With no disrespect intended to the armies of IT tech support workers whose constant labor keeps America's computers running, IBM thinks they've found someone who can do the job even better-the computers themselves. Today's engineers do virtual design on CAD and collaborative engineering over the Web, then they order rapid prototypes from bureaus and components from online catalogs. Commutating encoder John Lewis, Northeast Technical Editor With six channels, the RCM1 rotary optical encoder eliminates Hall-Effect sensors inside of motors. Every now and then, a trend comes along that is so pervasive that it seems every company finds a way to hitch its wagon on for a ride. Right now, that trend is Bluetooth.
Most people book a conference hall or hotel, pick a date, and spread the word.
Surfing at the South Pole Benjamin B. Ames, Associate Editor On Nov. 14, a company called Antarcti.ca launched the web site, which offers Web surfers a method of navigating the Internet geographically. OK, maybe there are other issues. As companies race to perfect Bluetooth, wireless broadband and other wireless communication methods, the winner may be the company that can build the best RFIC chipsets. Seeing the light Rick DeMeis, Senior Editor Holy Grails of electro-optics are short wavelength devices, such as blue LEDs and violet lasers. At an IEEE meeting here this week, Shuji Nakamura, materials professor from the University of California, Santa Barbara, described recent advances in development of these devices.