 SACAC turns 50, with World Congress ahead by Dr. Fernando Camisani-Calzari, president, SACAC
As the South African Council for Automation and Control celebrates its 50th year of existence, preparations for the 2014 IFAC World Congress in Cape Town are proceeding well... ( more) |
 In conversation with Karel Pienaar, MD, MTNHans van de Groenendaal in conversation with Karel Pienaar
In many conversations about cellular networks the discussion drifts to dropped calls. In my conversation with Karel Pienaar, MD of Mobile Telephone Networks (MTN) we did eventually get around to this... ( more) |
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Convergence rapidly becoming a reality in SA
Information from Nashua Mobile
The convergence of voice and data as well as fixed-line and mobile solutions has finally started to become a reality in SA. Convergence is bringing a host of benefits to consumers and businesses alike, according to Andy Baker, CEO Nashua Mobile... ( more) |
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Global study: Cloud computing poised for company take-off
Information from IBM
A new IBM study of more than 3000 global CIOs shows that 60% of organisations are ready to embrace cloud computing over the next five years as a means of growing their businesses and achieving competitive advantage... ( more) |
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Rising corporate cybercrime highlights IT security failure
by Mark Eardley, SuperVision Biometric Systems
In response to astonishing losses caused by corporate cybercrime, we must review how corporate IT systems are accessed and activities authorised within them... ( more) |
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Mobile radio goes digital
by Hans van de Groenendaal, EngineerIT
The mobile radio industry or public mobile radio (PMR) is rapidly changing from FM to digital - driven by the demands of both the private and public sector... ( more) |
DMR Tier 2 & 3's advantages over Tetra and dPMR
by Monique Princeon and George Spencer, Emcom
Digital mobile radio (DMR) is an European Telecommunications Standards Institute digital mobile radio standard for professional mobile radio users worldwide. It provides voice and data services and operates in existing channel spacing bands... ( more |
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Electronic signatures: technology, methods and authentication
Information from Brand New Technologies
Electronic signature capture is a technology for signing electronic document files with a handwritten signature. The use of this technology allows for the complete elimination of the mailing, storage, filing, copying, and retrieval of paper documents...
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The silver lining: How engineers can use the cloud
by Rick Kuhlman, National Instruments, USA
Engineers have one very keen sense in life and that is to ferret out usefulness from perceived buzz. Subsequently, we somehow exist on the cutting edge and in the Stone Age at the same time... ( more) |
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When SIL suitability is required for final control elements
by Riyaz Ali, Emerson Process Management, United Arab Emirates
Final control elements (control valves or safety shut down valves) are the key components of any closed loop control system, whether used for a basic process control system or for a safety instrumented system... ( more) |
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Wireless solutions for automation and controls
by Hans van de Groenendaal, EngineerIT
The business benefits of wireless solutions for automation and control are well known. However security is always a concern when implementing wireless connectivity... ( more) |
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Process Expo 2011 - industrial shows still work
by Hans van de Groenendaal, EngineerIT
The recent Process Expo 2011 proved that although interactive websites, e-newsletters, Facebook, Twitter and magazine advertising are important channels, with an integrated approach industrial shows can be even more successful... ( more) |
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Calibration of thermometers
by Hennie Blignaut, Endress+Hauser
Temperature is the most frequently measured parameter in process automation worldwide. In order to be able to uniformly define and check the accuracy of the measurement it was necessary to establish worldwide calibrating standards... ( more) |
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Neural network based predictors in seabed depth measurement
by Ghedhban Swadi, Dave Holifield, University of Wales Institute, and Ivan Jordanov, University of Portsmouth
Neural network-based prediction algorithms have been applied to many different applications, including speech and pattern recognition. Some of these algorithms have been tested on a sonar seabed mapping application using simulation platform... ( more) |
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Mixed-signal programmable ICs enable one-chip motion control
by Wendy Lockhart, Microsemi
Embedded-system designers may aspire to a single-chip solution to their problem, but rarely get very close to achieving it. Real world interfaces demand analogue circuitry for signal-conditioning and power control... ( more) |
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Microcontrollers vs. FPGAs
by Hans van de Groenendaal, EngineerIT
When discussing applications and advantages of microcontrollers vs. FPGAs, the general perception was that microcontrollers and field-programmable gate arrays can do more or less the same thing. The internet provided similar information... ( more) |
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Is lighting now in the mood for OLED?
by Jeanine Chrobak-Kando, Verbatim
Organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) now appear in a host of commercial electronics applications, most commonly in car radio displays in high-end cars, tablet PCs, mobile phones and other consumer gadgets... ( more) |
| Telecoms developments in Africa
compiled by Matthew White, Iona Press Services
- Record earnings for Bharti Airtel
- MTN Ghana commissions sub-marine cable system
- Safaricom's revenue rise allays price-war fears
- Malawi regulator grants fourth mobile operating licence
- Nigeria's Starcomms invests US$9-million in network expansion
- Rwanda government set to roll out third ICT plan
- Major public-private venture to extend Tanzania's ICT backbone
- Ethiopia building US412-million oil data repository
- Angolan mobile internet users approach 2-million... (more)
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Industry and institute news
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| Amateur radio: RaDAR - disaster relief communication?
RaDAR is not radar in the traditional sense of the word. Radar refers to detecting distant objects. Rapid deployment amateur radio (RaDAR) refers to the flexibility to enable radio communication under difficult conditions, without external resources... ( more) |
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