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No.11/2015 (March 16, 2015)
Robots in the service of the man, or how they work in Amazon.
In 2012, Amazon, a global giant of e-commerce, absorbed Kiva Systems Inc. Then, Amazon has introduced to its warehouses in the United States an army of 15000 robots revolutionizing the process of sorting, packing and sending shipments. The small, agile machines move around in the vast storage spaces with great precision and fetch the whole shelves (pods) full of products. The robots are the element of a comprehensive software and hardware system that facilitates the collection and packing procedure in the warehouses with millions of objects. The Kiva unit is almost 30.5 centimeter tall and weights about 350 kilograms. It can pick up and transport a load of up to 700 kilograms.
Kiva robots in action
On the basis of the customer's order, Kiva software determines what goods are needed for the worker at the packing station and in which sequence should they be delivered. It sends information to the robots throughout the store, which identify the target pods, get to their destinations, pick the pods and provide them in the correct order. The robots move through the store along specially marked routes, initially (without load) using also the "tunnels" underneath the pods (racks) in order to leave the pathways clear for inventory traffic. After the appropriate items are picked up by the packer, the robot returns the pod to the storage area, drops it in a suitable place and is ready for a next task. Hundreds of robots, like busy ants, transport racks around the storehouse at the same time, improving the packaging process. Kiva units move with great precision, at short distances from each other. They can rotate the pods 360 degrees in one place and, as mentioned, can move under them in the search of the target pods. It saves the storage space and improves organization of the work in the warehouse. Amazon maintains that the entire system is not intended to limit the number of employees, but only to facilitate their work and speed up the process of packing.
The Internet commerce giant is also testing another innovation - deliveries using drones. On the web there is a video with a drone waiting for the shipment from the packing line and delivering it by air to the destination. It's hard to believe in what can be seen, but it indicates the course of action that may revolutionize the logistics market.
DVB-T and satellite DVB-S/S2 channels in a small hotel.
Owners of guesthouses and small hotels wanting to increase the attractiveness of their offer often include additional satellite TV channels to those available from terrestrial transmitters. A cost-efficient solution for small buildings can be the application of typical consumer satellite receivers and digital DVB-T modulators. The number of the satellite receivers and modulators has to be the same as the number of additional channels.This is not a fully professional solution, but due to low price and ease of application it is preferred by a large group of users. Aside from low cost, the obvious advantage of such an installation is its flexibility. There is no problem to add another satellite receiver and modulator to distribute one more program, or change the channel package, depending on the preference of the guests.
A very important issue is the application of satellite receivers that can continuously operate for a long time. A good choice is the reputable Ariva S300 DVB-S/S2 A99372 receiver with multi-CAM reader. It is also essential to ensure proper ventilation, otherwise there is a risk of image "freezing" or even a failure. An important point is also the quality of the employed digital modulators. We can recommend the Signal-400 R86700 DVB-T modulators with maximum output level above 100 dBμV. The high output level allows for the application of the passive distribution network. The suitable levels of terrestrial DVB-T channels in the whole antenna system are guaranteed by a building amplifier, e.g. Terra HA-126 R82303.
Office Wi-Fi network in 802.11n standard.
Lack of access to the Internet greatly reduces the functionality of buildings and premises. Wired LAN can be built on the occasion of major refurbishment of an existing facility or construction of a new one. However, it is impossible to completely predict the needs of the future users (the layout of the hardware). Fast, cheap and effective way to solve this problem is to install a wireless network. The diagram below shows an example of an extensive office network.
Example architecture of office WiFi 802.11n network
- Device no. 1 - the device with access to the Internet, responsible for its distribution to multiple computers within the local network:
- N3252 - access point TP-LINK TL-WR740N with built-in router, 150 Mb/s 802.11n,
- N3254 - access point TP-LINK TL-WR741N with built-in router, 150 Mb/s 802.11n,
- N2958 - 3G wireless router TP-LINK TL-MR3220, 802.11n 150 Mb/s, UMTS/HSPA,
- N2957 - 3G wireless router TP-LINK TL-MR3420, 802.11n 300 Mb/s, UMTS/HSPA,
- N3250 - access point TP-LINK TL-WR841ND 802.11n 300 Mb/s with built-in router and 4p switch,
- N3253 - access point TP-LINK TL-WR1043ND 802.11n 300 Mb/s with built-in router, GbE switch, USB,
- N3260 - dual-band (2.4&5GHz) wireless router TP-LINK TL-WDR4300 802.11n.
- Device no. 2 - for wireless access to the network from a desktop or mobile PC:
- N2922 - 802.11n USB adapter TP-LINK TL-WN722N, 150 Mb/s with external 4 dBi antenna,
- N2924 - 802.11n USB adapter TP-LINK TL-WN721N, 150 Mb/s,
- N3222 - 802.11n USB adapter TP-LINK TL-WN725N, 150Mb/s, "nano".
- Device no. 3 - antenna strengthening the signal in the case of more distant locations in the building(s):
- A72713 - indoor omnidirectional antenna TP-LINK TL-ANT2405C 5 dBi 2.4 GHz,
- A72714 - indoor omnidirectional antenna TP-LINK TL-ANT2408C 8 dBi 2.4 GHz.
- Device no. 4 - WiFi repeater:
FTTH - building cabling methods (part 2/3).
In the previous issue of the Newsletter we have described the method based on breakout distribution cables. The second technique, presented now, is especially useful in the case when the number of subscribers / outlets is not known in advance.Cabling system based on micro-tubes or microducts consists of specially designed packages of small flexible tubes. Each single tube is provided to to the potential subscriber. It is also possible to connect individual packets of horizontal tubes in the duct using special connectors. Commercially available solutions offer a number of opportunities in the selection of the structure both of the packages and individual micro-tubes. They can vary in shape, dimensions, flexibility and color.
The structure of a cabling system based on micro-tubes
 |  |
Both of the packages and individual micro-tubes can vary in shape, dimensions, flexibility and color
(source: ftthcouncil.eu)
The fibers are usually blown into the microducts implemented in the building with the use of blowing-in machines (the source of the picture: ftthcouncil.eu). The process is easy and quick. With this approach, the operator does not bear the costs associated with unused links - the fibers are provided only to the actual subscribers.
Applications of ROPAM wireless control kit.
The RF-4-2K G7060 kit can be used to control an alarm system, gates, ramps, etc. using key fobs. The controller has two relay and two OC outputs. The relay outputs can, for example, control two gates, whereas the two OC outputs can be used for other purposes. After employing the RM85-12V-1P G7055 relay modules, the user can remotely control any 230 VAC appliances with current consumption up to 12 A. In the example below, these are two independent circuits with lamps around a facility.
The application of the ROPAM wireless control kit and relay modules for remote control of lighting systems
Selecting an IR illuminator for CCTV system.
When choosing a suitable IR illuminator, we should remember that the light intensity decreases inversely to the square of the distance from the source. For example, if the object is placed at a distance of 1 m from the light source and the intensity of the light on its surface is 64 lx, after moving the object away to a distance of 8 m, the light intensity falls to 1 lx (8 times larger distance = 64 times lower light intensity).
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 60o, 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).
In accordance with the described above relation, the range can be doubled by using 4 such illuminators (preserving the same direction/angle).
 | Access Point TP-LINK CPE510 (5GHz 802.11a/n MIMO2x2) N2352 - thanks to Qualcomm Atheros chipsets, high-gain antennas, high-quality materials, specially designed enclosure, and PoE technology, the outdoor 300 Mbps CPE device can reliably operate in most climate zones, from -30℃ to +70℃ . The advanced, high power transmitter (Tx output power up to 27 dBm / 500 mW) and highly sensitive receiver (Rx sensitivity up to -95 dBm) enable users to overcome the range barriers of traditional Wi-Fi networks. With a central management system, the CPE510 devices are ideal for point-to-point and point-to-multipoint Wi-Fi connections. The professional performance combined with ease of use make them a great choice both for business and home applications. | |
 | Cable Entry Plate (6 openings, for outdoor housings) R90610B allows for insertion of cables into an outdoor housing without compromising its IP rating. | |
 | HD-TVI TURBO HD Camera Hikvision DS-2CE56C5T-VFIT3 M7512 - ceiling camera designed for use in CCTV systems based on HD-TVI DVRs. The camera provides 720p video. With high sensitivity (0.001 lx) and built-in IR illuminator with range up to 50 m, the camera ensures high quality image in low light or even no-light conditions. | |
Worth reading
Fiber-optic SMATV system. Optical RF signal transmission allows for long-range distribution of digital terrestrial and satellite television, DAB radio, security video etc. Fiber-optic SMATV systems provide much more flexibility compared to those based only on coaxial cable. In addition to the greater freedom in implementing long transmission lines, the installation of the systems is also easier thanks to replacing multiple coaxial cables by a single fiber-optic cable... more
Diagram of a fiber-optic SMATV system
Full HD 1080p in analog CCTV systems
