Foundations for Microwave Engineering by Robert E. Collin

Foundations for Microwave Engineering by Robert E. Collin

 Wiley-IEEE Press | 2000 | ISBN: 0780360311 | 944 pages | PDF | 10,1 MB
"FOUNDATIONS FOR MICROWAVE ENGINEERING, Second Edition, covers the major topics of microwave engineering. Its presentation defines the accepted standard for both advanced undergraduate and graduate level courses on microwave engineering. An essential reference book for the practicing microwave engineer, it features:
* Planar transmission lines, as well as an appendix that describes in detail conformal mapping methods for their analysis and attenuation characteristics
* Small aperture coupling and its application in practical components such as directional couplers and cavity coupling
* Printed circuit components with an emphasis on techniques such as even and odd mode analysis and the use of symmetry properties
* Microwave linear amplifier and oscillator design using solid-state circuits such as varactor devices and transistors
FOUNDATIONS FOR MICROWAVE ENGINEERING, Second Edition, has extensive coverage of transmission lines, waveguides, microwave circuit theory, impedance matching and cavity resonators. It devotes an entire chapter to fundamental microwave tubes, in addition to chapters on periodic structures, microwave filters, small signal solid-state microwave amplifier and oscillator design, and negative resistance devices and circuits. Completely updated in 1992, it is being reissued by the IEEE Press in response to requests from our many members, who found it an invaluable textbook and an enduring reference for practicing microwave engineers.
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Revit team leader/co-ordinator

Thought you might be interested in this career opportunity that Kevin from UberCAD passed onto me. If you are looking to take your Revit and BIM skills to the next level, be sure to drop Kevin an email.

Global player with global opportunities.

We are looking for an ambitious Revit boffin. Initially you will be co-ordinating an existing multi-disciplinary Revit team and have responsibility for assembling the Revit model for a major £200m project.

Beyond that, as one of the most valuable Revit experts within this major international multi-disciplinary company, there are opportunities to work on major projects all over the world or you could chose a more strategic role in the UK. Either way this company will invest in keeping you at the forefront of BIM.

Please call Kevin Johnson on (+44) 01275 349000 or

email: kevin@uberCAD.com

What's New in AutoCAD 2011 - In Detail - Part 1

AutoCAD 2011 is out and it has been given several updates.  It seems that recent new AutoCAD releases have had, generally speaking, two major new features added to it.  AutoCAD 2010 had mesh modeling and parametric constraints added to it.  AutoCAD 2009 had the Ribbon and the Action Recorder, though, the Action Recorder has a lot of potential, many users consider it a bust (I don’t, I think it’s great).  Perhaps the same goes for the ribbon as well.  Face it, CAD users don’t like change.  Every release with a major change has had more than its fair share of gripes and groans.

AutoCAD 2011 has two major updates, surface modeling, and a culmination of document tools.  There really isn’t one major new documentation feature (except maybe the transparency setting that is now available,) but instead there are several additions and tweaks that separately are weak, but together make AutoCAD 2011 the best AutoCAD yet!


This is the first article in a series that will closely look at the new features.  I don’t want to give a list of what’s new, but instead, I want to go in-depth and show you each new enhancement.  Some of the articles will cover one new item while others will look at several.  Some new features may even span more than one article.  If you haven’t installed your copy of AutoCAD 2011 yet, do so now.  As a CAD user of over 17 years, this latest release really has me smiling.  Yes I’m an AutoCAD fanboy, but just wait.  Even if you aren’t into the heavy features of AutoCAD (then shame on you for not using the tools you have paid for) you are still going to love the “little things” that are in AutoCAD 2011.

AutoCAD 2011 background & grid are different

Let’s get started.  One of the very first things you may notice in AutoCAD 2011 is the background color.  Yet again Autodesk has seen it fit to change the color, though this time it is more subtle.  It is now a dark gray.  I don’t know why they insist on changing it almost every release, but they do.  It’s ok really, because it is easy enough to change to whatever color you want.  I have a post (click here) that describes the process.  The post is for AutoCAD 2009, but the process is the same for AutoCAD 2011.

Another thing you are going to notice is that there is an actual grid when you turn the grid display feature on!  Out of the box it is on.  Also notice the UCS Icon, it too looks different.  No more cones at the ends, just lines, one for the X Axis and one for the Y Axis.  The grid is colored green on the Y Axis and red on the X Axis.  This is nice because it helps them to stand out, I guess.  This makes the background look more like old fashioned graph paper.  Funny how over the years there have been more and more items in AutoCAD to make its drawings look more “hand drawn” than before.

And since we are on the UCS Icon, the 3D Gizmos have been tweaked a bit too.  Each one is a bit more distinct so that it is easier to tell them apart.  They are also more consistent with their functions.  The axis colors match the UCS icon, and each gizmo looks much more different from the others.  They are still easy to use, go to the Ribbon (in the 3D Modeling Workspace), Home Tab, Subobject Panel.  Expand it, and go to the Gizmo Command.  Select which Gizmo you want to use, now select a 3D object.  The gizmo you picked should pop up.  If not, select the object first, then pick the Gizmo.  Keep the object selected, now pick a different Gizmo, it changes.  If you need to switch between Gizmos, it’s easy.  Just pick the one you want.

The 3D Gizmos

One more highly visible change is in the navigation tools.  By default, there is now a Navigation Bar tool.  This bar has some of the most frequently used navigation tools in it.  It has:  Steering Wheel, View Cube, ShowMotion, Pan, Zoom, and Orbit.  These items used to be in the status bar; they aren’t anymore.  You can turn the navigation bar off and on if it gets in your way.  You can dock the Navigation Bar on the top, bottom, left or right side of the drawing window.  You can also control what navigation tools are displayed.  To change the nav bar, click on the arrow at the bottom of the navigation bar.  This brings up the settings dialog box.  You can also control which version of each command is visible.  Pick which Zoom Command you want to use, though all are available.  The same goes with the orbit command as well as the other tools.  The ViewCube has been enhanced to support the 2D Wireframe view style.  This allows you to rotate your viewport on a two dimensional plane.  One last thing, if you are using a 3D Connexion device, controls for it will show up in the Navigation Bar.

The new Navigation Bar

That’s it for now.  We will get into the other new features and enhancements in later posts.  What have you used so far?  What do you like or dislike about AutoCAD 2011?

Happy Cadding

What's New in AutoCAD 2011 - In Detail - Part 1

AutoCAD 2011 is out and it has been given several updates.  It seems that recent new AutoCAD releases have had, generally speaking, two major new features added to it.  AutoCAD 2010 had mesh modeling and parametric constraints added to it.  AutoCAD 2009 had the Ribbon and the Action Recorder, though, the Action Recorder has a lot of potential, many users consider it a bust (I don’t, I think it’s great).  Perhaps the same goes for the ribbon as well.  Face it, CAD users don’t like change.  Every release with a major change has had more than its fair share of gripes and groans.

AutoCAD 2011 has two major updates, surface modeling, and a culmination of document tools.  There really isn’t one major new documentation feature (except maybe the transparency setting that is now available,) but instead there are several additions and tweaks that separately are weak, but together make AutoCAD 2011 the best AutoCAD yet!


This is the first article in a series that will closely look at the new features.  I don’t want to give a list of what’s new, but instead, I want to go in-depth and show you each new enhancement.  Some of the articles will cover one new item while others will look at several.  Some new features may even span more than one article.  If you haven’t installed your copy of AutoCAD 2011 yet, do so now.  As a CAD user of over 17 years, this latest release really has me smiling.  Yes I’m an AutoCAD fanboy, but just wait.  Even if you aren’t into the heavy features of AutoCAD (then shame on you for not using the tools you have paid for) you are still going to love the “little things” that are in AutoCAD 2011.

AutoCAD 2011 background & grid are different

Let’s get started.  One of the very first things you may notice in AutoCAD 2011 is the background color.  Yet again Autodesk has seen it fit to change the color, though this time it is more subtle.  It is now a dark gray.  I don’t know why they insist on changing it almost every release, but they do.  It’s ok really, because it is easy enough to change to whatever color you want.  I have a post (click here) that describes the process.  The post is for AutoCAD 2009, but the process is the same for AutoCAD 2011.

Another thing you are going to notice is that there is an actual grid when you turn the grid display feature on!  Out of the box it is on.  Also notice the UCS Icon, it too looks different.  No more cones at the ends, just lines, one for the X Axis and one for the Y Axis.  The grid is colored green on the Y Axis and red on the X Axis.  This is nice because it helps them to stand out, I guess.  This makes the background look more like old fashioned graph paper.  Funny how over the years there have been more and more items in AutoCAD to make its drawings look more “hand drawn” than before.

And since we are on the UCS Icon, the 3D Gizmos have been tweaked a bit too.  Each one is a bit more distinct so that it is easier to tell them apart.  They are also more consistent with their functions.  The axis colors match the UCS icon, and each gizmo looks much more different from the others.  They are still easy to use, go to the Ribbon (in the 3D Modeling Workspace), Home Tab, Subobject Panel.  Expand it, and go to the Gizmo Command.  Select which Gizmo you want to use, now select a 3D object.  The gizmo you picked should pop up.  If not, select the object first, then pick the Gizmo.  Keep the object selected, now pick a different Gizmo, it changes.  If you need to switch between Gizmos, it’s easy.  Just pick the one you want.

The 3D Gizmos

One more highly visible change is in the navigation tools.  By default, there is now a Navigation Bar tool.  This bar has some of the most frequently used navigation tools in it.  It has:  Steering Wheel, View Cube, ShowMotion, Pan, Zoom, and Orbit.  These items used to be in the status bar; they aren’t anymore.  You can turn the navigation bar off and on if it gets in your way.  You can dock the Navigation Bar on the top, bottom, left or right side of the drawing window.  You can also control what navigation tools are displayed.  To change the nav bar, click on the arrow at the bottom of the navigation bar.  This brings up the settings dialog box.  You can also control which version of each command is visible.  Pick which Zoom Command you want to use, though all are available.  The same goes with the orbit command as well as the other tools.  The ViewCube has been enhanced to support the 2D Wireframe view style.  This allows you to rotate your viewport on a two dimensional plane.  One last thing, if you are using a 3D Connexion device, controls for it will show up in the Navigation Bar.

The new Navigation Bar

That’s it for now.  We will get into the other new features and enhancements in later posts.  What have you used so far?  What do you like or dislike about AutoCAD 2011?

Happy Cadding

Revit 2011 recommended Graphics Cards

This is a particularly useful document if you want to know what Graphics Cards are recommended for Revit Architecture 2011.

http://www.autodesk.com/us/revit/revit_graphics_hardware_-_graphics_hardware_list_final.html

Pivot from Microsoft

Microsoft has a labs site, just like every major software firm in the world.  One of their latest additions is Pivot.  Pivot is an interesting concept.  If it takes off, it could help users browse large amounts of data very quickly.  It uses a visual interface system that links groups of data on how they are related.  These groups of data are called Collections.  Each Collection groups, or links, large amounts of single items on the internet.  It does this in a way that we can view them, either as individual bits of information, or as larger amounts.  Microsoft says that Pivot will allow us to see hidden patterns in our data, and maybe even take us to places we didn't even think of.  Could be. 

It is very interesting, and at least fun to play with at first.  Check out the Pivot site for a video of what it looks like.  Pivot Video

Whether or not Pivot will change the way we interface with the internet is too hard to tell at this moment.  I do know that it will be fun to try.  But what do you do with the data once you see it?  How do I get the data out of Pivot and put it in the application I'm using?  It is too early to tell where this product will go.  it may never make it out of the labs.  I will keep my eye on it.

Pivot from Microsoft

Microsoft has a labs site, just like every major software firm in the world.  One of their latest additions is Pivot.  Pivot is an interesting concept.  If it takes off, it could help users browse large amounts of data very quickly.  It uses a visual interface system that links groups of data on how they are related.  These groups of data are called Collections.  Each Collection groups, or links, large amounts of single items on the internet.  It does this in a way that we can view them, either as individual bits of information, or as larger amounts.  Microsoft says that Pivot will allow us to see hidden patterns in our data, and maybe even take us to places we didn't even think of.  Could be. 

It is very interesting, and at least fun to play with at first.  Check out the Pivot site for a video of what it looks like.  Pivot Video

Whether or not Pivot will change the way we interface with the internet is too hard to tell at this moment.  I do know that it will be fun to try.  But what do you do with the data once you see it?  How do I get the data out of Pivot and put it in the application I'm using?  It is too early to tell where this product will go.  it may never make it out of the labs.  I will keep my eye on it.

AutoCAD Invnetor 2011 - Expanding CAD-a-Blog

CAD-a-Blog has primarily been a blog about Tips and Tricks in AutoCAD.  I have dabbled in Impression Tips, and have mentioned other design programs too.  I have decided to move forward.  I want to expand the horizons (and content) of CAD-a-Blog.  I have started down a journey to learn new software.  This will accomplish two main objectives: I will learn new skills, and  I will expand the content of CAD-a-Blog.

The plan is to get my hands on a good training or reference manual and go through it,  As I teach myself to use Inventor, I will blog about it. As I learn, my readers can learn.  As I have questions, I will ask them and you can respond.  Your input will help me along this journey.


I am very excited to get started.  First I will have to install this beast!  The case has seven DVDs in it.  That's because it is the Professional Suite.  Not only does it come with Inventor, but it also had AutoCAD Mechanical.  Should I start there and work my way to Inventor later?  I'm not sure yet.  I want to learn both and I feel that Inventor will be the biggest challenge. 

Have you used either program?  How do you use it?  How was your switch from CAD to Inventor?  How does it compare with other software? (FYI: This is not the only new software I'm trying to learn.)  Should I install Vault?  Are you using Inventor LT?  If so, why LT and not "regular" Inventor? 

If you have written a book that teaches Inventor and/or AutoCAD Mechanical 2011 let me know.  I am interested in seeing it.

I can't wait to get started.

AutoCAD Invnetor 2011 - Expanding CAD-a-Blog

CAD-a-Blog has primarily been a blog about Tips and Tricks in AutoCAD.  I have dabbled in Impression Tips, and have mentioned other design programs too.  I have decided to move forward.  I want to expand the horizons (and content) of CAD-a-Blog.  I have started down a journey to learn new software.  This will accomplish two main objectives: I will learn new skills, and  I will expand the content of CAD-a-Blog.

The plan is to get my hands on a good training or reference manual and go through it,  As I teach myself to use Inventor, I will blog about it. As I learn, my readers can learn.  As I have questions, I will ask them and you can respond.  Your input will help me along this journey.


I am very excited to get started.  First I will have to install this beast!  The case has seven DVDs in it.  That's because it is the Professional Suite.  Not only does it come with Inventor, but it also had AutoCAD Mechanical.  Should I start there and work my way to Inventor later?  I'm not sure yet.  I want to learn both and I feel that Inventor will be the biggest challenge. 

Have you used either program?  How do you use it?  How was your switch from CAD to Inventor?  How does it compare with other software? (FYI: This is not the only new software I'm trying to learn.)  Should I install Vault?  Are you using Inventor LT?  If so, why LT and not "regular" Inventor? 

If you have written a book that teaches Inventor and/or AutoCAD Mechanical 2011 let me know.  I am interested in seeing it.

I can't wait to get started.

Weekend Rant

About a month or two ago I reworked the branding a bit for CAD-a-Blog.  I developed a new logo (never really had an old one) and started using a new template for my blog.  I even started posting again after a long time of neglect.  I soon noticed that my traffic was cut in half?  WHAT?  Where my posts that bad? Probably so.  After further investigation I realized it wasn't my feed traffic that was reduced; it was my search engine traffic.  Hmmm.  After even further investigation I realized that I no longer had any keywords in my meta data.  In fact, I had almost no meta data at all!  YIKES!  I fixed that.  Now let's see if people can find me again.  I hope so.



On another note, but similar in some way, at work I recently became the CAD/IT Manager, due to the former administer leaving.  I have been at the firm for right about a year now.  As is good practice, when one IT manager leaves, the next goes in and changes the passwords, for everybody's sake.  Well I missed one and it was preventing our backup system to run properly.  The point, is that change is good, change is inevitable, but if we don;t do it properly, something is going to skip through the cracks and have a large affect on you, eventually.

Change happens, especially in the CAD industry.  Software changes, it has to, or else the companies producing that product will have nothing else to sell and will die off.  AutoCAD, Revit, Solid Works, Microstation all change.  It is our job as CAD users to change along with it.  That means training.  Training can be supplied by your employer.  It's a good idea to train your employees.  This makes them feel you care about them, even if you don't.  It also makes them better.  I've known of employers that didn't train for that reason.  They felt that giving their employees more skills meant they were more marketable.  If you are an employer, ignore this feeling.  You will benefit the most if your employees are well trained.  The best way to keep your employees is to keep them happy.  Training is one thing you can do.  More pay is another.

Training is expensive.  So is inefficiency.  Inefficiency will kill moral and a budget.  It always pays to do things right the first time.  Sure it often takes longer and costs more in the beginning, but that time, and more, will be spent later on in the life of a project. 

In conclusion, take time to train yourself even if you have to pay for it.  If you don't, then the next will and will take your job.  An employer loves hiring a person that already knows what he or she is doing.  I know keeping up with a new release of your favorite CAD software every year is tough, but it is necessary.  That's why I am here to help.  Come to CAD-a-Blog for great tips.  And if that isn't enough, hire me to train you!

It's always good to know what you are doing.

Weekend Rant

About a month or two ago I reworked the branding a bit for CAD-a-Blog.  I developed a new logo (never really had an old one) and started using a new template for my blog.  I even started posting again after a long time of neglect.  I soon noticed that my traffic was cut in half?  WHAT?  Where my posts that bad? Probably so.  After further investigation I realized it wasn't my feed traffic that was reduced; it was my search engine traffic.  Hmmm.  After even further investigation I realized that I no longer had any keywords in my meta data.  In fact, I had almost no meta data at all!  YIKES!  I fixed that.  Now let's see if people can find me again.  I hope so.



On another note, but similar in some way, at work I recently became the CAD/IT Manager, due to the former administer leaving.  I have been at the firm for right about a year now.  As is good practice, when one IT manager leaves, the next goes in and changes the passwords, for everybody's sake.  Well I missed one and it was preventing our backup system to run properly.  The point, is that change is good, change is inevitable, but if we don;t do it properly, something is going to skip through the cracks and have a large affect on you, eventually.

Change happens, especially in the CAD industry.  Software changes, it has to, or else the companies producing that product will have nothing else to sell and will die off.  AutoCAD, Revit, Solid Works, Microstation all change.  It is our job as CAD users to change along with it.  That means training.  Training can be supplied by your employer.  It's a good idea to train your employees.  This makes them feel you care about them, even if you don't.  It also makes them better.  I've known of employers that didn't train for that reason.  They felt that giving their employees more skills meant they were more marketable.  If you are an employer, ignore this feeling.  You will benefit the most if your employees are well trained.  The best way to keep your employees is to keep them happy.  Training is one thing you can do.  More pay is another.

Training is expensive.  So is inefficiency.  Inefficiency will kill moral and a budget.  It always pays to do things right the first time.  Sure it often takes longer and costs more in the beginning, but that time, and more, will be spent later on in the life of a project. 

In conclusion, take time to train yourself even if you have to pay for it.  If you don't, then the next will and will take your job.  An employer loves hiring a person that already knows what he or she is doing.  I know keeping up with a new release of your favorite CAD software every year is tough, but it is necessary.  That's why I am here to help.  Come to CAD-a-Blog for great tips.  And if that isn't enough, hire me to train you!

It's always good to know what you are doing.

Another point trick - host by intersection

I can’t take credit for this; but this little gem was pointed out to me by my colleague Greg Schleusner from the New York office; its the ability to have a point hosted by it intersection. What this means is that you might have a point hosted on a line, but you could use another line, level, reference plane,reference line or point to drive the position of the point along the line its hosted on. The video hopefully explains this; I have avoided any form of voice over, because I’ve actually lost me voice!This works for 2010 as well as 2011. This has got huge potential, I will work on a good use of this over the next week or so and post this when I’m done.

Revit 2011 User Assistance

Be sure to check out the Revit 2011 User Assistance, some every useful stuff here.

http://docs.autodesk.com/REVIT/2011/ENU/landing.html

So Revit Architecture 2011 is finally here

As noted yesterday, RAC 2011 is available for download from the subscription Centre. Its a fairly heavy download, all 2.6 gigs worth of it, but its worth the wait!!

It can also be downloaded from the Autodesk website

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=14973244

After all of the excitement of the trip to the Autodesks Offices in Waltham last week, I got a rather nasty flu bug which was knocked me out for the last 6 days! Mind you, if Autodesk had decided to hold the event this week, I would have been stuck in New York as the UK is currently a no fly zone. This is due to a Volcano in Iceland spitting out ash into the atmosphere and this has drifted into the UK airspace. Aeroplanes and Volcanic ash don’t seem to make a good mix!

I’ve been helping James Vandezande on a section on concept curtain walling for the forthcoming “Mastering Revit Architecture 2011” he, Phil Read and Eddie C are working on. I managed to get the draft over to James on Thursday after some initial edits. I believe its been forwarded to the technical editor to pull part! I’ve seen some of the sections and I reckon it will be an awesome book when its finally published. Get your Amazon orders in now!

Cadalyst Magazine - The Future of Software for AEC? Autodesk's Direction Offers Some Clues

Cadalyst Magazine Editor in Che if, Nancy Spurling Johnson takes a look at Autodesk's recently released 2011 line of products and what it could mean for the design industry.

You can read the full article here:

Nancy takes a look at some of the items revealed to her at AEC Tech Day.  Take a look at the article, you may find something in it for your industry.

Cadalyst Magazine - The Future of Software for AEC? Autodesk's Direction Offers Some Clues

Cadalyst Magazine Editor in Che if, Nancy Spurling Johnson takes a look at Autodesk's recently released 2011 line of products and what it could mean for the design industry.

You can read the full article here:

Nancy takes a look at some of the items revealed to her at AEC Tech Day.  Take a look at the article, you may find something in it for your industry.

AutoCAD Fundamentals Training Video now Available

AutoCAD Fundamentals

AutoCAD Fundamentals

AutoCAD is an industry standard design and documentation software program that is easy to learn, but complex to master. In this video training CD, expert author Brian Benton takes you through the fundamentals of AutoCAD and gives you the tools you need to be on your way to becoming a fully functioning AutoCAD user. Starting with the basics of installation, Brian quickly teaches you the basics, and then dives right into applying them, with a chapter project that reviews everything you have learned in each section. Using a hands on approach, Brian allows you to more quickly learn how to apply the material, increasing your retention and understanding of AutoCAD. By the completion of this over 9.5 hour tutorial, you will be familiar and comfortable with AutoCAD, and capable of drawing, decorating and annotating an AutoCAD project. Also included are work files to allow you to work along side the author, and further understand what he is showing you, step by step.

Click here to Purchase this training Video

What You Will Learn

AutoCAD Fundamentals Training Video now Available

AutoCAD Fundamentals

AutoCAD Fundamentals

AutoCAD is an industry standard design and documentation software program that is easy to learn, but complex to master. In this video training CD, expert author Brian Benton takes you through the fundamentals of AutoCAD and gives you the tools you need to be on your way to becoming a fully functioning AutoCAD user. Starting with the basics of installation, Brian quickly teaches you the basics, and then dives right into applying them, with a chapter project that reviews everything you have learned in each section. Using a hands on approach, Brian allows you to more quickly learn how to apply the material, increasing your retention and understanding of AutoCAD. By the completion of this over 9.5 hour tutorial, you will be familiar and comfortable with AutoCAD, and capable of drawing, decorating and annotating an AutoCAD project. Also included are work files to allow you to work along side the author, and further understand what he is showing you, step by step.

Click here to Purchase this training Video

What You Will Learn

Revit 2011 – subscription download

It would seem that Autodesk Revit Architecture 2011 is available for download from the subscription centre, download all 2.68gigs of Revit 2011!