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:

• This method could be an alternative to GPS in some situations:
  “Determining Locations by Use of Networks of Passive Beacons,”
  NASA Tech Briefs , July 2009
• Tougher materials, lower prices, and innovative support systems are a few areas where rapid continues to move ahead:
  “Rapid Technologies Continue to Advance,”
  Desktop Engineering , August 2009
• Power generation from artificial photosynthesis is a green dream beginning to grow tall:
  “All the Energy You Need. . . from Tiny Leaves,”
  Photonics Spectra , August 2009
• A history of the individuals, companies and products that helped define the development of design software:
  “How Design Software Changed the World,”
  Microwave Journal , July 2009

Elementals:

• Follow the “golden rules” for thermal design, and the resultant system should perform better, run cooler, and last longer in the field:
  “Move Your Thermal Strategy For Air-Cooled Electronics Up In The Design Flow,”
  Electronic Design , July 9, 2009
• Basic information on OFDM, which is used to support high data rates in both wireless and wireline communication systems:
  ” Fundamentals of OFDM: Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing,”
  High Frequency Electronics , July 2009
• Follow the “golden rules” for thermal design, and the resultant system should perform better, run cooler, and last longer in the field:
  “Move Your Thermal Strategy For Air-Cooled Electronics Up In The Design Flow,”
  Electronic Design , July 9, 2009
• In the era of 32- and 64-bit multicore behemoths, 8- and 16-bit MCUs get new respect for power management:
  “Batteryless energy harvesting for embedded designs,”
  Embedded Systems Design , July/August 2009

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

• October 5, 2009
• September 21, 2009
• September 14, 2009
• September 7, 2009
• August 31, 2009

Recent Planet Analog Newsletters:

• October 7, 2009
• September 23, 2009
• September 16, 2009
• September 9, 2009
• September 2, 2009
• August 26, 2009