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.

ELECTRIC, GAS, AND SANITARY SERVICES, Research, Management, Integrated circuits, Column, Electric power generation, Public utilities, Activism, Political protest, Electric power production, Electric potential, Electric Power Research Institute, Power Systems, Utilities, Political Issue, Transmission Lines, Voltage, Phase Modulation

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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.

Semiconductors and related devices, Computer peripheral equipment, not elsewhere classified, Semiconductor industry, Product development, Microprocessor, CPUs (Central processing units), Intel Corp., INTC, Microprocessors, Design and construction, Science and technology policy, United States. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental policy, Product introduction, Design, Environmental protection, Power supplies (Computers), Trends, New Technique, Power Supply, Cost of Operation

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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.

Telephone communications, exc. radio, Evaluation, Product defects and recalls, Services, Telecommunications services industry, Telecommunications industry, T, Long distance telephone services, Long-distance telephone service, American Telephone and Telegraph Co., Reliability (Trustworthiness), Reliability, Telecommunications, Failure

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