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:
- Spinning masses face off against big batteries in the half-billion-dollar market for grid stability:
“Flywheels Keep the Grid in Tune,”
IEEE Spectrum , July 2011 - As military systems grow more complex and use ever more computing, thermal management becomes more of a challenge:
“Complex Systems Pose Tricky Thermal Management Challenges,”
COTS Journal , April 2011 - This sensor provides a number of discrete distances that a plug is inserted into a socket or receptacle; the number of measurements is equal to the number of pins available in the connector for sensing:
“Electrical Connector Mechanical Seating Sensor,”
NASA Tech Briefs , July 2011 - When plastics just won’t do, explore more hefty manufacturing options:
“Metal Mania in the Rapid Tech World,”
Desktop Engineering , August 2011
Elementals:
- A single, simple measurement is described that allows the determination of the ESR required to achieve a desired phase margin, using a particular value of output capacitor:
“A Simple Method to Determine ESR Requirements for Stable Regulators,”
Power Electronics Technology , August 2011 - Introduction of the method and steps for extracting the gain/noise temperature figure of merit of a satellite handset, with both internal and external antennas:
“G/T for a Satellite-Terrestrial Handset with Internal and External Antennas,”
Microwave Journal , August 2011 - A system that incorporates a pulse generator and a sensitive DC ammeter can reveal information about the quality of semiconductor devices:
“Charge-pumping measurements,”
Test & Measurement World , September 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:
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