"Also of Interest" and "Elementals" for February 22, 2010; plus recent "Planet Analog" Newsletters

"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:

• Introduction to the practical issues in designing a cryogenic facility that enables reliable measurements:
  "Cryogenic Technology Applied to Microwave Engineering,"
  Microwave Journal, December 2009
• A method of automated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has been invented for the generation of performance tables for an object subject to fluid flow:
  "Automated CFD for Generation of Airfoil Performance Tables,"
  NASA Tech Briefs, November 2009
• Micro-air vehicles are taking over some of the more dangerous missions for the U.S. military:
  "The Military is Beginning to Rely on Small Unmanned Drones or Micro-Air Vehicles (MAVs),"
  Machine Design, December 2009
• The quantity and quality of innovation in photonics this past year was enormous, with many interesting achievements among the less publicized:
  "TECHNOLOGY REVIEW 2009: Accelerated ingenuity,"
  Laser Focus World, December 2009

• The low-power (milliwatt) flyback transformer used in a switched-mode power supply (SMPS) needs to be designed with a gap in the magnetic path for maximum power delivery over temperature:
  "Mind The Gap And Improve Your Low-Power Flyback Transformer Design,"
  Electronic Design, December 10, 2009
• Many companies face the problem of checking cableforms to see that they are correctly wired up before installing them:
  "Create Your Own Test Fixture To Check Cableform Wiring Quickly And Accurately,"
  Electronic Design, December 10, 2009
• A comprehensive review of the various types of ground plane modifications, with examples llustrating both commonly-used and alternative structures:
  "Microstrip Circuits with a Modified Ground Plane,"
  High Frequency Electronics, December 2009
• Understanding key material parameters can help power-amplifier designers to choose the optimum high-frequency laminate in support of their circuits:
  "Microwave Materials Lay Foundation For PAs,"
  Microwaves & RF, December 2009

• February 15, 2010
• February 8, 2010
• February 1, 2010
>
• January 25, 2010

• February 17, 2010
• February 10, 2010
• February 3, 2010
• January 27, 2010