DIPOL Weekly Review - TV and SAT TV, CCTV, WLAN

No. 10/2009 (March 9, 2009)
The world ripe for LTE. The last quarter of last year was particularly difficult for the telecommunications operators and manufacturers of telecommunications equipment. Deutsche Telekom loss of 730 million EUR and the decline in real income of the largest global operator, Vodafone, by about 1%, pose major problems in this market. The cause of both problems is the crisis and saturation of the market. The biggest problems occur in Europe. The examples are a relatively large drop in revenues in Spain (Vodafone recorded 5.8% decline) and Greece (the Deutsche Telekom loss was mainly caused by this market).
Even more difficult is the situation among the manufacturers of the equipment. In mid-January Nortel has filed for protection from creditors, in the last quarter Motorola suffered a loss of 3.6 billion dollars and a decrease in turnover from 9.65 billion USD in 2007 to 7.1 billion USD in 2008. Sony Ericsson, after a profit of 1.4 billion USD in 2007, recorded nearly 100 million USD loss in 2008.
Governments of the United States and European countries want to avoid at any cost bankruptcies of large producers and increase in unemployment levels. They develop programs that should counteract the tendencies. The first one will be American investment in the revitalization of the U.S. telecom market. The Barack Obama's stimulus package includes 6 billion dollars investment in the development of wireless and broadband Internet access and additional 11 billion dollars for the development of intelligent networks.
So far, in Europe there are no such actions in the field of telecommunications, however everyone is convinced that the UE, introducing new broadcasting technologies, at least will not repeat the mistakes of the high concession fees which drained the money earmarked for investments in GSM and UMTS networks.
An opportunity for Europeans and Americans is LTE technology. This is a technology in which European and U.S. firms have many advantages over Asian competitors, so starting the solutions on their own markets they may contribute to the overall success and improve the performance of both operators and manufacturers. Currently, the most powerful position in LTE have Sony Ericsson, Nokia Siemens Networks, Alcatel, Motorola.
LTE is already gaining momentum. At the beginning of February, Motorola has launched in Swindon, UK, the first test telecommunications network working in LTE (4G) technology. The network operates in the 2.6 GHz band. It simultaneously allows to make voice calls and perform data transmission in 4G technology. The estimated speed of data transmission is between 29 and 226 Mbps. In the U.S. market, commercial launch of LTE is announced by Verizon, for later this year.

LTE (Long Term Evolution) is being developed as a 4G standard, to improve the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). LTE is to increase the performance of the 3G UMTS packet service (based on TCP/IP protocol), with data rates over 100 Mbps. LTE wireless interface is based on OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) in the downlink and SC-FDMA (Single-Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access) in the uplink. There are used QPSK, 16QAM, and 4QAM modulations. The standard efficiently supports multi-antenna technologies (MIMO).
CeBIT 2009 - a failed fair?
Crisis or Opportunity?
In the next issue of DIPOL Weekly Review we will present a report on CeBIT 2009.

Did the last year's trends come true?
You may think of it after reading CeBIT 2008 report.
Giant displays in Beijing. The Pangu Plaza skyscrapers belong to the most interesting buildings constructed on the occasion of the Beijing Olympics. The complex consists of five tower blocks covered with white granite. The highest one is 192 m and has only 39 floors, due to the fact that each floor is 4.6 m high.
In one of the buildings there is seven-star hotel (there are two such hotels in the world - the other one is in Dubai). The price of accommodation in the Presidential Suite is 30,000 USD. Lunch in the restaurant costs from 600 USD upwards.
On the buildings that depict the Chinese dragon (this architectural shape can be seen here) there are 7 giant LED displays with a total area of 3,400 m2. The largest of the displays has an area of 900 m2.

At present, the largest LED display is also in Beijing, with size of 250 x 30 m.
The largest facade LED display is to be built in Dubai (100 m high).
Pangu Plaza with seven giant LED displays
- the largest one has an area of 900 m2
Interferences of TV signals caused by CDMA services in the 450 MHz band. In Europe operate tens CDMA services using 450 MHz band. They often interfere TV reception. The reason is in overdriving transistors in antenna amplifiers by strong CDMA signals, due to immediate proximity of CDMA band and the lowest UHF channel (CDMA: 462.5-467 MHz, channel 21: 470 MHz). TV antenna amplifiers are either broadband or not selective enough (with exception of channel amplifiers) to suppress the unwanted signal.

In the case of such problems we advise to:
  • use directional antennas and channel amplifiers, or
  • use the dedicated steep CDMA filter R49603 before the first amplification stage.
Monitoring of penitentiaries and detention centers with sensitive vandal-proof cameras. Cameras installed in cells should meet specific requirements. They have to be resistant to damage and show high sensitivity, ensuring low-light operation. Each of these features has the SN-FX580 M10748 camera. This dome camera can be mounted on the ceiling or wall. The base is made of metal, the dome of impact resistant polycarbonate. This model provides high quality video with increased resolution (540 TVL), very high sensitivity in B/W mode (0.008 lx), and Night Vision function. In low light (3 lx or less) it switches into B/W mode.
Color Day/Night Camera: SN-FX580 (SN-FXP0580XVD/V4-9),<br />  mechanic. switching IR filter, vandal proof ceiling housing
Color Day/Night camera SN-FX580 M10748 with vandal-proof housing
ULTISYSTEM - a unique and honored surveillance software - quick configuration. ULTISYSTEM surveillance suite has an configuration wizard that helps to configure the system. The wizard is run immediately after installation of the suite, enabling easy integration of the software and hardware (searching and configuring IP devices), as well as configuration of the system functions and organization of the archives (hard disk drives).
After completion of this procedure the system is ready for operation. The configuration wizard and archive managing tool can be run any moment to update the configuration or reorganize the archives.
The wizard window - selection of network camera model
NUUO NVR - modern and self-contained solution. The equivalent of DVR in analog system is NVR in IP CCTV system. It is a standalone device enabling management of IP cameras and recording of their video streams. Configuration of the system includes the process of assigning IP addresses. NUUO Inc. has introduced hardware digital surveillance recorders for cooperation with IP cameras: four-channel NV-2040 K4104 and eight-channel NV-4080 K4108.
The distinguishing features of the devices include support for megapixel cameras up to 5 Mpx, multichannel preview and playback (simultaneously from all channels), audio recording, cooperation with all popular models of IP cameras.
They can operate autonomously using the embedded software - for regular operation they do not need to cooperate with PCs or use their resources. NUUO NVRs are used in all kinds of maintenance-free systems. Due to Linux OS, they ensure stable operation and resistance to computer viruses.
Such systems are suitable for surveillance of offices, warehouses, stores, businesses, various buildings etc., where the cost of hiring additional staff is unacceptable and automatic video recording provides adequate protection.

NUUO Network Video Recorders - safe and efficient surveillance video recording
Network Video Recorder (NVR) - storage and management solution for IP CCTV system
Network Video Recorder: NUUO NV-2040
Network Video Recorder: NUUO NV-4080
4-ch NVR NUUO NV-2040
K4104
8-ch NVR NUUO NV-4080
K4108
NUUO Network Video Recorders<br />Safe and efficient surveillance video recording
ULTIAIR - stable and efficient wireless communication. PUHiT - hotel and tourist services - "Krakow" Sp. z o. o. is a company with a long tradition. It has accommodation facilities, hotels, restaurants in Krakow, Zakopane, and Kroscienko. The company offers interesting and varied recreation, suited to the needs and requirements of the guests who can choose "Grand Felix" and "Felix" hotels, "Smok" and "Kameleon" student dormitories, and workers' hostels - all in Krakow, as well as "Boruta" Guest House in Zakopane and "Trzy Korony" Holiday Center in Krościenko.
The company management decided to modernize the existing wireless link that did not provide satisfactory stability of operation nor adequate throughput. The link connects the Grand Felix Hotel with the second Felix Hotel located about 500 m away.
Grand Felix has a 4Mbps DSL connection and two LANs. One of the LANs provides the guests (with the use of Access Points) with Internet access, the second LAN links computers at the reception desk, in the office, bars, telephone exchange etc. Stable connection with the second hotel allows to use another LAN there. The modernized system is based on ULTIAIR devices. It is a family of professional Access Points designed for long-term outdoor operation. They allow to create efficient wireless IP CCTV and ISP networks. ULTIAIR devices are characterized by short delays and high throughput. They can be managed via WinBox utility or telnet. The APs operate in unlicensed 5GHz band - no special permissions are needed.The RouterBoard with Mikrotik system has been put in outdoor housing of IP 66 class, which guarantees full protection against adverse weather conditions and corrosive environments (industry).
The modernization allows to increase throughput, improves stability and work comfort. Smooth operation of the network means fulfillment of design objectives - high stability and throughput of the wireless link.

The author gets "Chameleon mug".

How to get "Chameleon mug"?
Efficient wireless link using ULTIAIR devices
Wireless Access Point: ULTIAIR 419KCWireless Access Point: ULTIAIR 319KCULTIAIR
High speed wireless bridge based on ULTIAIR equipment
Weak GSM signal inside building? - Use GSM repeater. GSM repeaters allow to use cellular phones in locations where the range of a cellular network is sufficient for outdoor operation, but the signal is too low for connections inside buildings. Even in metropolitan areas there are buildings that strongly attenuate GSM signals:
  • buildings with thick walls,
  • cellars, basements (pubs, coffee shops etc.),
  • underground parking lots/garages,
  • steel construction buildings with metalized window panes,
  • shop floors.
GSM repeater AT-600 A6760 can be used in places where GSM signals are very weak. In connection with 20-element high-gain GSM antenna ATK 20/850-960 A7028 it allows for GSM connectivity even in outdoor locations with too low signals (e.g. mountain hostels), as well as in the buildings mentioned above.
GSM Repeater Signal GSM-80
GSM Repeater Signal GSM-300
GSM repeater AT-400
A6740
GSM repeater AT-600
A6760
Distinguishing features:
  • Support for GSM cellular phones (890-960 MHz)
  • Gain control
  • Indoor coverage area: 80 m2 (A6740), 300 m2 (A6760)
  • Easy installation (Plug and Play)
NOTICE! The devices have CE certificates and limited output power, lower than typical Access Points operating in 2.4 GHz (20 dBm).
Repeater


The idea of using GSM amplifiers/repeaters

The signal is received by the outdoor antenna, transmitted (via antenna cable) to the device,
amplified and retransmitted (with indoor antenna) to the GSM phones/terminals.
The signals from the phones/terminals go in the opposite direction.
We welcome everyone to visit our stand at Intertelecom in Lodz - the largest telecoms trade fair in Poland. This year Intertelecom takes place a little earlier - March 17-19, 2009. More in the article.
We have written about:

ACTi is running a competition for the best video!!! ACTi Corp., the world's leader in IP CCTV solutions, has launched a competition for the best surveillance video captured with ACTi devices. In each category, the winner will get freely chosen model of megapixel ACTi camera. There are the following categories:..
- archive DWR of Jan. 26, 2009

ULTIMAX - DVRs for demanding customers - maps in remote client software. Distributed video surveillance systems and systems with a large number of cameras should enable the operator to easily locate the camera capturing the image, or the sequence of cameras that follow a moving object...
- archive DWR of June 16, 2008

Lossless splitting of cable TV signal for multi-room TV/video installations. Most of antenna amplifiers cannot be used for this purpose, due to unspecified parameters in the special cable channels...
- archive DWR of Oct. 15, 2007

Index of published issues
ULTIAIR - efficient and secure wireless data transmission