FLIGHTOR FREIGHT www.accutronics.co.za The Gaia FLGH-60 and FLGHI-90 DC/DC Input Bus Conditioners that simplify even the most complex designs. Flexibility and reliability for every environment. 29 February 2024 FEATURING: • Telecommunications, Wireless, IoT, RF & Microwave • Power & Energy • Test & Measurement, Analysis, Calibration & Compliance • Spotlight: Training, Education & Certification
• AOI; X-ray • Component counters • Component storage • Conveyors • Device programming • Dot dispensing and conformal coating • ESD consumables • In-circuit testers • Jet printers • Low pressure injection moulding • PCB washing machines • Pick-and-place machines • Reflow ovens; vapour phase ovens • Rework and soldering stations • Selective wave soldering; wave soldering • Solder wire and solder paste • SPI • Stencil printers +27 11 869 0049 | [email protected] | www.mykaytronics.co.za Bridging the gap in your production MyKay Tronics We efficiently supply and support a total turnkey solution to the South African electronics market Supply Efficiency Support
Dataweek, 29 February 2024 www.dataweek.co.za 1 TELECOMMUNICATIONS, WIRELESS, IoT, RF & MICROWAVE FEATURE 29 February 2024 Vol. 47 No. 1 News................................................................................. 3 Systems, Components, Design.........................8 General ............................................................................30 Hot chips......................................................................31 Open [re]sources .......................................................32 QuickFind index ....................................................IBC contents on the cover features regulars Telecommunications, Wireless, IoT, RF & Microwave ........................................................14 Insight from WAPA on Wi-Fi 6 and WISPs, opinion on the future of MATTER, modules to provide easy mesh networking over large areas, compact RF modules for automation applications, a long-range LoRa module, and various new antennas on the market. Power & Energy...................................................................20 Information on how self-extinguishing batteries work, transmitting power to remote places over SPoE, DC-DC converters and bus conditioning modules, and motor protection relays with wireless monitoring capability. Test & Measurement, Analysis, Calibration & Compliance ............................................25 New test instrumentation including digitisers, network analysers, imagers, and a collaboration on a novel environmental meter sensor. Spotlight: Training, Education & Certification...........................................................................27 Navigating the transition from the NQF to the OQSF in SA, and draft regulations on the proposed sectoral targets. FLIGHTOR FREIGHT www.accutronics.co.za The Gaia FLGH-60 and FLGHI-90 DC/DC Input Bus Conditioners that simplify even the most complex designs. Flexibility and reliability for every environment. 29 February 2024 FEATURING: • Telecommunications, Wireless, IoT, RF & Microwave • Power & Energy • Test & Measurement, Analysis, Calibration & Compliance • Spotlight: Training, Education & Certification Accutronics offers a complete range of satellite communication products, RF and microwave components and systems, fibre optic components, and electromagnetic field monitoring equipment. The company’s offering has now expanded to include a comprehensive range of power supply products and transducers. For more information contact Accutronics, +27 11 782 8728, [email protected], www.accutronics.co.za
Dataweek, 29 February 2024 www.dataweek.co.za 2 NEWS Disclaimer While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements, inserts and company contact details are printed as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material. Published by: Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd Wild Fig Business Park, Block B, Unit 21, 1494 Cranberry Street, Honeydew Tel: +27 11 543 5800 [email protected] Gauteng Tracy Wolter, Tel: +27 11 543 5800, [email protected] KwaZulu-Natal Jane van der Spuy, Tel: +27 83 234 5412, [email protected] Western Cape Contact Durban or Jhb numbers for details Advertising: Print and Online Sales Manager: Malckey Tehini [email protected] Editor: Peter Howells, B.Tech (Electronic Engineering), [email protected] Subscription services For address changes, subscriptions, renewal status or missing issues call +27 11 543 5800 or [email protected] or WRITE TO: Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd, Box 385, Pinegowrie 2123 Subscribe online: www.technews.co.za All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, adapted, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of Technews Publishing (PTY) Ltd. Reg No. 2005/034598/07 ISSN 0256-8934 VOLUME 47 NO 1 29 FEBRUARY 2024 From the editor’s desk Subscribe online: www.technews.co.za Peter I awoke to exciting news during the month of February: The City of Cape Town announced that it was going to pay homeowners for any excess energy generated from solar installations. The mayor has explicitly stated that the city would buy as much solar as households and businesses can supply. This plan will hopefully add as much as 650 MW to the Cape Town grid for its residents and businesses to use, which should see loadshedding in that region drastically reduced in the next few years. Everyone is in agreement that loadshedding has had a disastrous effect on the local economy, and this move is a huge step in the right direction. This welcome news also introduces my next point. In a report that I recently read on the state of education in South Africa after the matric results had been released, one of the reasons given for the poor matric results in poorer regions and districts was loadshedding. The lack of electricity not only affects the day-to-day class activities, but also impacts on student’s ability to study away from school. The current government has done very little to curb the rampant effect that loadshedding has had on education in the last 10 years. Reports issued by the Department of Education are quick to point out that pass rates have increased year-on-year, with the 2023 matric cohort obtaining an 82,9% pass rate. Opposition parties, meanwhile, state the complete opposite and paint a gloomy picture of pass rates hovering around the 55% mark. I do not believe that either of these parties are being genuine. Firstly, the local government base their pass rates on the students who actually sat the exams. This does not consider students who were forced to deregister from the exam session before it began to try to improve the overall rate. On the other hand, opposition parties base their statistics on students who started grade one 12 years previously. This also does not take into account students who have left the school system for legitimate reasons: emmigration, leaving school early to work or to take up a trade as an apprentice, etc. I know many students leave school after grade 9 to take up training at vocational colleges. I believe a fairer measurement would be to take into account only students who started the 2023 year in matric against those of them that passed the exams. Based on this metric the pass rate drops back to around 81%. This I find worrying, as students entering matric should all be writing the exams. A scourge on education For me, however, a more worrying statistic is the very low percentage of students studying, and passing, the STEM subjects at school level. Although the pass rate for maths may be acceptable for the Department of Education, the proportion of the matric class that writes maths (and physics) has been decreasing since 2009. Recently, South Africa once again recorded the lowest maths scores globally. For the past three years, only a third of students wrote the NSC maths exam. In 2021 and 2022, 80% of them did not pass the subject with 50% or more! Even fewer attained the 60% minimum needed to get into a science, technology or engineering degree. In fact, in 2021, only 13% of students attained higher than 60% for maths. What this country is sorely lacking is engineers and technologists; people who can literally get their hands dirty and build the country. Having a large proportion of lawyers, politicians, and business executives is great, but eventually there will be nothing for them to govern if we have no technical people to actually build the infrastructure the country needs. South Africa needs to promote STEM subjects, and realise how important they are for the longevity of any emerging economy.
Dataweek, 29 February 2024 www.dataweek.co.za 3 NEWS ELECTRONICS NEWS DIGEST EVENTS Continued on page 4 Electronics Digest Financial · The global lithium battery market remained subdued in January 2024, with cell makers still working through their inventories, and production rates lingering at low levels. The ASP of EV cells has continued to fall, with the biggest decline of 7,3% MoM being observed in EV pouch cells. The weak demand was compounded by a drop in the price of lithium cobalt oxide and a general decrease in cathode prices. · The global semiconductor market grew 8,4% from the third to the fourth quarter of 2023. This gain was the highest recorded since 2021, and was primarily driven by memory components. The major memory companies all reported growth in Q4 2024. Samsung was the biggest winner, with a 49% increase, followed by SK Hynix at 24,1%, and Micron Technology at 17,9%. The highest increases of the companies not producing memory components were MediaTek at 17,7%, Qualcomm at 14,2%, and Nvidia with a 10,4% increase during the same period. Seven companies did see a decline during this period, the largest being 10,2% from Infineon Technologies, 10% from Texas Instruments, and 8% from Analog Devices. · The outlook for semiconductor companies remains tentative but is positive for memory companies. Micron expects a growth of 12,1%, while both Samsung and SK Hynix indicate a continuing strong demand for memory products. · The tech industry remains focussed on AI in 2024 with the continued rollout of advanced AI chips leading to significant increases in processing performance. This demand is set to drive up the cost of both DRAM and NAND flash across various sectors, with recent forecasts indicating that the server sector will see the greatest increase of 17,3%. Enterprise SSDs are forecast to have an increase of around 13,2%. · Memory prices plummeted in 2023 due to an oversupply by manufacturers, and this brought about an increase in the average supplied capacity per device. This oversupply, however, will see a correction in 2024, which will contribute to higher overall prices. · Global spending on consumer products, however, is set to decline by $5,3 billion in 2024. High inflation and a poor economic outlook have drastically reduced consumer budgets. The largest drop in sales is expected in mobile phones, which is the consumer market’s largest segment. The computing segment, which includes desktop PCs, laptops, tablets, and monitors is expected to succumb to the second-largest decline. One notable deviation from this is the gaming equipment segment, which is forecast to grow by $1,2 billion this year. · SA coal exports have hit a 30-year low according to Richards Bay Coal Terminal media briefing. However, after the resignation of Portia Derby and Siza Mzimela, causing a reshuffling in Transnet Management, RBCT executives have indicated that it is now easier to collaborate with Transnet to fix its entrenched logistical challenges. RBCT exported 47,221 million tonnes (mt) of coal in 2023, which is down by 6,3% from 2022 and is the lowest level since 1992. Companies Google has opened its first cloud data centre in Johannesburg, and the facility is ready for customer use. The cloud centre sees Google joining its rivals Microsoft and AWS in offering cloud infrastructure in southern Africa. With this addition, Google’s network now totals 40 cloud regions to offer services to over 200 countries worldwide. The centre is connected worldwide via the Equiano subsea cable system, which links Europe with Africa. · Actom High Voltage Equipment has secured a contract to supply and deliver high-voltage equipment for the Selebi-Phikwe Photovoltaics Solar Power Plant currently under construction in Botswana. The 120 MW solar photovoltaic facility is being developed by the Botswana Power Corporation and project owner SCATEC. · Anglia Components has recently announced Bulgin as the recipient of its prestigious Supplier of the Year award. Bulgin specialises in the design and manufacture of environmentally-sealed waterproof connectors and electronic components. In 2016, Bulgin announced the strategic incorporation of sister company Arcolectric into its business offering, to expand Bulgin’s expertise and range, particularly in electromechanical switches. Last year it celebrated 100 years of manufacturing components to cater for a global customer base Nordic Tech Tour EMEA 11, 13, 15 March 2024 Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg Nordic’s experts will provide insights into both existing and emerging wireless technology solutions, enabling attendees to get the most out of IoT projects and products. This is a unique opportunity to get an overview of Nordic’s solutions portfolio, from Bluetooth to Wi-Fi, cellular IoT, power management, Matter, LE Audio, IoT security, and more. At Nordic Tech Tour attendees will interact directly with friendly experts, ensuring all IoT development questions are addressed. Registration is free, however, places are limited. Contact [email protected] for registration. SEMICON Southeast Asia 28-30 May 2024 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia The pursuit of greater agility and resiliency takes centre stage at this year’s SEMICON Southeast Asia, challenging industry players to develop and implement solutions swiftly to anticipate, rather than being reactive to future disruptions. SEMICON Southeast Asia 2024 serves as the ideal platform where industry leaders, experts, and innovators from around the region can come together to share insights, discuss strategies, and unveil cutting-edge solutions to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of the semiconductor industry. Register at https://www.semiconsea.org SEMI 3D & Systems Summit 2024 12-14 June Dresden, Germany The 3D & systems summit exhibition features the most prominent names in the semiconductor industry. Join industry leaders, researchers and innovators to explore the next wave of technology advances and the future of connected technologies enabled by heterogeneous systems. The full programme will cover various topics including chiplet system architectures, hybrid bonding technologies, manufacturing innovation for 3D integration, and innovations for high-bandwidth computing. Register at https://bitly.ws/EpKH
Dataweek, 29 February 2024 www.dataweek.co.za 4 NEWS ELECTRONICS NEWS DIGEST across a variety of markets including marine, agriculture, and consumer electronics. · Shell has joined the Renewables for Subsea Power (RSP) project, a demonstration to power subsea equipment with wave power and subsea energy storage. The £2 million initiative, which is nearing almost 12 months in the water, has connected the Blue X wave energy converter with a Halo underwater battery system. The fully operational project aims to show how green technologies can be combined to provide reliable low-carbon power and communications to subsea equipment, offering a cost-effective alternative to umbilical cables. · SemiQon (Finland) and CMC Microsystems (Canada) have announced a collaboration to accelerate development and access to quantum computing with silicon-based processors. SemiQon will supply CMC with prototypes of its semiconductor-based quantum processor chips for research purposes. CMC scientists will, in turn, collaborate with SemiQon in the hope of accelerating towards the next generation of quantum computing in the million-qubit realm. Both Finland and Canada have national quantum roadmaps, with common goals to advance quantum computing and help bring its benefits to organisations and companies around the world. · From 6 to 8 February, Yamaha Robotics SMT brought its European agents together at their branch headquarters in Dusseldorf. The annual event gives the team a regular opportunity to learn about the latest equipment and updates. The demonstrations highlighted innovations including AI-driven component recognition in the latest YRi-V inspection system, the new 3SR squeegee for fast and repeatable printing, and software innovations for the intelligent factory that help maximise end-of-line yield and efficiency. · CubeSpace, a satellite component manufacturer that has its roots in the research laboratories of Stellenbosch University, has secured R47m venture capital funding to fuel its global expansion. After establishing itself as a leader in the cubesat market, the company is leveraging its considerable experience, and research and development capabilities, to transform the broader satellite industry. The strategic shift is backed by an impressive 50% annual growth over the last four years, with the recent venture capital funding, led by the University Technology Fund and co-investor Savant Venture Fund, to support expansive growth. Renowned for successfully controlling over 300 satellites, and endorsed by NASA, the company aims to strengthen its foothold in the US and European markets. · Samtec’s Colorado Springs location has been recognised as the the winner in the Best Workplaces 2023 in the Pikes Peak region for the third year in a row. Samtec is one of 99 local companies selected and surveyed based on organisational health, engagement and leadership. Technologies Pretoria firm Hydrox Holdings has developed a new way of extracting hydrogen for use in cars and other applications. The company has won a number of awards for its recently patented method of hydrogen production, which involves extraction from water via a membrane-less electrolyser technology that was developed in-house. The company is confident that this technology will help to usher in a new era of plentiful clean energy. · South African engineer, Neo Hutiri, has been selected as best of the best after ten years of the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation. He won the Africa Prize in 2019 and last night was awarded the Royal Academy of Engineering’s 10th anniversary medal. The medal comes with a cash prize to boost his business, Technovera, which makes Pelebox Smart Lockers. These lockers are designed to improve access to chronic disease medication, including tuberculosis and HIV. Continued from page 3
Dataweek, 29 February 2024 www.dataweek.co.za 5 NEWS Silicon Labs has reported financial results for the fourth quarter, which ended 30 December 2023. Financial highlights for Q4 2023 included a total revenue of $87 million for this period, with its Industrial and Commercial sector accounting for $60 million of that, and its Home and Life division making up the balance. Results on a GAAP basis indicated a gross margin for this period to be 50,6%. R&D expenses amounted to $83 million, while SG&A expenses were $34 million. A reported operating loss of $73 million resulted in a diluted loss per share of $2,19. SiLabs Q4 2023 results SMEs play a crucial role in most economies, and South Africa is no exception. They are also important contributors to job creation and global economic development. According to the World Bank Group SMEs represent about 90% of businesses worldwide, while the International Finance Corporation revealed that roughly 50 to 60% of South Africa’s workforce finds employment within SMEs. A key challenge SMEs face is finding employees who are a good fit for their business, and who have the skills required to increase efficiency and business growth. Pnet researched the recruitment needs of SMEs over 12 months (Q2 2022 to 2023) and the findings revealed that information technology skills, finance skills, business and management skills, admin, office and support skills, and sales skills are most in demand across employers in the SME space. Salaries and wages across various sectors and roles differ greatly in South Africa. Pnet analysed jobs with the highest salary offers over a 12-month period (September 2022 to 2023) and the findings revealed that IT was the second-highest paying job sector in the country, after business and management. Software developers can expect monthly salary offers ranging from R37 000 to R66 000, depending on their years of experience, the software they specialise in (for example Python, Java, HTML, etc.), and the job location. As the ‘Silicon Valley’ of Data-led recruitment in the IT sector South Africa, the Western Cape tends to offer the highest software developer salaries, followed by Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. European research findings reveal that the lack of software development skills is challenging for the SME market, and that a pervasive shortage of digital skills can severely impact SMEs in their efforts to adopt new technologies. Thus, it is essential for SMEs to widen the skill set and competencies of existing staff, and be able to recruit externally when investing in technology. Despite the need to attract and retain skilled talent, SMEs often face various recruitment challenges such as time-to-hire and the hefty price tag often associated with sourcing suitable candidate. Specialised online recruitment platforms offer SMEs a range of benefits to help them save both time and money during the hiring process, and find the right candidates for their vacancies – ultimately driving business success. Reducing time-to-hire Sourcing candidates directly using smart-matching technology streamlines the hiring process so that SMEs can quickly and directly reach more jobseekers. SMEs can advertise their vacancies directly to active jobseekers or tap into a database of professional candidates. Sophisticated platforms like Pnet’s online recruitment portal offer a host of easy-to-use tools and features to easily filter and shortlist candidates with the required IT skills from their database of over six million jobseekers. What’s more, recruiters’ job ads get further reach from the 100 million Job Alerts that Pnet sends directly to jobseekers’ inboxes every month. Reducing recruitment costs By going direct to the source of suitable candidates using specialised recruitment platforms like Pnet, SMEs can save up to 60% on their recruitment costs. Pnet’s online recruitment platform uses advanced algorithms and analytics to target job advertisements to the most relevant candidates. This enables recruiters to find quality candidates using locally relevant filters, and even create a talent pool to access when they need to hire for similar roles in the future. Built-for-purpose online recruitment platforms like Pnet are emerging as powerful tools to help SMEs find the right candidates for their vacant roles, thereby boosting their competitiveness in the market. In fact, these platforms have become a game changer for companies of all sizes, allowing them to flourish by attracting and retaining their most important asset – people. For more information contact Pnet, +27 10 140 3099, [email protected], www.pnet.co.za “Though the market environment remains volatile, with inventory corrections continuing across our end markets, we delivered top and bottom-line results ahead of expectations,” said Matt Johnson, president and chief executive officer at Silicon Labs. “We expect to return to sequential revenue growth, beginning in the first quarter, as our customers destock their inventories, design wins continue ramping to production, and bookings trends improve.” For more information visit www.silabs.com
Dataweek, 29 February 2024 www.dataweek.co.za 6 NEWS According to DMASS Europe e.V., the European components distribution market declined in Q4, ending a long period of growth. Distributors and manufacturers reported consolidated sales of €4,45 billion in Q4 2023, down 17,3% compared to Q4 2022. Semiconductors dropped to €3,1 billion, a drop of 18.5%, and IP&E (Interconnect, Passive and Electromechanical) components declined by 14,3% to €1,35 billion. For the total year 2023, DMASS reported consolidated sales of €21 billion, up just 0,2%, beating former record 2022 by a narrow margin. All the growth in 2023 came from the 4% increase in semiconductors, while IP&E dropped by a total of 7,7%. Hermann Reiter, chairman of DMASS said: “The expected slowdown was softened by a very good first half of 2023, resulting in another record year. Admittedly, distribution revenues were driven by orders and sales brought forward from 2024, inflating 2023 results significantly. The consequence is that DMASS expects slowdown after record 2023 The Irish Tech Challenge South Africa has announced that the 2023 winning cohort has travelled to Ireland for a 10-day curated immersion and networking programme, with access to top industry leaders, and potential for further funding. This tech challenge is a prestigious competition that seeks to unearth high-impact South African start-ups that have developed innovative, SDG-aligned solutions. The winning five start-ups emerged from 266 applications and were unveiled on 21 November 2023. From AgriTech to BioTech to HealthTech, their innovations demonstrate the depth and diversity of talent in the South African tech landscape. The five winning start-ups are: • Thato Schermer – Founder, Zoie Health (HealthTech). • Neo Hutiri – Founder, PeleBox (HealthTech). • Vuyo Pakade – Founder, Foonda Africa (HRTech). • Dr Benedicta Durcan – Founder, AfroBodies (BioTech). Durban to Dublin we are now facing a market contraction, which brings the business back in line with long-term growth averages. Our hope for 2024 resides with an overall market upside through the hype around artificial intelligence that could pull the entire market along.” For more information visit www.dmass.com Irish Tech Challenge winners. RIP, Roger Lilley • Tumelo Chiloane – Co-founder, Desert Green Africa (AgriTech). These start-ups are now poised to grow their entities by leveraging Ireland’s growing status as a major global tech and innovation hub, drawing from the vast pool of Irish tech expertise, and industry experts, investors, and fellow innovators. As an EU-member state, Ireland further serves as a gateway to the European market and beyond for these high-impact South African start-ups. The Irish Tech Challenge South Africa is a partnership between the Embassy of Ireland in South Africa, the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), the Technology Innovation Agency, along with implementing partners Tshimologong Digital Precinct (South Africa) and Dogpatch Labs (Ireland). For more information visit https://tshimologong.joburg A respected colleague and energy expert, Roger Lilley – editor of Energize magazine – passed away on 8 February, at age 69, after a short illness. As an expert in his field, and an experienced editor, Roger often made an appearance on radio and TV regarding the country’s ongoing energy crisis. Many of us, however, will remember him from his time at Phillips/NXP Semiconductors. “Losing Roger is a terrible loss and very sad. Apart from being a dedicated and keen editor, he was a kind and very well-liked colleague. He will be greatly missed by the readers, contacts and staff of Energize. As a community we send condolences to his family, and thank them for sharing Roger with us,” said his colleague, Anton Marsh.
Awards for SA young scientists Lethabo Molobi, DJ Lephondo (delegation head), Jaco Deysel. Two young scientists hailing from South Africa have each won an award at the 2024 Taiwan International Science Fair after showcasing their research projects to judges and their peers at the National Taiwan Science Education Center in Taipei. Johannes Deysel, a grade 11 learner at Hoërskool Jim Fouché was awarded fourth prize in the Computer Science and Information Engineering category. Lethabo Molobi, a grade 12 learner at Zinniaville Secondary School was NEWS awarded the fourth prize and the Viewer’s Choice Award in the Behavioural and Social Sciences category. Deysel showcased his research project entitled ‘Breaking a Caesar Cipher/ Vigenère Cipher Encryption for secure data communication’. This project aimed to identify vulnerabilities in ciphers and explore the factors influencing the strength of an encryption system by breaking both Caesar and Vigenère Ciphers. Molobi’s research project, entitled ‘From Human Intelligence to Artificial Intelligence Chatbots: Modern Day Writing’, looked at whether it is easy to differentiate between artificial intelligence (AI)-generated text and human-generated text, in a school setting. Registration to take part in Eskom Expo 2024 is now open. Learners in grades 4 to 12, along with NC2 to NC4 learners from TVET colleges, can register their projects by visiting www.exposcience.co.za
Dataweek, 29 February 2024 www.dataweek.co.za 8 REGULAR SYSTEMS, COMPONENTS, DESIGN NXP has released its MCX A14x and A15x series of all-purpose microcontrollers. MCX A is part of the larger MCX portfolio that shares a common Arm Cortex-M33 core platform. MCX was founded with the idea of bringing together the best elements of popular NXP devices, plus new innovative features, to provide the next generation of intelligent edge devices. The MCX A14x operates at 48 MHz and the MCX A15x operates at 96 MHz. Device package options include 32-pin QFN, 48-pin QFN and a 64-pin LQFP. MCX A parts are IO and pin compatible across the package types, simplifying migration and upgrades. Scalability is an important pillar of the MCX portfolio, and the A Series serves a significant role in this portfolio. This series targets a wide range of applications spanning multiple markets, including industrial communications, smart metering, automation and control sensors, and low power/battery powered devices. For more information contact Altron Arrow, +27 11 923 9600, [email protected], www.altronarrow.com Marki Microwave has introduced a new automated filter design tool called Prodigy. This innovative tool brings MMIC filter design capability directly to the user, by enabling the design of a filter at any centre frequency and bandwidth within the operating range of a given topology. Powered by advanced 3D FEM modelling and ML techniques, Prodigy puts filter design into the customer’s hands by enabling them to seamlessly explore the filter design space, perform system trade-offs with accurate custom filter models, and create new designs on demand. The Prodigy interface gives the user three variables to select the desired filter: topology, Marki Microwave introduces Prodigy Fischer Connectors has released new high-speed connectors and cable assemblies for Ultra High Definition (UHD) audio/video data transfer at 18 Gbps in demanding environments, matching the performance speed of HDMI 2.0. “The speed of our audio/video connectivity solutions, 18 Gbps, is equivalent to the HDMI 2.0 standard widely used in 4K cinema projectors and Ultra High Definition home TVs,” explains Stéphane Antonetti, product data expert at Fischer Connectors. “Because Fischer Connectors’ circular connectors are rugged by design, they combine the best of both worlds, providing design engineers with a versatile portfolio of high-speed, high-performance connectivity solutions for a wide range of harsh-environment applications.” Fischer Connectors’ new UHD solutions are available in the flagship Fischer MiniMax and Fischer Core product lines with 10 000 Miniature connectors allow 18 Gbps data transfer centre frequency, and bandwidth. The interface then shows a simulation of the insertion and return loss for the designed filter. In contrast to the ideal filter prediction given by the mathematical models, Prodigy Filter Designer creates a real designed filter, with known design variables and size. Most importantly, Prodigy uses machine learning to calculate the real S-parameters of the designed filters, including all undesirable 3D effects (like metal loss, parasitics, and cross-coupling). While Prodigy can display every filter achievable for a given topology, it does not necessarily display the best performance Marki can achieve for a given filter spec. The performance of Prodigy filters will be sufficient for many requirements. However, if Prodigy cannot produce a filter to meet a given requirement, there are additional techniques Marki designers can use to make further trades between close-in rejection, far-out rejection, size, and insertion loss to meet more exacting requirements. Select the following link to try out Prodigy: https://bitly.ws/3cEve For more information contact RF Design, +27 21 555 8400, [email protected], www.rfdesign.co.za New series of all-purpose microcontrollers mating cycles, 360° EMI protection, different sealing performances from IP68 to hermeticity and sterilisation capacities, and three locking mechanisms – push-pull, screw, and quick release. The new UHD audio/video connectivity solutions offer high-speed data transfer for applications in the medical, scientific, industrial, instrumentation, test and measurement, and defence sectors. For more information contact Spectrum Concepts, +27 11 425 1400, [email protected], www.spectrumconcepts.co.za
Dataweek, 29 February 2024 www.dataweek.co.za 9 NEWS
Dataweek, 29 February 2024 www.dataweek.co.za 10 REGULAR SYSTEMS, COMPONENTS, DESIGN Power Integrations has announced the release of the InnoSwitch5-Pro family of high-efficiency, programmable flyback switcher ICs. The single-chip switcher achieves over 95% efficiency with a novel secondary-side control scheme, which achieves zero-voltage switching (ZVS) without a dedicated and costly additional high-voltage switch. The new IC, which features a 750 or a 900 V PowiGaN primary switch, primary-side controller, FluxLink isolated feedback and secondary controller with an I2C interface, optimises the design and manufacture of compact, highly efficient single- or multi-port USB PD adapters. Adnaan Lokhandwala, senior product marketing manager at Power Integrations said: “The combination of ZVS and GaN is power supply magic. Switching losses vanish, and we can leverage the low conduction losses of GaN to implement super dense adaptor layouts with far fewer components than asymmetric half-bridge (AHB) circuits or active clamp alternatives. For example, we have demonstrated 140 W/28 V InnoSwitch5 Offline Flyback Switcher IC Yamaha Robotics recently announced that its new YRM10, a surface mounter that is the world’s fastest in 1-Beam/1-Head class mounting performance of 52 000 CPH, is available for purchase from 1 March 2024. This new addition is a next-generation, compact, high-speed modular mounter with space-saving qualities, and provides a combination of component compatibility and versatility. The new YRM10 was developed as a successor to the entry model YSM10. While maintaining the compact size of the YSM10, this new machine uses the next-generation YR series platform, and introduces the latest technologies such as high-speed general-purpose versatility head and vision systems from the premium high-efficiency modular YRM20. The 1-head solution mechanism, consisting of ten in-line heads and scan camera, supports a wide range of components while maintaining high speed without the need for head replacement. The system can simultaneously achieve high mounting accuracy of ±35 μm (Cpk ≥ 1.0). In addition to supporting high-density mounting of 0201-sized chips to medium-sized Next gen high-speed modular mounter USB PD adaptors in 4,2 cubic inches using only 106 components. The flyback topology used by InnoSwitch5-Pro ICs is much easier to implement than AHB, and can also operate from universal mains with or without a PFC stage.” InnoSwitch5-Pro flyback switcher ICs feature lossless input line voltage sensing on the secondary side for adaptive DCM/CCM and ZVS control to maximise efficiency and simplify design across line and load. The ICs also feature a post-production tolerance offset to facilitate accurate output constant-current control of better than 2% to support the UFCS protocol. Applications of the InnoSwitch5-Pro family are notebooks, high-end cell phones, and other portable consumer products, including designs that require the new USB PD EPR (Extended Power Range) protocol. For more information contact EBV Electrolink, +27 21 402 1940, [email protected], www.ebv.com or odd components, production quality capabilities are further improved by equipping the system with a side-view camera, and optionally setting a coplanarity checker that detects components with a floating lead. For more information contact Truth Electronic Manufacturing, +27 31 822 8555, [email protected], www.truthelectronics.co.za Clearing the Static For more information contact Actum on +27 11 608 3001 or email [email protected]. Actum is a specialised importer and distributor of industrial and electronic products in southern Africa. with Greg Barron, Actum Group director In the dynamic environment of an Electro Protected Area (EPA), the significance of ESD clothing is fundamental. This specialised attire plays a pivotal role in preventing people from charging the products that they are working with. It is therefore important to utilise ESD footwear and clothing, along with other grounding devices, including grounding heel straps, wrist straps, cords, and ESD surface mats. This comprehensive approach establishes a continuous path to ground, effectively dissipating any static buildup within the EPA. The spectrum of ESD clothing encompasses a range of specialised garments tailored to the unique demands of an electrostatic-sensitive environment. This includes ESD lab coats, jackets, polo shirts, gloves, and various other forms of personal protective equipment. ESD clothing features the universal yellow ESD warning signs, to indicate that the personnel are authorised to work in the EPA. ESD footwear, or foot grounders must be worn on both feet. They ensure constant contact with the floor, thereby mitigating the risk of static discharge. Industries such as electronics manufacturing, service and repair plants, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals, where electronic components and devices are vulnerable, can benefit from the utilisation of anti-static shoes. Moreover, for rugged working environments where ESD damage prevention is paramount, conductive ESD boots and shoes prove to be indispensable. Before procuring ESD clothing and footwear, it is incumbent upon the buyer to ascertain that the supplier can furnish the necessary certifications. Additionally, the products should undergo testing to ensure conformity with the requisite standards. This due diligence is instrumental in guaranteeing the efficacy of the ESD protective measures in place, thus fostering a secure working environment within the Electro Protected Area. ESD clothing and footwear
Cut Manufacturing Steps With Pre-Programmed MAC Address Memory Reduce Costs and Troubles Associated With MAC ID Provisioning Connecting devices together through the cloud or a LAN connection unlocks exciting new capabilities, and MAC addresses enable this connection. However, MAC address management is complicated because you and your contract manufacturer must navigate a complex test and assembly routine, bringing you down and adding expenses. Are you open to a change? Our MAC address enabled Memory and Real-Time Clock devices come preprogrammed with EUI-48 and/or EUI-64 MAC address, unburdening you from MAC address management and letting you focus on the future. Sample our EEPROM, Flash and RTCCs with Pre-Programmed EUI-48 and EUI-64 MAC addresses today. Key Features • EUI-48™, EUI-64™ and Unique-ID options available • Custom programming services available • No volume restrictions • MAC ID purchasing, programming and tracking are performed by us • MAC-enabled Serial EEPROM, Serial RTCCs, and Serial SuperFlash® Memory options available microchip.com/MAC-EEPROM The Microchip name and logo and the Microchip logo are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A. and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their registered owners. © 2024 Microchip Technology Inc. All rights reserved. MEC2545A-UK-01-24
Dataweek, 29 February 2024 www.dataweek.co.za 12 REGULAR SYSTEMS, COMPONENTS, DESIGN As everything from infotainment to engine systems in the automotive industry becomes more dependent on wireless and in-vehicle network connectivity, the need for robust cybersecurity measures has increased. The ISO/SAE 21434 standard has emerged to set requirements for road vehicle cybersecurity risk management processes. These cybersecurity requirements help regulate automotive products across the complete product lifecycle from concept through design, production, maintenance, and decommissioning. Adhering to these standards, Microchip Technology’s corporate processes associated with specific automotive work products have recently been audited by a third party, UL Solutions, and certified as compliant to ISO/SAE 21434. Developed by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) in conjunction with the Society of Automobile Engineers (SAE) International, the ISO/SAE 21434 standard was developed to help organisations define cybersecurity policies and manage risk. It is a demanding specification with 45 security categories, known as work products, each of which specifies a unique set of requirements that encompass all aspects of designing electrical and electronic systems for road vehicles, from ICs and software, to firmware and libraries. The ISO/SAE 21434 designation also confirms that a certified corporate cybersecurity management system is in place. This verifies that cybersecurity is a priority focus at the organisation, from executive leadership to all organisational disciplines including the design, test, product, applications, marketing, quality, verification, and validation teams. A Threat Analysis and Risk Assessment (TARA) methodology is also incorporated at multiple stages of the product lifecycle when devices will be integrated into automotive cybersecurity-related platforms. “Security is a core pillar at Microchip and the ISO/SAE 21434 certification is proof of our dedication to maintaining high standards in automotive cybersecurity,” said Matthias Kaestner, corporate vice president of Microchip’s automotive business. “Our customers can be confident that Microchip is a trusted security advisor with the appropriate expertise to guide them through their automotive cybersecurity design journey.” For more information contact Altron Arrow, +27 11 923 9600, [email protected], www.altronarrow.com Microchip earns certification in vehicle cybersecurity YRi-V TypeHS has significantly improved image processing capability by adopting a high-resolution 25-megapixel camera, which is more than twice that of previous models, and the latest high-performance CPU and GPU applications. As a result, high-definition inspection with resolutions of 7 and 5 μm is approximately 1,6 times faster than previous models, making the new model one of the fastest in the industry. In addition to the conventional high-precision eight-direction 3D projector, a high-performance 3D line laser has been newly installed. By combining this with 3D projector images using the phase shift method, it is now possible to reproduce the shapes of specular and transparent components more accurately, further improving inspection capabilities. This provides greater accuracy in the detection of 0201-sized chips and specular-glossy components, further contributing to improved quality in PCB production. For more information contact Truth Electronic Manufacturing, +27 31 822 8555, [email protected], www.truthelectronics.co.za The types of both series are available for a wide range of operating voltages from 175 to 460 V RMS, corresponding to 225 to 615 V DC. The B72210M series of surge devices, which are equivalent to S14 leaded disk varistors, offers a surge current capability of 6000 A, while the B72214M series types, which are equivalent to S20 leaded disk varistors, have a higher surge current capability of 10 000 A. All types are designed for a high operating temperature of a maximum of 125°C and extremely humid environments of 85% relative humidity at 85°C. The new SMD high-surge series is qualified to AEC-Q200. In terms of designs, all types are available in a horizontal and a vertical version, which offers higher design flexibility. The horizontal version of the B72210M series has dimensions of 22 x 15 x 11 mm, while the B72214M series has dimensions of 27 x 18 x 11 mm (L x W x H). The vertical types have dimensions of 15 x 10 x 20 mm and 18 x 10 x 25,5 mm, respectively. SMD varistors with huge surge current capability Typical applications of SMD surge protection components are on-board chargers, power supplies, frequency converters, photovoltaic systems and household appliances. For more information contact Electrocomp, +27 11 458 9000, [email protected], www.electrocomp.co.za Yamaha Robotics releases 3D hybrid AOI Yamaha Robotics announced that, on 1 March 2024, it will add the high-end specification YRi-V TypeHS to the YRi-V 3D hybrid automated optical inspection (AOI) system, which achieves both high speed and high precision in operation, for electronic component mounting factories. TDK Corporation has introduced two new varistor series in SMD design.
The world’s most advanced hand tracking For more information please contact Molebogeng Maponya at [email protected] Small, fast, and accurate. For evaluation and use as a peripheral with headsets or screens. LEAP MOTION CONTROLLER 2 Wider field of view and longer tracking range. Suitable for evaluation and integration. STEREO IR 170 Ruggedized camera designed for connection to public interactive screens. ULTRALEAP 3DI REGULAR SYSTEMS, COMPONENTS, DESIGN The FCTS series of low-noise frequency translators from Synergy Microwave Corporation are very useful for improving system noise floor in higher frequency phase locked clock regeneration applications. These ICs are the perfect solution to translate a low-frequency master reference clock or reference oscillator to a higher frequency Ultra-low noise phase locked frequency translators to improve phase noise, reduce power consumption, and simplify circuit complexity. This device is a much simpler and overall better solution than direct frequency multipliers. Standard models are available with a 10 or 100 MHz input, but they can also be made available for other supportable, non-standard input frequencies. The typical phase noise at 1 KHz offset is -115 dBc/Hz. These surface-mount devices with a 24 x 24 mm footprint are available with a fixed frequency output starting at 800 MHz, going up to 2 GHz. For more information contact RFiber Solutions, +27 12 667 5212, [email protected], www.rfibersolutions.com MediaTek releases its new flagship SoC Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturer MediaTek has released its new flagship SoC for mobile devices. The announcement of the Dimensity 9300 comes just weeks after Qualcomm announced its new SoC, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, with the hope that it will rival both Apple’s and Qualcomm’s latest offerings. Unlike previous iterations of processors that use eight cores in a 1 + 4 + 3 design, the Dimensity 9300 foregoes this to include eight performance cores in a 4 + 4 design: four Cortex-X4 processors running at up to 3,25 GHz are combined with four Cortex-A720 processors that can run up to 2 GHz for less taxing tasks. Level 3 cache has also been expanded to 18 MB, 29% larger than the previous generation. This provides a 15% single-core performance increase, and a larger 40% increase in multi-core performance. However, even with the increase in processing performance, the SoC produces a 33% power saving during multi-core usage. The Dimensity 9300 is built on TSMC’s third generation 4 nm process, and is housed in a thermally-optimised package designed by MediaTek. The SoC is also the first to use LPDDR5T 9600 Mbps memory. As with most newly released processors, the 9300 has also been given the generative AI treatment with 8x faster transformer-based generative AI performance and 2x faster integer and floating-point computing. This translates to executing AI models with up to 33 billion parameters, while being 45% more efficient. The processor includes Arm’s latest flagship GPU architecture, the Immortalis-G720 GPU, which provides raytracing and 46% extra peak performance over the previous generation. This 12-core GPU can provide a raytracing experience at a smooth 60 fps. Seamless 5G connectivity is provided with the R16 modem supporting Sub-6 GHz and mmWave transmissions. The first devices using this new chipset should be on the market by the end of 2023. For more information visit www.mediatek.com
Dataweek, 29 February 2024 www.dataweek.co.za 14 FEATURE TELECOMMUNICATIONS, WIRELESS, IoT, RF & MICROWAVE This important shift will come about because of multiple factors, including the rapid advances in Wi-Fi technology, the opening up of large tracts of unlicensed wireless spectrum, and partly because of the unreliability of cellular and fibre networks in the context of South Africa’s infrastructure challenges, like loadshedding. The rise of fixed wireless services Fixed wireless in the unlicensed spectrum, operated by Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs), is poised to emerge as a dominant force in the local wireless landscape in 2024. This technology offers several advantages over traditional cellular networks, including: • Immunity to loadshedding: WISPs operate off-grid, eliminating concerns about power outages that can disrupt cellular services. • Unrestricted growth: WISPs are not constrained by the high cost of high-demand cellular spectrum, enabling them to provide seamless and scalable connectivity. • Cost-effectiveness: WISPs can offer competitive pricing compared to cellular providers, making them an attractive option for consumers. In May 2023, ICASA opened the lower portion of the 6 GHz band for indoor Wi-Fi use. This decision represents a significant step What 2024 holds in store for Wi-Fi in South Africa By Paul Colmer, EXCO member, Wireless Access Providers Association. forward for WISPs, providing them with access to additional spectrum for faster and more reliable connectivity. Looking ahead to 2024, there are expectations that the upper band of the 6 GHz will also be made available for unlicensed use. This development would further enhance the capabilities of WISPs, allowing them to cater to a wider range of applications and deliver even higher speeds. A Wi-Fi 7 future The opening of the 6 GHz band will pave the way for the introduction of Wi-Fi 7, the next generation of the Wi-Fi standard. Wi-Fi 7 will use the 2,4 GHz, 5,8 GHz, and 6 GHz bands simultaneously, resulting in an exponential leap in performance, surpassing the speeds of traditional wired connections, and making it an ideal solution for highbandwidth applications such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and cloud-based gaming. The emergence of ultra-fast Wi-Fi networks in the unlicensed space presents an opportunity to offload traffic from overburdened cellular networks. This approach could significantly improve network performance, especially in high-density environments such as sports stadiums. By leveraging Wi-Fi to handle a portion of the traffic, cellular networks can focus on delivering critical services and maintaining connectivity in areas with limited Wi-Fi coverage. Wi-Fi sensing Wi-Fi sensing, a technology that uses Wi-Fi signals to detect and track objects due to its radar, sonar and lidar-like nature, is expected to gain traction in 2024. The technology already has the potential to revolutionise various industries, including security, healthcare, and elderly care, but until now has not been widely available due to a lack of standardisation. That all changes in 2024 when the IEEE 802.11bf Wi-Fi sensing standard is ratified. Wi-Fi sensing can then be deployed using existing hardware, greatly reducing cost implications, and making it commercially viable. Initial applications will be as varied as they are transformative. For example, sensing will enable security systems to detect intruders or identify potential hazards by monitoring movements within buildings, without the need for specialised and expensive cameras and sensors. In healthcare settings, it can be used to track patients’ movements and monitor their vital signs. And for elderly individuals living alone, it can provide real-time insights into their wellbeing. Naturally, the ability to detect and track objects through walls raises valid privacy concerns. However, it is important to note that this technology does not generate photorealistic images, and cannot be used to identify individuals. Moreover, privacy regulations, such as PoPI, prohibit the sharing of personal information obtained through Wi-Fi sensing without the individual’s consent. Closing thoughts 2024 marks a pivotal year for wireless technology in general, and fixed wireless services in particular. The availablity of both lower and upper 6 GHz in the unlicensed spectrum, Wi-Fi 7, and Wi-Fi sensing, are each poised to transform the way we connect and interact with the world around us. WISPs will play a central role in this evolution, providing consumers and businesses with access to faster, more reliable, and more innovative wireless solutions. For more information visit www.wapa.org.za Wi-Fi is poised for significant advances in 2024, to the point where fixed wireless services in unlicensed spectrum will start taking over from the currently dominant cellular and fibre services in South Africa. FEATURE ARTICLE Paul Colmer, EXCO member, Wireless Access Providers Association.
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