Combating theft of non-ferrous metal shifts into top gear
by Rens Bindeman, SA Revenue Protection Association
It is now time for everyone in South Africa to take cognisance of the fact that we should all play a role in the combating of non-ferrous thefts... ( more)
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In conversation with Mike le Plastrier, Invensys by Hans van de Groenendaal, EngineerIT When I recently did research on ruggedised and embedded computing systems for the industrial environment I spoke with Mike Le Plastrier, divisional director of Invensys Operations Management, an EOH company... ( more) |
Robotics in industry - an exploration
Compiled by Hans van de Groenendaal, EngineerIT
In this virtual panel discussion on robotics, we take the lid off some of the mysteries that many believe surround these useful combinations of electronics, metal and software... (more)
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Intelligent automation drives business processes
by Garth Hayward, Kaseya Africa
Businesses constantly look to IT and technology to drive down costs and improve productivity through greater efficiencies. By hosting software and services in the cloud, businesses are also able to benefit from intelligent automation... ( more)
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South Africa is not ready for changes to the Companies Act
by Tim Marshall, Trifecta Capital Services
New legislation which comes into force next year relating to amendments to the Articles of Association for companies has far-reaching implications for the conduct of business in the boardroom... ( more)
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Active antennas improve mobile network performance
by Hans van de Groenendaal, EngineerIT Conventionally, expanding the capacity of mobile networks has been achieved mainly by adding more base stations to the existing infrastructure. However, this has impeded the expansion of mobile broad band... ( more)
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Software security is an end-to-end process
by Leon Watkins, Altech ISISThe security of software is threatened at various points in its life cycle, both by intentional choices and actions taken by "insiders" who are producing, deploying, operating, or maintaining the software, and by "outsiders" who have no affiliation with the organisation... ( more)
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How will the SKA impact on residents of the astronomy advantage area? by Hans van de Groenendaal, EngineerIT
South Africa's new Astronomy Geographic Advantage Act protects 12,5-million hectares in the Northern Cape as a radio astronomy reserve to ensure the future of radio astronomy in the region. The question is - how will it affect people living in the area? Will they still have acces to TV, radio, cellphones and to the internet?... (more)
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Satellite myths debunked
by Hans van de Groenendaal, EngineerIT
I agree that submarine and terrestrial fibre has brought broadband to the masses in the metropolitan areas but those on the "platteland" are sadly passed by. For them there must be other solutions - satellites being one... (more)
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TV white spaces for inexpensive broadband? by Hans van de Groenendaal, EngineerIT
Due to potential interference, the TV band usually has unused spectrum in between any two stations which seems a waste of valuable spectrum that could be utilised to provide broadband connectivity, particularly in rural areas... (more)
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Graphical system design accelerates system development
by Norma Dorst, National Instruments, Australia
In the global arena, companies are encountering nimble competitors able to compete on multiple fronts simultaneously. To get ahead of these disruptive forces, engineers must shed ideological thinking and focus on pragmatic outcomes... (more)
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Ensuring a quality VoIP service by Rob Lith and David Meintjes, Connection Telecom Quality is a fundamental preoccupation of VoIP architects. The primary challenge is ensuring voice traffic is not delayed or otherwise compromised due to interference from non-voice traffic on the network... ( more)
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Space mining application for South African mining robotics
by Michael Neale, Hatch Africa
Many authors agree that mining space resources and the settlement of space would require extensive use of robotics. This paper explores the notion that future South African mining robotics could make the country a key player in the space mining industry... (more)
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Types of data acquisition architectures
Information from Agilent Technologies, USA There are a number of test equipment choices in the data acquisition market, ranging from PC plug-in cards to standalone data acquisition units. To select the optimal equipment for your application, it is important for you to... ( more) |
Miniaturisation in pressure measurement technology
by Daniel Hofer and Bernhard Vetterli, Keller, Germany
OEM transmitters are "embedded": the sensor and the downstream electronics are embedded in the same housing, and the transmitter capsules themselves are ideally suited for embedding in application-specific systems... (more)
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Laser out-performs chemically manufactured RF circuit boards
by David Power, Cadshop Microwave printed-circuit board (PCB) prototypes can be quickly and cost-effectively produced in-house by means of any number of commercial mechanical milling machines or chemical etching. A faster and more accurate approach, however, is to perform the etching and machining by laser... ( more) |
The growing importance of power supply efficiencies
by David Norton, Vepac ElectronicsMany factors are driving designers to improve power supply efficiency - from going green to simple rand and cent. Simply put, power supply efficiency is measured by comparing the AC power going into the power supply to the DC power coming out of the supply... ( more)
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Amateur Radio: Radio amateurs get a new band
by Hans van de Groenendaal, EngineerIT In February 2012, at the World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) a new world-wide frequency band for amateur radio was born: 472 - 479 kHz, destined to be known as the 630 kHz band... (more)
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Telecoms Developments in Africa
Compiled by Matthew White, Iona Press Services
- Lack of infrastructure, skills causes Africa to lag in ICT
- Angola's Movicel launches fourth-generation network
- UBA grants Benin US$50-million for telecoms, power projects
- Kenya Telkom's LION2 submarine cable goes live
- Liberia prepares for faster, more affordable internet
- Government cronies lobby for NITEL assets
- Local government in Rwanda set to step up ICT use
- Huawei seeking to build landline system in South Sudan
- Tanzania signs US$6,7-million internet deal with Rwanda
- Uganda's "not closing down" UTL... (more)
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Gadgets 4 Geeks- Not a phone, not a tablet but a hybrid of both
- A complete system dedicated to in-car calls and music
- You can be hands-free in the office too
- Ergosensor monitors posture... (more)
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