Featured Product Archive
The inventions and products featured on these pages were chosen either for their
uniqueness in the RF engineering realm, or are simply awesome (or ridiculous) enough
to warrant an appearance.
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The RCA Airenergy unit harvests WiFi hotspot
energy and converts it to DC to recharge its own internal lithium battery. It can
then be used to recharge any device that does so via a mini USB port. Debuting at
the 2010 CES event, it is due on shelves later this year for $40-50. In the works
is a version in OEM battery sizes to replace the battery for perpetual recharging.
Marketing tip for RCA: Next time hire a booth babe to pitch it and keep the
Droopy dog at home
(see the video).1-29-2010
"What if we could reinvent the light bulb?
Well... we just did." That is the slogan from Vu1 Corporation re the company's Electron
Stimulated Luminescence (ESL™) lighting technology. Citing the demonization of Edison
incandescent bulbs and the idiotic hyping of CFLs as the savior of the world (despite
its containing mercury), Vu1 claims to have the ideal solution, and maybe they do.
ESL lighting technology uses accelerated electrons to stimulate a layer of phosphor
on the surface of the bulb, thereby making it glow. Sound like a CRT with high persistence?
Here is a short ESL video.
11-1-2010
This PC-mount coaxial rotary joint piqued
my interest when I first saw it back in the summer.
Link Microtech, a manufacturer
of active and passive RF components, offers this SMA connector for applications
where coax cables experience an extreme range of motion. They claim 360° rotation
for operation from DC to 5 GHz, with IL of 0.3 dB and RL of 17 dB at 5 GHz (0.1
dB IL, 25 dB RL at 27 MHz). What would also be nice is a series of inline rotary
joints with connectors on both ends that can be inserted into existing installations.
12-4-2009
Saygus'
Vphone is being billed as the first 2-way live video conferencing phone. It is a
combo of Smartphone and PCDA (Personal Communications Data Assistant) that features
real-time video, Internet, 802.11b/g, Bluetooth, VMS (Video Messaging Service),
along with a complete host of user applications. An 800x480-pixel screen and 5 MP
camera, combined with an 806 MHz processor and ½GB of RAM help assure a smooth meeting.
FCC info.
2-5-2010
RF Cool Tools' Real Time Design is
a slick Java-based applet (which means it works on any platform) that allows you
to build RLC circuits with drag-n-drop interface and plots results on a Cartesian
(Bode) or Smith Chart. "What is so slick about it," you ask? The truly slick part
is that you can drag points on the response curve to where you would like them to
be, and the program automatically adjusts your RLC components to accommodate the
curve. Wouldn't you love to have a full-featured RF / analog program that could
do that? Maybe someday.
1-8-2010
"Smart meters" continue their advance on traditional
mechanical electric meters What to do with the old ones? Bury them in a landfill?
Arcman's Classic Meters
division is salvaging early 1900s era meters and incorporating them into attractive
desk lamps and displays. Early meters contained a lot of brass, bronze, and nickel-plate
components that can be polished to greatly enhance their aesthetics. The cool thing
about these lamps is that the meters are wired in series with the supply, so they
are actually functional!
12-11-2009
Open
source software is highly sought after because it is typically the result of many
independent developers combining personal concepts of user needs and interface efficiencies.
Code is free of bloat and legally available to anyone for customization. Those are
the reasons most open source aficionados will cite. The real reason is; however,
it is free. Kicad
is an open source (GPL) software for the creation of electronic schematic diagrams
and printed circuit board artwork. It includes a project manager and four tools
: schematic entry, board editor, GERBER viewer, and a footprint selector for
components.
2-12-2010
If you have ever struggled with access to
SMA connectors while installing or removing them in cramped quarters, then you will
appreciate this SMA Finger Wrench. More than just a standard deep socket with a
slot in the edge, this tool features a hexagonal body for facilitating rotation
and a 7/16" wrench. They are cheap, too. This other type of 'torque multiplier'
sits over the SMA nut. It is not for dense locations, but does make test
environments easier when doing multiple cable operations. They are often given away
at conventions with company names stamped on. Do you know who makes these?
1-15-2010
Nobody asked me, but according to research
warm drinks such as coffee and tea are best enjoyed at 58°C (136°F), beer tastes
best at 7°C (47°F), and ice-cold drinks are best at -12°C (10°F). This series
of cups uses phase changing materials (PCMs) in the walls to set and maintain it
contents' temperature. Different cups are needed according to the desired temperature.
The inventers are searching for a manufacturing partner.
12-18-2009
In keeping with current social trends, Mattel just showcased Computer
Engineer Barbie - complete with a briefcase, trendy glasses, a Bluetooth headset,
and a pink computer. One commenter noted that it appears to come with a BSOD, but
it actually has a series of 8-bit binary numbers that equate to "Barbie" in ASCII
(in hex: 42 61 72 62 69 65). There have been a number of news items of late pointing
out that women tend toward software and computer engineering more so than mechanical
or electrical engineering.
Next year, watch for Stay-at-Home Ken, or maybe Unemployed Ken & Barbie.
2-19-2010
This Wattgate 381 Audio Grade Duplex Socket
has truly changed lives. Its 3-layer oxygen-free copper plating, electrolysis nickel,
and 24k gold plating assures the audiophile purist of miraculous sound quality -
and more. The mere $147 price tag is chump change compared to the performance improvement
it promises. Don't believe the claim of changed lives? Read the customer comments
at the page bottom, then e-mail the link to a friend.
1-22-2010
This steel Velcro™ will keep your expensive
running shoes securely fastened. Inventors Josef Mair and colleagues at the Technical
University of Munich, Germany claim the new fastener, called Metaklett, is capable
of supporting 35 tonnes/sq.m (7172 lb/sq.ft) at temperatures up to 800 ºC. Even
Arizona asphalt does not get quite that hot. Applications envisioned include attaching
of prosthetic limbs, cable tiedowns in severe environments, and other venues where
rapid attach / removal is required.
12-25-2009
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