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:
- Hydraulic systems are noted for being highly responsive even when moving heavy loads. But the dynamic behavior that can give unmatched motion control sometimes produces nasty consequences — namely shock, vibration, and noise:
“Hydraulic Accumulators Tame Shock and Vibration,”
Machine Design , March 3, 2011 - Changing a design in the middle of a project can be costly. But not changing it can cost a lot more:
“Dealing with Change in Design Projects,”
Machine Design , March 17, 2011 - As oil prices rise, energy companies are turning to fiber-optic sensors for monitoring temperatures and pressures in downhole petroleum and geothermal environments to maximize resource extraction:
“Downhole sensing puts fiber optics to the test,”
Laser Focus World , March 2011 - Performance of Li-ion batteries can be improved using a system that manages their charge and discharge:
“Analysis of Voltage and Current Signal Processing in a Li-ion Battery Management System,”
Defense Tech Briefs , April 2011
Elementals:
- This fractal microstrip patch antenna is ideal for multiple-band and broadband applications over a total 45-GHz bandwidth from 5 to 50 GHz:
“Fractal Microstrip Antenna Aids Wideband Applications,”
Microwaves & RF , April 2011 - Rational approximation frequency synthesis is a new technique for generating RF and microwave signals with extremely low phase noise and almost infinite frequency resolution:
“Presenting A Novel Synthesis Approach,”
Defense Electronics , April/May 2011 - A thorough review of the ways a microstrip line can be modified for space savings, a simpler layout, or enhanced performance:
” Using Modified Microstrip Lines to Improve Circuit Performance,”
High Frequency Electronics , March 2011 - Tips for writing safety-critical C code using methods adapted from C++ and Ada:
“Seventeen steps to safer C code,”
Embedded Systems Design , May 2011
Recent Planet Analog Newsletters:
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