 The magic of water and our temperature standards
by John Wilson, AMS
For most of us, when we want some water, we simply open the tap. We are privileged to still be one of the few countries in the world where most of our tap water is drinkable and of high quality. However, the "magic" of water I am referring... (more)
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Convergence is not for sissies (full stop)
by Peter Walsh, CommsCloud The move to all-IP networks has been underway for quite some time. Convergence is happening and the reasons why it should do so are well understood. Yet many South African businesses continue to run multiple voice and data... ( more) |
 Q&A: What to look for in a GSM, HSPA or LTE antenna
by Christopher Viveiros, GM Otto Wireless Solutions
Christopher Viveiros explores the importance of antenna choice, balancing the cost of a quality product against the hidden risks of runaway costs and lack of communication when using inferior "imitation" products... ( more)
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 Data archiving: transforming data into your most useful asset
by Bryan Balfe, CommVault
True to the analogy of the treasure trove in "Aladdin's Cave", many organisations are trying to control a wealth of potentially valuable data that is piling up in gigantic, unstructured heaps. For many companies, the current approach involves... ( more)
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 The internet of things: limited only by our imaginations
by Vishal Barapatre, In2IT Technologies
The term "the internet of things" (IoT) has emerged as an umbrella concept encompassing many different trends and innovations. However, amid all the hype, and the confusion, we are starting to see how the future of connected devices can be used to... ( more) |
 Deploying networks in municipalities
Information from WAPA
Following a recent string of legal battles between municipalities and several telecommunications companies, most notably the judgement of the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) in favour of Dark Fibre Africa (DFA) over the Msunduzi municipality... ( more)
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Panel discussion: the internet of things - hype or real?
Compiled by Hans van de Groenendaal, EE Publishers
The internet of things - are all the great things we read about real or hype? Can this be compared to when cloud appeared on the scene, and everything changed being "in the cloud"? We invited some industry experts to discuss a number of questions that are commonly asked. Here are their opinions: Wikipedia identifies... (more) |
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Information from Beijer Electronics
The variety of human machine interfaces (HMIs) or operator panels in the market that claim "rugged" makes it hard to see what rugged really means. A myriad of ratings, standards and laws are referenced, but what do they entail? Rugged implies something tough and durable; strongly built and designed to operate in harsh ... ( more) |
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Wireless and M2M communication in industry
Information from Wonderware SA
One of the reasons we're alive is because our immune systems know a lot more about keeping us that way than we do. If we contracted a virus and our antibodies had to get our consent before springing into action, we'd be dead in minutes - far quicker than it would take us... ( more)
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LVDT linear position sensors - subsea measurement applications
Information from Macro Sensors
The LVDT linear position sensor, when hermetically sealed and constructed of special alloys, is often the only technology that can deliver accurate and reliable performance in challenging subsea conditions. Subsea water conditions are one of the most difficult areas for a sensor to perform, especially when performance life of as much as... (more)
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Why magnetic rotary encoders?
by Vince Owens, Future Electronics Advanced Engineering Group
There are many applications for which you must know the position of a shaft relative to some starting point, or just relative to its last known position. This is traditionally done using a linear taper potentiometer, or, for motor control, multiple Hall effect sensors. We have also had sensors for quite some time called optical... ( more)
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Analogue techniques for longer battery life
by Kevin Tretter, Microchip Technology
Getting the maximum lifetime out of a battery requires an understanding of three key factors: battery technologies, digital power management and low-power analogue techniques. Whilst most designers are familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of different battery chemistries and with digital power control, they may be less familiar with the role...
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The V&A Waterfront the most connected place to be
by Wolf Stinnes, Dimension Data Middle East and Africa
The V&A Waterfront in Cape Town is said to be the most visited tourist attraction in South Africa, and now also the most connected place to be. The author shares how the vision of the various role players, extensive planning and some unique underwater construction made it happen. The winter of 2011 was particularly wet... (more)
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Aerospace technology: Fluids in Space - shaken not stirred by Hans van de Groenendaal, features editor, EngineerIT
The next time you pour yourself a glass of water, pause before you drink it. First, swirl the clear liquid around the glass. Gently slosh it back and forth. Tap the glass on the tabletop, and watch the patterns that form on the surface. "Now imagine the same exercise in zero gravity... ( more) |
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Compiled by Pierre Potgieter, EE Publishers
- Emergence of a digital Ivory Coast
- VimpelCom and Global Telecom sel interest in Omnium
- GTH reorganisation and cost optimisation
- TNM acquires ISP
- Airtel Kenya reduce roaming rates
- Tanzanian's mobile money service
- Ugandans prefer mobile phones to banks
- Millicom joins GSMA's mobile health partnership... (more)
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Amateur radio: 16-year-old to coordinate amateur radio activity for young people
by Hans van de Groenendaal ZS6AKV, South African Radio League
The South African Radio League (SARL) has as one of its major objectives the promotion of amateur radio amongst the youth of South Africa. In years gone by young people moved into amateur radio by playing with crystal sets or tuning around the shortwave bands of the family's radiogram. They would stumble across a group... (more)
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Views, Comment and Opinion
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