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

Time for a global M2M platform.

At the end of November in Johannesburg, Vodacom from Vodafone Group Plc announced the start of a new M2M initiative called Global Data Service Platform (GDSP). The project is a part of the policy of the group being a global service provider for M2M solutions. GDSP is aimed at international companies and organizations wanting to use automatic and unassisted global communication among various devices.

GDSP is a service that not only allows the transfer of information and communication between devices scattered around the globe, but also enables the user to fully manage and control the whole system. This pioneering solution provides means for users to analyze in detail the flow of information between different points, as well as to control each individual point. The operation of such a network is not complicated - the management, control and analytical tools can be easily accessed by an intuitive graphical interface.

The global growth of M2M applications will translate into an even more dynamic expansion of wireless data services for private customers. Research confirms that many consumers that can use WiFi connectivity choose 3G service. This shows how managed cellular networks are important for secure and reliable communication and data exchange.

Distributed analog video monitoring system based on Ultimode video converters and optical fibers.

A manufacturing company decided to expand its premises by including new production facility. As the previous analog video surveillance system met functional and quality requirements, the expansion was not a reason for changing the general concept, but became an occasion for the integration of the system with the help of fiber optic technology.

The surveillance center has been located in the office building. The building is monitored by 16 cameras connected by coaxial cables to one of the DVRs placed there. The images from cameras deployed in the other buildings are provided to other two DVRs through video converters and optical fibers. The main components of the system are shown in the diagram below.

The architecture of the video surveillance system with optical links

The transmission links between buildings use single-mode fiber. On both sides of the links there are optical video converters, 16-channel L2921 and 8-channel L2821, respectively. All the three Signal DVRs, located in the main building, have been placed in 19" rack cabinet SIGNAL 9U 600mm R912019. The video channels from the DVRs are displayed on three 27-inch LED monitors AG Neovo M3027. The DVRs are managed by the surveillance staff through system control unit Signal M77925.
The buildings and premises are monitored by analog cameras n-cam 270 M11287 ensuring perfect results both day and night. Additionally, the key points in the production facility and warehouse are observed with the use of PTZ cameras PH-10H M1192. The cameras are remotely controlled from the surveillance room using RS-485 ports of the video converters.

Multiswitch SMATV system in a 5-staircase building.

The requirements for the building installations included SMATV system providing each outlet with DVB-T and SAT signals (from a single Hot Bird position).

The building has five staircases with a 40 m spacing. There is an underground garage in the basement below the ground level (first flloor). The basement should be used for the distribution of the signals to all the staircases (the investor did not want separate systems in individual staicases) via a bus composed of five Triset-11 PE E1025 cables.

View of the project of the SMATV system designed with the use of free SatNet utility
Instructional video on the use of the software

Due to a large number of the outlets in the building (ca. 300), the optimum choice was multiswitch system based on a bus architecture and MSV-5xx multiswitches.

In this implementation, three stories in each staircase have been equipped with MSV-516 R70716 multiswitch and satellite splitter or tap from Terra SS-5xx series with the loss resulting from the energetic balance. The exception is the last, fourth floor, equipped in each staircase only with the MSV-516 R70716 multiswitch. The total number of outlets in each staircase is about 60.

The system is powered from SA 501 R70501 amplifiers located in each staircase, via H lines.

Emergency power supply for CCTV systems.

Emergency power supply for a CCTV DVR can be provided by the use of a UPS or buffer power supply. Due to the double conversion (typically from 12 VDC to 230 VAC and vice versa - in the power supply of the DVR), a UPS can backup the system for a shorter time than a buffer power supply with a similar rechargeable battery. Additionally, a suitable buffer supply (e.g. PSUPS10A12 M1874) can directly supply power to the surveillance cameras. The M1874 unit can power a DVR with current consumption up to 5 A and up to 8 cameras with current consumption up to 0.5 A.

Example configuration of a small CCTV system with the buffer power supply Pulsar PSUPS10A12 M1874

Control of IP PTZ cameras.

The monitoring systems in cities, large industrial plants, stadiums etc. are usually equipped with high-speed PTZ cameras. Such cameras are used to remotely monitor large areas with the ability to zoom into any part of the scene for getting more detailed information.

Both NUUO IP+ software and NVR utilities have graphical GUI with buttons for control of PTZ cameras, but in the case of dynamic situations when there is a need to track fast-moving objects, this type of control becomes very uncomfortable.

IP CCTV system with PTZ functionality

A better solution is to use a mouse to point out the area to be centered, but the best results are obtained by connecting USB control unit K9153, a peripheral device specially designed for control of pan-tilt cameras. The joystick operates in x, y axes - Pan &Tilt, whereas its knob controls Zoom. The device is equipped with 12 programmable keys which can control any functions of PTZ cameras, set previously defined positions, select the current camera etc.

How to use the AP mode at home?

Access Point is the basic mode that allows for communication between wireless clients and the wired network. Of course all client devices must have built-in or additional WLAN cards. The clients connect to the AP in Infrastructure mode.

A home wireless network

In order to wirelessly connect devices such as PC, laptop, TV or tablet, the user has to employ a wireless router operating in AP mode and network cards/adapters in these devices set to Acces Point Client (APC) mode.

How to build a wired home network without the hassle of installing? The solution is to use powerline Ethernet adapters TP-LINK TL-PA2010KIT N3363 allowing network connection through the existing power line. The pair or set of the powerline adapters is an ideal solution in every case where it is impossible or difficult to install Ethernet cables or the environment is not suitable for a wireless medium... more

How to create an IP video surveillance system without a PC? Low-cost Signal NVR32-16 HD K4416 is a network video recorder that can support up to 16 Sunell Full HD cameras. Thanks to VGA, HDMI, and USB ports, the recorder can be directly connected to a computer monitor or flat-screen television and operated with the included mouse as a standalone device, without a need for a PC. The user can configure and manage the system, perform live monitoring, play back and backup the recorded material. The included IR remote allows for convenient control of the device and switching the camera views from a distance of several meters... more

The components of the PC-independent IP CCTV system

How to make inexpensive video monitoring of offices? The proposed solution uses TP-Link IP cameras TL-SC3430 K1155 and TL-SC3171 K1153. They allow for monitoring of the video via mobile phones or web browsers as well as implementation of two-way audio transmission necessary for teleconferencing... more

A remote monitoring system based on TP-Link devices