PANewsletterOct052011.pdfEach 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:

• This method can be used in microwave remote sensing, telecommunications, and in reconnaissance and homeland security applications:
  “Scatterometer-Calibrated Stability Verification Method,”
  NASA Tech Briefs , July 2011
• How to simulate multiple design scenarios in high-performance computing environments:
  “Finding the Speed for Multiple Designs,”
  Desktop Engineering , July 2011
• Engineers at Focus Surgery rely on a full arsenal of tests to validate a noninvasive alternative to surgery and radiation:
  “Ultrasound’s war on prostate cancer,”
  Test & Measurement World , July 2011
• This endoscope can be used in minimally invasive surgery, in geological resource exploration, and in miniature analytical tools:
  “Stereo Imaging Miniature Endoscope,”
  NASA Medical Design Briefs , June 2011

Elementals:

• Lithium polymer batteries have become common in single-cell consumer applications, but industrial and commercial applications are now putting them to good use as well:
  “Li-Polymer Enables Product Distinction,”
  Power Electronics Technology , August 2011
• Discussion of a new two-tone method that has been developed allowing users to measure relative group delay on converters and mixers with high precision:
  “New Group Delay and Phase Measurement Method for Long Distance Transmission,”
  Microwave Journal , August 2011
• Enhancing Hall Effect Measurement Confidence:
  “Hall Effect Measurements are Essential for Characterizing High Carrier Mobility in Materials,”
  NASA Tech Briefs , August 2011
• As in any energy conversion from original source to a usable form, the various stages of adaptation introduce efficiency losses.:
  “Improving Microinverter Performance in Photovoltaic Systems,”
  PhotonicTech Briefs , September 2011

Recent Planet Analog Newsletters:

• October 5, 2011
• September 28, 2011
• September 21, 2011
• September 14, 2011