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

No. 20/2010 (May 17, 2010)

Television - it's good, but ... why?

The international trade show ANGA Cable in Cologne is a barometer of the economic situation in the TV market (televisions and cooperating devices, TV distribution systems). Among other things, the exhibitors present satellite receivers, transmission cables, equipment for cable and SMATV systems.
The event is aimed at specialists - including a relatively narrow section of the telecommunications market it does not belong to the greatest shows in terms of numbers of exhibitors and visitors.
This year, however, the fair was quite unique. While the flagship trade fair in IT and telecommunications - CeBIT in Hannover - saw a decline in the number of exhibitors and visitors, Anga Cable Show held in Cologne between May 3 and 5 observed a surprising increase in both numbers. The number of visitors increased by about 10% (15000), and the number of exhibitors - approximately 5% (395 stands).
Why did it happen?
Reception and transmission of television signals is on the brink of a boom associated with the change of technology. The presentation of DVB-C2 standard - extending the transmission capacity in cable TV networks - has completed the development of the second-generation digital broadcasting systems (after the earlier adopted and implemented satellite DVB-S2 and terrestrial DVB-T2 standards).
The public interest in the transmission and reception of programs in the second-generation standards is enormous, because they are designed to convey high-definition video - HDTV. In the field of HDTV, the European market is lagging behind American and Asiatic markets, so the natural attempt to catch up with the global competitors. The new standards require the preparation of new receivers, so it was the first reason for the increased interest in fair offers.
Another new technology is 3D TV. Strong consumer interest in 3D imaging promotes rapid expansion in this area. At the fair, Astra satellite operator in cooperation with Samsung presented a three-dimensional satellite channel - Demo3D (23.5E). Preparing equipment for the reception and distribution of signals in 3D technology is therefore the next challenge in this field.
Many experts believe that we face a fundamental change in the way of television broadcasting. In this respect, a great future is forecast for IPTV. Distributed in computer networks, having greater capacity to implement interactive services (choice of content, shopping opportunities, etc.), IP television was the next reason for the optimism at Anga Cable 2010.
During the conference, the participants discussed the perspectives of DOCSIS 3.0 allowing cable television networks to transfer data to each subscriber at speeds over 100 Mb/s. Such transfers enable efficient transmission of multimedia and allow to build cable television systems suitable for providing high quality Triple Play services (television, telephony, Internet). The TV channels can be available in IP version.
Popularization of the technologies mentioned above promises a good time for producers. It also increases the potential of broadcasters, providing opportunity to introduce new services and to expand into new markets. The only drawback of this revolution is the fact that consumers will have to pay a lot of money for almost complete replacement of their equipment ...
The most popular stands were those demonstrating 3D HDTV. Anyone willing could find out what it exactly meant. Three-dimensional TV, whose popularity is increasing gradually from CES in Las Vegas (January 2010), is the hit of the year. What is important, the viewers at ANGA could see not only specially prepared three-dimensional animation. Everyone could see how it was to watch 3D basketball game, music concert, or downhill skier (images captured from his perspective).
Many equipment manufacturers presented complete signal distribution systems using modern headends converting signals from any DVB standard into IP packet transmission. There were shown solutions for transmission of IP datagrams in Ethernet, xDSL, and coaxial cable installations.
Spaun electronic from Germany showed an interesting way of expanding cascadable multiswitch systems by capability of receiving broadcasts from successive satellite positions.

The art of camouflage - installation of antennas on historic buildings.

Installation of antennas on such buildings is a real challenge because of the aesthetics and conservation requirements.
However, there are situations when it is necessary to place antennas on such buildings. What then? - It helps the art of camouflage. Below - WLAN antennas on the building of a church.
We invite you to take part in the "Engagingly about antennas" contest. The works for the 9th edition can be submitted from June 1st.

"The art of camouflage" - Jaroslaw Soltysiak

What antenna for DVB-T?

Generally speaking, digital TV does not require to use new types of antennas. Yagi-Uda arrays or even typical broadband antennas can receive digitally modulated signals.
However, DIPOL has marked a certain group of antennas as "DVB-T". What is the reason?
Analog terrestrial signals are broadcast at frequencies up to 782-790 MHz (channel 60). Therefore, the most installed UHF antennas have been designed to work within the range of 21 to 60 ch.
DVB-T broadcasting can use channels up to 69, so the need for antennas working in the entire UHF band - from 21 to 69 channel.
Some DIPOL antennas operating within 21-69 channel range
The second point is that DVB-T receivers provide 5 VDC supplying voltage for antenna preamplifiers, instead of typical 12 VDC used in "normal" installations. Of course, the antenna with the amplifier powered from the dedicated 12 VDC power supply will work correctly, but in the case of using a new antenna for a DVB-T receiver it is very convenient to utilize the 5 VDC voltage provided at the antenna input.
DIPOL offers two high quality compact DVB antennas equipped with low-noise amplifiers powered with 5 VDC (directly from the DVB-T receiver or with the included AC/DC adapter and DC injector).

DVB-T Antenna with Amplifier - Signal
Outdoor Digital TV Antenna Signal HDA-5000
Indoor DVB-T antenna
A6030
Outdoor DVB-T antenna
A6040

Design rules for MATV systems.

The diagram below shows an example of the antenna system in a building. The table contains signal levels for selected three antenna outlets (marked as "1", "2", "3") at 862 MHz, assuming that:
  • signal level measured at the amplifier input is 75 dBuV,
  • the gain of ZG amplifier is set to 45 dB, thus the output level is 120 dB.
Due to application of channel amplifiers, there is no need to reduce the output levels (which would be needed in the case of broadband devices). As an example, for 8 channels the necessary reduction would be 7 dB. The topic is discussed in the article Basics of designing MATV/community antenna systems.
The output level of the amplifiers cannot exceed the maximum rated values - in the case of ZG channel amplifiers it is as much as 123.5 dBuV. But, having input level, say, 75 dBuV, it is not allowed to set the maximum gain (53 dB) which (128 dB) would far exceed the rated maximum output level.
The 6-way R60106 splitter provides signals via TRISET-11 cables to individual vertical runs. The attenuation of TRISET-113 E1015_100 and TRISET-11 E1025_100 cables has been calculated based on their rated parameters.
After installation, it is necessary to check signal levels in the outlets using a signal meter whether they are within the calculated values. According to the standards for television signals, the level at the subscriber outlet should be between 62 and 80 dBuV.

For signal level measurements we can recommend the TM-3000 R10502 meter.
6-Way Splitter R-6 SignalCoaxial Cable (75 ohm): Triset-11 PE 1.65/7.2/10 (gel-filled) [100m]Coaxial Cable (75 ohm): Triset-11 PE 1.65/7.2/10 (gel-filled) [100m]6-way Tap: Signal O-6-20dB (5-1000MHz)6-way Tap: Signal O-6-20dB (5-1000MHz)Coaxial Cable (75 ohm): TRISET-113 1.13/4.8/6.8 [1m]Coaxial Cable (75 ohm): TRISET-113 1.13/4.8/6.8 [1m]Coaxial Cable (75 ohm): TRISET-113 1.13/4.8/6.8 [1m]6-way Tap: Signal O-6-16dB (5-1000MHz)6-way Tap: Signal O-6-16dB (5-1000MHz)6-way Tap: Signal O-6-16dB (5-1000MHz)6-way Tap: Signal O-6-16dB (5-1000MHz)

Antenna outlet  >>>

1

2

3

Length of TRISET-11 cable [m]

90

30

60

Length of TRISET-113 cable [m]

36

33

30

Attenuation of TRISET-11 cable

11.9

4

7.9

Attenuation of TRISET-113 cable

6.5

6

5.4

Attenuation of R-6 splitter

10

10

10

Attenuation of O-X-1 tap

2

2

20

Attenuation of O-X-2 tap

3

16

0

Attenuation of O-X-3 tap

16

0

0

Attenuation of outlet

4

4

4

Reserve (e.g. for attenuation of connectors )

3

3

3

Total attenuation of the distribution network (round figures)

56

45

50

Outlet signal level (120 dB at amplifier output)

64

75

70

 

Why 360-degree infrared LED dome Redbeam illuminators are ideal for room surveillance?

In terms of radiation angles there are two main kinds of IR lights: directional and omnidirectional (in the case of IR illuminators it means 180o radiation angle in vertical plane and 360o in horizontal plane).
In indoor applications directional illuminators usually do not ensure homogeneous lighting of the whole room (office room, factory floor, store etc).
The Redbeam 360-degree infrared LED dome illuminators are based on a new generation of LED arrays that won Gold Medal at SECUREX trade fair. The dome illuminators are normally mounted on ceilings. Instead of the range, it is better to describe their capacity by the maximum floor area that can be effectively illuminated. In the case of Readbeam series - it is 60 m2 ( M1642 ) or 120 m2 ( M1643 ).

Below there is a comparison of two illuminators operating in a room having floor area of 40 m2. On the left - the room lit by Redbeam IRD120 M1643, on the right - by a popular illuminator with standard IR LEDs.

Redbeam illuminators
Redbeam - IR illuminators
On the left side of the picture - application of dome Redbeam illuminator IRD120 M1643.
On the right side - use of a popular illuminator with standard IR LEDs.
Just click on the picture to get more information.

Video surveillance of industrial facilities - wireless transmission of signals from analog cameras.

The management of a company, for more effective supervision of the manufacturing process, decided to implement a CCTV monitoring system, including surveillance of an 8 m high production room with floor area of 400 m2.
The plant had suitable power supply wiring for powering the cameras, but the real problem was to install additional cables for video transmission. Aesthetic considerations were the main reason for adopting a solution that would not interfere with the look of the rooms. The management of the facility and the installer decided that the optimal solution would be the use of wireless video transmission equipment.
Color Camera CAM 502 (4-9 mm)Color Camera CAM 502 (4-9 mm)Color Camera CAM 502 (4-9 mm)Compact Color Camera: V-CAM 315 IRWireless A/V Transmission System: CAM5816m 5.8GHz (indoor, 1km)Wireless A/V Transmission System: CAM5816m 5.8GHz (indoor, 1km)Wireless A/V Transmission System: CAM5816m 5.8GHz (indoor, 1km)Compact Color Camera: V-CAM 315 IRNetwork DVR: HIKVISION/ULTIMAX DS-8108HDI-S H.264 (8-ch.)Color Camera CAM 502 (4-9 mm)Color Camera CAM 502 (4-9 mm)Color Camera CAM 502 (4-9 mm)
Installation diagram
The monitoring system has been based on 8-channel DVR Ultimax/Hikvsion DS-8108HDI-S M76080. It records video from 8 cameras, 6 of them are indoor color cameras CAM 502 M10737.
On the facade of the building there are two outdoor cameras V-CAM 315 M11277 that allow to monitor the nearby area day and night (due to built-in IR illuminators). The video signals from these two cameras have been put into the building via coaxial cables.
All cameras are connected to the transmitters of the wireless A/V transmission systems (CAM5816m 5.8 GHz M1560 ), dedicated for indoor applications. The receivers are mounted on the wall of the room with the DVR.
The use of the wireless transmitters has the additional advantage that allows for easy change of camera locations - it is much easier than in the case of a wired installation.
In addition to the undoubted advantages of the wireless network, a strong point of the system is the central processing unit - Hikvision/Ultimax M76080 DVR - also performing the functions of web and video servers. The management has access to the live video and recordings via the Internet, from anywhere in the world. The functions of the DVR are described in the Library - DVRs of the world's leader - HIKVISION/ULTIMAX.

Monitors - work ergonomics.

The distance of the observer from the screen of the monitor determines the comfort and efficiency of work. The following figure provides the optimal ranges of distances depending on the size of the screen.

The impact of IP CCTV on LAN traffic.

The traffic generated by each IP camera depends on the number of transmitted frames per second, resolution, and compression parameters. In the case of popular IP cameras the stream usually do not exceed 4 Mb/s.
In practice, this means that Fast Ethernet connection can convey video streams from up to 16 cameras. What to do in the case of larger installations? The first solution is to install Gigabit Ethernet network, but in many locations it may be difficult or even practically impossible.
But, since most of today's IP cameras are equipped with the ability to generate at least two configurable streams, the easiest solution is to build a system with local recording of full-resolution images from the key cameras and using lower transmission parameters in the case of the rest of the cameras as well as utilizing the secondary streams with lower parameters for live monitoring from the key cameras - with lower-resolution images or/and lower frame rates.

Wireless network with speeds up to 150 Mb/s - TP-LINK.

Wireless Lite N series of TP-LINK allows for data transfer speeds up to 150 Mb/s in the WLAN.
Use of the devices shown in the diagram below allows to:
  • access the Internet via ADSL service, using TP-LINK TD-8816 N2906,
  • create local network based on wireless router with built-in switch (TL-WR740N N3252 ),
  • access the printer from any computer on the network - through the L-PS310U N3312 device,
  • extend the rage of Wi-Fi network using the "AP with WDS Mode" function,
  • wirelessly access the Internet from a game console, satellite receiver etc. - via the TL-WA701ND N2942 device and TL-SF1005D N29915 switch.
Wireless USB Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN721N (802.11n, 150Mb/s)Access Point: TP-Link TL-WR740N (w. router, 4p-switch, 150Mb/s 802.11n) ADSL Annex A Router: TP-Link TD-8816Multifunction Peripheral (MFP) &Storage Server<br /> TP-LINK TL-PS310USwitch TP-Link TL-SF1005D (5 ports)DVB-S Receiver: FERGUSON Ariva 200Access Point TP-Link TL-WA701ND (2.4GHz, 802.11n, 150Mb/s) Wireless USB Adapter: TP-Link TL-WN721N (802.11n, 150Mb/s)
We have written about:

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Building blocks of the network - SFP transceivers. FTTH solutions should ensure flexibility for possible future changes, usually extensions of the system due to growing number of subscribers. In such situations the best hardware solutions are provided by media converters with SFP slots allowing to use a variety of SFP modules/transceivers. An example is the media converter ULTIMODE M-100G/SFP L1301 with SFP slot...


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