Smoothing the flow of electricity in bulk
Article Abstract:
Phase shifting may be the answer to failure and switching problems in electricity transmission by applying computer-age technology to an antiquated system. Phase shifting uses a thyristor, a silicon-based device in development at the Electrical Power Research Institute, performing switching functions at high speed, to replace manual switches that are unreliable since they wear out quickly and cannot convert electricity transmission as readily as needed to change voltage. The thyristor can change a phase angle in an instant by opening and closing when needed. Thyristors also have applications in controlling impedance to increase the amount of electricity that can be transmitted across a line and to stabilize the voltage. Innovations such a thyristors may also solve the political problems of power distribution by increasing electrical systems' capacity.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: News, opinion and commentary
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1992
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Desktop catnaps may become a trend
Article Abstract:
Several semiconductor companies are developing microprocessors that will let computers components sleep in between various tasks. The Environmental Protection Agency has negotiated agreements with manufacturers of monitors, disk drives and other peripherals to make parts that accept the 'sleep mode' microprocessors. Some components would be pre-set to turn of after ten minutes of non-use. Other components may be able to shut off in between every keystroke. The EPA says that the energy consumption of computers is already too high, accounting for 5 percent of commercial energy use. The savings from sleep mode microprocessors could amount to $1 billion a year in electricity by the end of the decade.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: News, opinion and commentary
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1992
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Experts say a new system may have 'crashed' phones
Article Abstract:
Engineers for AT and T think they have discovered the problem that caused its long-distance service to partially shut down. The fault appears to be in the software that controls the signalling system that carries information other than voices over the telephone. So called 'out-of-band signaling' helps to route the call, as well as carry information about the call, such as the telephone numbers of the parties making and receiving it. To fix the problem, engineers had to create overriding software that could circumvent the bug in the existing system. AT and T has had software problems in the past, but nothing as severe as this failure.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: News, opinion and commentary
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1990
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