Braam Otto

My name is Braam Otto and I am an Electrical Engineer specialising in Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) and Radio Frequency Interference (RFI). Over the past 18 years I have contributed to solving EMC and RFI related problems on large complex systems.

I am also passionate about riding my bicycles, playing my guitars and taking photographs.

If you are interested in some of the EMC and RFI work I’ve been involved with over the years, then please scroll down to view a list of publications including International Journals, Transactions and Magazines, as well as Conferences Proceedings and other Academic Publications.

You can contact me by email or LinkedIn profile below if you want to get in touch or find out more.

International Journals, Transactions & Magazines

[1]	A. J. Otto and H. C. Reader, Wideband and Narrowband HVDC Conductor Corona Test Methods for Radio Noise Predictions, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol. 25, No. 4, October 2010, pp. 2950-2957.
[2]	A. J. Otto and H. C. Reader, HVDC Corona Space Charge Modelling and Metrology, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol. 26, No. 4, October 2011, pp. 2630-2637.
[3]	A. J. Otto, N. Marais, E. Lezar, D. B. Davidson, Using the FEniCS Package for FEM Solutions in Electromagnetics, IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine, IEEE, Vol. 54, Issue 4, September 2012, pp. 206-223.
[4]	Dr. Braam Otto, Paul van der Merwe and Prof. Howard C. Reader, Electromagnetic Compatibility and the Square Kilometre Array, EngineeringIT Magazine, May 2013, pp. 63-66.
[5]	F. Camilo et al., Revival of the Magnetar PSR J1622–4950: Observations with MeerKAT, Parkes, XMM-Newton, Swift, Chandra, and NuSTAR, The Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 856, No. 2, April 2018. arXiv:1804.01933v1
[6]	I. Heywood, F. Camilo, W. D. Cotton et al., Inflation of 430-parsec bipolar radio bubbles in the Galactic Centre by an energetic event, Nature, Vol. 573, pp. 235–237 (2019) doi:10.1038/s41586-019-1532-5
[7]	I. Heywood, et. al., The 1.28 GHz MeerKAT Galactic Center Mosaic, The Astrophysical Journal, January 2022, arXiv:2201.10541v3.
[8]	A. J. Otto, A. R. Botha, P. S. V. der Merwe and T. Nkawu, Characterising Transient Radio Frequency Interference from Motors for the Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescopes, in IEEE Letters on Electromagnetic Compatibility Practice and Applications, 24 February 2023, doi: 10.1109/LEMCPA.2023.3248641.

International Conference Proceedings

[1]	B. Otto, W. A. Clarke and H. C. Ferreira, A Boolean Neural Network Decoder for Codes Based on the Hamming Distance, Proceedings of the International Symposium on Communication Theory and Applications, Ambleside, UK, pp. 39-43, July 2005.
[2]	H. C. Reader, R. H. Geschke, A. J. Otto, J. Badenhorst, Transfer Impedance and Bandgap Structures in EMI Suppression, Proceedings of the 17th South African Universities Power Engineering Conference (SAUPEC), Durban, KwaZulu Natal, pp.7- 11, January 2008.
[3]	A. J. Otto, P. J. Pieterse, H. C. Reader, An Electrometer to Measure Ion Space Charge, Proceedings of the 18th South African Universities Power Engineering Conference (SAUPEC), Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa, pp. 117-121, January 2009.
[4]	A. J. Otto, H. C. Reader and P. J. Pieterse, Ion Space Charge Measurement and Simulation, Proceedings of the 16th International Symposium on High Voltage (ISH), Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa, August 2009.
[5]	R. Warrington, A. J. Otto, H. C. Reader and R. van Zyl, HVDC Electrostatic Field Mill Development, Proceedings of the 19th South African Universities Power Engineering Conference (SAUPEC), University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, January 2010.
[6]	H. C. Reader, P. Kibet-Langat, J. Andriambeloson, C. van der Merwe, P. S. van der Merwe, A. J. Otto and P. G. Wiid, Recent Research and Developments for KAT-7 RFI Mitigation and EMC, Proceedings of 2011 South African IEEE AP/MTT/EMC Conference, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa, 14-15 April 2011.
[7]	P. G. Wiid, A. J. Otto, P. S. van der Merwe and H. C. Reader, EMI Studies on Lightning Mitigation and Soil Attenuation for KAT-7, Proceedings of 2011 South African IEEE AP/MTT/EMC Conference, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa, 14-15 April 2011.
[8]	A. J. Otto and H. C. Reader, Computational Electromagnetic Modelling of Direct Current Corona Discharges, Proceedings of the 20th South African Universities Power Engineering Conference (SAUPEC), University of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa, 13-15 July 2011.
[9]	H. C. Reader, P. S. van der Merwe, A. J. Otto, P. G. Wiid, P. K. Langat, J. Andriambeloson and C. van der Merwe, South African SKA Demonstrator Systems: Evolving RFI Mitigation Investigations, Proceedings of the XXX URSI General Assembly and Scientific Symposium (GASS), Istanbul, Turkey, August 13-20, 2011.
[10]	A. J. Otto, H. C. Reader and R. G. Marchand, Complex Permittivity Measurements of Karoo Soil for the Square Kilometre Array, Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Electromagnetics in Advanced Applications (ICEAA), Torino, Italy, 12-17 September 2011.
[11]	P. S. van der Merwe, A. J. Otto and H. C. Reader, Practical Definition of Interface Barrier Effective Shielding, Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Electromagnetics in Advanced Applications (ICEAA), Torino, Italy, 12-17 September 2011.
[12]	H. C. Reader, P. S. van der Merwe, A. J. Otto, P. G. Wiid, J. Andriambeloson, P. Kibet-Langat, B. Kruizinga, EMC Techniques for a Complex Problem: Karoo Array Telescope, Proceedings of the 2012 European Space Agency Workshop on Aerospace EMC, Venice, Italy, 21-23 May 2012.
[13]	A. J. Otto, E. Lezar, N. Marais, R. G. Marchand and D. B. Davidson, Rapid, High-Order Finite Element Modelling with FEniCS and SUCEM:FEM, Proceedings of the 11th International Workshop on Finite Elements for Microwave Engineering (FEM2012), Estes Park, Colorado, USA, 04-06 June 2012.
[14]	A. J. Otto, N. Marais and D. B. Davidson, Near-Field to Far-Field Transforms using PDE Based Methods, in Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Electromagnetics in Advanced Applications (ICEAA), Cape Town, South Africa, 02-07 September 2012.
[15]	H. C. Reader, A. J. Otto, P. S. van der Merwe, P. G. Wiid and A. R. Botha, MeerKAT RFI Environment Modeling and Metrology, in Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Electromagnetics in Advanced Applications (ICEAA), Cape Town, South Africa, 02-07 September 2012.
[16]	A. J. Otto, P G Wiid, H C Reader and D B Davidson, Computational Electromagnetics for the Square Kilometre Array Project, in Proceedings of the Centre for High Performance Computing (CHPC) Annual Conference, Durban, South Africa, December 2012.
[17]	H. Pienaar, A. J. Otto, P. S. van der Merwe and D. B. Davidson, Building Electromagnetic Shielding Characterisation Using Multicopter, in Proceedings of 2016 Asia Pacific International Symposium on Electromagnetic Compatibility, Vol. 01, pp. 309-312, 2016, DOI: 10.1109/ APEMC.2016.7522721.
[18]	P. S. van der Merwe and A. J. Otto, EMC Complexities of Renewable Energy and the Square Kilometre Array, in Proceedings of the 2016 SAIEE AP/MTT/ EMC Chapter, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 28-29 July 2016.
[19]	A. J. Otto and R. P. Millenaar and P. S. van der Merwe, Characterising RFI for the Square Kilometre Array, in IEEE Proceedings of Radio Frequency Interference (RFI), Socorro, New Mexico, U.S.A., 17-20 October 2016, pp. 81-84, DOI: 10.1109/RFINT.2016.7833536.
[20]	R. P. Millenaar and A. J. Otto, Innovations in Instrumentation for RFI Monitoring, in IEEE Proceedings of Radio Frequency Interference (RFI), Socorro, New Mexico, U.S.A., 17-20 October 2016, pp. 81-84, DOI: 10.1109/RFINT.2016.7833533.
[21]	A. J. Otto, R. P. Millenaar, C. van der Merwe, T. Abbott, S. Tshongweni and A. R. Botha, Aeronautical Radio Frequency Interference Characterisation for the Square Kilometre Array, in Proceedings of the 32nd URSI GASS, Montreal, Canada, 19-26 August 2017.
[22]	A. R. Botha, J. R. Manley, P. S. van der Merwe and A. J. Otto, Analogue Design for Dynamic, Broadband Receivers, in Proceedings of the 32nd URSI GASS, Montreal, Canada, 19-26 August 2017.
[23]	A. R. Botha, J. R. Manley, P. S. van der Merwe, A. J. Otto and F. B. Kapp, Real-Time Transient Analysers for Radio Astronomy, in Proceedings for 32nd URSI GASS, International Union of Radio Sciences General Assembly and Scientific Symposium, Montreal, Canada, 19-26 August 2017.
[24]	A. J. Otto, R. P. Millenaar, C. van der Merwe, T. Abbott, S. Tshongweni and A. R. Botha, Aeronautical Radio Frequency Interference Characterisation for the Square Kilometre Array, in Proceedings for 32nd URSI GASS, International Union of Radio Sciences General Assembly and Scientific Symposium, Montreal, Canada, 19-26 August 2017.
[25]	George Smit, Braam Otto and Isak Theron, EMI Measurements for SKA1 Mid Dish Qualification, Proceedings of South African IEEE Joint AP/MTT/ EMC Chapter Conference, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa, 30 August 2018.
[26]	R. Siebrits et al., Dissemination of Reference Signals for a Next Generation Radio Telescope, 2018 IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium (IFCS), Olympic Valley, CA, 2018, pp. 1-6, doi: 10.1109/FCS.2018.8597492.
[27]	G. Adams et al., High Performance Time Synchronisation for Industrial Logic Control Utilising a Low Cost Single Board Computer with EMC Compliance, 2018 IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium (IFCS), Olympic Valley, CA, 2018, pp. 1-4, doi: 10.1109/FCS.2018.8597533.
[28]	R. Gamatham et al., Time Transfer and Calibration in an EMI Sensitive Environment, 2018 IEEE International Frequency Control Symposium (IFCS), Olympic Valley, CA, 2018, pp. 1-5, doi: 10.1109/FCS.2018.8597563.
[29]	A. J. Otto, R. Wolhuter, J. Fynn and J. P. Havenga, Radio Frequency Interference from an Operational Communications Networks in a Radio Astronomy Environment, Radio Frequency Interference (RFI2019), Toulouse, France, 23-26 September 2019.
[30]	A. J. Otto, C. van der Merwe, R. Wolhuter, J. Fynn and J. P. Havenga, A Band Comparison Investigation for RFI Emission Mitigation by a Mobile Radio Communications Network for the SKA Radio Astronomy Project, Radio Frequency Interference (RFI2019), Toulouse, France, 23-26 September 2019.
[31]	A. J. Otto, J. Jonas and A. Tiplady, Applying Radio Astronomy Protection Levels to RFI Measurement Data, 2021 International Conference on Electromagnetics in Advanced Applications (ICEAA), 2021, pp. 120-120, doi: 10.1109/ICEAA52647.2021.9539776.
[32]	A. J. Otto and F. Di Vruno, Aeronautical Radio Frequency Interference and the Square Kilometre Array, Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) Conference 2022, Reading UK, 14 to 18 February, 2022.
[33]	F. Di Vruno and A. J. Otto, Impact of Large LEO Satellite Constellations on Radio Astronomy, Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) Conference 2022, Reading UK, 14 to 18 February, 2022.
[34]	H. C. Reader et al., Contemporary EMC Investigations on some South African Science Projects, 2022 International Conference on Electromagnetics in Advanced Applications (ICEAA), 2022, pp. 389-389, doi: 10.1109/ICEAA49419.2022.9899958
[35]	A. J. Otto, A. R. Botha, P. S. V. der Merwe and T. Nkawu, Characterising Transient Radio Frequency Interference from Motors for the Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescopes, IEEE Global EMC Conference (GEMCCON) 2023, Nusa Dua, Bali, January 2023.
[36]	P. S. van der Merwe and A. J. Otto, Radio Frequency Interference Monitoring for SKA, in Proceedings for 35th URSI GASS, International Union of Radio Sciences General Assembly and Scientific Symposium, Sapporo, Japan, 19-26 August 2023.

International Papers and Conferences (Non-Peer Reviewed)

[1]	H. C. Reader, A. J. Otto, P. G. Wiid, P. S. van der Merwe , P. Kibet-Langat, R. H. Geschke, C. van der Merwe and J. Andriambeloson, Recent Research Associated with KAT-7 RFI and EMC: Implications for SKA1, address given to Astron (Radio Astronomy Institute of the Netherlands), Dwingeloo, The Netherlands, 29 September, 2010.
[2]	A. J. Otto, System RFI Mitigation through Modelling and Metrology, The South African Square Kilometre Array Project, 2010 Postgraduate Bursary Conference, The Wallenberg Centre, Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, 29 November to 3 December 2010.
[3]	H. C. Reader, P. G. Wiid, P. S. van der Merwe , A. J. Otto, P. Kibet-Langat, R. H. Geschke, C. van der Merwe and J. Andriambeloson, Investigations Leading to KAT-7 EMC and RFI Mitigation Policies: Relevance for SKA1, address given to Cavendish SKA Group, Cambridge, UK, 4 November, 2010.
[4]	A. J. Otto, RFI Metrology for the MeerKAT System, The South African Square Kilometre Array Project, 2011 Postgraduate Bursary Conference, The Wallenberg Centre, Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, 21 to 25 November 2011.
[5]	A. J. Otto, RFI Measurement and Analysis Techniques, 5th IUCAF Spectrum Management Summer School, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2 to 6 March 2020.
[6]	A. J. Otto, RFI Measurement Infrastructure and Instrumentation, 5th IUCAF Spectrum Management Summer School, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2 to 6 March 2020.
[7]	A. J. Otto, Controls to Manage RFI in a Radio Astronomy Environment, 5th IUCAF Spectrum Management Summer School, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2 to 6 March 2020.
[8]	A. J. Otto, SKA Observatory RFI Facility Qualification and Metrology Application Note, address given to the Australian IEEE EMC Society, Virtual, 5 October 2022.

Other Academic Publications

[1]	B. Otto, Adapting a Binary Neural Network for Error Correction Decoding, MEng Thesis, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa, May 2005.
[2]	A. J. Otto, Direct Current Conductor Corona Modelling and Metrology, PhD Dissertation, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa, December 2009
[3]	A. J. Otto, Complex Permittivity Measurements of Karoo Soil for KAT-7 and MeerKAT, Postdoctoral Research Report, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa, 29 November 2010.
[4]	A. J. Otto, Investigation into Radio Frequency Interference of 132kV Substations, Postdoctoral Research Report, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa, 01 December 2011.