Before being awarded a Nobel Prize, Patrick Blackett was a pioneer in the use of extensive data analysis, error bounding, and probability theory of anecdote-based tactics, as he devised improved strategies against deadly German submarines. Part 2 of this article looked at Blackett’s work with the CH radar installation on Britain’s coast. This part looks […]
Patrick Blackett: Big Data, WWII, and U-Boats, Part 2: Analytics begins
Before being awarded a Nobel Prize, Patrick Blackett was a pioneer in the use of extensive data analysis, error bounding, and probability theory rather than anecdote-based tactics, as he devised improved strategies against deadly German submarines. Part 1 focused on the beginnings of “systems analysis” approach. This part looks at Blackett’s early work with radar […]
Patrick Blackett: Big Data, WWII, and U-Boats, Part 1: Context
Before being awarded a Nobel Prize, Patrick Blackett was a pioneer in the use of extensive data analysis, error bounding, and probability theory of anecdote-based tactics, he devised improved strategies against deadly German submarines. The idea of “big data” is a major topic today, of course, but it’s not a new concept. During World War […]
The microstrip antenna, Part 2: Implementation
The microstrip antenna is a convenient, planar, easy-to-fabricate antenna with some attractive attributes and features, as well as some distinct limitations. Part 1 of this FAQ was a brief review of antennas and introduced to microstrip antenna design. This part continues that exploration along with related issues. Q: What’s the difference, if any, between a […]
The microstrip antenna, Part 1: Basics
The microstrip antenna is a convenient, planar, easy-to-fabricate antenna with some attractive attributes and features, as well as some distinct limitations. The passive antenna is a critical part of any wireless communications link, for both transmit and receive sides. Depending on the application, the same antenna may be used for both roles, or radically different […]
The Ocean Liner SS United States: Part 4 – The cruise ship as successor
The ocean liner S.S. United States was super sleek, extremely fast, and highly engineered…yet soon became obsolete due to air travel; cruise ships are now the royalty of the seas. The previous sections of this article looked at the fastest and most innovative of all the ocean liners, the S.S. United States, which was soon […]
The Ocean Liner S.S. United States: Part 3 – Rapid obsolescence
The ocean liner S.S. United States was super sleek, extremely fast, and highly engineered…yet soon became obsolete due to air travel; cruise ships are now the royalty of the seas. In today’s world, dominated by companies such as Facebook, Amazon, Apple, and Google, it’s easy to think they will be “forever” or at least for […]
The Ocean Liner S.S. United States: Part 2 – A radical design
Part one looked at the engineering origins of the S.S. United States ocean liner. This part looks at how overall objectives drive the design and engineering of this ocean liner. Raw power, shape, materials define a new ocean liner Despite the many maritime-design accomplishments of William Francis Gibbs, they are, in some ways, just small […]
The Ocean Liner S.S. United States: Part 1 – An audacious concept
The ocean liner S.S. United States was super sleek, extremely fast, and highly engineered…yet soon became obsolete due to air travel; cruise ships are now the royalty of the seas. When we see the grand days of ocean liners in old movies or documentaries, they present images of elegance and sophistication through their furnishings, decor, […]
Haptics components, Pt 2: LRA, ERM, and piezo drivers
Haptics capabilities are embedded in smartphones and game controllers, and their use is expanding into robotic controls, automobile consoles, and more; the physical actuator and its driver are the key hardware elements. Part 1 of this article looked at actuators for haptics functions. This part looks at an equally important part of the haptics hardware: […]