FSATI 2024 Progress Report Q1

French South African Institute of Technology

Africa Space Innovation Centre

QUARTERLY PROGRESS REPORT

2024 Q1

Compiled by Prof. Innocent E. Davidson

Director: F’SATI and ASIC 03 April 2024

1. Executive Summary

F’SATI, the French South African Institute of Technology is a graduate school jointly developed by France and South Africa. The initiative was launched early in 1994 after a state visit by South African President Nelson Mandela to France, arranged by the Chamber of Commerce and industry with the initial objective of developing a training institute in electronics in South Africa. In 1997, ESIEE Paris created the French-South African Institute of Technology (F'SATI) in Pretoria, South Africa, in collaboration with Technikon Pretoria, which became Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in 2004.

In 2008, a second F'SATI opened in Cape Town at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT). Université Paris Est Créteil (UPEC) also joined the partnership on the French side. Since its creation, Université Gustave Eiffel has also been a F'SATI stakeholder, extending participation to all its component campuses. Since the addition of Université Gustave Eiffel to the collaboration, its scope has extended beyond ICT, to include civil engineering, technology management, and artificial intelligence. F'SATI is therefore a training institute with research centres, geared towards offering programmes in high-added-value scientific and technological fields, such as: Signal processing and telecommunications; Automation and control; Energy; Information and communication techniques; Space technology and applications.

At CPUT, the postgraduate programmes in the Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Computer Engineering (DEECE) include Doctor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering (DEng), and the Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering (MEng): full thesis or by coursework. There are three coursework master’s specialisations, namely: Master of Engineering in Energy (MEng Energy); Master of Engineering in Smart Grid; and Master of Engineering in Satellite and Space Applications.

The coursework programmes include specialised subjects and a mini-thesis component. These programmes are offered in both full-time and part-time basis. The Department

(DEECE) hosts two flagship programmes, namely: the FSATI Satellite programme and the Energy Institute.

At the July 2023 Board meeting in Paris, a strategic decision was made and expounded by the CPUT Vice Chancellor to broaden the scope of F’SATI, beyond satellite systems and applications. This provides opportunity for an expanded research scope The goal is to address diverse practical problems facing South Africa and France (Europe) and providing solutions. This refocusing serves as a catalyst for expanding current research to leverage the societal benefits that can be derived from multidisciplinary research as well as space-based services. This entails identifying new real-world problems and embarking on a multi-disciplinary research approach and establishing new research project groups, which may evolve into full-scale research centres These projects interface with any other groups at CPUT, as well as national and international collaborators This is contained in the presentation on the “New CPUT-FSATI Structure”

The French South African Institute of Technology F’SATI is therefore a multi-disciplinary training and research institute and a flagship programme at CPUT. It engages in applied scientific research and technology development across both partner nations, in support of the National Development Plan (NDP) of the South African Government, and to improve the living standards of people in the South African and the French (European) society and to contribute towards nation building.

The purpose of the Institute is to contribute to the South African engineering and scientific expertise through its own fundamental and applied research, and through collaborative work with our French (European) partners. The multidisciplinary nature of our research is reflected in the current and future activities of the Institute’s research with industry and community-based development projects. The institute engages in interdisciplinary approaches to the resolution of real-world engineering problems facing human society and industry. The strategic intent is to see F’SATI contribute massively to CPUT research productivity, human capital, generating resources, and to strengthen our endeavours in internationalization.

2. Highlights

2.1. PRESIDENTIAL PLENARY SESSION

Prof. Inno Davidson, Mr Nyameko Royi and Mr Ian van Zyl attended the Presidential Science, Technology and Innovation Plenary Session and exhibit, held at the CSIR Convention Centre in Pretoria, on 12 December 2023.

Prof. Inno Davidson, Mr Nyameko Royi and Mr Ian van Zyl at the Presidential STI, with His Excellency Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, State President, on 12 December 2023.

This was an opportunity for the State President, His Excellency Mr Cyril Ramaphosa, to address the South African scientific community.

2.2. SAUPEC 2024

SAUPEC took place on 24-25 January 2024 at the University of Stellenbosch and was attended by Professor Innocent Davidson, Mr Gregory Naidoo and Ms Thandiwe Mnisi, and a host of academics from the Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Computer Engineering, CPUT.

Mr Gregory Naidoo (DEng student) and Ms Thandiwe Mnisi (BEng Tech student) of CPUT-FSATI presenting their research at SAUPEC 2024, Stellenbosch, 25 January 2024.

Prof. Inno Davidson with Dr Akuru of TUT, the new President of the IEEE, South African Chapter. With them are other delegates and CPUT academics attending SAUPEC 2024.

2.3. Earth Observation Workshop

The Earth Observation Workshop took place on 15 February 2024 at the CSIR in Pretoria, and was attended by Professor Inno Davidson, Dr Gunjan Gupta, Dr Ayokunle Ayeleso and Mr Sinamandla Maqina. The workshop intimated stakeholders of the importance of earth observations in the government’s national development plan, and revised government policy.

Dr Ayokunle Ayeleso, Prof. Inno Davidson, Dr Gunjan Gupta and Mr Sinamandla Maqina at the Earth Observation Workshop, Pretoria, 15 February 2024.

The SA Department of Science & Innovation (DSI) strategy for earth observation and national plans, offers inclusive programs, expanded research; increased human capacity development, and increased funding towards innovative research.

The South African National Space Agency (SANSA) presented on “Intelligent Earth Observation Capabilities - Advancing South Africa's earth observation capabilities and plans (2025 Geo post strategy)” It emphasized the following: Artificial Intelligence Techniques; Capacity Building; Collaboration with industries, regional institutes and research institutions; Data sharing and accessibility; International collaboration with other space agencies in other African countries (Technology transfer programs and market development including entrepreneurship); Business development of South Africa (SA) companies; Advocating for policy supporting the growth of the industry in SA and Africa at large; and Industries are to promotes startups and young graduate transition Funding is to be received in a few months

National Earth Observation and Space Secretariat (NEOSS) presented a strategy approach to coordinate sustainable national earth observations platforms and programmes, including Data sharing & access; Resources optimisation; Capacity Building; and Deriving socio economic benefits. National Research Foundation shared on new initiatives to leverage earth observation to advance capabilities and innovation for targeted challenge solutions. This includes to Promote innovation; Localisation of technological innovations in relation to products and services (Digitisation); Promote technological development in the government priority sector through entrepreneurship; and Vision 2030; drive coordination and integration of research; to grow industry internships/work placements of graduates; and to support training and transform next generation graduates, especially in the field of space science.

Lastly, the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) provided information on satellite data offerings and plans, namely: satellite imagery of a township in Johannesburg was displayed to show the activities of SANSA over the last decade; and enabling of innovative products, services, and decision support tools.

2.4. Fast4Future Project

2.4.1

Project Summary

Focus on Africa Space Science and Technology for Future development (FAST4Future) aims at strengthening Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in Africa Higher Education (HE) by promoting Planetary, Space Science and Technology (PSST) for sustainable growth and jobs creation in a continent that is rapidly embracing the 4th industrial revolution. PSST has been identified as key area of investment in Africa to provide graduates and young scientists with both the necessary soft and practical skills to face 21st Century challenges such as digital innovation and higher skilled job creation. The aims of FAST4Future are:

i) To increase the accessibility to STEM in African HE

ii) To modernize existing PSST programmes in collaboration with industry and policy makers.

iii) To foster the internationalization of partner HEIs by promoting mobility of staff.

iv) To promote standardization of PSST in Africa to support the mobility of students.

To achieve these ambitious goals, FAST4Future will create a Centre of Excellence in PSST (CESST) which will host a virtual platform to increase accessibility to education and training materials whilst also coordinating collaborative actions that will:

i) Analyse the conditions needed to increase the participation of women in STEM in Africa

ii) Review existing PSST programs in order to fill the mismatches between academic offer and job market requirements.

iii) Draft a white paper for the credit recognition of PSST courses across African institutions.

iv) Train administrative staff and facilitate the mobility of academic and administrative staff

v) Promote the transfer of skills in key strategic areas of PSST to boost the employability of graduate students. The creation of a virtual platform within CESST will open new pathways for the dissemination of high-quality academic contents that will reach thousands of STEM learners across the continent and facilitate the access to STEM disciplines for Africans living in remote areas, conflict zones, and will increase the number of women in STEM.

2.4.2 Fast4Future Concept and Implementation

The driving concept of FAST4Future is to invest in the upskilling of excelling and promising HEIs in Africa and promote STEM education by facilitating active international collaboration and standardization of the actions already existing in the fields of PSST by following the principle of building on capacity rather than capacity building. This entails building on existing capacities, as there is need to invest in what is on the ground already instead of dissipating more energy and resources in the creation of more non-sustainable initiatives.

Therefore, the pathway to sustainability is to invest in recognised African excellence as there are groups, teams, departments, institutions in Africa that have already demonstrated their ability to lead and produce cutting edge peer reviewed science, have submitted patents and created innovations and, most of all, have already demonstrated their impact on society. FAST4Future aims at bringing together leading STEM institutions and less experienced partners in Africa by developing their potential through the following Working Packages (WP):

i) Work Package 1: Management and Cooperation

This WP is central to the entire project as it provides the necessary framework for the efficient implementation of the project, as well as monitoring and reporting to the EC. The institution in charge for this WP is Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST). The Project Manager and a Project Administrator will be focused on the day-by-day operations of the network for them to acquire experience that can be transferred to junior officers in their respective departments. BIUST will host a series of

monthly management meetings and will provide partners with a number of ZOOM licences (at no cost for the project) as most of the meetings will be virtual, to cater for the ‘new normal’ brought about by the pandemic and to make sure the project will have a lower carbon footprint.

ii) Work Package 2: Accessibility and Inclusion

This WP will respond directly to Objective 1 (OB1): Ensure Accessibility by investing in the creation of remote and inclusive learning pathways and promote equality in STEM higher education. This WP will explore new ways for reaching out to the less advantaged communities by creating remote and inclusive learning pathways and delivering high level academic contents accessible for everyone and everywhere.

iii) Work Package 3: Content Creation

This WP will focus on planning and hosting high-quality academic content for the centre of excellence in response for the need of better and more accessible STEM education. The creation of high-level academic contents for CESST will respond directly to Objective 1 (OB1): Ensure accessibility by investing in the creation of remote and inclusive learning pathways and promote equality in STEM higher education and Objective 2 (OB2): Modernization of HEIs in Africa. The contents shall be tailored towards sustainable STEM initiatives/curricula, bearing in mind the triple helix model of innovation, to build critical mass of individuals within African universities, who shall bridge the gap between space science and technology research, industry/community needs and policy making in PSST. The WP will be responsible for the coordination of high-level academic events targeting undergraduate and graduate students, disadvantaged groups, HEIs staff, amateurs, industry, and policy makers.

iv) Work Package 4: Quality and Equality of education

This WP will focus on the quality of the programmes offered by partner HEIs and on the overall academic environment in response to Objective 1 (OB1): Ensure Accessibility by

investing in the creation of remote and inclusive learning pathways and promote equality in STEM higher education and Objective 2 (OB2): Modernization of HEIs in Africa. This WP aims at the creation of the conditions necessary to ensure equality across the project initiatives and the implementation of good practices in terms of gender balance by empowering women in STEM. This WP will contribute to reforming and modernization of the partner HEIs.

v) Work Package 5: Interinstitutional Mobility

This WP will focus on the mobility of administrative and academic staff across the network of FAST4Future for the purpose of staff training, upskilling and professionalization. This WP will answer directly to Objective 2 (OB2): Modernization of HEIs in Africa and Objective 3 (OB3): Internationalization strategies for African HEIs. This WP will contribute to the creation of internationalization strategies of partner HEIs and strengthen their international relations offices. The activities in this WP will create and develop capacity in support of staff mobility and develop capacity for academic staff increasing the quality of both research and education. The administrative staff mobility will increase the capacity of planning and administration of the partner HEIs.

vi) Work Package 6: Knowledge Transfer (CPUT’s objective on the project)

This WP will facilitate the acquisition of necessary skills for the target HEIs and will also promote the mobility of research and technical staff to attract the relevant expertise in designing and building small satellites, components, and sensors. In so doing this WP will create synergies with the business sector and with small-size entities (e.g. African space agencies). This WP will directly answer the Objective 3 (OB3): Internationalization strategies for African HEIs Objective 4 (OB4): Improve the employability of PSST students. This WP will focus on the process of skills transfer from industry and experienced EU partners to African HEIs by promoting collaborative projects (months 12-30) in two strategic aspects of PSST such as satellite technology (T6.1.) and development of sensors for space exploration (T6.2). Several of the partner HEIs and other partners have received mandate from their government to build the first in-house

satellite. For this endeavour to succeed, the team of trained engineers must work in contact with scientists that will be end-users of data sourced from the satellite sensors. CubeSats have been deployed to offer services given by most conventional satellites, including Tracking & logistics, Signal Monitoring, Scientific Explorations, Earth Observation and Communications. For each of these applications, it is requirement to follow a particular tailored process from mission definition to design and implementation, and finally testing and launching. Under the leadership of the EU partners, this WP will promote the participations of staff and students from less experienced African partners into the design of a workplan for the implementation of satellites and sensors that can be then exploited by scientists and ensure the impact on the local economies and give direct access to African Governments to the quest for space exploration.

This WP will create synergies between African partners such as the BotswanaSat-1 project (BIUST), launched by the Government of Botswana and BIUST for the creation of the first CubeSat made in Botswana, the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) in Zambia, the South Africa National Space Agency (SANSA), and the technology industry in Africa, i.e. AAC Space Africa and institutes with solid background in design and assembly of satellites, i.e. CPUT in South Africa, University of Bologna in Italy and KTH in Sweden. A major part of the work will consist in creating the necessary skills and competences locally to ensure the design and construction of a bespoke workflow for the design and assembly of small satellites and sensors in Africa. This workflow will be exemplified through work with space weather sensors primarily, but is extendable towards remote sensing application, such as: weather forecasting, severe storm tracking, biosphere, and hydrosphere monitoring, etc.

These projects will be housed at CPUT, that will provide access to cutting edge facility for first-hand experience on building satellites and components (such as clean room, etc.), but will see all partners collaborating through co-mentorship of MSc students, staff visits (physical and virtual) and regular team meetings (virtual). Visiting scientists will facilitate this knowledge transfer by visiting the facility at CPUT where the team of senior and junior researchers from BIUST, CBSS, UNN, AFIT, WITS will be joined by chief

engineers from AAC Space Africa. The first one-week workshop will be held at CPUT on month 12 and will be the project’s milestone number seven (M7).

Task 6.1. Satellite Technology skills transfer [Months 12-36]

Aim of this task is to introduce of practical skills for design and assembly of small satellites in Africa to boost graduate students’ employability and foster international collaborations involving graduate students, academic staff, industry, space agencies. Focus will be placed on the statement of mission objectives and architecture, which will then drive the formulation of the main requirements. We will leverage upon systems engineering methods and practices to transform the set of requirements arising from mission objectives into a full description of a small satellite which fulfils those objectives in an optimal way. Project planning is of utmost importance to implement a space project in a coordinated and efficient way. To this end, the typical lifecycle of a space mission will be explored, from conceptualization phase to operations and disposal.

Case studies from real space missions will be analysed, and design exercises proposed to the trainees to foster their ability to present and defend design choices. Following the well-established CubeSat standard, an agile approach to spacecraft development will be explored, which allows extensive use of commercial-off-the-shelf or modified-off-theshelf equipment, thereby reducing development time. In doing so, trainees can focus on system aspects towards the achievement of the main mission goals, rather than on the development of single pieces of equipment.

Finally, the importance of system level testing and rigorous ground verification approaches will be stressed, which are recognized as key elements to increase the likelihood of success of a small-sat based mission. This task will create the necessary skills and competences locally (A6.1) and promote collaborative actions between African and EU partners in the field of satellite science and technology (A6.2) for the creation of a bespoke work plan for the design and assembly of small satellites (D6.1) in response of the growing demand from African government for the creation of capacity in this strategic sector. The more experienced HEIs in Europe will transfer knowledge to less

experienced Africa partners that, at the end of the project, will be able to design and assembly satellites for earth observation.

Task 6.2. Sensors for space exploration [months 12-30]

The task will create the necessary skills and competences locally (A6.3) promote collaborative actions between African and EU partners in the field of sensors for space exploration (A6.4) for the development and use sensors and probes for space exploration (D6.2). The more experienced HEIs in Europe will transfer knowledge to less experienced Africa partners that, at the end of the project, would be able to implement, test and work with data from in situ and remote sensors for space weather monitoring and planetary exploration. The sensors would primarily include electrical and plasma probes, magnetometers, and electromagnetic wave receivers, where the EU partners have long-standing first-hand experience. Imaging applications will also be discussed. As the technological development of the society goes forward, the effects of space weather become more and more important. This includes the ionospheric effects on the communication and navigation applications, power distribution, and space infrastructure. A recent example which received attention in the media was the loss of 40 Starlink satellites launched by SpaceX, due to a geomagnetic storm heating the upper atmosphere and making it expand upward – which drastically increased the drag on the satellites and did not allow them to reach the orbit SANSA has extensive experience with space weather research and hosts the only Space Weather Regional Warning Centre in Africa which operates as part of the International Space Environment Service (ISES). Moreover, there are several upcoming space weather and planetary exploration missions where African partners might find a role and provide both scientific and technological support and get involved in the data processing.

vii) Work Package 7: Impact and Dissemination

This WP will address the following objectives:

Objective 1(OB1): Ensure accessibility by investing in the creation of remote and inclusive learning pathways and promote equality in STEM higher education.

Objective 2 (OB2): Modernization of HEIs in Africa.

Objective 3 (OB3): Internationalization strategies for African HEIs

Objective 4 (OB4): Improve the employability of PSST students.

This WP will put in place new mechanisms for communication and dissemination of results arising from international collaborative projects and reach out to the broader audience possible using remote platform and outreach events.

2.4.3 Fast4Future Training Workshop (CPUT’s Task 6.1)

CPUT-FSATI-ASIC hosted the first Fast4Future training workshop during the week of 10 – 16 March 2024. The workshop was attended by 7 trainees: 5 trainees from Nigeria and 2 trainees from South Africa. Instructors were Prof. Dario Modenini and Dr Giacomo Curzi from the University of Bologna; Prof. Mykola Ivchenko from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden; Dr Robert van Zyl, Mr Francois Visser, Mr Leon Steenkamp and Mr Donovan Cogan from AAC Space Africa; and Mr Nyameko Royi of ASIC. One day was also spent at SANSA Space Science in Hermanus.

Prof. Dario Modeneni of the University of Bologna, Prof. Inno Davidson, Director, FSATI and Prof. Mykola Ivchenko of the KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden, during the Fast4Future Training Workshop.

Instructors, trainees and CPUT staff members attending a site visit to SANSA Space Science in Hermanus, as part of the Fast4Future training workshop, held 10 – 16 March 2024.

Table 1: Week Schedule for the workshop

2.4.4 VISITORS

During the first quarter of 2024, F’SATI at CPUT was visited by the following people:

• Mr David Martinon, Ambassador of France in South Africa, together with Paul Cavalier, Attaché for Cooperation and Cultural Programme, and Sophie Bel, Consul General of France in Cape Town, visited CPUT and the FSATI-ASIC laboratory facilities on the 31st January 2024.

Prof. Inno Davidson accompanying the Ambassador of France, Mr David Martinon, and diplomatic staff on a tour of the F’SATI facilities, 31 January 2024.

• Lt. Col. Samukolo Vilakazi (Pr. Eng.) of the South African Air Force, representing the South African national Defence Forces, visited CPUT-FSATI on the 01 March 2024. The purpose of the meeting was the tentative exploration of possibilities for

collaborative work, as well as an introduction of role players and their respective work in research, innovation, and training. Lt. Col. Vilakazi informed that there is a strategic plan within the defence forces to develop engineering capabilities within the SANDF, SAAF and the Space Command, and upskill personnel, with CPUT identified as strategic partner.

Prof. Inno Davidson along with the FSATI-ASIC staff members, meeting with Lt. Col. Vilakazi, SANDF at the F’SATI boardroom on 1st March 2024.

• Prof. Dario Modeneni and Dr Giacomo Curzi of the University of Bologna

Prof. Dario Modeneni (tallest behind) and Dr Giacomo Curzi (extreme right on first row) of the University of Bologna, Italy; and Prof Mykola Ivchenko, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden at the Workshop.

Dr. Paul Badeyang, Mr. Francois Visser, AAC Space, former FSATI Chief Engineer / SMAD Lecturer, with the 2012 class group at CPUT FSATI, Ms. Lilie Leopold-Kateya, and Dr Jarvier Kamanzi.

• Prof. Ken Nixon of the University of the Witwatersrand

Prof. Ken Nixon (3rd from the left) and his postgrad master’s student taking the selfie at the Workshop.

• Dr Arno Barnard and Dr Willem Jordaan of the University of Stellenbosch Electronic Systems Laboratory, where also visitors to the FSATI, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, to establish academic and research cooperation.

• Dr Sias Mostert of Space Commercial Services visited CPUT FSATI, to explore areas of collaboration and cooperation with local space industry.

3 Satellite Systems Engineering Programme

3.1 Subjects offered in 2024 Q1 as part of the MEng: Satellite Systems and Applications.

No subjects were offered in the first quarter of 2024.

3.2 Consecutive Joint Masters’ Degree with UPEC

The internationalisation of the CPUT degree offering brings on board an updated and enhanced curriculum in space sciences, and supervision capacity from UPEC, and the space engineering strengths of CPUT, and will allow for student exchanges. Through the offering of the new Joint Masters’ degree with UPEC, more students will attracted to the new program, and boost student interest and admission numbers.

MEng: Satellite Systems and Applications

Modules offered by CPUT:

o Satellite Applications

o Satellite Mission Analysis and Design

o Engineering for Space Environment

o Satellite Subsystems

o Management of Space Technology

Modules offered by UPEC:

o Satellite Remote Sensing of Earth's Atmospheric Composition

o Introduction to Molecular Spectroscopy for Satellite Remote Sensing

o Astrophysics/Astrochemistry

o Image Processing

Joint Contribution

• Mini Thesis – CPUT, and UPEC.

UPEC’s contribution in the Space Sciences field contributes to the Mathematical and Natural Science. CPUT will contribute to the Engineering Space and build on their established programme in Satellite Applications. During the visit of CPUT academics to UPEC during November 2023, further details of the joint degree were finalised This process continues into 2024.

The curriculum is currently being finalised in the form of course descriptions for each module in preparation for submission to the university management, as well as the Council on Higher Education. In addition, elaborate discussions have been held to finalize the semester periods and ensuring the realization of the needed synchronization between CPUT, and UPEC. This has been done with a consideration of the UPEC opening and closing times. A discussion between the CPUT representatives with Prof Vipin Balyan (as F’SATI coordinator), and Prof Cuesta (UPEC representation) has been held to reach a consensus. In this regard, a consideration of the overlap of the semester and concerned dates between CPUT and UPEC has been carried out in extensive collaborative interactions, as shown in the figure.

Overlap showing the proposed delivery period for the Joint Masters Programme between CPUT, and UPEC.

4 Short Courses

4.1 Short Courses Offered by F’SATI at CPUT

There continues to be growing need for trained cyber security specialists as cyber-crime evolves and the digital economy grows. There is still no locally registered qualification in Cyber Security and organisations rely on international certifications that are expensive and not viable in the current economic climate. The expansion of CPUT’s offering as well as the continued interest from industry and government departments are proof that the practical approach followed provides the required expertise for the cyber security environment. The first term saw two short courses offered:

First Term

1 Certificate in Cyber Security (Intake 1) Prof. Elmarie Biermann

2 OSINT Investigations Prof. Elmarie Biermann

The intake for the Certificate in Cyber Security comprises 48 students from South Africa, 4 from the Democratic Republic of Congo and 1 from Zimbabwe. The OSINT Investigations course has 2 students from South Africa.

4.2 Short Courses Being Considered for Future Implementation

F’SATI is currently planning the introduction of short new courses in the field of Aviation, which are being developed by Dr Minesh Poudel of Carpe Diem Aviation in Toulouse, France.

5 Student Matters

5.1

STUDENT NUMBERS AND DEMOGRAPHICS

During 2024 Q1 F’SATI at CPUT had the following student numbers.

No graduations took place during the first quarter of the year. However, in April 2024, three students will graduate with MEng: Electrical Engineering. For this report, they are still included among the active students for Q1 of 2024.

5.2

STUDENT EXCHANGES

During the first quarter of 2024 no student mobility occurred. However, F’SATI is in the process of arranging for student internships for 3 students from UPEC in France from April until July, and 2 students from CESI in France from June until August 2024.

6 Human Capital

F’SATI CPUT has had new academic staff appointments to support DEECE teaching, student supervision, and to conduct research. The current staff compliment, includes:

Academic/Research Staff Designation

Prof Innocent E. Davidson

Assoc. Prof. Vipin Balyan

Dr Ayodele Periola

Dr Ayokunle Ayeleso

Dr Janvier Kamanzi

Dr Gunjan Gupta

Dr Nganyang Bayendang

Dr Oluwaseyi Babalola

Prof. Graeme Oliver

Dr Kessie Govender

Dr Angus Brandt

CPUT F’SATI Node Director

Academic Coordinator, F’SATI MEng Program

Snr Lecturer / Deputy Academic Coordinator

Lecturer

Lecturer

Senior Lecturer

Postdoctoral Fellow, Smart Grids

Lecturer

Professor

Researcher / Supervisor

Lecturer

ASIC Staff Designation

Mr Nyameko Royi

Mr Sinamandla Maqina

Ms Lilie Leopold-Kateya

Chief Engineer, ASIC

Senior Engineer, ASIC

AIT Engineer, ASIC

Administrative Staff Designation

Mr Ian van Zyl

Student Representatives

Mr Odwa Nxam

Ms Thandiwe Mnisi

Operations, Finances and Comms. Manager, F’SATI – Secretariat

Student Rep. (BEng Hons Programme)

Student Rep. (BEng Programme)

Centre for Instrumentation Research (CIR) and Product Lifecycle Management

Competency Centre (PLMCC)

Dr Kessie Govender continues to serve as the Acting Director of the Centre for Instrumentation Research (CIR). Dr Stephen Bosman serves as the Manager of the Product Lifecycle Management Competency Centre (PLMCC), assisted by Mr Dennit Adams. Both centres are collaborators of F’SATI at CPUT and their students participate in the F’SATI programme at CPUT.

Adjunct Professor / Honorary Professor / Hon. Research Fellow (In Process)

Prof Pierre Cilliers

Dr. Nexhat Kapidani

Dr. Minesh Poudel

Dr Elutunji Buraimoh

SANSA

European Maritime Industry Aviation Industry, France Clemson University, USA.

7 Research

7.1 RESEARCH PUBLICATION OUTPUT FOR 2024 Q1

The following number of research publication outputs was achieved during the quarter:

7.2 HIGHER DEGREES SUPERVISION DURING 2024 Q1

The following external postgraduate students completed dissertations under the supervision/co-supervision of Prof IE Davidson in 2024 Q1.

Doctor of Engineering (DUT)

Dakora, Jonas Don-Yelee, BTech (CPUT), MEng (DUT) Electrical Engineering

Dissertation: Performance analysis of low-density parity check node for satellite communication in Ka-band.

Supervisors: Professor IE Davidson and Dr KT Akindeji

Master of Engineering (DUT)

Nampoya, Crispin, BTech, Electrical Engineering

Dissertation: Performance analysis of industrial traction drive systems.

Supervisor: Prof IE Davidson and Dr AA Adebiyi

Phakathi, Mthandeni, BTech, Electrical Engineering

Dissertation: Integration of a Microgrid into the eThekwini Municipality Rural Settlement: A research case of Mangamazini Village Supervisor: Prof IE Davidson and Mr. K Loji

8 Appendices

8.1 RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS OUTPUT IN 2024 Q1

8.1.1 CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

[1] Naidoo, G.J., Davidson, I.E. and Gupta, G. 2024. “Forecasting of Time Series Telemetry for Satellite Operations using Deep Learning Techniques” in Proceedings of the 2024 32nd Southern African Universities Power Engineering Conference (SAUPEC), 24 – 25 January 2024, Stellenbosch, South Africa

[2] Mnisi, T.P., Kamanzi, J. and Davidson, I.E. 2024. “A Study of AIS Frames Sent by CubeSats into the Ground Station” in Proceedings of the 2024 32nd Southern African Universities Power Engineering Conference (SAUPEC), 24 – 25 January 2024, Stellenbosch, South Africa

[3] Periola, A.A., Abo-Al-Ez, K. and Raji, A. 2024. “Seismic Activity Impact Mitigation on Wind Turbine and Solar PV Energy Output Production”, in Proceedings of the 2024 32nd Southern African Universities Power Engineering Conference (SAUPEC), 24 – 25 January 2024, Stellenbosch, South Africa

[4] Periola, A.A., Alonge, A. and Ogudo, K. 2024. “Cloud Resolution and Solar Location Diversity” in Proceedings of the 2024 32nd Southern African Universities Power Engineering Conference (SAUPEC), 24 – 25 January 2024, Stellenbosch, South Africa

8.1.2 ACCREDITED JOURNALS

[1] Ligwa, M. and Balyan, V. 2024. “Cooperative Power Domain Noma Transmission Using Relays” in International Journal on Smart Sensing and Intelligent Systems 17 (1), 6, 2024.

[2] Periola, A.A. 2024. “TCP Stratos for stratosphere-based computing platforms” in Journal of Cloud Computing, Vol 13, no. 1, Mar. 2024

[3] Davidson, I.E., and Periola, A.A. 2024. “Bio-Inspired Design of Future Solar Power Systems for Smart Grid Applications” in International Journal of Smart Grid, 30 Mar. 2024, Vol. 8, no.1, pp.63 – 73

[4] Bayendang, N.P., Balyan, V. and Kahn, M.T. 2024. “The question of thermoelectric devices (TEDs) in/efficiency – practical examination considering thermoelectric coolers (TECs)” in Elsevier, Results in Engineering, 101827, 2024

[5] Periola, A.A., Alonge, A.A. and Ogudo, K.A. 2024. “Ocean warming events resilience capability in underwater computing platforms” in Scientific Reports, vol.14, no. 1, Feb.2024

[6] Ogundile, O.M., Owade, A.A., Ogundile, O.O. and Babalola, O.P. 2024. “Linear discriminant analysis based hidden Markov model for detection of Mysticetes’ vocalisations” in Scientific African, Vol 24, 2024

[7] Periola, A.A. 2024. “Nuclear resilient and redundant compute and communication integrated network” in Soft Computing, Jan. 2024

[8] Lamiscarre, B., Davidson, I.E., Rincón Cuta, Y., Zelaya Cruz, L.G. and MoraCamino, F. 2024. “Structuring the Urban Airspace for Efficient Logistics Traffic Operation” in Revista Ciencie y Poder Aéro, Vol. 19. No. 1 (Jan – Jun), pp. 24 – 31

[9] Babalola, O.P. and Versfeld, J. 2024. “Wavelet-based feature extraction with hidden Markov model classification of Antarctic blue whale sounds” in Ecological Informatics, Vol 80, 2024

[10] Periola, A.A. 2024. “Stratospheric platform applications: reduced cognitive load for multimedia and education” in Wireless Networks, Jan. 2024

8.1.3 BOOKS AND CHAPTERS IN BOOKS

[1] Karam, H., Anwama, E., Davidson, I.E.A., Alfazari, H., Krykhtine, F. and MoraCamino, F. 2024. “A Methodology for Evaluating Aviation Sustainability Perspectives”. in Nik Mohd., N.A.R. and Mat, S. (eds) Proceedings of the 2nd International Seminar on Aeronautics and Energy. ISAE 2022. Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering. Springer, Singapore.

[2] Lamiscarre, B., Davidson, I., Mykoniatis, G., Cruz, L.G.Z. and Mora-Camino, F. 2024. “Assessing Drone-Based Last-Mile Logistics – A Hybrid Solution” in Nik Mohd., N.A.R. and Mat, S. (eds) Proceedings of the 2nd International Seminar on Aeronautics and Energy ISAE 2022. Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering. Springer, Singapore.