This thesis project has studied a number of protocols that could be used to communicate between a vehicle and a remote server in the context of Scania’s connected services. While there are many factors that are of interest to Scania (such as response time, transmission speed, and amount of data overhead for each message), this thesis will evaluate each protocol in terms of how much data overhead is introduced and how packet loss affects this overhead. The thesis begins by giving an overview of how a number of alternative protocols work and what they offer with regards to Scania’s needs. Next these protocols are compared based on previous studies and each protocol’s specifications to determine which protocol would be the best choice for realizing Scania’s connected services. Finally, a test framework was set up using a virtual environment to simulate different networking conditions. Each of the candidate protocols were deployed in this environment and setup to send sample data. The behaviour of each protocol during these tests served as the basis for the analysis of all of these protocols. The thesis draws the conclusion that to reduce the data transmission overhead between vehicles and Scania’s servers the most suitable protocol is the UDP based MQTT SN. / I den här rapporten har jag undersökt ett antal protokoll som kan användas för att kommunicera mellan server och lastbil och därmed användas för Scanias Connected Services. Då det är många faktorer som är intressanta när det kommer till kommunikation mellan lastbil och server för Scania som till exempel responstid, överföringshastighet och mängden extra data vid överföring så har jag valt att begränsa mig till att utvärdera protokollen utifrån hur mycket extra data de använder vid överföring och hur detta påverkas av paketförlust. Rapporten börjar med att ge en överblick över vilka tänkbara protokoll som kan användas och vad de kan erbjuda gällande Scanias behov. Efter det så jämförs protokollen baserat på tidigare studier och protokollens specifikationer för att avgöra vilket protokoll som är bäst lämpat att användas i Scanias Connected Services. Sists så skapas ett virtuellt ramverk för att simulera olike nätverksförhållanden. Här testas varje protokoll och får sända olike datamängder för att sedan få sin prestanda utvärderad baserat på hur mycket extra data som sändes. Dessa resultat ligger sedan till grund för den analys och slutsats angående vilket protokoll som är bäst lämpat att användas av Scania. Rapporten drar slutsatsen att baserat på den information som finns tillgänglig och de resultat som ficks av testerna så skulle den UDP baserade MQTT-SN vara bäst lämpad för att minimera mängden extra data som skickas.

Le réseau de radio communications mobiles professionnelles (PMR), qui est utilisé pour le fonctionnement de la sécurité publique, doit évoluer pour les solutions à large bande pour satisfaire les demandes des utilisateurs à l’avenir. Dans les technologies à large bande actuels, Long Term Evolution (LTE), développé par le 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), est considéré comme l’un des candidats potentiels pour la prochaine génération de PMR. Malgré le fait que la technologie LTE en charge la transmission de données à haute vitesse et prend en charge différentes tailles de paquets en utilisant la modulation et le codage adaptatifs (AMC), le LTE n’est pas encore optimisée pour la communication vocale à bas débit, en particulier en cas d’utilisation LTE pour la radio communications mobiles professionnelles (PMR ) contexte. Par conséquent, dans cette thèse, nous présentons des solutions pour renforcer la capacité de la voix de la technologie LTE dans le cadre PMR à la fois la liaison montante et la transmission de liaison descendante. Les nouvelles propositions, basées sur la technologie de norme LTE existant avec des adaptations, permettent la réduction de les frais généraux de données et les frais généraux de contrôle sur LTE (VoLTE) dans le contexte PMR / The Professional Mobile Radio (PMR) network, which is used for public safety operation, has to evolve to the broadband solutions to satisfy the user demands in the future. In the current broadband technologies, Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard, developed by the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), is considered one of the potential candidates for the next generation of PMR. Despite the fact that LTE supports high-speed data transmission and supports different packet sizes by using Adaptive Modulation and Coding (AMC), LTE is not yet optimized for low bit rate voice communication, especially in case of using LTE in Professional Mobile Radio (PMR) context. Therefore, in this dissertation, we present several new solutions for enhancing the voice capacity of LTE in the PMR context for both uplink and downlink transmission. The new propositions, based on existent LTE standard technology with adaptations, allow reducing both control and data overhead issues of Voice over LTE (VoLTE) in PMR context

Corporate Social Responsibility (“CSR”) as a business approach and corporate strategy has recently been added to the agenda of big and small businesses. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange Limited (“JSE”) requires of listed companies to disclose in their annual financial statements whether they have complied with King III (2009) or to explain as to why they have not. King III (2009) lays down the principle that a company is not only a profit making institution, but should also be a responsible citizen of the country. Companies are therefore moving toward becoming corporate citizens. Corporate citizenship is about integrating corporate responsibility into core business strategies, while at the same time adding value to shareholders and stakeholders. These corporate citizens are expending more and more money on their CSR objectives in the form of CSR expenditure. The purpose of this research study is to provide an analysis of the factors that influence the South African value-added tax (“VAT”) treatment of CSR expenditure. In general, the principles in the Warner Lambert (2003) case can be applied to such expenditure under the Value-Added Tax Act (89 of 1991) (“VAT Act”), in the sense that the expense being incurred for income tax purposes in the production of income will normally also be incurred “in the course or furtherance of an enterprise” for VAT purposes. The methodology used to meet the set objectives was that of legal interpretative research, specifically doctrinal. It was used to identify how the income tax and VAT legislation is applied on overhead expenditure, specifically CSR expenditure. The principles in the South African VAT legislation, specifically relating to the input tax deduction, were compared to the international VAT system to determine whether principles are similar and foreign judgements therefore reliable. A critical analysis was thereafter performed on South African and international case law, specifically European Court Judgements (“ECJ”) judgements, relating to the deductibility of input tax. The findings are that CSR expenditure may be seen as an overhead cost to a business and furthermore as a tool with which financial benefits can be created for a company if utilised correctly. It was determined that the factors that influence the South African VAT treatment of CSR expenditure were whether a supply made for no consideration, specifically CSR expenditure, was made in the course or furtherance of an enterprise and whether the CSR expenditure incurred could be proven to have a direct or immediate link to the making of taxable supplies in the course or furtherance of the vendor’s enterprise. / MCom (South African and International Taxation), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

This thesis considers how an assessment method for reinvestments in the distribution grid can be designed and implemented. The assessment method was created to give long-term estimations of the amount overhead lines that could be substituted with underground cables and how to prioritize between different areas. The regulation of power grid companies was reviewed to highlight important factors for profitable reinvestments. The assessment method was implemented for overhead lines in Ellevio´s distribution grid using the database program FME and validated against real reinvestment decisions in a case study area called Sinntorp. The resulting reinvestment proposals mainly consist of replacing older grid sections and sections where expensive maintenance is planned in the future. The script show similar results as real reinvestment decisions but small differences are noticed related to the script’s hard focus on older grid sections. The script has potential to be used on Ellevio´s entire overhead line network but this requires work to complete essential data. Further validation on new areas are also desired to see if results are reasonable and if the script can be developed to consider more reinvestment factors.

Corporate Social Responsibility (“CSR”) as a business approach and corporate strategy has recently been added to the agenda of big and small businesses. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange Limited (“JSE”) requires of listed companies to disclose in their annual financial statements whether they have complied with King III (2009) or to explain as to why they have not. King III (2009) lays down the principle that a company is not only a profit making institution, but should also be a responsible citizen of the country. Companies are therefore moving toward becoming corporate citizens. Corporate citizenship is about integrating corporate responsibility into core business strategies, while at the same time adding value to shareholders and stakeholders. These corporate citizens are expending more and more money on their CSR objectives in the form of CSR expenditure. The purpose of this research study is to provide an analysis of the factors that influence the South African value-added tax (“VAT”) treatment of CSR expenditure. In general, the principles in the Warner Lambert (2003) case can be applied to such expenditure under the Value-Added Tax Act (89 of 1991) (“VAT Act”), in the sense that the expense being incurred for income tax purposes in the production of income will normally also be incurred “in the course or furtherance of an enterprise” for VAT purposes. The methodology used to meet the set objectives was that of legal interpretative research, specifically doctrinal. It was used to identify how the income tax and VAT legislation is applied on overhead expenditure, specifically CSR expenditure. The principles in the South African VAT legislation, specifically relating to the input tax deduction, were compared to the international VAT system to determine whether principles are similar and foreign judgements therefore reliable. A critical analysis was thereafter performed on South African and international case law, specifically European Court Judgements (“ECJ”) judgements, relating to the deductibility of input tax. The findings are that CSR expenditure may be seen as an overhead cost to a business and furthermore as a tool with which financial benefits can be created for a company if utilised correctly. It was determined that the factors that influence the South African VAT treatment of CSR expenditure were whether a supply made for no consideration, specifically CSR expenditure, was made in the course or furtherance of an enterprise and whether the CSR expenditure incurred could be proven to have a direct or immediate link to the making of taxable supplies in the course or furtherance of the vendor’s enterprise. / MCom (South African and International Taxation), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

International Telemetering Conference Proceedings / October 25-28, 1993 / Riviera Hotel and Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada / Two different types of tracking feeds are currently used in the majority of telemetry tracking antenna systems when autotrack operation is required. They are of the conical scanner or of the single channel monopulse family and they employ well known technologies. In broadband applications, these feeds all suffer from the same inherent degradation in efficiency caused by their inability to maintain a constant crossover loss value and by their failure to properly illuminate the reflector. In high dynamics situations they can also generate unwanted and sometimes detrimental modulation whenever on-axis tracking is not maintained. In addition, currently available versions of the conical scanner are not capable of high scan rates or of scan rate agility and they are ill-suited for use in tracking systems based on non-orthogonal axes positioners. This paper describes a new high efficiency tracking feed system based on proven conical scanner technology. Its design incorporates features such as variable crossover, steerable beam, high scan rates, scan rate agility as well as stable reference coordinate system. In addition to these features, this new feed is also capable of delivering, in all but one operational category, levels of performance superior to that achievable to date by any other implementation of the conical scanner or of the single channel monopulse technology.

Thesis (PhD (Civil Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / Electric overhead travelling bridge cranes are an integral part of many industrial processes, where they are used for moving loads around the industrial area

Thesis (MScEng (Electrical and Electronic Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Electrical energy is continuously transported across the world by high voltage transmission lines. These transmission lines are however subject to losses beside the inherent resistive and dielectric losses. This additional loss phenomenon is described as corona. The CSIR has developed an optical system to detect the radiation caused by the corona so that preventive measures can be taken to reduce these losses. The corona mechanism and how it results in measurable radiation is explored and the structure of the optical system is analyzed. The optical emissions detected by the present optical system offer no indication of the severity of the corona discharge. This issue is addressed in this thesis as correlations are sought between the illuminated pixels displayed on the camera’s display and physical quantities. A blackbody is employed to find a correlation between these illuminated pixels and radiation. Deviations from the correlation drawn is explored regarding the saturation mechanisms of the optical system and the distance from the blackbody. A corona cage is next employed to find a correlation between the illuminated pixels and electrical corona loss, a quantity indicative of the severity of corona losses on a transmission line. Further tests are also performed at a reduced gain as it was discovered that the optical system’s response is more linear at reduced gain than at full gain. It is also indicated that this usage of reduced gain does not have a detrimental effect on the sensitivity of the optical system. The corona cage measurement employs a small spheric source which is taken as a base measurement against which all other measurements can be compared. The deviation of this base analogy is explored against deviations in the corona discharge geometry used, the prevalent weather condition, and the saturation of the optical system itself. Both the corona cage and blackbodies used are quite bulky pieces of laboratory equipment. The use of a smaller, more portable calibration source is therefore also explored. A literature study is made of lasers, lamp sources, and laser diodes that can be employed as a more portable calibration source. The final choice of calibration source is shown to be a lamp source. Tungsten calibration lamps are explored in depth and a circuit is designed to keep the radiation from a lamp source constant in order to improve on its ability as a calibration source.

Mitt examensarbete handlar om den utfasade snickerimaskinen överfräsen. Maskinen försvann från verkstäderna för mer än 30 år sedan och den erfarenhetsbaserad kunskapen om hur den användes finns hos före detta verkmästare och arbetare. Genom platsbesök och intervjuer på verkstäder och föreningar dokumenterar jag den immateriella kunskap som inte går att finna i litteraturen. Jag kommer sedan själv göra praktiska tester på maskinen för att verifiera den nyvunna kunskapen men också för att undersöka om maskinen har några användingsområden i det moderna snickeriet. / My thesis explores the overhead router, a formerly common but now rarely used and largely forgotten milling machine. My methods will be both practical and theoretical, and I will linger on three main questions; (1) How is the overhead router used? (2) Why did workers and foremen stop using the overhead router? And (3) what are the potential advantages of the overhead router? The theoretical side of my work will be based on interviews and field research from various workshops and woodwork organizations. The practical aspect of my thesis is an attempt to learn to use the overhead router personally, and in doing so, find out if the overhead router has a place in the contemporary woodworking shop.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering / Sanjoy Das and Anil Pahwa / Because a majority of day-to-day activities rely on electricity, it plays an important role in daily life. In this digital world, most of the people’s life depends on electricity. Without electricity, the flip of a switch would no longer produce instant light, television or refrigerators would be nonexistent, and hundreds of conveniences often taken for granted would be impossible. Electricity has become a basic necessity, and so any interruption in service due to disturbances in power lines causes a great inconvenience to customers. Customers and utility commissions expect a high level of reliability. Power distribution systems are geographically dispersed and exposure to environment makes them highly vulnerable part of power systems with respect to failures and interruption of service to customers. Following the restructuring and increased competition in the electric utility industry, distribution system reliability has acquired larger significance. Better understanding of causes and consequences of distribution interruptions is helpful in maintaining distribution systems, designing reliable systems, installing protection devices, and environmental issues. Various events, such as equipment failure, animal activity, tree fall, wind, and lightning, can negatively affect power distribution systems. Weather is one of the primary causes affecting distribution system reliability. Unfortunately, as weather-related outages are highly random, predicting their occurrence is an arduous task. To study the impact of weather on overhead distribution system several models, such as linear and exponential regression models, neural network model, and ensemble methods are presented in this dissertation. The models were extended to study the impact of animal activity on outages in overhead distribution system. Outage, lightning, and weather data for four different cities in Kansas of various sizes from 2005 to 2011 were provided by Westar Energy, Topeka, and state climate office at Kansas State University weather services. Models developed are applied to estimate daily outages. Performance tests shows that regression and neural network models are able to estimate outages well but failed to estimate well in lower and upper range of observed values. The introduction of committee machines inspired by the ‘divide & conquer” principle overcomes this problem. Simulation results shows that mixture of experts model is more effective followed by AdaBoost model in estimating daily outages. Similar results on performance of these models were found for animal-caused outages.