The previous part of the article provided the context and rationale for stop/start operation in cars with internal combustion engines. This part will look at its impact on the starter motor itself. Q: Which vehicles need a starter motor and why? A: Electric motors do not need a starter, as they self-start and rotate when […]
Understanding stop/start automobile-engine design, Part 1: The idea
Today’s motor vehicles are vastly different compared to those of just a decade ago. This article will look at a relatively new “feature” (some say an unneeded and unwanted one) called “stop/start” which is increasingly standard on many internal combustion and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). Q: What is stop/start? A: It’s a simple idea, at […]
Even model railroads are now networked, Part 4: Battery power, maybe
The traditional model railroad power and control has transitioned from simple hardwired loops to advanced networking in the past decades, bringing many benefits and a few drawbacks. Batteries to the rescue, maybe It turns out that the advances in battery technologies such as high-capacity yet light rechargeable lithium-based cells are not only offering new approaches […]
Even model railroads are now networked, Part 3: Rail & power problems
The traditional model railroad power and control has transitioned from simple hardwired loops to advanced networking in the past decades, bringing many benefits and a few drawbacks. DCC is a real step forward, but what comes next? Model railroading is an activity that seems not to need battery power or wireless control of the locomotive. […]
Even model railroads are now networked, Part 2: Digital control takes over
The traditional model railroad power and control has transitioned from simple hardwired loops to advanced networking in the past decades, bringing many benefits and a few drawbacks. Networking changes things (almost) completely This scenario changed radically with the development of digital command control (DCC) for model railroads. What DCC did was bring data and networking […]
Even model railroads are now networked, Part 1: The not-so-simple loop
The traditional model railroad power and control has transitioned from simple hardwired loops to advanced networking in the past decades, bringing many benefits and a few drawbacks. Anyone who ever had a basic model-railroad layout knows how easy it is to deliver power to the locomotive’s motor, as the physical rails (tracks) are also the […]
The Iridium global satcom system, Part 5: Advances and competition
This worldwide satellite-based communications system went from dream to reality in a decade but quickly failed in the market; its revival took persistence and luck, plus a new customer base. Of course, there were also significant technological advances required in many areas, including designing and building longer-life electronics despite the unavoidable effects of space radiation […]
The Iridium global satcom system, Part 4: Lessons learned
This worldwide satellite-based communications system went from dream to reality in a decade but quickly failed in the market; its revival took persistence and luck, plus a new customer base. Today, Iridium is a viable mobile, satellite-based, which handles voice and data. As with standard cellular systems, its users have little or no idea of […]
The Iridium global satcom system, Part 3: Very nearly crash and burn
This worldwide satellite-based communications system went from dream to reality in a decade but quickly failed in the market; its revival took persistence and luck, plus a new customer base. Iridium’s launch, crash, and nearly burn (literally) The Iridium communications service was initiated on November 1, 1998, with a call by then-Vice President Al Gore. […]
The Iridium global satcom system, Part 2: The implementation
This worldwide satellite-based communications system went from dream to reality in a decade but quickly failed in the market; its revival took persistence and luck, plus a new customer base. The first part of the article explained the inspiration and rationale for the Iridium system. Three major elements were required to make the Iridium concept […]