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:

• Paralleled linear-shaft motors operating from a single drive controller boost accuracy economically:
  “Using Linear-Shaft Motors in Parallel,”
  Machine Design , April 7, 2011
• Here are some tips for outsourcing product development and working with contract engineers:
  “How to effectively outsource new-product development,”
  Machine Design , April 7, 2011
• In order to verify the air content in hydraulic fluid, an instrument was needed to measure the dissolved air content before the fluid was loaded into the system:
  “Method to Estimate the Dissolved Air Content in Hydraulic Fluid,”
  NASA Tech Briefs , May 2011
• The time and investment needed to bring an idea for a new medical product successfully to commercial realization can be daunting:
  “Challenges in Design Development: Why Design Controls Make Sense,”
  Medical Design Briefs , May 2011

Elementals:

• While not exact, a mathematical model gives the designer a good starting point for designing the compensation of a WLED current-regulating boost converter:
  “Compensating and Measuring the Control Loop of a High-Power LED driver,”
  Power Electronics Technology , May 2011
• A lossy magnetic-material coated monopole antenna that can be dynamically retuned to different frequencies of operation:
  “Multiband Monopole Antenna for Wireless Communication,”
  High Frequency Electronics , May 2011
• Multipactor is a resonance type of discharge that can occur under vacuum conditions:
  “Multipaction Discharge in Coaxial Components,”
  Microwave Journal , May 2011
• Cables are often the last component considered during system designs. In many situations, cables are the system’s lifeline:
  “Impact of Materials on Microwave Cable Performance,”
  Microwave Journal , June 2011

Recent Planet Analog Newsletters:

• July 13, 2011
• July 6, 2011
• June 29, 2011
• June 22, 2011