DIPOL Weekly Review

No.37/2011 (Nov. 14, 2011)

Mouse with a microscope on the head.

Stanford University researchers have developed a miniature microscope that allows the study of neural connections in the brain. It has been designed to increase knowledge about how the nervous system works and what changes occur in the case of its failure. A small device weighs less than 2 grams and is fully adapted to the observation of fluorescent markers used for testing the activity of neurons, or the presence of proteins in cells. The construction of the microscope is based on the latest developments in the field of optoelectronics: small but very bright LEDs, image sensors of small size and high sensitivity, made in CMOS technology. The device is enclosed in a small, sealed housing with a volume of 2.4 cm³. The microscope provides the opportunity to observe a field with dimensions of 600 * 800 microns. The first study using the new microscope was performed on laboratory mice. The researches managed to observe processes occurring in the brain, including those poorly investigated that are responsible for movement control.

A fingertip microscope allows for brain images during normal activity
(source: Stanford University)

The microscope uses the phenomenon of fluorescence, which is the source of the image observed by the researcher. The observed object is pre-colored, and then illuminated with light of a wavelength which causes fluorescence (usually ultraviolet light).

Diagram showing the construction of the microscope
(source: Stanford University)

View of a single neuron after injection of a fluorescent dye
(source: www.britannica.com)

Such a miniature microscope can bring revolution both in science and in the diagnosis of neurological diseases. Low weight and small size enable placement of the device on animals without limiting their freedom of movement. This allows researches to explore issues connected with the brain centers responsible for controlling motor functions.
The microscope can also perform diagnostic functions. It can be used outside laboratories, and connected to an ordinary laptop may transmit the results to a diagnostic center. An important factor is the low cost of the device (estimated at $10 in mass production), so that it can be used in the poorest countries, increasing the basis for good diagnostics.

Distributed video monitoring system with 12 cameras.

A small production company, in connection with the repeated theft and vandalism, has decided to set up a monitoring system. The key design parameters of the project included the high quality of the recorded material and the possibility of remote control of all system components via LAN.

Diagram of the system based on three HIKVISION DVRs located throughout the facility

The installer decided to implement the project based on standalone HIKVISION digital video recorders with network connectivity. Due to long distances between the buildings, the monitoring network has been divided into three subnets. The first DVR is placed in the warehouse of raw materials, the second in the production building, the third in the office building. Such a deployment minimizes the distances between the DVRs and cameras and eliminates possible problems connected with transmission of video signals and power over long cables.

The DVR placed in the warehouse is the DS-7204HVI-ST/M M72041, allowing for recording video with resolution of 704x576 pixels (4CIF) at frame rate of 12 fps, independently in each channel. It cooperates with four high speed dome PTZ cameras PH-33 M1196, which are suitably located to survey patrol routes protecting the maneuvering area and storage gates. The office and manufacturing buildings are quipped with DS-7204HVI-ST/E M71041 and DS-7204HVI-ST/M M72041 (economical version with the same recording parameters). To ensure proper imaging in various light conditions and high reliability, the installer mounted vandal proof dome cameras v-cam 450 M10749 with built-in IR illuminators.

Each of the DVRs has been equipped with 2 TB HDD Western Digital M89270 from AV-GP SATA series dedicated for CCTV applications. This capacity allows for continuous recording of the video from the cameras for about 40 days and nights. Outside working hours, the recording in the office building is triggered by motion detection, which increases the storage time up to three times. The three DVRs have been combined into a single LAN. The security guards can watch live images from the cameras on monitors connected directly to the DVRs, whereas the managers have access to the system resources on their computers in the office, using free application iVMS4000, as well as via their mobile phones.

Everything what the user should know about Signal DVB-T receivers.

DVB-T receivers have become a mass product. Many users do not read instructions and use only their primary function - reception of television broadcasts.

Signal DVB-T receivers - HD-507 A99250 and HD-527 A99252 - can be used not only for watching TV in digital quality, but also for recording programs and playing back both the recorded material and other media. In this and following issues we will bring you some interesting facts concerning specific features of these DVB-T receivers.

Simultaneous recording and watching different channels within the same multiplex.

Few people are aware of the fact that during recording a program on an external memory device they can freely operate through other channels belonging to the same program package (multiplex or mux). Thus, if the multiplex contains 7 channels, one can be recorded and any of the other six browsed and watched.

How much space will be needed for a one-hour recording?

The size of a recording on the disk depends on the characteristics of the data stream sent by the transmitter, which is connected with the quality of the broadcast (SD or HD) and the variability of what is happening on the screen. After pressing INFO button, Signal receivers provide information on disk size, free space, the bitrate of the recorded data stream (in KB/s), the maximum recording time for this stream, the actual size of the current recording in MB. It is worth mentioning that the test image generates about 130 KB/s. On average, the data stream for SD programs ranges from 320 to 640 KB/s, so the size of a one-hour recording can vary twice, from about 1 GB to over 2 GB.

View of the INFO window opened in RECORD mode

What is the actual power consumption of Signal receivers?

The actual power consumption of the receiver Signal HD-527 A99252 in operation mode, measured in our laboratory, was 6.33 VA, while in standby mode it did not exceed the 1 W limit required by the EU regulations and was 0.95 VA. This means that if the receiver was in working mode over an entire month, it would not consume more than 4.7 kWh, the cost of which is about 0.7 Euro. In standby mode it would be only about 0.7 kWh, below 10 cents. These facts show high energy efficiency of the receiver.

Coupling glass optical fiber (GOF) and plastic optical fiber (POF) networks.

Plastic optical fiber has many advantages over glass optical fiber in Fiber To The Desk (FTTD) applications. The best solution for home/SOHO networks is ULTIMODE Home System. Such simple optical home/office network can be fully managed and re-configured by the user, thanks to the features of polymer optical fibers and devices with OptoLock connectors.

The demarcation point between the glass optical cable from a service provider, entering the building as Fiber To The Home (FTTH) network, and the home POF network, is an optical media converter, such as ULTIMODE POF-105SFP L6221. The device is installed at the junction of the two fiber-optic networks in the subscriber's home, where the ULTIMODE POF-8S L6108 switch and ULTIMODE Home System devices are used for further expansion of the home/office FTTD network.

The demarcation point between the glass optical network, based e.g. on ULTIMODE Building System,
and home POF network using ULTIMODE Home System solutions

Optical media converter ULTIMODE POF-105SFP L6221 changes the signal from a glass fiber network (usually FTTH system) to that of POF optical network (100 Mb/s) and vice versa. The media converter equipped with SFP slot is fully compatible with IEEE 802.3u 100Base-FX standard. The SFP slot allows for cooperation with multimode or single-mode optical fibers, depending on the module installed. All optical transmission parameters depend on the module.

A discreet monitoring system.

The solution presented below allows the owner to monitor locations where video surveillance is required round the clock, but it should be invisible for people entering the area. The examples are systems monitoring roads and forests, e.g. for preventing timber theft and illegal dumping of waste.

A configuration of a system for discreet monitoring, with wireless video transmission

The vital element of the monitoring system is IR illuminator IRN40 M1649 which generates a beam of infrared light invisible to the human eye but visible to the u-cam 630 M11192 camera. The video is transmitted wirelessly via the TCO5807h M1559 transmitter/receiver set, with range up to 2 km. For proper operation it is necessary to ensure a direct, unobstructed line-of-sight (LOS) path between the antennas of the transmitter and receiver. In the case of an environment blocking mutual visibility of the antennas, the way out of this situation is application of another wireless A/V transmission set, M1559, as a relay point. The re-transmitter should be mounted on a high structure so that be visible by the both antennas.
The video data is recorded by 4-channel HIKVISION DS-7204HVI-ST/M M72041 DVR allowing remote monitoring and access to recordings via the Internet, using both a computer and mobile phone. It provides real time control over the monitored area and the possibility of rapid intervention.

Megapixel video surveillance system at a housing development.

Private housing association located on the Dobrego Pasterza street in Krakow decided to install 2 MP Pixord cameras in order to improve the safety of the occupants. The order has been given to Dipvision company.

There have been used three P600E K1532 cameras and varifocal (2.8-12 mm) lens Jensen M2136. The cameras with the lenses have been put into outdoor camera housings Marathon M5406, powered via outdoor NETSET UTP PE 5e E1412 cable from M1835 power supply. The K1532 cameras have been integrated into LAN network with web smart switch TP-LINK N29951, mounted in RACK cabinet R912018 placed in the basement of one building. The switch communicates through outdoor multimode fiber optic cable L7370 with a second unit ( N29951 ) located in the surveillance room. The optical patch cable with the appropriate length has been prepared at DIPOL.

The images from the cameras are monitored and recorded on the server managed by NUUO K3104 software. The surveillance guard can anytime check archival materials and, if necessary, to generate an AVI file to be forwarded to the police or municipal police. Additionally, the software alerts the operator about tampering with a camera (loss of connectivity or sharpness) via audible alarm, a visual notification on the screen or email.

The housing association is going to increase the number of cameras to 16 units at the beginning of the next year. The system architecture, transmission infrastructure and network devices enable easy expansion without any risk of overloading the network. The NUUO software enables the user to extend the license by next channels.

How to transmit 3D video to multiple TVs?

The solution is the application of HDMI Splitter Signal 3D 1x4 H3215, which enables the user to connect up to 4 modern TV sets equipped with HDMI inputs to a source of high-definition signal, including 3D content. The amplified output signals can be transmitted via HDMI cables over distances up to 15 m. This product is ideal for demonstration of HD and 3D televisions and other equipment in stores, for offer presentation in superstores etc., as well as for conference rooms to split the signal from the computer to several monitors.

Application diagram

New products offered by DIPOL:


Outdoor antenna amp. UHF-UHF-FM/DAB ALCAD AM-356 R903056	TRANS-DATA KYZ 7.5/8/10 LTE antenna A741031	Broadband cable amplifier TERRA BA213U R82412	4-ch DVR HIKVISION DS-7204HVI-ST/M M72041

Worth reading:

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