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

No. 32/2010 (Oct. 4, 2010)

An approaching revolution in global telecommunications.

Consistent with the forecasts of analysts, large scale commercial LTE systems are becoming a reality. In the telecommunications field, the end of 2010 may be a watershed moment of similar importance to the introduction of GSM technology.
The first commercial LTE network was launched at the turn of the year by Scandinavian TeliaSonera. In spring, a test installation was set up in China, in conjunction with the Expo in Shanghai. Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA) estimates that by the end of 2010 there will be 22 such networks. By now, 110 operators in 48 countries have been investing in LTE.
The new technology gives an opportunity to level the global telecommunications infrastructure - the networks are simultaneously deployed in such territories like the U.S., Europe, and Uzbekistan. Referring to the history, the introduction of GSM shook the power of national telecommunications operators, since new companies emerged, focused exclusively on wireless connectivity. Today leading operators, remembering that situation, carefully control the market, but some reshuffles seem to be inevitable. As an example, the world's first LTE network operating in 1800 MHz band and using Huawei equipment was launched in Poland in September, by two companies that are perceived to be related to the largest Polish pay-TV operator, Cyfrowy Polsat.
Hardware manufacturers also need to respond to new technologies. However, one of the GSM market leaders, Nortel, went bankrupt, another one, Motorola, is not in the best condition. But the major market players - Ericsson, Alcatel Lucent, Nokia, Siemens Networks - are actively competing for contracts, especially as they lose the market for newly emerging leaders - Huawei, ZTE, Samsung.
A TD-LTE system was launched in Shanghai in spring 2010
But the most interesting thing may be the competition within the technology itself. LTE has two main directions, FDD-LTE and TD-LTE. They differ in the way of using transmission medium.
In the case of FDD-LTE, the transmission channel is divided into two frequency bands - one of them is used for transmission towards the base station and the second from the base station to the terminal.
The TD-LTE uplink and downlink are using the whole channel. The time at which the transmission is carried out is divided into so-called "time slots". In a single "time slot" the transmission is carried out only in one direction. This allows for flexible use of transmission channel capacity.
The TD-LTE technology has been adopted by major American companies: Verizon, Clearwire, AT &T. Probably it will be endorsed by India. TD-LTE is also preferred in China, the country which, according to many experts, may have up to 40% of patents in this field. In such a situation, it is not surprising that Chunghwa Telecom - a Taiwan's operator - decided to launch the competitive FDD-LTE solution, purchased from Nokia Siemens Networks.
Is the use of two versions of LTE technology a risk for compatibility in the global telecommunications? - No, the both versions are consistent with each other in 90%, their unification is to be achieved in the future version of the technology - LTE-A (Advanced ) - with the estimated throughput of 1 Gbps (downlink) and 500 Mbps (uplink), using a 100 MHz wide channel.
The work on the chip capable of operation in the FDD-LTE and TD-LTE systems has been announced by China Mobile and WordPhone companies.
Fourth generation wireless network (4G) should guarantee mobile data transfer rates of 100 Mbps, and in the case of fixed equipment - 1 Gbps. LTE (Long Term Evolution) is the means for reaching this performance level of cellular networks.
Currently, LTE allows download speed up to 326 Mbps and upload speed up to 86 Mbps (with a channel width of 20 MHz, 64QAM modulation and MIMO 4x4). Due to the fact that the uplink speed does not meet the criterion of 100 Mbps, it is sometiomes called a 3.9G technology.
Further development of this technology will allow to transmit a wide range of multimedia content, just "on the go".

Engagingly about Antennas - 9th DIPOL's Summer Holiday Contest 2010.

The 9th edition of the photo contest has ended. As every year, the jury chaired by professional photographer from Krakow, Mr. Pawel Zechenter, has awarded the 1st and 2nd prizes. Another prize has been awarded by DIPOL Technical Department.
The winning works and all submitted photos can be viewed on the contest page.

We congratulate the winners and thank all the participants of the competition for their works.
Already, we invite you to participate in the next jubilee edition of the "Engagingly about Antennas" photographic competition.

Two tuners or receivers, one cable - Twinsender.

The increasing attractiveness of satellite platforms, promotions that include additional receivers and the growing popularity of twin-tuner PVR receivers equipped with hard disk drives result in a large number of inquiries regarding the possibility of sending two SAT signals over one coaxial cable.
If the user wants to connect a twin-tuner PVR receiver, or use another satellite receiver, and the existing installation is based on a single fullband LNB and one antenna cable, the easiest solution is to change the LNB to a twin one and install another cable.
When the installation of the second cable is impossible or in order to avoid the trouble with installing another cable, one can use the device that can send two signals over the existing cable - Twinsender R85260.
Cable transmitter TWINSENDER (2xSAT and FM/TV)
Cable transmitter Twinsender
R85260
The device allows to transmit two independent satellite signals and terrestrial FM/TV broadcasts over one coaxial cable.
Universal TWIN LNB Inverto 0.3 dBTwin Monoblock LNB: Inverto IDLP-231TWMONO (0.2 dB)Cable transmitter TWINSENDER (2xSAT and FM/TV)Cable transmitter TWINSENDER (2xSAT and FM/TV)
Application of Twinsender R85260

TREND DVRs - perfection in its simplest form.

A requirement for modern electronic equipment is intuitive and reliable software. This principle has been adopted and implemented by the manufacturer of TREND digital video recorders.
TREND DVRs also feature solid construction - they are designed for long-term operation without intervention of an operator. Forced air circulation ensures optimum environmental conditions for electronic components. The 8 and 16-channel models use even two fans (placed close to the HDD bay).
The small size of the DVRs allows to use them even in constrained conditions.

The TREND series consists of 4-channel M72504, 8-channel M72508, and 16-channel M72516.

Distinguishing features:
  • H.264 video compression
  • Real-time operation system: simultaneous recording, playback, monitoring, archiving
  • Audio recording with G.726 compression
  • Ability to create up to seven independent user accounts with individual rights (local and remote management
  • Support for external devices (alarm inputs and outputs)
  • Compatibility with PAL, NTSC, SECAM video systems
  • Recordings of resolution up to 4CIF
  • Maximum recording speed of 25 fps (each channel)
  • Simultaneous playback of recordings from four channels
  • Possibility of notification of events via e-mails
  • Easy archiving in several formats, including avi and mp4
  • Built-in web server accessible via Internet Explorer
  • Free software for remote monitoring via mobile phones operating in 3G/3.5G networks (Windows Mobile, Symbian, iPhone)
The DVRs can be operated locally, using the included USB mouse, remote control, or the keys on the front panel, as well as remotely via the Internet (Internet Explorer).
Audio Module: MP-6/D (microphone w/ balanced output) Outdoor Color CCTV Camera: n-cam 210 + IRColor Camera CAM 502 (4-9 mm)Color CCTV Camera: CAM 508 (2.8-12 mm)Professional CCTV Monitor: SAMSUNG SMT-1922P (19CCTV Network DVR: TREND 250X04 (H.264, 4 channels)
Installation diagram
Installation and configuration of any model of the series takes a few minutes. Although the product line is new on the market, it has already won the recognition of installers and users.

New functions in CCTV cameras - DIS.

DIS (Digital Image Stabilization) allows to eliminate the distorting effects of camera shake caused by wind or mechanical vibration. In addition to improving the quality of the picture (no blurring), such function saves disk space - in extreme conditions up to 50%.
This function is implemented by using special software algorithms, for example: Cubic Spline Interpolation
DIS function has been popularized by Samsung, in cameras with A1 image sensor.
Image from CCTV camera in a moving car (DIS off)...
... and from the camera with DIS on

Wireless home IP CCTV monitoring with TP-Link TL-SC3130G camera.

The wireless IP camera TP-Link TL-SC3130G K1150 is ideal solution for improving security in an apartment.
54 Mbps transmission speed ensures smooth video streaming from places without wired networks, on the condition that walls and/or ceilings do not block the wireless signal.
The access to the camera is provided via Internet browser, the included software, or a compatible cell phone.
Wireless IP Camera: TP-LINK TL-SC3130G ADSL Router w. 4-port Switch &802.11n AP: TP-Link TD-W8960N
In addition to basic functions such as motion detection and email alerting, there are available more sophisticated features: two-way audio transmission, two streams, compatibility with 3GPP, error detection, and watchdog.
Easy configuration of the camera with its clear menu has been described in detail in the manual. The access to the local network and the Internet can be provided by ADSL router with 4-port switch and 802.11n AP (300 Mbps) TP-Link TD-W8960N ( N2904 ).

Wireless link with an intermediate point - ULTIAIR.

In many situations it is impossible to achieve a direct link between the locations that should be connected. However, lack of mutual visibility does not eliminate wireless technology. In most cases the solution is to create an intermediate node.
The system is a combination of two point-to-point links, where the second begins at the point where the first ends. The devices creating the intermediate node can be connected directly via Ethernet cable.
The simplest point-to-point link requires ULTIAIR with license level 3 Bridge and another ULTIAIR with license level 3 Client. Of course, the link may also employ two ULTIAIR devices with license level 4.
Example point-to-point configurations:
Wireless Access Point: ULTIAIR 323KCWireless Access Point: ULTIAIR 423KCWireless Access Point: ULTIAIR 423KCWireless Access Point: ULTIAIR 323KC
We have written about:

Video data transmission over 3G network - monitoring of a construction site. Construction sites are often under video surveillance due to a number of reasons, such as: protection of property, documentation of construction progress, work inspection. Because of temporary character of that places, the installations should be "mobile" at any phase of the undertaking, as well as easily portable to another construction site...
Wireless Access Point: ULTIAIR 419KCSwitch TP-Link TL-SF1005D (5 ports)RouterBoard 411U (MikroTik license level 4)Outdoor IP Camera: ACTi ACM-1231 (1.3 Mpx)Video Card PCI-4100 MPEG-4
IP video surveillance of a construction site, with access via a cellular network
Two signals in one cable. Is it possible to transmit the channel received by a sat receiver to other TVs in the home with the same coaxial cable that connects LNB?
Yes, employing two DC-009 R85300 TV/SAT combiners (diplexers) one can avoid the necessity of laying additional cable...

Stadiums and entertainment venues - a big problem with the signal quality. Stadiums and entertainment venues require excellent infrastructure for the transmission of television signals. This applies to both the uplink and downlink connections, mainly realized by means of satellites. Such places are increasingly being used to organize events based on direct broadcasts of sporting and artistic events, watched by large audiences.
Due to the quality, reliability and transmission performance - in stadiums and entertainment halls there is no alternative to fiber optic solutions...

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