Impact assessment to measure the success of implementation of rural community engagement projects. a case study
- Authors: Naidoo, Rene , Meyer, Johan
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Impact assessment , Community engagement , Engineering projects
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/244721 , uj:25309 , Citation: Naidoo, R. & Meyer, J. 2017. Impact assessment to measure the success of implementation of rural community engagement projects. a case study. IEEE Africon 2017 Proceedings
- Description: Abstract: This paper describes how the use of an impact assessment reveals unknown information to project teams who conduct community engagement engineering projects in rural and distant villages. The paper depicts a “tried and tested” case study to describe how the impact assessment is done and the information revealed. The second phase of the Gwakwani project included the installation of off-grid solar home systems in the community. An assessment was later done which measured the impact of the technology in the area, using survey analysis.
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- Authors: Naidoo, Rene , Meyer, Johan
- Date: 2017
- Subjects: Impact assessment , Community engagement , Engineering projects
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/244721 , uj:25309 , Citation: Naidoo, R. & Meyer, J. 2017. Impact assessment to measure the success of implementation of rural community engagement projects. a case study. IEEE Africon 2017 Proceedings
- Description: Abstract: This paper describes how the use of an impact assessment reveals unknown information to project teams who conduct community engagement engineering projects in rural and distant villages. The paper depicts a “tried and tested” case study to describe how the impact assessment is done and the information revealed. The second phase of the Gwakwani project included the installation of off-grid solar home systems in the community. An assessment was later done which measured the impact of the technology in the area, using survey analysis.
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Cellular technology for prevention of “Give and forget” community service projects
- Authors: Naidoo, Rene , Meyer, Johan
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Community engagement , Cellular network , GSM
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/73346 , uj:18397 , Citation: Naidoo, R. & Meyer, J. 2015. Cellular technology for prevention of “Give and forget” community service projects.
- Description: Abstract: This paper describes the use of cellular network technology to monitor installed equipment performance in a rural village as part of a community service project. Monitoring of the equipment enables early detection of performance deviations enabling cost effective preventative maintenance avoiding “give and forget” rural projects. Results are presented for performance data collected at a remote rural village solar installation and communicated through a data radio and the cellular network to a control station in an educational environment.
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- Authors: Naidoo, Rene , Meyer, Johan
- Date: 2015
- Subjects: Community engagement , Cellular network , GSM
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/73346 , uj:18397 , Citation: Naidoo, R. & Meyer, J. 2015. Cellular technology for prevention of “Give and forget” community service projects.
- Description: Abstract: This paper describes the use of cellular network technology to monitor installed equipment performance in a rural village as part of a community service project. Monitoring of the equipment enables early detection of performance deviations enabling cost effective preventative maintenance avoiding “give and forget” rural projects. Results are presented for performance data collected at a remote rural village solar installation and communicated through a data radio and the cellular network to a control station in an educational environment.
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A critique on previous work in vision aided navigation
- Murcott, Charles, Du Plessis, Francois, Meyer, Johan
- Authors: Murcott, Charles , Du Plessis, Francois , Meyer, Johan
- Date: 2011-09
- Subjects: Robotic applications , Global Positioning System (GPS) , Vision aided navigation
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6259 , ISBN 978-1-61284-993-5 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8240
- Description: This paper presents a critique on previous work in the field of vision aided navigation, particularly in the fusion of visual and inertial sensors for navigation. Several improvements and updates are proposed for the existent systems. GPS receivers have allowed for accurate navigation for many vehicles and robotic platforms. GPS based navigation can, however, prove to be impractical in applications where there is no GPS reception such as underground, indoors or in some urban areas. This pertains, in particular, to many robotic applications where position must be known in global coordinates or relative to a reference point. An inertial navigation system (INS) can be used to calculate one’s relative navigation state via dead-reckoning calculations. The downfall of a low-cost INS is the errors associated with the system. While these errors are initially small, integration causes large drift errors over time. To combat this problem, cameras can be used to estimate the errors present in the INS readings. These results can then be used to correct the navigation state output from the INS. While the motion estimations from the cameras are not error-free, this method is made highly effective because of the complementary nature of the errors from the cameras and INS. Several improvements are proposed for this method; algorithmically, in updates to its hardware, and with the introduction of graphics processors to improve computational performance. The overall system performance, individual steps, algorithms, and results are compared to results from similar works to those of the proposed improvements. It is shown that the accuracy, responsiveness and overall performance of the system can potentially be greatly improved.
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- Authors: Murcott, Charles , Du Plessis, Francois , Meyer, Johan
- Date: 2011-09
- Subjects: Robotic applications , Global Positioning System (GPS) , Vision aided navigation
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6259 , ISBN 978-1-61284-993-5 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8240
- Description: This paper presents a critique on previous work in the field of vision aided navigation, particularly in the fusion of visual and inertial sensors for navigation. Several improvements and updates are proposed for the existent systems. GPS receivers have allowed for accurate navigation for many vehicles and robotic platforms. GPS based navigation can, however, prove to be impractical in applications where there is no GPS reception such as underground, indoors or in some urban areas. This pertains, in particular, to many robotic applications where position must be known in global coordinates or relative to a reference point. An inertial navigation system (INS) can be used to calculate one’s relative navigation state via dead-reckoning calculations. The downfall of a low-cost INS is the errors associated with the system. While these errors are initially small, integration causes large drift errors over time. To combat this problem, cameras can be used to estimate the errors present in the INS readings. These results can then be used to correct the navigation state output from the INS. While the motion estimations from the cameras are not error-free, this method is made highly effective because of the complementary nature of the errors from the cameras and INS. Several improvements are proposed for this method; algorithmically, in updates to its hardware, and with the introduction of graphics processors to improve computational performance. The overall system performance, individual steps, algorithms, and results are compared to results from similar works to those of the proposed improvements. It is shown that the accuracy, responsiveness and overall performance of the system can potentially be greatly improved.
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Toward inductive learning of energy-related concepts
- Authors: Meyer, Johan , Simpson, Zach
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/270542 , uj:28759 , Citation: Meyer, J. & Simpson, Z. 2018. Toward inductive learning of energy-related concepts.
- Description: Abstract: Energy is an important topic in science and engineering. Yet, clear definitions of this concept are difficult to come by and, as a result, students often develop a limited understanding of energy and energy-related concepts. This is exacerbated by traditional, deductive means of teaching. In this paper, the authors report on an attempt at introducing an inductive approach to the teaching and learning of energy-related concepts, specifically conservation of energy. The approach was attempted among a select group of school students using inductive means, and was adapted from an article in the literature that addressed flight energy management training for pilots. The aim of the paper is to describe the intervention, which sought to foster a deeper understanding of energy flows within a system and place the school students in good stead for their subsequent design of an ultra-energy efficient hydrogen-powered vehicle. This is done in order to demonstrate how inductive learning can be enacted in an engineering curriculum. However, the intervention was implemented with a small sample of students and, as such, further attention needs to be given to how such an inductive learning approach can be incorporated into formal curricula at both school and university levels, with a diverse range of students, and with diverse topics.
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- Authors: Meyer, Johan , Simpson, Zach
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/270542 , uj:28759 , Citation: Meyer, J. & Simpson, Z. 2018. Toward inductive learning of energy-related concepts.
- Description: Abstract: Energy is an important topic in science and engineering. Yet, clear definitions of this concept are difficult to come by and, as a result, students often develop a limited understanding of energy and energy-related concepts. This is exacerbated by traditional, deductive means of teaching. In this paper, the authors report on an attempt at introducing an inductive approach to the teaching and learning of energy-related concepts, specifically conservation of energy. The approach was attempted among a select group of school students using inductive means, and was adapted from an article in the literature that addressed flight energy management training for pilots. The aim of the paper is to describe the intervention, which sought to foster a deeper understanding of energy flows within a system and place the school students in good stead for their subsequent design of an ultra-energy efficient hydrogen-powered vehicle. This is done in order to demonstrate how inductive learning can be enacted in an engineering curriculum. However, the intervention was implemented with a small sample of students and, as such, further attention needs to be given to how such an inductive learning approach can be incorporated into formal curricula at both school and university levels, with a diverse range of students, and with diverse topics.
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Seinverwerkingsaspekte van akoestiese rignetantennas vir Doppler anemometrie
- Authors: Meyer, Johan
- Date: 2014-02-13
- Subjects: Doppler navigation , Antenna arrays , Signal processing
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:3998 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/9354
- Description: M.Ing. , Please refer to full text to view abstract
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- Authors: Meyer, Johan
- Date: 2014-02-13
- Subjects: Doppler navigation , Antenna arrays , Signal processing
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:3998 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/9354
- Description: M.Ing. , Please refer to full text to view abstract
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Systems engineering education in an accredited undergraduate engineering program
- Meyer, Johan, Nel, Hannelie, Janse van Rensburg, Nickey
- Authors: Meyer, Johan , Nel, Hannelie , Janse van Rensburg, Nickey
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/124097 , uj:20873 , Meyer, J., Nel, H & Janse van Rensburg, N. 2016. Systems engineering education in an accredited undergraduate engineering program.
- Description: Abstract: Developing countries are mostly reliant on external technologies and this augments the need for systems engineering capability in these economies. It is therefore imperative that systems engineering as theory and practice is included in undergraduate engineering curricula to strengthen the internal technological capability of a country’s developing engineers. In South Africa, the quality of undergraduate engineering programs is governed by the Engineering Council of South Africa (affiliated under the Washington Accord); and the exit level outcomes of the programs are predetermined explicitly per module. Systems engineering was introduced to an undergraduate electrical engineering program offered in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of Johannesburg; and a framework developed to ensure that the program still meets the requisite ECSA exit level outcomes and therefore international standards. This paper presents the design and implementation of the framework, as well as the challenges that students are exposed to when faced with real-world systems engineering practice. Students were grouped into independent product development teams using a software support tool which promotes diversity and skill-level targets for each team. The independent team structure required the use and application of the systems engineering process and supported the development of management and communication skills. Furthermore, the framework allowed assessment of the performance of each product development team towards achieving the overall project objectives. One of the accreditation requirements of undergraduate engineering programs is peer assessment and this was achieved by the process. The paper closes by presenting the results of the stated framework implementation in an undergraduate electrical engineering program offered in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of Johannesburg.
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- Authors: Meyer, Johan , Nel, Hannelie , Janse van Rensburg, Nickey
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/124097 , uj:20873 , Meyer, J., Nel, H & Janse van Rensburg, N. 2016. Systems engineering education in an accredited undergraduate engineering program.
- Description: Abstract: Developing countries are mostly reliant on external technologies and this augments the need for systems engineering capability in these economies. It is therefore imperative that systems engineering as theory and practice is included in undergraduate engineering curricula to strengthen the internal technological capability of a country’s developing engineers. In South Africa, the quality of undergraduate engineering programs is governed by the Engineering Council of South Africa (affiliated under the Washington Accord); and the exit level outcomes of the programs are predetermined explicitly per module. Systems engineering was introduced to an undergraduate electrical engineering program offered in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of Johannesburg; and a framework developed to ensure that the program still meets the requisite ECSA exit level outcomes and therefore international standards. This paper presents the design and implementation of the framework, as well as the challenges that students are exposed to when faced with real-world systems engineering practice. Students were grouped into independent product development teams using a software support tool which promotes diversity and skill-level targets for each team. The independent team structure required the use and application of the systems engineering process and supported the development of management and communication skills. Furthermore, the framework allowed assessment of the performance of each product development team towards achieving the overall project objectives. One of the accreditation requirements of undergraduate engineering programs is peer assessment and this was achieved by the process. The paper closes by presenting the results of the stated framework implementation in an undergraduate electrical engineering program offered in the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment at the University of Johannesburg.
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Bridging the digital divide in an African smart city
- Janse van Rensburg, Nickey, Matheri, Anthony Njuguna, Meyer, Johan
- Authors: Janse van Rensburg, Nickey , Matheri, Anthony Njuguna , Meyer, Johan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Community , Infrastructure , Smart City
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/402155 , uj:33642 , Citation: Janse van Rensburg, N., Matheri, A.N. & Meyer, J. 2019. Bridging the digital divide in an African smart city.
- Description: Abstract: Sustainable transformation of cities is only possible when conducted in a smart way. This research assessed the impact of rolling out free Wi-Fi networks and online services in Johannesburg, South Africa as it relates to the sustainable development of vulnerable communities. Informed by the early adopters of a free Wi-Fi network provided by the City of Johannesburg, participating in the Johannesburg digital ambassadors training programme, the research evaluated smart city enablement in the City of Johannesburg. The case study reviewed relevant smart city metrics and compared to the standard for sustainable development of communities (BS ISO 37120:2014), evaluate indicators for city services and quality of life to identify design criteria for future developments. The results from this study contribute to the enablement of smart city infrastructure development geared toward capacitating vulnerable and previously digitally disadvantaged communities.
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- Authors: Janse van Rensburg, Nickey , Matheri, Anthony Njuguna , Meyer, Johan
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Community , Infrastructure , Smart City
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/402155 , uj:33642 , Citation: Janse van Rensburg, N., Matheri, A.N. & Meyer, J. 2019. Bridging the digital divide in an African smart city.
- Description: Abstract: Sustainable transformation of cities is only possible when conducted in a smart way. This research assessed the impact of rolling out free Wi-Fi networks and online services in Johannesburg, South Africa as it relates to the sustainable development of vulnerable communities. Informed by the early adopters of a free Wi-Fi network provided by the City of Johannesburg, participating in the Johannesburg digital ambassadors training programme, the research evaluated smart city enablement in the City of Johannesburg. The case study reviewed relevant smart city metrics and compared to the standard for sustainable development of communities (BS ISO 37120:2014), evaluate indicators for city services and quality of life to identify design criteria for future developments. The results from this study contribute to the enablement of smart city infrastructure development geared toward capacitating vulnerable and previously digitally disadvantaged communities.
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