Capacitors to Meet Stability and Durability Requirements,”
  Power Electronics Technology , August 2010
• Presentation of the modeling of the test structure of a radio frequency metal oxide semicinductor field effect transistor up to 40 GHz:
  “Analysis and Modeling of the Pads for RF CMOS Based on EM Simulation,”
  Microwave Journal , October 2010
• This miniature ultrawideband bandpass filter is formed with a folded three-line microstrip structure and a semicircular defected ground structure for spurious control:
  “Folded Microstrip And DGS Shrink BPF,”
  Microwaves & RF , October 2010

Recent Planet Analog Newsletters:

• February 9, 2011
• February 2, 2011
• January 26, 2011
• January 19, 2011