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The increase in the use of composite structures and components is revealing some contiguous consequences for the design of electrical systems: a) reduced electrical shielding and its effects on EMI compatibility, and b) the absence of electrical capacity from global electrical grounds. The first consequence can be mitigated by carefully following best practices for EMI compatibility, allowing for the weight and cost for shielding and other necessary components. The second consequence has been discovered in other industries. Supply and ground circuits must now be carefully planned and risk-analyzed because the power delivery circuits interact. Supply circuits are now more subject to voltage drops across supply and ground lines. Regulated supply voltage levels may interact; an unexpected dropout in one of several supplies can potentially affect all others.

Engineers and bankers measure efficiency differently; this is reasonable since their performance is measured differently. This analogy alludes to the many ways in which optical transmission and processing efficiency are measured. Efficiency is measured by the user, and can be optimized for one or a few metrics at once. It has been theoretically established that optical data transmission is more efficient than electrical data transmission, in units of energy per bit. Use of optical fiber and networking techniques open the potential of greatly increased speed and capacity. The telecommunications and computer industries are leading the way in use of new technology. The avionics industry follows, fulfilling more stringent environmental and reliability requirements. Inclusion of other types of constraints can sometimes confound observed efficiencies based solely on optical performance.