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:

• Finite element analysis that works in CAD lets designers perform advanced vibration analysis:
  “Vibration Analysis, for Designers,”
  Machine Design , September 24, 2009
• Single-package hybrid optical integration of laser chips with a high-resolution wavelength discriminator yields a tunable terahertz source with a large scanning bandwidth:
  “Photonic integration improves heterodyne photomixing terahertz sources,”
  Laser Focus World , September 2009
• $200k flying machine packs 400 pounds of thrust:
  “Thunderbolt Aerosystems Brings Rocketbelts to the Public,”
  Design News , October 2009
• Heat can be a CPU's worst enemy, but new chip designs and materials can keep them cool:
  “Better Computing Through CPU Cooling,”
  IEEE Spectrum , October 2009

Elementals:

• Smart designers will be quick to explore how they can take advantage of the newly available 700-MHz and white-space spectrum:
  “Big Changes In The Frequency Spectrum Cultivate New Wireless Possibilities,”
  Electronic Design , August 13, 2009
• Ceramic heatsinks bring a fresh approach to thermal management in LED design:
  “Cool Ceramics Help Simplify LED Heat Dissipation,”
  Electronic Design , August 13, 2009
• You must design isolation into your circuits if you want to ensure user safety, eliminate ground loops, and reduce noise:
  “Draw the line: Isolation shields systems from shocking surprises,”
  EDN , September 3, 2009
• Design procedures for fractional-N synthesizers, with examples that demonstrate
  the performance achievable with currently available PLL IC products:
  “Practical Developments Using Today’s Fractional Synthesizers,”
  High Frequency Electronics , September 2009

Previous “Also of Interest” and “Elementals” Editions:

• November 2, 2009
• October 26, 2009
• October 19, 2009
• October 12, 2009
• October 5, 2009

Recent Planet Analog Newsletters:

• November 4, 2009
• October 28, 2009
• October 21, 2009
• October 14, 2009
• October 7, 2009