No. 15/2011 (April 11, 2011)
They used the fly's eye pattern.
Compound eyes are found mainly in insects. An example is the fly's eye, every part of which is in fact a separate "mini - eye" with its own lens, focusing light on a single receptor."Mini - eyes" are arranged in a mosaic pattern, and each of the eyes observes only a narrow portion of the field. The "whole" eye of an insect sees the outside world as a mosaic of spots located next to each other, but the combination of the elements is synthesized in the insect's brain as a full picture. Such compound eye detects the light intensity and its changes, but does not provide a clear recognition of details. Instead, the field of view of the compound eye is very broad and can go up to 360 degrees.
Compound eyes have inspired the researchers from EPFL (Fr. École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne - one of the two Swiss Federal Institutes of Technology).
Over a hundred cameras have been placed in a metal hemisphere of the size of an orange. The miniature cameras are located close to one another, so that their fields of view mutually overlap.
The user of such a camera array can analyze the entire panoramic image or select some of the cameras to view a specific part of it. Using special algorithms, it is also possible to transform the images to 3D.
Over a hundred cameras have been placed in a metal hemisphere of the size of an orange. The miniature cameras are located close to one another, so that their fields of view mutually overlap.
The user of such a camera array can analyze the entire panoramic image or select some of the cameras to view a specific part of it. Using special algorithms, it is also possible to transform the images to 3D.

The important part of the project was the development of algorithms allowing creation of panoramic images and their versions transforming the images into a 3D view. Another challenge was the collecting and processing of multiple gigabits of data carried by hundreds of video streams at high frame rates.
The presentation of the multi-camera by Pierre Vandergheynst from the Signal Processing Laboratory 2
(Microelectronic Systems Laboratory)
(Microelectronic Systems Laboratory)
The 360-degree multi-camera placed on a vehicle can be an ideal tool for navigation, it can be also used for creating 3D videos, generating realistic background for video games, as well as for providing excellent footage of surgery etc.
Antennas in floating villages.
This is one of the largest lakes in the world. Its surface area is changing during the year, depending on the season, from 3 000 to 30 000 square kilometers. So, the maximum surface of the lake is equal to the area of Belgium. Its depth ranges from 0.3 m to 14 m. Around the lake there are floating fishing villages and numerous settlements on stilts, about 170 in total.One of the most important elements in houses on stilts and those in the floating villages are antennas.
Did you know the lake? You can learn more at the end of this issue.
Distribution of HD signals in several areas.
Several club rooms, equipped with a total of 9 HD television sets, have been divided into three "thematic zones". The signals are fed from two satellite platforms and a media player, primarily for the presentation of sports events, cultural and entertainment programs. Due to the division into the zones, it was reasonable to configure the television network so that the suitable channels could be freely chosen in the dedicated areas.The central point of the distribution system is an installation box with the following set of Signal devices:
- three HDMI splitters H3214 to split the signals from the two satellite receivers and the media player,
- three HDMI switches H3131 for selecting signals from 3 different sources (to form packs dedicated for each area)
- another three HDMI splitters H3214 provide selected signals for individual televisions.

The selection and distribution of HD content from several sources to three areas in the club
In addition, due to a large distances between the distribution box and the TV sets, the system employs Signal-HD HDMI extenders over CAT5e cable ( H3601). The cabinet houses nine transmitters, and the receivers are placed by the televisions.
Such a solution can be used in many similar situations, and thanks to the application of twisted pair cable as the transmission medium it is suitable even in places with a number of large rooms. In the case of two HD signal sources and smaller room/s, the user can employ Signal-HD HDMI Switcher-Splitter H3324 (2x4). The amplified output signals can be transmitted via HDMI 1.3b cables over distances up to 15 m.
Mini NVR compatible with RTSP!
The IP DVR/NVR AverMedia EXR6004Mini M76004 is a modern four-channel network video recorder.The device is capable of recording video streams encoded in H.264, MPEG-4, or M-JPEG, from cameras coming from more than 50 manufacturers. A new version of the firmware also provides support for RTSP protocol (transmission of video streams with resolution up to 1.3 MP).

Diagram of an example configuration of IP cameras and video servers
integrated into a system using RTSP protocol
integrated into a system using RTSP protocol
The delay in the introduction of ONVIF standard significantly increases the popularity of the Real Time Streaming Protocol. Simply, it can effectively send audio-video streams, which is the core of IP CCTV systems. The implementation of this type of data streaming means that the EXR6004 M76004 DVR/NVRs support almost all IP cameras and video servers compatible with this protocol. Among the devices that have not been directly integrated with the NVR, but can be easily adopted to the system are, for example, Pixord cameras.
The DVR/NVR AverMedia EXR6004 is a perfect solution for all users demanding high performance video surveillance systems based on thoroughly tested equipment from renowned manufacturers.
The firmware update file, list and module of supported IP cameras are available in the download section.
The firmware update file, list and module of supported IP cameras are available in the download section.
Remote reading of meters, indicators etc. with the use of CCTV cameras.
Most of currently used meters cannot be read remotely. It often happens that the metering equipment must be read at regular intervals, especially in industrial plants, which requires the employment of people who have to perform this job or remember about this duty as one of their responsibilities. The most time-consuming part of the activity is getting access to the meters, placed in various locations.The problems can be avoided by using the latest CCTV technology.
One high-resolution U-CAM 575 M11181 camera can be used to monitor indications of several grouped meters. Its high sensitivity and the use of auto iris lens ensure crisp, clear images also in areas with variable and low light. The focal length of the lens should be chosen according to the distance to the meters, their size and number (they are usually placed on boards in installation boxes, cabinets etc.). For example, to observe an array of meters placed on a 0.5 m x 0.5 m board from a distance of 4 meters, one should use a lens with focal length about 35 mm. For most applications, the suitable lens is JENSEN M2159 (6-60 mm).
The images from such cameras can be archived, which allows for readings from previous days. When the DVR is connected to the Internet, the data can be accessible via mobile phones.

Using a CCTV camera to read measuring devices
The parameters can be determined using Digifort K3001, K3002, K3003, or K3004 software version and the advanced image analysis module K3040.
After installing the software (the trial version is available here), the user should add to the system one of the 1400 supported cameras, direct it to the analyzed crossroad, and employ the image analysis module for determining the quantity of moving vehicles, traffic direction, the speed of the traffic flow etc.
After installing the software (the trial version is available here), the user should add to the system one of the 1400 supported cameras, direct it to the analyzed crossroad, and employ the image analysis module for determining the quantity of moving vehicles, traffic direction, the speed of the traffic flow etc.
One of the tools for analysis of road traffic from the K3040 module
This Digifort module uses advanced image analysis for:
- object counting,
- detection of new/left objects,
- detection of objects being moved from their original places,
- face detection,
- loitering detection,
- camera tampering detection,
- creating virtual barriers,
- speeding alarms,
- direction control,
- searching for specific objects,
- event searching and reporting.
The description of the K3040 image analysis module contains video clips showing the capabilities of the software.
Lightning protection of RF and computer equipment - part 2.
Sensitive electronic circuitry can be damaged not only by a direct lightning strike - it can be caused by the high potential induced in long cables.The antenna equipment and SAT/TV receivers can be protected against such risks by the TV-Sat Surge Protector R48602 (for 75 ohm equipment).
The NetProtect limits the voltage to the safe level, according to European standards set for this type of equipment. It allows to avoid structural damage. The device does not need power supplying and does not influence data transmission.
The device protects only the equipment to which is directly connected. Lack of grounding in one of the computers connected to a concentrator can result in threshold voltage without an external reason!

The NetProtect application diagram
Protecting audio/video/computer equipment against power line surges.
Power line surges can damage the power supplies of these devices. The 5-outlet power strip with surge suppressor - Acar XProtector P1315 - effectively protects the equipment against power line surges, especially those caused by atmospheric discharges.View of the 5-outlet Acar XProtector P1315
New high gain wireless N USB Adapter TP-Link TL-WN822N, 300 Mb/s.
TP-LINK TL-WN822N is a 300 Mbps high gain wireless USB adapter fully interoperable with IEEE 802.11n/b/g wireless devices. High transmission speeds, provided by the N standard and high output power, ensure smooth online gaming, video streaming, VoIP calls.The transmission speeds up to 300 Mbps and a wider coverage are possible due to two compact external antennas. The QSS (Quick Setup Security) button on the TL-WN822N case allows the user to easily establish secure connection. The device comes with a 1.5 m USB extension cable for convenient installation, even in the case of a desktop.
Distinguishing features of the USB TL-WN822N N2926 wireless adapter:
- Transmission speeds up to 300 Mbps - smooth online gaming, video streaming, VoIP calls,
- High speeds and a wider coverage due to two compact external antennas,
- QSS (Quick Setup Security) button to easily establish secure connection,
- WPA/WPA2 security protocols and 64/128/152-bit WEP encryption,
- Mini-USB interface,
- Support for ad-hoc and infrastructure modes,
- Designed for Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7,
- Fully compatible with all IEEE 802.11b/g/n products,
- Support for Sony PSP X-link for online gaming (Windows XP) ,
- Resource CD-ROM for easy and hassle-free installation and configuration.
New products offered by DIPOL:
Tonle Sap - the Grat Lake in Cambodia.
The Tonle Sap is the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia. The lake is connected by the Tonle Sap River with the Mekong River. Soon after the start of the rainy season, the Tonle Sap River reverses its flow direction, swelling the waters of the lake and the Mekong River.Life in the floating villages holds many surprises
Worth reading:
Client application for accessing TREND DVRs on PDAs/smartphones with Android system. The latest KWeye application was just released in February 2011. It allows for remote management of TREND DVRs using mobile phones/PDAs with different operating systems. At the moment, it supports Symbian, Android, BlackBerry, iPhone and WindowsMobile systems...
Client application for accessing TREND DVRs on PDAs/smartphones with Android system. The latest KWeye application was just released in February 2011. It allows for remote management of TREND DVRs using mobile phones/PDAs with different operating systems. At the moment, it supports Symbian, Android, BlackBerry, iPhone and WindowsMobile systems...

An example of network with TREND DVR
PoE adapter with leads for LANs. The PoE set N9205 contains two passive devices shown in the picture. They are equipped with RJ-45 and 2.1/5.5 mm (power) connectors, and prepared for work with majority of popular WLAN devices (TP-Link, Linksys, Planet, Mikrotik), as well as other IP devices, like PIXORD cameras. By using such an adapter, it is enough to connect to the device only one UTP cable, instead of two (UTP cable + power cable)...

Example application of the PoE adapter
ULTIAIR - the means for wireless IP CCTV. ULTIAIR family allows to build both the backbones of the systems and wireless access networks. The unique versatility of the devices is based on the implemented Linux software that allows different applications, from simple point-to-point links, indispensable in extensive IP video surveillance systems, to very sophisticated systems of data transmission...
