Mitigation of single event upsets in a XILINX ARTIX-7 field programmable gate array
- Authors: Omolo, Joshua
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Field programmable gate arrays -- Design and construction Prototypes, Engineering
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEng
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22310 , vital:29942
- Description: Field programmable gate arrays are increasingly being used in harsh environments like space where high energy particles from radiation affect the integrity of the data. Before deployment of satellites in space, characterisation and consequently mitigation of radiation effects is necessary to avoid failure. By irradiating a digital microelectronic device, using accelerated energetic particles, it is possible to predict the likelihood of an event effect happening. Such irradiation tests can only be done at a particle accelerator facility such as iThemba LABS in Cape Town. It is the one of the few particle accelerators in the southern hemisphere and offers the capacity to perform these event effect characterisation tests. Triple Modular Redundancy (TMR) is a commonly used mitigation technique in microelectronics. Although effective, it has the downside of increased resource area. A DMR-Filter combination mitigation technique was developed at the Nelson Mandela University. It uses fewer resources than TMR and it is envisaged to significantly reduce event upsets in a FPGA. This research project seeks to investigate the effectiveness of the DMR-Filter combination mitigation technique in reducing the likelihood of event upsets occurring in Xilinx’s Artix-7 FPGA when exposed to highly accelerated particles, similar to those in space.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Omolo, Joshua
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Field programmable gate arrays -- Design and construction Prototypes, Engineering
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEng
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/22310 , vital:29942
- Description: Field programmable gate arrays are increasingly being used in harsh environments like space where high energy particles from radiation affect the integrity of the data. Before deployment of satellites in space, characterisation and consequently mitigation of radiation effects is necessary to avoid failure. By irradiating a digital microelectronic device, using accelerated energetic particles, it is possible to predict the likelihood of an event effect happening. Such irradiation tests can only be done at a particle accelerator facility such as iThemba LABS in Cape Town. It is the one of the few particle accelerators in the southern hemisphere and offers the capacity to perform these event effect characterisation tests. Triple Modular Redundancy (TMR) is a commonly used mitigation technique in microelectronics. Although effective, it has the downside of increased resource area. A DMR-Filter combination mitigation technique was developed at the Nelson Mandela University. It uses fewer resources than TMR and it is envisaged to significantly reduce event upsets in a FPGA. This research project seeks to investigate the effectiveness of the DMR-Filter combination mitigation technique in reducing the likelihood of event upsets occurring in Xilinx’s Artix-7 FPGA when exposed to highly accelerated particles, similar to those in space.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
The spatial ecology and roost site selection of fledging Cape vultures (Gyps coprotheres) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Martens, Francis Rae, Downs, Colleen
- Authors: Martens, Francis Rae , Downs, Colleen
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Spatial ecology -- South Africa -- Easter , Gyps -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Vultures -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Birds -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15875 , vital:28284
- Description: The Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres), a southern African endemic, is a species currently listed on the IUCN Red List as “Threatened” due to its 66-81% decline over the past 50 years. South Africa and Lesotho hold 90% of the global population, which are focused at two core areas, namely northern central South Africa and eastern South Africa. This species provides important ecological services yet faces numerous anthropogenic threats. An emerging threat in the south eastern part of South Africa is that of wind energy development. Understanding the movement and roosting behaviour of the Cape Vulture may mitigate potential collisions if areas of high use are avoided. Juvenile Cape Vultures, who naturally suffer high mortality rates, are known to forage extensively over a wider landscape and as a consequence may face a greater assortment of threats. The overall aim of this study therefore was to determine the ranging and roosting behaviour of juvenile Cape Vultures in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. In order to achieve this aim, i) the ranging behaviour and habitat use were determined and ii) roost sites and factors that influence roost site selection were determined. Using five juvenile Cape Vultures tagged with Global Positioning System (GPS/GSM) transmitters, home range sizes, distance travelled from the nest and habitat use were determined. Home range was determined through kernel density estimates and distance travelled from the nest was determined through the Euclidean distance. Habitat use was determined by overlaying the home range size onto a merged layer of all protected areas and the National Land Cover Database of South Africa. To determine roost sites, data from the tagged vultures were split into encamped and exploratory movements using a mixture model in a cluster analysis setting. Encamped movements were associated with roost sites. Roost density was determined around the natal colony using predetermined buffer sizes and a generalised linear mixed model (GLMM) fitted to the data. Conditions considered favourable for roost sites were based on previous research conducted on cliff-nesting species and a GLMM conducted. Juveniles increased their home range progressively for the first two months, then exhibited a rapid increase in size associated with dispersal from the colony. Distance from the nest increased rapidly following the dispersal period. Protected areas and woody vegetation were areas of preferred habitat. The highest density of roosts for juveniles was located within 20 km’s from the breeding colony and decreased further away. Roost sites that were favoured for juveniles and adult birds were those that were located close to colonies, had low accessibility to terrestrial predators and were in areas of high wind speed. The orientation of the cliff into the prevailing wind direction was also a determining factor. Roosting sites and foraging areas are important spatial determinants of Cape Vulture behaviour and the identification of such areas can help with conservation management. With the additional threat of wind development in areas highly utilised, wind farms located too close to colonies could have a devastating impact on the Cape Vulture population. Therefore, this study highlights the importance of conservation buffer zones as no-go areas for wind energy development around vulture colonies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Martens, Francis Rae , Downs, Colleen
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Spatial ecology -- South Africa -- Easter , Gyps -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Vultures -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Birds -- Behavior -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15875 , vital:28284
- Description: The Cape Vulture (Gyps coprotheres), a southern African endemic, is a species currently listed on the IUCN Red List as “Threatened” due to its 66-81% decline over the past 50 years. South Africa and Lesotho hold 90% of the global population, which are focused at two core areas, namely northern central South Africa and eastern South Africa. This species provides important ecological services yet faces numerous anthropogenic threats. An emerging threat in the south eastern part of South Africa is that of wind energy development. Understanding the movement and roosting behaviour of the Cape Vulture may mitigate potential collisions if areas of high use are avoided. Juvenile Cape Vultures, who naturally suffer high mortality rates, are known to forage extensively over a wider landscape and as a consequence may face a greater assortment of threats. The overall aim of this study therefore was to determine the ranging and roosting behaviour of juvenile Cape Vultures in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. In order to achieve this aim, i) the ranging behaviour and habitat use were determined and ii) roost sites and factors that influence roost site selection were determined. Using five juvenile Cape Vultures tagged with Global Positioning System (GPS/GSM) transmitters, home range sizes, distance travelled from the nest and habitat use were determined. Home range was determined through kernel density estimates and distance travelled from the nest was determined through the Euclidean distance. Habitat use was determined by overlaying the home range size onto a merged layer of all protected areas and the National Land Cover Database of South Africa. To determine roost sites, data from the tagged vultures were split into encamped and exploratory movements using a mixture model in a cluster analysis setting. Encamped movements were associated with roost sites. Roost density was determined around the natal colony using predetermined buffer sizes and a generalised linear mixed model (GLMM) fitted to the data. Conditions considered favourable for roost sites were based on previous research conducted on cliff-nesting species and a GLMM conducted. Juveniles increased their home range progressively for the first two months, then exhibited a rapid increase in size associated with dispersal from the colony. Distance from the nest increased rapidly following the dispersal period. Protected areas and woody vegetation were areas of preferred habitat. The highest density of roosts for juveniles was located within 20 km’s from the breeding colony and decreased further away. Roost sites that were favoured for juveniles and adult birds were those that were located close to colonies, had low accessibility to terrestrial predators and were in areas of high wind speed. The orientation of the cliff into the prevailing wind direction was also a determining factor. Roosting sites and foraging areas are important spatial determinants of Cape Vulture behaviour and the identification of such areas can help with conservation management. With the additional threat of wind development in areas highly utilised, wind farms located too close to colonies could have a devastating impact on the Cape Vulture population. Therefore, this study highlights the importance of conservation buffer zones as no-go areas for wind energy development around vulture colonies.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Vulnerabilities of Coastal Tourism destinations to climate change related incidents: a case study selected holiday resorts along the wildcoast, Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Van Der Byl, Athina
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Coastal Tourism destinations -- Wildcoast Wildcoast -- Holiday resorts -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Climate change -- Tourism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Sc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/1337 , vital:32259
- Description: Climate change is a global phenomenon with major impacts on coastlines, leaving coastal areas vulnerable to conditions such as sea level rise, flooding as well as storm surges, which results in increased damage to or loss of coastal property and infrastructure. The study examined the vulnerability of the Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast resorts to climate change related impacts. Both qualitative and quantitative methods aided by questionnaires and GIS mapping were used to identify vulnerable settlements as well as their impacts. A meta analysis of the identified vulnerabilities was studied and strategies employed to reduce the impacts was also done. Results indicated that almost 80% of the Wild Coast resorts occur within the low-lying areas of the coast and these areas were mostly affected by impacts such as sea level rise, heavy rainfall and floods accompanied by storm surges. Another alarming challenge faced by the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality was controlling unplanned developments within these low-lying zones of the coast. Therefore, it is recommended that relevant departments provide awareness through various platforms such as workshops, programmes and campaigns to ensure that people understand the risk of climate change on low-lying areas as well as mainstreaming climate change in long term development planning. This study highlights a need for monitoring of coastal environments vulnerable to the impact of climate change along a South African coastline.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Van Der Byl, Athina
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Coastal Tourism destinations -- Wildcoast Wildcoast -- Holiday resorts -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Climate change -- Tourism
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Sc
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/11260/1337 , vital:32259
- Description: Climate change is a global phenomenon with major impacts on coastlines, leaving coastal areas vulnerable to conditions such as sea level rise, flooding as well as storm surges, which results in increased damage to or loss of coastal property and infrastructure. The study examined the vulnerability of the Eastern Cape’s Wild Coast resorts to climate change related impacts. Both qualitative and quantitative methods aided by questionnaires and GIS mapping were used to identify vulnerable settlements as well as their impacts. A meta analysis of the identified vulnerabilities was studied and strategies employed to reduce the impacts was also done. Results indicated that almost 80% of the Wild Coast resorts occur within the low-lying areas of the coast and these areas were mostly affected by impacts such as sea level rise, heavy rainfall and floods accompanied by storm surges. Another alarming challenge faced by the King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality was controlling unplanned developments within these low-lying zones of the coast. Therefore, it is recommended that relevant departments provide awareness through various platforms such as workshops, programmes and campaigns to ensure that people understand the risk of climate change on low-lying areas as well as mainstreaming climate change in long term development planning. This study highlights a need for monitoring of coastal environments vulnerable to the impact of climate change along a South African coastline.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
A framework for management participation in HIV and AIDS intervention programmes: the Chris Hani District Municipality case
- Authors: Kolo, Vuyiswa Felicia
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Employee health promotion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15345 , vital:28221
- Description: South Africa is one of the countries in the world with the highest number of people living with HIV/AIDS. Workplace HIV/AIDS programmes have been singled out by the Government as one of the measures to fight against the spread of the disease. However, it is quite concerning that managers in most organisations are very reluctant to actively participate in the programmes. One of such organisations is the Chris Hani District Municipality. Reluctance by managers to participate in these programmes has given rise to effects such as lower level employees also not willing to participate in the programmes; thereby undermining efforts by the municipality and the National Government as a whole to fight against the spread of the disease in South Africa. This study has developed a framework that may enable municipal managers to participate in HIV/AIDS programmes in the municipality. In addition the study has also explored factors that discourage managers from participating in HIV/AIDS programmes. The study took place in the Chris Hani municipality. The sample population was municipal managers from the different directorates. The methodological approach was quantitative. Data was collected with use of a questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed physically and electronically by the researcher. The findings of the study show that in order for managers to actively participate in the programmes of HIV/AIDS, measures should be put place to enhance the following: self-awareness, positive attitude, effective communication, management involvement, management support, and relationship building. The researcher hopes that the study will not only enhance management participation in the Chris Hani municipality, but also other municipalities and organisations in South Africa interested in the fight against the spread of the HIV/AIDS disease.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Kolo, Vuyiswa Felicia
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Employee health promotion -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape AIDS (Disease) -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/15345 , vital:28221
- Description: South Africa is one of the countries in the world with the highest number of people living with HIV/AIDS. Workplace HIV/AIDS programmes have been singled out by the Government as one of the measures to fight against the spread of the disease. However, it is quite concerning that managers in most organisations are very reluctant to actively participate in the programmes. One of such organisations is the Chris Hani District Municipality. Reluctance by managers to participate in these programmes has given rise to effects such as lower level employees also not willing to participate in the programmes; thereby undermining efforts by the municipality and the National Government as a whole to fight against the spread of the disease in South Africa. This study has developed a framework that may enable municipal managers to participate in HIV/AIDS programmes in the municipality. In addition the study has also explored factors that discourage managers from participating in HIV/AIDS programmes. The study took place in the Chris Hani municipality. The sample population was municipal managers from the different directorates. The methodological approach was quantitative. Data was collected with use of a questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed physically and electronically by the researcher. The findings of the study show that in order for managers to actively participate in the programmes of HIV/AIDS, measures should be put place to enhance the following: self-awareness, positive attitude, effective communication, management involvement, management support, and relationship building. The researcher hopes that the study will not only enhance management participation in the Chris Hani municipality, but also other municipalities and organisations in South Africa interested in the fight against the spread of the HIV/AIDS disease.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
Improving school performance through effective SGB governance in previously disadvantaged schools
- Authors: Mbengashe, Andile
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: School boards -- South Africa , School-based management -- South Africa , School improvement programs -- South Africa , Academic achievement -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8910 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021050
- Description: The lack of the visible and practical involvement of parents in schools that are in previously disadvantaged communities is not only depriving the present learners and their parents of their democratic right to participate in shaping their future, but that of the coming generation and leaders of tomorrow as well. South Africa as a country is about twenty years into democracy and already the education system has been chopped and changed about four times but with no success. The schooling system in previously black communities is deteriorating. The government of the day has been prioritising education for about fifteen years now, the budget for education is equal to the budget for the whole country in some of the neighbouring countries like Zimbabwe but the quality and standard are far worse than in those countries. The cost of the current problems in education mostly in previously black township schools is far too much to imagine. The main challenge seems to be the nature, character, skills and capabilities of parents serving in school governing bodies. This study is so important because of the situation that exists in schools that are situated in historically disadvantaged communities where the parents who get elected to school governing bodies are still, despite workshops and training offered by the Department of Education, unable to manage and govern schools and thus render the school governing body ineffective. The Department of Education through its programmes does conduct governance, financial management and policy formulation workshops. These efforts from the government side do not seem to bear any fruit because parents, after attending the training and workshops are still unable to create well-managed and properly governed schools. The primary objective of this study is to improve the organisational performance of schools in previously disadvantaged communities in the Uitenhage District of the Department of Education situated in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality by investigating how effective school governing body governance could contribute to such performance. More specifically, the study investigates the relationship between effective school governing body management, as a dependent variable, and parental/community involvement, finance and resource management, school governance, learner discipline/conduct, and quality education as independent variables. The population of the study was high school principals and school management team (SMT) members in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality focusing mainly on historically or previously disadvantaged schools in the Uitenhage district of the Department of Education. The study used convenience sampling where seventeen (17) high schools were selected. In each school, school management team members and a principal were requested to fill in a questionnaire. In total 105 questionnaires were distributed and 85 were fully completed and returned. Questionnaires were collected, data captured and analysed and a report was written. The empirical results revealed the following weaknesses in the SGBs of high schools in the Uitenhage District of the Department of Education in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality: the SGBs do not effectively formulate school policies; the SGBs do not effectively provide support to educators in performing their professional duties; the SGBs are not fully involved in supplementing resources supplied by the state in order to improve quality of teaching and learning; and the schools are weak on community engagement. On the other hand, the following positive elements of SGBs were highlighted in the empirical results; the schools are rated good regarding the following variables/issues: quality of teaching and learning, utilisation of school resources, school governance, professionalism of staff and extra-mural activities; the SGBs know and participate in the academic and extra-mural programmes of the schools; the SGBs successfully prepare the annual budget for the schools; the SGBs are effectively governing the schools; the SGBs do appoint auditors to audit the school's books and financial statements; the schools have achieved audited financial statements without a disclaimer; the schools have a disciplinary committee that deals with the learner code of conduct and attends to disciplinary problems. The study highlights areas in school governance that should be improved, as well as recommendations on how to improve them. Recommendations for future research are also provided.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
- Authors: Mbengashe, Andile
- Date: 2014
- Subjects: School boards -- South Africa , School-based management -- South Africa , School improvement programs -- South Africa , Academic achievement -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: vital:8910 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021050
- Description: The lack of the visible and practical involvement of parents in schools that are in previously disadvantaged communities is not only depriving the present learners and their parents of their democratic right to participate in shaping their future, but that of the coming generation and leaders of tomorrow as well. South Africa as a country is about twenty years into democracy and already the education system has been chopped and changed about four times but with no success. The schooling system in previously black communities is deteriorating. The government of the day has been prioritising education for about fifteen years now, the budget for education is equal to the budget for the whole country in some of the neighbouring countries like Zimbabwe but the quality and standard are far worse than in those countries. The cost of the current problems in education mostly in previously black township schools is far too much to imagine. The main challenge seems to be the nature, character, skills and capabilities of parents serving in school governing bodies. This study is so important because of the situation that exists in schools that are situated in historically disadvantaged communities where the parents who get elected to school governing bodies are still, despite workshops and training offered by the Department of Education, unable to manage and govern schools and thus render the school governing body ineffective. The Department of Education through its programmes does conduct governance, financial management and policy formulation workshops. These efforts from the government side do not seem to bear any fruit because parents, after attending the training and workshops are still unable to create well-managed and properly governed schools. The primary objective of this study is to improve the organisational performance of schools in previously disadvantaged communities in the Uitenhage District of the Department of Education situated in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality by investigating how effective school governing body governance could contribute to such performance. More specifically, the study investigates the relationship between effective school governing body management, as a dependent variable, and parental/community involvement, finance and resource management, school governance, learner discipline/conduct, and quality education as independent variables. The population of the study was high school principals and school management team (SMT) members in the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality focusing mainly on historically or previously disadvantaged schools in the Uitenhage district of the Department of Education. The study used convenience sampling where seventeen (17) high schools were selected. In each school, school management team members and a principal were requested to fill in a questionnaire. In total 105 questionnaires were distributed and 85 were fully completed and returned. Questionnaires were collected, data captured and analysed and a report was written. The empirical results revealed the following weaknesses in the SGBs of high schools in the Uitenhage District of the Department of Education in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality: the SGBs do not effectively formulate school policies; the SGBs do not effectively provide support to educators in performing their professional duties; the SGBs are not fully involved in supplementing resources supplied by the state in order to improve quality of teaching and learning; and the schools are weak on community engagement. On the other hand, the following positive elements of SGBs were highlighted in the empirical results; the schools are rated good regarding the following variables/issues: quality of teaching and learning, utilisation of school resources, school governance, professionalism of staff and extra-mural activities; the SGBs know and participate in the academic and extra-mural programmes of the schools; the SGBs successfully prepare the annual budget for the schools; the SGBs are effectively governing the schools; the SGBs do appoint auditors to audit the school's books and financial statements; the schools have achieved audited financial statements without a disclaimer; the schools have a disciplinary committee that deals with the learner code of conduct and attends to disciplinary problems. The study highlights areas in school governance that should be improved, as well as recommendations on how to improve them. Recommendations for future research are also provided.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2014
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