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  • VIEWS & OPINION: more >>

  • GADGETS 4 GEEKS: more >>

  • ICT: more >>

    • 5G and rural connectivity

      by Tim Genders, WAPA

      5G is a highly charged subject. It is even causing chaos between American and Chinese trade relations. The accusations made of spying and backdoors are a cause for concern. A back door could, at one command, close down the key networks of a country. So what is 5G? It is simply faster 4G – offering […]

    • Futuristic ICT needs futuristic skills

      by Moira de Roche, IITPSA

      In his book “Future Shock” (first published in 1970), Alvin Toffler said this about Learning “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn”. This was an important concept back then, but it is vital in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). […]

    • The millimetre bands are useless! Are they?

      by Hans van de Groenendaal, features editor, EngineerIT

      From the dawn of radio by Marconi and others, some segments of the radio spectrum were declared of no real value. The high frequency (HF) bands (shortwave) first earned this “useless position” because long and medium waves were considered the only frequencies of value. Then, radio amateurs pioneered international communications on shortwave and before long […]

  • AUTOMATION & CONTROL: more >>

    • Research initiative aims to boost SA mining

      by Hans van de Groenendaal, features editor, EngineerIT

      Mining is an important economic driver of South Africa’s economy, yet political instability on how the sector should move forward has slowed down the development and implementation of new technology and has affected the revitalisation of the industry. With the creation of the Nelson Mandala Mining Precinct at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research […]

    • Interoperability: A factor of success

      by Florian Essler, EtherCAT Technology Group

      Interoperability, by design, allows separate systems to interact seamlessly. This lends itself to the core idea of Ethernet: following the plug-and-play principle, devices made by different manufacturers should work together in a problem-free manner. As one of the factors leading to the success of the technology, interoperability is extremely important for the EtherCAT Industrial Ethernet […]

    • The paperless path to digitised maintenance

      by Stephan Sagebiel, Phoenix Contact

      Although digitisation is an undeniable trend, regular inspection rounds with a defined maintenance plan will continue to be an integral part of plant monitoring and maintenance. Clear and easily legible/scannable markings are essential for these inspections. The identification systems in many old plants are in dire need of modernisation. By modernising, companies can pave the […]

  • ELECTRONICS: more >>

    • Electronics: Recognising Industry 4.0’s potential

      Information from Essentra Components

      Electronics is a sector that is eagerly embracing Industry 4.0 because it can see where the benefits clearly lie. Manufacturers around the globe are genuinely excited about its transformative power. KPMG in its 2017 Rethink Manufacturing report revealed that 56% of UK manufacturers believed that Industry 4.0 represented an “unprecedented” opportunity to revitalise the manufacturing […]

    • How to use imaging colorimeters to improve OLED display quality

      Information from Radiant Vision Systems

      Organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology is promising for flat-panel displays, but image quality issues must be resolved for it to be commercially viable. Organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) are emerging as the next wave of technology in the flat-panel display market. This is exciting because OLED displays promise improved display appearance at lower cost […]

    • Advanced battery management in healthcare energy storage systems

      by Stefano Gallinaro, Analog Devices

      Battery monitoring systems are fundamental enablers of different markets. Batteries play a key role in a range of applications, from going the extra mile in electric vehicles to storing renewable energy for the smart grid. The same and similar battery technologies are used in medical devices for increased safety of operation and for having the […]

  • INSTRUMENTATION: more >>

    • Basic oscilloscope fundamentals

      Information from Keysight Technologies

      Electronic technology permeates our lives and as electronic technology has advanced, the speeds at which these devices operate have accelerated. Today, most devices use high-speed digital technologies. Engineers need the ability to accurately design and test the components in their high-speed digital devices. The instrumentation engineers use to design and test their components must be […]

    • RF noise is killing communication

      by Hans van de Groenendaal, features editor, EngineerIT

      What climate change is doing to cause erratic and unforeseen weather, so is uncontrolled increases in radio frequency (RF) noise affecting communications, eventually leading to disruption. Like climate change, there are many who doubt its existence and claim it is just a passing phase. The increasing level of the RF noise floor is created by […]

    • Practical guide: Thermography in preventive maintenance

      Information from Testo

      When it comes to maintaining buildings and technical systems, thermography has proved to be an indispensable aid. With the help of invisible infrared radiation, it is not only the function and condition of electrical and mechanical systems that can be monitored reliably. Weak spots and wear can also be detected at an early stage and […]