No. 39/2011 (Nov. 28, 2011)
The smartest gizmo has been born in Asia.
It was presented not in Paris, but in Hong Kong, not powered by Microsoft but by Google, and not manufactured by Nokia but by Samsung. On October 19th, the largest supplier of operating systems for mobile devices and smartphones and the largest manufacturer of the devices, showed their joint product in Asia - the largest and most modern telecommunications market in the world.Until recently, global equipment manufacturers were waiting patiently for the launch of a new device till an important European or American trade fair, or at least tried to organize a presentation on one of these markets, but not now...
![]() | The new smartphone from Samsung - Galaxy Nexus - as the first device features the latest version of the Android 4.0 operating system, called Ice Cream Sandwich. Before the release of the new version of Android OS, Gartner Inc. issued the November report analyzing the mobile telephony market in the third quarter of 2011. | |
So, what is driving the latest smartphones?
- 52.5% of new smartphones were sold with Android OS (at the same time last year the Android's market share was 25.3%);
- 17% ran on Symbian (practically no new models; last year: 36.3%); Nokia was the last company which abandoned Symbian in high-end smartphones, adopting the latest mobile system developed by Microsoft);
- 15% were equipped with Apple iOS (this is an excellent result, as the system is only used by one manufacturer. The Apple's system will rise in the fourth quarter to second place, thanks to hot selling new model, iPhone 4S).
The rest of the market is divided among BlackBerry OS, Bada - a proprietary Samsung system, and Windows Phone 7 from Microsoft. It is difficult to believe that the Samsung OS is ahead of Microsoft in terms of the number of phones sold. Another success of the Korean company which tripled sales of smartphones in comparison to the same quarter last year is the first place in sales of these devices.
Mobile devices like smart phones, tablet PCs, etc. set the direction of modern telecommunications. Supported by a "cloud computing", they have the capacity until recently reserved for typical personal computers. However, today's laptops equipped with Chrome operating system are also becoming increasingly mobile and free from unnecessary software which is easily replaced by applications available on the Web - it is enough to connect and use them. Microsoft, having capital, organization and experience built on operating systems for personal computers, practically ignored the demand for mobility, thus losing the leading role in this consumer market for operating systems.
Monitoring of specific sites in a large area.
The task of an installation company was to design and deploy CCTV system consisting of only 4 cameras, but dispersed over a wide area. Each camera point was to cover a key place in the facility. Although power supply was readily available, there was problem with transmission of the video signals, due to long distances between the camera points and the location of the DVR.The DVR was located in the security room, the only place in the facility, which could be adequately protected. So, it was necessary to run cables at distances 1500-2000 m. There was no chance for wireless links, due to lack of line-of-sight visibility between the camera locations and the security room.

Video transmission through twisted-pair cables with the use of active Etrix baluns, over distances up to 2400 m
Each of the sites was equipped with outdoor Sunell SN-IRC5920AHLDN M11280 camera with mechanically switching IR filter, ensuring excellent color reproduction during the day and full IR sensitivity at night. With advanced noise reduction, BLC (backlight control) and digital expansion of the dynamic range by ATR system, the cameras provide clear images both day and night.
The signal from each camera is fed to the active video transmitter Etrix 1VADA-T M16742, and then is transmitted via E1410_305 UTP cable to the security room, where it is converted again from the symmetrical to asymmetrical form suitable for the DVR. This is accomplished by the active video receiver Etrix 4VA-R M16745. With the ability to adjust the parameters of the signals both in the the transmitters and receiver, the set of the devices can be used for different distances.
The signal from each camera is fed to the active video transmitter Etrix 1VADA-T M16742, and then is transmitted via E1410_305 UTP cable to the security room, where it is converted again from the symmetrical to asymmetrical form suitable for the DVR. This is accomplished by the active video receiver Etrix 4VA-R M16745. With the ability to adjust the parameters of the signals both in the the transmitters and receiver, the set of the devices can be used for different distances.
The Hikvision DS-7204HVI-ST/M M72041 DVR has been equipped 2 TB WD AV-GP M89270 hard drive. Each channel has a corresponding motion detection area setting. It has been practically observed that the recorded material from one day is on average about 10 hours, which means that the installed hard disk can store recordings from one and half months. The DVR is available on the LAN and from the Internet. The access to the resources is protected by a system of passwords and rights assigned to different users. Remote operation is simple thanks to convenient client application. It also enables users to monitor the system on their mobile phones through the 3G network.
Splitting cable TV signal, including DVB-C and the Internet.
This issue is often raised by our readers who have doubts whether it is possible to split the signal to several outlets, and if so, what means should be used. The matter has become more complicated after the introduction of digital services, so currently the cable TV networks can distribute the still popular analog TV programming and increasingly common digital DVB-C channels. The digital networks usually provide additional services, such as the Internet, which further complicates the job.In the case of a pure analog signal, it can be divided to several receivers using typical RF splitters and taps, with operating band of at least 47-862 MHz. The most popular item used for connecting two TV sets is 2-way TV/FM splitter Signal R-2 R60102. When the input level is not sufficient for passive components (a visible noise after splitting the signal, usually on some channels), it is possible to take advantage of a broadband TV amplifier with moderate gain (set to a relatively low output level to avoid overdriving the TVs fed with multiple adjacent channels). A good example is the low-noise amplifier AWS-1141 B11683.
If the cable TV operator provides digital TV channels without additional services, the division of the digital signal can be realized in the same way, but every TV set has to cooperate with appropriate set-top-box (decoder), which is usually connected with additional subscription fee. So, such a division makes greater sense if the cable TV contains both digital and analog signals, and all additional TVs allow for watching analog programming.
The AS038R65 R82040 amplifier has been designed for splitting cable TV with return channel.
Return channel connectivity is possible through the output No. 1
Return channel connectivity is possible through the output No. 1
The splitting of a cable TV line which provides both TV and Internet services requires to take into consideration the return channel. The equipment, in particular the amplifier, also has to transmit the signal from the subscriber to the service provider. An example is the TERRA AS038R65 R82040 amplifier, equipped with four outputs. One of the outputs can inject the return signal.

Splitting a cable TV line with the Internet
The subscribers who split the cable TV line on their own should rather use amplifiers with passive return channel (like the mentioned AS038R65 R82040). Otherwise, uncontrolled amplification of the signal in the direction to the network could be a source of major problems and even harm other users. The multimedia switch is normally supplied by the service provider.
How to split optical signal - FTTH.
FTTH networks (Fiber To The Home) are based on PON architecture (Passive Optical Network). This means that between the service provider's central office (the node called OLT - Optical Line Terminal) and each subscriber (with ONT - Optical Network Terminal) there are no active devices and the signal is passively split between the subscribers (in the case of GPON to up to 128 users), using optical splitters.The distribution nodes are located in multi-dwelling units (apartment buildings, settlement houses etc). Depending on the type of the splitter, the input signal (beam) is typically split evenly among several to 32 paths which directly go to the end users. ULTIMODE splitters have 4, 8, 16, or 32 outputs ( L3604, L3608, L3616, L3632 ).

Passive optical network using optical splitter ULTIMODE SP-16B L3616
Video surveillance of construction equipment yard and parking lot for trucks.
To safeguard the facility against theft, the owners of Romanian Gheorghe Trans SRL company decided to install a video monitoring system covering their storage yard and parking lot for TIR trucks. The installation was done by Dipol Connect company.The system uses six n-cam 690 M11275 cameras placed on poles. One of them is used to monitor the tracks entering the facility. Thanks to active HLC function, the images from the camera are not overexposed by the headlights of the vehicles. Other cameras monitor the large area of the yard and parking lot - they, in turn, use BLC function, which compensates for excessive contrast and enhances image detail in sunny weather. Above the entrance to the building and in the reception room there are Sunell SN-VP3050G M11254G cameras.
The cameras are screwed down to the box which houses Etrix M1825 power supply and baluns |
How to use alarm connectors in megapixel cameras?
Most IP cameras have alarm inputs/outputs that can be used for additional protection of the monitored facilities. Depending on the camera model, the inputs can be activated by shorting two dedicated pins, or by applying to a suitable pin the appropriate voltage (typically 9-12 VDC).The alarm inputs can cooperate with various external sensors:
- IR - intrusion detection is performed by detecting differences in infrared radiation, occurring between the object and the environment,
- glass break - reacts to the sound of breaking glass,
- door/window sensor - the alarm signal is generated after opening door/window,
- smoke or gas (hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, butane) - reacts to reduced transparency of the air or the increased amount of the chemicals in the air.
- onscreen message - the operator can quickly react in case of fire,
- alarm siren - an automatic warning of the danger to large numbers of people,
- PTZ action - automatic shooting on a vulnerable target,
- posting pictures to an external FTP server - in the case of destruction of the DVR recordings by fire or any other reason, the data will be stored on an external drive.
ULTIAIR - IP video surveillance of roads using wireless transmission.
Professional access points ULTIAIR are used for the construction of backbone and access networks. An important advantage of the devices is flexibility. Their Linux software allows for creating both very powerful data transmission systems, as well as simple point-to-point links. ULTIAIR devices are ideal for creating high-performance backbone networks for city monitoring systems.Main features of ULTIAIR devices:
- flexible configuration,
- possibility to create advanced network systems,
- efficient data transmission (up to 60 Mbps in both directions - Nstreme N2320),
- weatherproof construction (IP 66),
- quick configuration of Access Point, Bridge and HotSpot modes,
- easy installation.
The family of professional WLAN devices for building modern IP CCTV systems and effective access networks. | |
The diagram below shows a solution based on NUUO software, ULTIAIR access points, and Sunell IP cameras. The system can be expanded using different modes of ULTIAIR devices. Thanks to NUUO Client Application, the system operator can connect to multiple servers, having in one location access to images from the cameras in multiple locations.

New products offered by DIPOL:
Worth reading:
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...
Choosing the right camera mode. In low light, day/night CCTV cameras switch from color to black and white mode. In this mode the cameras increase their sensitivity and can provide useful images in very bad conditions. However, in some situations the user may prefer color images, despite the low light levels. It is worth to test such cameras - often the color image below the switching threshold can be more suitable for surveillance purposes...
The image from u-cam 630 M11192 camera in auto mode. With the factory settings, we get high quality black and white image. | The image from u-cam 630 M11192 camera switched into color mode. Due to high sensitivity of the camera in color mode (0.1 lx), the light level is sufficient for a decent color image. |
No more range problems - GSM repeater. After replacing windows (with panes covered with metallic layers) in the office, the staff of Implus company had problems with cellular calls. The signal strength was reduced to a level inadequate for stable connections (breaks). Since the company specializes (among other things) in installation of GSM repeaters, they have installed the equipment on their own. Due to the size of the office, they have chosen Signal GSM-305 A6765.
The outdoor antenna - TRANS-DATA KYZ8.2/9.5 A741030 - has been connected to the repeater via coaxial cable Tri-Lan 240 E1171. The indoor antenna - TRANS-DATA DW3-A A741001 - has been placed in the central room, which guarantees good connectivity in the whole office...
The outdoor antenna - TRANS-DATA KYZ8.2/9.5 A741030 - has been connected to the repeater via coaxial cable Tri-Lan 240 E1171. The indoor antenna - TRANS-DATA DW3-A A741001 - has been placed in the central room, which guarantees good connectivity in the whole office...
Views of the TRANS-DATA antennas installed outside and inside the office