Gadgets4geeks

• Connecting your laptop to a large screen is now easier
• Loud and clear
• Enhanced features for smartpen… (more)

Telecoms developments in Africa

• Internet services “could contribute 10% of Africa’s GDP by 2025”
• MTN to sell its towers in Zambia and Rwanda
• Nigeria opens wholesale broadband spectrum licence to bidders
• Kenyan telcos fail compliance test
• Cellcom claims delivery of 4G technology to rural Liberia
• Zimbabwe banks push for mobile banking policy
• Somali optical fibre installation halted after disagreement
• Fast economic growth to boost Ugandan telecoms competition
• Looming digital switchover creates headaches for Cameroon… (more)

Amateur radio celebrates 30 years of manned space flights

Thirty years ago, Owen Garriott pioneered amateur radio communication from Space on his historic STS-9 flight from the space shuttle Columbia. Launched on 28 November 1983, Garriott was part of the six man crew that performed 24-hours a day international science investigation on the STS-9 Spacelab-1 mission… (more)

Graphene – miracle material?

Is graphene a new miracle material that will resolve stumbling blocks in electronics and the internet world? Two universities, continents apart, believe so… (more)

Antenna matching for RFID reader

This article describes the design method for determining an antenna matching circuit. While there are an infinite number of possible impedance matching networks, this application example focuses on a 50 O three element match. A three-element match is recommended as it allows the designer to select the required antenna quality factor, Q, for the application… (more)

Accelerating the design of radio astronomy instruments

When it is complete, the MeerKAT array in South Africa’s Karoo region will include 64 antenna dishes, making it the largest and most sensitive radio telescope in the southern hemisphere. As a forerunner to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), slated for completion in 2024, MeerKAT will be used by scientists worldwide on a range of research projects, including observing neutral hydrogen gas and molecular hydrogen levels in the early universe; the physics of enigmatic neutron stars; and the nature and behavior of pulsars, dark matter, and the cosmic web… (more)

Choosing the right analysis tools for measurement systems

Raw data is not always the best way to communicate useful information. Data transformations like removing signal noise, compensation for environmental effects like temperature and humidity, and calibration for equipment error are needed to help turn raw data into useful data… (more)

Protect your assets

Make sure you understand the do’s and don’ts of process safety, including safety instrumented systems, PLC redundancy, fieldbus technology, field devices, standards and employee skills. Changes in technology have led to a variety of recent developments in process safety, with many suppliers releasing new systems that depart from the past significantly. These do’s and don’ts can help you choose the right safety-instrumented system for your process… (more)

Two industrial worlds have merged

Traditionally, the worlds of PLC, motion control and control technology on one hand, with measurement technology and “lab applications” on the other, have diverged when it comes to data entry and processing in an industrial environment. Yet divergence always means having to use additional interfaces, which leads to restrictions on efficiency and operating convenience… (more)

Comparison of Class 1 surge protective devices

Lightning current arresters for low-voltage power systems are usually designed and tested only for use in AC power systems. The performance and operational behaviour of a surge protective device, connected to an AC power system, can be completely different to the performance and operational behaviour of the same surge protective device connected to a DC power system… (more)

Eliminate software disasters with a self-repairing OS

Although reliance on computers is now ubiquitous, in the industrial context these machines are literally of capital significance. Automated system crashes due to software failures are not mere annoyances; they are destructive events that cost money and may threaten a business’ survival… (more)

Lightning protection – start with a risk analysis

Lightning is a serious issue which is often under-estimated until faced with its disastrous consequences. Protection against this severe energy source requires professional equipment, professionally installed. Simply buying a few protector plugs or multi-plug extensions from the hardware store could well finish off whatever electrical and computer equipment is indoors, connected to the mains or not!… (more)

Is the commercial use of HPC lagging in SA?

South Africa is not lagging behind when it comes to the world of high performance computing. The Cape Town-based Centre of High Performance Computing (CHPC) has an impressive track record, although mostly in the sphere of academia. When it comes to commercial applications there appears to be a lack of interest. Is that because the CHPC focusses more on research projects like its flagship project at the Centre for Space Research at the North-West University in Potchefstroom with Prof. Marius Potgieter? Or is there a lack of interest from industry? Perhaps red tape issues prevent industry from utilising the facilities?… (more)

Q&A: Ask an expert…about measurement

Mike Weidenmann of Wika Instruments answers questions such as: What is a magnetic snap-action contact?… (more)

Software defined everything – a step closer to capacity trading?

The buzz around software defined storage; networking and security are sparking new concerns in businesses. The terms software defined storage (SDS), software defined networking (SDN) and even software defined security and firewalls are being bandied around a great deal lately, sparking concern among those who aren’t clear on what the terms mean… (more)

Virtual panel discussion: Is fibre-to-the-home for the elite only?

Fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) is currently a serious discussion point in many sectors of the communications industry in South Africa. We all know that it is costly, particularly for a widespread population… (more)

In conversation with Dr Stephen Mncube

Working with a constant change of ministers, one more dysfunctional than the other and a Department of Communications (DoC) that was leaderless yet had a direct say in the funding of ICASA, could not have been easy for Dr. Mncube. It is a well-known fact that the agency has been underfunded for a long time; a situation that now seems to have been recognised by government. But for a long time is was very difficult to appoint the right level of staff to fill all the vacancies or even keep staff with experience… (more)

Tshwane Metro metering contract branded “blatantly corrupt”

On 5 December 2013, Afrikaans business rights watchdog organisation, AfriSake, initiated court proceedings to prevent a contract between the City of Tshwane (Pretoria) and private service provider PEU Capital Partners (Pty) Ltd (PEU) from proceeding. The contract, with service fees to PEU estimated to be in excess of R27-billion over the contract period, was established in May 2013, when the City of Tshwane approved a 10-year arrangement to outsource its entire electricity metering and revenue collection activity to a private company, PEU… (more)

Is the electronic manufacturing industry in SA dead?

Despite tough times, the manufacturing industry has seen some improvement over the last 18 months. The market remains very competitive, with many companies competing for a limited number of customers. The majority of the electronic manufacturing in South Africa is either for local companies (many of whom export their products) or for international companies, for local consumption. Even though there is a good base of local companies having their products manufactured in South Africa, it is imperative that the industry’s pool of customers expands, and that will require looking for new opportunities beyond our borders… (more)