Author Archives: mathscinotes

Analog Computing Videos

Posted on 16-March-2012 by mathscinotes

I have done quite a bit of recreational writing on the history of military technology, mainly on the Wikipedia (e.g. Torpedo Data Computer). I am particularly interested in the problems associated with fire control calculations. I remember as a boy … Continue reading →

Posted in History of Science and Technology | 1 Comment

Circuit Design Review: Optocoupler-Based Power Measurement Circuit

Posted on 10-March-2012 by mathscinotes

I just got back home after attending the Optical Fiber Communications conference in Los Angeles. This is my favorite trade show and I learned quite a bit. The flight home from Los Angeles to Minneapolis (I live near Minneapolis) takes over 3 hours, so I had time to relax on the flight and do a little bit of circuit analysis -- yes, that is my idea of relaxation. Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics | 3 Comments

Organizing Mathematics

Posted on 9-March-2012 by mathscinotes

I'll kiss him on both cheeks - or all four if you'd prefer it. — Winston Churchill about Charles de Gaulle I am not a very organized person -- if you could see my desk you would agree. However, I … Continue reading →

Posted in General Mathematics | 2 Comments

Geometry and Woodworking

Posted on 9-March-2012 by mathscinotes

A coworker sent the following link to me about an expanding table this morning. It is amazing. Very clever and beautiful use of geometry. The tables cost between $50K and $95K, depending on size. I guess I won't be buying … Continue reading →

Posted in Construction, General Mathematics | Comments Off on Geometry and Woodworking

Market Analysis Math

Posted on 1-March-2012 by mathscinotes

Introduction One of the roles that an engineering manager has to occasionally play is advocate for a product that you believe in. Every successful product that I can think of began with some individual who was an internal advocate, a … Continue reading →

Posted in Management | Comments Off on Market Analysis Math

Spare Parts Math

Posted on 27-February-2012 by mathscinotes

Introduction I received a phone call from a panicked account manager at our headquarters last Thursday. A proposal needed to go out Friday and the proposal team did not have all the information that a customer had requested. The account … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics | 96 Comments

Lunch Time Math

Posted on 16-February-2012 by mathscinotes

I received a comment the other day in reference to a previous blog post on World War II torpedoes and submarines. I was asked if I could go into more detail about how the fire control problem was solved. I … Continue reading →

Posted in History of Science and Technology, Technical Writing | 4 Comments

Beamforming Math

Posted on 20-January-2012 by mathscinotes

Quote of the Day A satisfied customer is the best business strategy of all. — Michael LeBoeuf, writer and management professor. Introduction I was at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) last week and spent a lot of time talking to … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

Approximation Math

Posted on 9-January-2012 by mathscinotes

Introduction Back in 2003, I used an approximation for the logarithm function in a hardware application. When originally implemented, the function only had to work for a limited range of input. Recently, a customer has requested that we expand the … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics, General Mathematics | Comments Off on Approximation Math

Electronics for Kids

Posted on 5-January-2012 by mathscinotes

One of our software engineers asked me today if I could recommend any educational material that he could use to train his kids in basic electronics. As far as I am concerned, the best material I have ever seen for … Continue reading →

Posted in Electronics | Comments Off on Electronics for Kids