Phil Sutterlin, Electrical Engineer from CA, wrote: I have 3 computers at work, for different uses. - I use an Apple Mac for email, for keeping track of correspondence or specs for projects, and for preparing presentations for training seminars [Using Power Point]t. Another is a SUN work station - a UNIX computer. With this, I simulate electrical circuits that I design. Before building them, I design a model on this computer. When it looks like it will work the way I want it to, I go to the lab and build a real one. The third computer is a laptop, which I take on trips to do expense reports or to hook up to external boxes to monitor our communications over power lines. I have an adapter and can plug it in anywhere.
For designing the electrical circuits, I use a packaged software called Cadence , which runs a kind of program called Analog Workbench. On the screen, I can select different resistors, capacitors, batteries, inductors, diodes, transistors--in other words, various components. Then I wire them up right there on the screen. I can type in what value of resistance is desired after selecting the resistor. The program can calculate things either way, so it can tell you what you need in what is called the optimizer option. For this, you can put down components which components you want to use, then put in variables for some of them, instruct the program how you want the circuit to behave, and ask it to tell you the values needed that would do work.
For more trials, I have what is called a “Monte Carlo: tool. If building a circuit for real in the lab, the one model built may not be an exact accurate representation. You need to verify or to check the computers predictions. However, In the lab, the parts aren’t all made perfectly. Even though you want to buy something with exactly 1000 ohms, for example, there may be something like a 5 % tolerance level in production specifications. So, as you design the circuit, you want to know if you build 1 million, if they will all work okay. Then I use this Monte Carlo, (random, chance) tool to “build” 1000 simulated circuits on the computer, giving the computer the tolerance to work within. So, sometimes the computer will test the circuit with exactly 1000 ohms, but the next time use 1090, then 990, 1050, etc. Each time it remeasures and recomputes what would happen It simulates repeatedly, selecting the resistor and slightly different values, so you can predict what would happen when you actually produce the circuit which you have designed.
After I design them, some of the things these electrical circuits be used in:
- systems that communicate over power lines
- an amplifier to make bigger a signal
- a filter--to filter out some of the “noise” on signals.
The computer is also used to design a “chip.” Unlike when you build the electrical circuit, each time you work on a small chip, or an integrated circuit, you can’t go out and solder one together in the lab, so you need to make sure you do it right first on computer, since the first chip built would be very expense to correct. So, I do Lots of the simulations for that before the chip is built.
Gregory Skarda, BBN, Maritime Systems, wrote:As a scientist and engineer, the computer is an essential part of my daily work. I have used a variety of computers and operating systems over the years to do everything from demanding, real-time SONAR signal processing and display to report generation with word processors. Several years ago, I used special purpose computer systems to address each task I was doing separately. In the last few years, the modern PC has become so powerful and flexible that it can fulfill all of my processing needs. Standard PC's now process SONAR signals from acoustic sensors in the ocean in real time and display the results to a scientist or SONAR operator using the familiar Microsoft Windows look-and-feel. That same PC also provides me with a network connection to the Internet so I can send and receive e-mail or browse the World Wide Web. This connectivity allows me to stay in touch with customers, coworkers, and the SONAR industry. Other PC applications enable me to prepare the reports and proposals that are essential to fulfilling contract requirements and getting new business. Project tracking software allows me to keep contracts on time and on budget. Being able to accomplish all of this using a single computer platform has greatly simplified my daily work life.
Susan Shaw, civil engineer, wrote:I work as a civil engineer for a state highway agency (Virginia Department of Transportation). In addition to the usual office applications (we use Microsoft for word processing, email, spreadsheets, etc.) We use computers for a number of technical applications. Almost all roadway plans are prepared electronically using CADD software (computer aided drafting and design). In addition, many computations such as design for drainage structures, etc. are done using PC's.
The biggest changes in computer applications right now are occurring in nontechnical areas of computer use. In a few months, all time sheet data entry and requests and approvals for leave will be accomplished on computers and across a network. An employee requesting leave will process a leave request that will go straight to their supervisor's computer for approval or denial.
The VDOT is also in the process of launching a new employee evaluation process. This will include peer review that will be done on the computer network. Each employee will receive input from coworkers, supervisors, and customers. These changes will make computers a necessity for every employees job, since every employee needs to submit a time sheet, request leave, and be evaluated. Before these changes, only certain jobs required computer usage. It will be interesting to see how we all adapt to these new changes!
Dave Pope, VA, wrote:There are several different ways that I use computers in my daily work. I use a Word Processing program to record comments on documents that I review. Sometimes I receive an electronic file containing comments prepared by others and I merge those and the ones I have generated together into a final set of comments concerning a specific document.
I use a computer and its spreadsheet program to prepare a table of data particularly tables that have calculations where the data is summed or otherwise manipulated.
I frequently review schedules . I use the computer to access the detailed data stored in an electronic file to be able to see more of the data than can be presented in the summarized form. Then, I can form conclusions about what may need attention.
I generally use a computer to prepare a presentation program or briefing. In all of my work I communicate by electronic mail. I draft messages that I send to coworkers whether local or out of town. I send electronic files as attachments to some of these.