Electronics, measurement, instrumentation, automation, control and ICT
Issue 134, July 2019
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Editor's note: Get it while it's hot!
Welcome to the new
EngineerIT e-newsletter. I hope you like it. This is just one of many ways we are conveniently making our content available to you, our valued readers. However, if this e-newsletter doesn't do it for you, there are other ways to receive EE Publishers' content, free-of-charge.
1. EngineerIT e-zine
The full magazine is available in electronic version. Simply click on the cover at the bottom of this newsletter, or
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Download the app here.
3. EngineerIT website
All the content from our monthly issue is available online. If you don't want to wait for the magazine each month, catch the latest articles as they happen at
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4. EngineerIT print edition
Print is alive and well, and if this is your preferred reading method, opt-in to receive our print magazine free-of-charge through
this link.
Wow. That's a lot of options. Now you have no reason not to know about the latest and greatest technology in your industry.
Aimee
Editor: EngineerIT
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Lead editorial:
The productivity/technology trap
by Jacques Rikhotso, Bridgestone
The tyre industry is a microcosm of the dilemma in which South African manufacturers find themselves. Many of South Africa’s industries have been built on the back of abundant cheap labour. Mining is the obvious example, but the manufacturing sector
... (
read more
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In conversation with... SA's leading metrologist
by Hans van de Groenendaal, EE Publishers
With the aim of creating a better understanding of the metrology and its importance, I recently had a conversation with Dr Wynand Louw, president of the International Committee for Weights and Measures (CIPM) and director for research and international... (
read more)
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Coding in schools – a fast track to 4IR?
by Jenny Retief, Riversands Incubation Hub
As with many countries, South Africa is seriously considering including coding into the national curriculum. In fact, earlier this year Cyril Ramaphosa made it very clear that inclusion will be an objective he intends to see come to fruition during his presidency. This is commendable – but is it realistic?... (
read more)
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Assessing legal risks in the move to cloud
by Wendy Tembedza, Webber Wentzel
With the Fourth Industrial Revolution in full swing, many businesses are moving to cloud computing to reap the many benefits that cloud can provide. However, a business must carefully assess legal issues that will have an impact on the ability not only to move to cloud... (
read more)
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RFID for asset management
Information from Synertech
Asset management is a critical issue for any organisation. It not only involves substantial capital investment in a comprehensive list of items that are regarded as non-negotiable tools of business success, but also imposes strictly-enforced and measurable corporate governance and risk management compliance requirements that are subject to specific reporting and auditing procedures... (
read more)
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The PCBs you might be designing in the future
Information from Essentra Components
The purpose of the printed circuit board (PCB) is to connect your electronic components. That will never change, but it’s capacities will. The flexibility of... (
read more)
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RFID – a cornerstone of security?
by Quentyn Taylor, Canon
Whether they know it or not, everyone has used RFID at some point in their lives. The first radio transponders used during World War II kicked off the development of this branch of technology. Through constant evolution, it has since grown to include today’s commonplace radio frequency identification (RDIF) activated ID cards and key fobs. In the not-too-distant future... (
read more)
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Accurate time takes centre stage
by Hans van de Groenendaal, EE Publishers
When it comes to time, “give or take a few minutes” is of little consequence for the man in the street, but unknowingly the availability of precise time does actually impact on everyone. Communication systems, electrical power grids, and financial networks are amongst the many systems that rely on precision timing for synchronisation and operational... (
read more)
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Machine learning for microcontrollers
and sensors
Information from the Fraunhofer Institute
Today microcontrollers can be found in almost any technical device, from washing machines to blood pressure meters and wearables. Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems IMS have developed AIfES, an artificial intelligence (AI) concept for microcontrollers and sensors that contains... (
read more)
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Cost effective fibre-to-the-home deployment
Information from Miro Distribution
There is an international trend for internet service providers (ISPs) to adopt passive optical networks (PONs). Leveraging fibre optics technology, these solutions are becoming increasingly popular due to the congestion often experienced on unlicensed frequency wireless networks in built-up metropolitan areas... (
read more)
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Fusion splicing: Precision, power and preventing splice loss
by Andrew An, INNO Instrument
The demand for fibre optic cable is increasing worldwide. As a result, US and European countries are continuously advancing their mobile communication networks with optical fibre to meet soaring connectivity demands. The deployment of this 5G-ready infrastructure is a necessity to prepare for the Fouth Industrial Revolution. To prepare, developed countries... (
read more
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Thermal mass flowmeters help drive engine technology
by David Bowers, ABB
Optimising the fuel/air mix in internal combustion engines is key to maximising power and efficiency whilst reducing harmful nitrogen oxides and particulate matter emissions. When it comes to the testing and development of the latest generation of petrol and diesel engine technology, there is one device that is used by almost every major manufacturer to help refine... (
read more)
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Which video wall technology is preferred for 24/7 control rooms?
by Rudolf Ernst, Stellenbosch University
The 1990s saw the employment of large-scale video walls in 24/7 command and control rooms becoming the norm when digital light processing (DLP) cubes were developed by Texas Instruments. DLP as depicted in Fig. 1 remained unchallenged by other technologies until liquid crystal displays (LCD) screens increased in size and their bezels became thinner... (
read more)
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