MINING TECHNOLOGY
UP’s Carl and Emily Fuchs Institute for Microelectronics establishes measurement facility A leading-edge high-frequency sub-terahertz (THz) measurement facility has been established at the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Carl and Emily Fuchs Institute for Microelectronics (CEFIM). Sub-THz measurement refers to the evaluation, testing and characterisation of electromagnetic signals at a frequency range of up to 300 gigahertz (GHz). This is critical for next generation 6G wireless research and specific radio astronomical observations.
Stefano Balzarini, representative of the sub-THz measurement equipment supplier for the Europe, Middle East and Africa Region (front right), presents lead-in training to prospective users of the new facility at the CEFIM, facilitated by Prof Tinus Stander (front left).
“T he facility is the only one of its kind in Africa, and among a small number of sub-terahertz facilities in the southern hemisphere,” says Professor Tinus Stander of the CEFIM, which is within UP’s
and innovation – not only in globally competitive knowledge production and the development of highly skilled human resources, but also in transforming research outputs for use in industry and society. The new instrumentation
comprises a state-of-the-art vector network analyser that provides a continuous, broadband frequency sweep of up to 220 GHz, with matching harmonic mixers and calibrated noise sources for
Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering. “The facility will advance research in a wide range of applications, including next-generation wireless communication, radio astronomy and water vapour radiometry.”
The facility will advance research in a wide range of applications, including next-generation wireless communication, radio astronomy and water vapour radiometry.
spectrum and noise analysis. It will enable full-service electrical characterisation of microwave and millimetre (mm)-wave devices up to
The establishment of the facility was made possible through the allocation of funding by the national Department of Science, Technology and Innovation via the National Research Foundation’s (NRF) National Equipment Programme. It will provide access to users across South Africa and create new opportunities for research
220 GHz. This was necessary to address the changing scope of the CEFIM’s research field, where terrestrial communications, radiometric
imaging and radio astronomy all require novel electronics
26 MODERN MINING www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | SEPTEMBER 2026
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