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

3D scanning with a smartphone.

Google has announced a new project to make our mobile devices more functional. "Project Tango" includes work on a smartphone equipped with the appropriate hardware and software solutions to enable the generation of three-dimensional maps of the environment. With a dedicated electronics, sensors and software, the device is capable of performing more than a quarter million 3D measurements per second and creating a virtual model of the space around it.

Google has already developed a prototype of the innovative smartphone. The Android-based phone is equipped with a camera to track motion, a depth sensor, and a camera with resolution of 4 megapixel. The video and data are processed by two Myriad 1 vision processors from Movidius. In addition to high processing power, Myriad 1 has a very low power consumption, which is of great importance in the case of mobile devices.

Short presentation of Project Tango

The look of the new smartphone from Google

In March of this year developers having clear ideas for interesting applications of the smartphone and their commercialization will get the first 200 pieces. The winners will be strongly supported to further develop their innovative solutions.

Without waiting for the results of the competition, it is clear that the opportunities offered by mobile scanning are tremendous. The users of such smartphones could quickly create models of any objects or rooms, e.g. for interior design, or create a virtual space for computer games. An interesting application would be the use of 3D urban plans in conjunction with voice messages to improve the mobility of blind people in the areas.

Award for SatNet 3.0 software application.

The SatNet 3.0 app for designing SMATV systems based on multiswitches won the Award of the Ministry of Economy for the most innovative product or technology presented on the Elektrotechnika 2014 trade fair in Warsaw, Poland. See the coverage of the fair

When to use multimode and when single-mode fibers?

It is important to decide whether the future network will be based on multimode or single-mode fibers. For some installers the choice can be not obvious, so we give a few tips on the selection of the cabling.

Multimode fibers can be used only for distances up to 2 km. An individual fiber cannot operate in duplex mode, i.e. at any moment signal can be transmitted only in one direction, so normally two fibers are needed for two-way communication. The maximum transmission speed depends on the length of the link. 1 Gbps data rate can be achieved in the cheaper OM2 fiber. Higher data rates may require the application of the OM3 type.

The differences in the structure of optical fibers:
MM - multimode
SM - single-mode

Single-mode fibers are necessary for transmission distances over 2 km. There are many kinds (standards) of the fibers, but a cheap and versatile type is the popular G.652.D that can be successfully used in most situations. G.657 fiber with reduced minimum bending radius (7.5 mm) is recommended for applications in buildings and other places with limited space. Individual fibers can be used for bidirectional transmission. There are no problems with obtaining active devices with interfaces for single-mode fibers which operate at 10 Gbps data rates. Passive optical networks (PONs) can be based only on single-mode fibers, even in the case of short distances.

Compression connectors in SMATV systems.

F-type connectors are used to make connections in these systems that are based on coaxial cables with 75 Ω impedance. There are twist-on, compression, and self-install versions. Aside from applications in various antenna systems they are used in cable TV networks and sometimes in CCTV installations. Their design and quality have a direct impact on the stability and parameters of the connections - signal loss and impedance matching. Highest class compression connectors from PCT and Platinum guarantee long-term, trouble-free operation even in the harshest conditions.

Perfect designs and excellent precision make the above connectors very popular among installers. All the connectors have very precise threads eliminating any problems with screwing them on sockets. Compression connectors ensure high mechanical strength, integrity and stability over time. PCT compressed connectors should be installed with the use of PCT-AIO-CT E80075 universal compression tool, and Platinum connectors with TR-255 E80077 compression tool.

Infrared illuminators for CCTV systems.

Considering the power of IR illuminators needed for sufficient lighting of the monitored area, one needs to remember that the light intensity decreases inversely to the square of the distance from the source.

For example, it means that if an object at a distance of 1 m from the light source shows 64 lx illuminance, after moving it to a distance of 8 m the illuminance will drop to 1 lx.

Light intensity as a function of the distance from the source

Cameras with lenses with a wide angle of view need adequate IR illuminators with similar or wider angle of radiation, such as Redbeam IR40 M1640 (total operational angle of 60^o, range of 30 m).
In accordance with the described above relation, the range can be doubled by using 4 such illuminators (preserving the same direction/angle).

Video monitoring of a hospital parking lot.

The parking system at the provincial hospital in Tarnow has been installed by P.P.U.H "DEJW" Dawid Biernat company. The aim of the project was to monitor all entries into and exits from the hospital complex.

The access is controlled by a system of gates, containing a number of pieces of equipment:

The system consists of four entry-exit gates located on the access roads to the hospital area. The vehicles from both directions are monitored by K1680 cameras. The video coverage includes the view of the vehicle, license plate information, face of the driver.

Subscription holders can enter/leave the area of ​​the hospital by bringing contactless cards near the card readers located in the terminals and ticketing machines. Other customers entering the area take tickets with bar codes. Based on the ticket, the customer leaving the area pays for the parking time in the automatic cash register monitored by vandal-proof dome camera K1691.

How to improve LTE connectivity?

In many countries LTE networks have not been completely deployed yet. Full coverage is usually guaranteed only in large cities. Many internet users appreciate advantages of LTE technology and would like to use it even on the borders of the range. In order to enhance the signal from a mobile operator, the user of an LTE modem should connect the device to an external antenna pointed towards the base station of the cellular operator. The recommended model of the antenna is TRANS-DATA LTE KYZ 7.5/8/10 A741031 operating in 698-800 MHz, 800-960 MHz, and 1700-2700 MHz frequency ranges, that is in all bands allocated for LTE services.

TRANS-DATA LTE KYZ 7.5/8/10 A741031 is an outdoor, directional log periodic antenna
for use with LTE (4G), 3G, DCS, GSM modems and cellular phones,
with gain from 7.5 to 10 dBi, depending on the operating band

The antenna has to be connected to a modem via appropriate connector.

March 3, 2014 – modification of product tree in e-Store. Now the product tree combines two sections, CCTV and IP CCTV, into one CCTV section. At the current stage of the development of video monitoring technology and integration of systems there is no reason to keep such a division. Another change is the separation of RACK cabinets as one of nine sections of our product range. This is due to the large assortment and strong demand. Signal RACK cabinets have found a permanent place in our offer.

What kind of cameras should be used to monitor underground parking lots? Underground parking garages with dimly lit spaces are especially susceptible to acts of vandalism and theft. Video surveillance systems can prevent such events and increase the sense of security. An important requirement should be the ability to recognize faces and car license numbers... more

SatNet - the most innovative product presented on the Elektrotechnika 2014 fair