Thermal physics: Second edition by C. B. P. Finn, Chapman and Hall, London-Glasgow-New York-Tokyo-Melbourne-Madras, 1993 physics and its applications series, volume 5, 256 pages price: ß13.95

A skin-effect equivalent circuit consisting of resistors and inductors is derived from the skin-effect differential equations for simulating the loss of a transmission line. A numerical method is used to analyze the transmission-line differential equations and the skin-effect equivalent circuit, yielding a model which relates the new values of node voltages and line currents to their values at the previous time step. Based on this model, a very simple program was written on a desk-top computer for the transient analysis of lossy trammission lines. Two examples are presented. The first example is an analysis of the step and pulse responses of a 600-m RG-8/U coaxial cable. The computed results show excellent agreement with measured data. The second example studies the current at the end of a 12-in 7-Ω strip line under different loading conditions. Very good agreement has been obtained between the calculated steady-state solution and that obtained by the frequency-domain method.

Time-domain skin-effect model for transient analysis of lossy transmission lines

In this paper, we briefly review the various roles of technology in stimulating interest and deepening understanding of abstract and highly mathematical subjects such as electromagnetics (EM). The general advantages of using technology in offering Web-based courses and professional training are described and examples of the ongoing activities in this area are summarized. Focus, however, is placed on the development and effective use of multimedia assets in the modern teaching of fundamental EM and more advanced microwave courses. Development and use of interactive components such as virtual laboratories, virtual instruments, simulation software, animation, and virtual participation in practical applications are described. The new "Conceptual Learning of Engineering" project is also described, and examples demonstrating the various ongoing activities are presented.

Technology-based electromagnetic education

A signal viewing instrumentation control system includes a programmable test instrument, a computer having an input keyboard and/or mouse, a CRT display and a communications interface for the computer to communicate with the test instrument. The test instrument can be a digitizer, a spectrum analyzer, a power supply or a signal generator. The system includes software for the user to interactively control the test instrument through the computer. The software includes a functional characterization of the test instrument for inversely transforming a generic output for the instrument into a generalized set of control setting commands for controlling operation of the instrument. The user can graphically enter into computer a user-specified output for the instrument. The computer converts the graphically-specified output into a specific set of the control setting commands and transmits the specific commands to the test instrument to control its operation. The user can thereby interactively control the test instrument to provide an output function replicating a desired output function without having to enter a control settings to the test instrument either manually or as program language control statements.

Signal viewing instrumentation control system

A precision vector network analyzer which is suitable for a wide range of applications including both laboratory and automated production measurements and testing is disclosed. New measurement capabilities, greater ease of use, and nearly complete automation are provided. Contributions include fully coordinated communications between subsystem modules; real time, two channel, precision vector measurements with complete, internal error correction; wide frequency capability from RF to millimeter bands; combined time and frequency domain analysis and display; measurements either in the swept or step frequency modes; and user definable test functions and calibration device sets.

Vector network analyzer with integral processor

The present invention provides programmable, remote and automatic numeric control and calibration of analog signal measuring and generating apparatus. Digital values for control signals for control of gain, sensitivity, frequency and the like and for calibration are stored and may be easily modified to follow complex control and calibration functions. Conventional controls are replaced by pushbuttons which initiate calculation of digital control signals for controlling the transfer function of variable elements of the apparatus. Conventional meters and dials are replaced by digital readout devices for indicating operational parameters such as amplitudes, sensitivities, frequencies and the like. Digital values for calibration factors and parameter control settings also may be recorded on suitable recording media for use under recurring conditions and environments.

Method and apparatus for programmable and remote numeric control and calibration of electronic instrumentation

Lack of interactive capabilities and high processing cost are two main areas of complaints directed against the existing implementations of computer- aided-design packages. The minicomputer promises to remove these serious deficiencies despite its speed and storage limitations. The economics and techniques of interactive minicomputer applications are explored and an integration formula suitable for minicomputer implementation is devised. Several nonlinear networks simulated on a minicomputer are used to demonstrate the long-term stability of the formula.

Minicomputer as a circuit-design tool:

Engineers and educators find in computer simulations a powerful substitute for inability of calculus to produce closed form solutions to modern problems. But the validity of quasi-closed-form solutions produced by computers remains suspect. While no magic test exists, pieces of algorithms can individually be examined by the Z-transform [E. I. Jury, Sampled-data control systems, John Wiley & Sons, 1958]. Two examples from engineering and three from education are presented. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 21: 75–88, 2013

Z-transform and its application to development of scientific simulation algorithms

The mathematical tools of natural sciences have faithfully served the research and engineering communities in their pursuit of technological advance. Nevertheless, a review of those tools is warranted in light of the availability of modern computing resources and their capabilities. (Most mathematical tools were developed for the use by humans who prefer to do fewer, more complex operations to doing many simpler ones, and who prefer derivatives to integrals, to name just two cases. The computers exhibit the opposite preferences and casting of the problem for computer evaluation calls for new algorithmic approaches.) The potential theory is one such example, and we will examine it from the computational point of view. Starting from its underlying principles, we will show how a familiar equivalent to the potential theory can be converted from a static into a dynamic mathematical tool suitable for computer evaluation. A similar approach applied to Maxwell's equations opens the door for development of computer algorithms that effectively address complex processes in conductors and semiconductors, radiation from accelerated electrons, and other dynamic phenomena associated with moving electric charges. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 7: 51–86, 1999

Potential theory, Maxwell's equations, relativity, radiation, and computers

Few statistics other than the named three have opened the path to understanding of so many natural laws and formulas employed in the engineering practice Engineers interested in origins of expressions they may be using in their work will find some of them in this paper Planck's Radiation and Stefan–Boltzmann Laws, Maxwell's Velocity Distributions, P-N diode equation, and intrinsic hole and electron concentrations in semiconductors are some examples No new inventions are presented and the topics addressed are treated in books on statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, quantum and classical physics, chemistry and others The contribution is an integration of a broad range of sciences underlying the formulas of interest under one roof of a relatively short paper All derivations are done at the engineering level and originate in the first principles of conservation and quantization Discrete mathematics is employed throughout and provides direct access to computerized experimentation The appendixes assist the uninitiated in quantum physics and provide an ample collection of useful supporting material © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc Comput Appl Eng Educ Comput Appl Eng Educ 23:746–759, 2015; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrarycom/journal/cae; DOI 101002/cae21647

Zvonko Fazarinc

Papers

Method and apparatus for programmable and remote numeric control and calibration of electronic instrumentation

Minicomputer as a circuit-design tool:

Z-transform and its application to development of scientific simulation algorithms

Potential theory, Maxwell's equations, relativity, radiation, and computers

Fermi-Dirac, Bose-Einstein, Maxwell-Boltzmann, and computers