Electronics Now articles from January 1996

Electronics Now archives from January 1996

Non-levitating magnetic trains.
January 1, 1996... The introduction of high-speed magnetically-levitated trains (called mag-lev) has been delayed by two major stumbling blocks: the high cost of laying suitable tracks and difficulties in obtaining the rights of way for those tracks. A new concept...

Equipment reports: Protek's digital multimeter has an RS-232C interface.
January 1, 1996... We routinely evaluate new electronic test instruments that have been submitted to us by their manufacturers for review. We then write up our findings in these equipment reports. Needless to say, handheld digital multimeters (DMM) are prominent...

Oscilloscope trigger devices.
January 1, 1996... The SuperProbe oscilloscope triggering devices from Programmable Designs are instruments that can trigger complex events in digital circuitry and simplify circuit debugging and testing. They will work with any oscilloscope to provide a wide range...

Low-cost software for PC-board design.
January 1, 1996... You can design professional-quality printed-circuit boards on your desktop PC. The job of designing a printed circuit board continues to grow more demanding. In the past, just about anyone could lay out a PC board by simply reading a schematic...

So, you want to buy a new computer?
January 1, 1996... To be a smart computer shopper, you have to speak the language! Even if you rarely watch TV, you've probably seen the commercial in which a pair of elderly Frenchmen stroll on the banks of the Seine chatting - not about their health, but about...

Dress up audio projects with solid-state level indicators.
January 1, 1996... The D'Arsonval (moving needle) analog meter has been the instrument of choice for setting input levels in audio systems for years. Now that most audio equipment has been miniaturized an analog meter will no longer fit on the front panel of the...

Build the Party Line. (telephone line simulator)
January 1, 1996... Build the ultimate telephone-line simulator "Hey Fred, call me right back. I'm having trouble with my new telephone gizmo, and I need some test calls." Have you ever found yourself begging friends to call so you could test a new piece of...

Waveform generator circuits.
January 1, 1996... Learn about waveform generation with synthesizers, integrated-circuit function generators, and oscillators, and apply that knowledge to your projects. Sinewaves can be produced by synthesizing them from either digital or analog waveforms. This...

Lamps and lighting efficiency.
January 1, 1996... Plus a new RGB-to-NTSC converter, ultrafast computers, and product development concepts. I just got a helpline call from an "inventor" trying to "protect" a "new" auto headlight idea. To stop "detroit" from stealing it. I've never heard of...

Return to reality. (central processing units)
January 1, 1996... The editors have gotten on my case about the esoteric nature of some recent columns. Fine: back to the world of bits and bytes and soldering irons. Topics this month include Pentium updates and hard-disk utilization. Pentium updates Today's...

Cables (and interconnects) revisited. (hi-fi audio system connectors)
January 1, 1996... Tom Nousaine is one of those dedicated audiophiles who have the time, interest, and know-how to scientifically investigate potential improvements in hi-fi performance. He didn't set out to be a "debunker," but his rigorous test procedures have...