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:
- A symbiosis of fast dc drives and precision piezo motors gives rise to high-accuracy positioners:
“Brushed-dc and Piezo Motors Combine for Precise Position,”
Machine Design , October 19, 2009 - Pressure-sensitive adhesives minimize vibration, noise, and corrosion, making them a viable and cost-effective alternative to mechanical fasteners:
“Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives Make Strong Joints at Low Cost,”
Machine Design , October 19, 2009 - Monolithically grown germanium/silicon APDs have high sensitivity, low noise, and world-record gain-bandwidth product:
“Silicon photonics reinvents avalanche photodetectors,”
Laser Focus World , October 2009 - Plastic solar cells are lightweight, flexible and, most importantly, cheap to make. But so far, these devices lack one thing: efficiency:
“A closer look at plastic solar cells,”
Photonics Spectra , October 2009
Elementals:
- Though testing for MIMO is still a work in progress, advances such as the channel emulator are delivering solid results:
“Multi-Antenna Techniques Require Thorough Testing Solutions,”
Electronic Design , September 10, 2009 - Understand RF-switch specs before you commit to a new technology:
“RF switching options: The right fit might come with a loss,”
EDN , September 17, 2009 - This X-band phased-array antenna system is ideally suited for transmitting high-data-rate signals from remote sensing satellites over wide angular regions:
“Spherical Phased Array Links Remote Sensors,”
Microwaves & RF , September 2009 - You can create versatile software to control an instrument, as this LabView example for a Keithley 2306 battery simulator shows:
“Develop software for test instruments,”
Test & Measurement World , November 2209
Previous “Also of Interest” and “Elementals” Editions:
Recent Planet Analog Newsletters:
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