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

Google becomes a wireless carrier.

With Project Fi, Google enters the wireless market in the United States. The key to success is to be advanced integration of cellular transmitters and Wi-Fi hotspots offering Internet connectivity. The project ensures smooth switching between cellular LTE networks and free Wi-Fi hotspots. As a part of a 30$ subscription, Google offers unlimited calls and texting, and what particularly interesting, free international calls to over 120 countries. The latter is possible thanks to a relevant agreement with T-Mobile.

A special feature of the project is the duality of connections, those provided by traditional operators (T-Mobile or Sprint) and those served by over million Wi-Fi hotspots. It gives the possibility of voice calls using Internet connections via Wi-Fi, and if they are not available, via the cellular network that provides better parameters in the location. The phone number in Project Fi will not be assigned to any particular device, only to the user's Google Account. In the future, incoming calls can be picked up even on tablets. At launch, the service will be available only for users of Nexus 6 phones in the United States.

Project FI: new dimension of connectivity

The user in the United States will pay $20 monthly for unlimited calls and SMSes, and a flat $10 per GB for cellular data used both in the U.S. and abroad. The advantage of the data packages is that Google will refund the cost of the unused part - for example, the user of 2GB package with actual 1.5 GB data usage will pay only $15.

One of the most important advantages of Project Fi is the lack of roaming charges. This means that the user will not be surprised by the amount of the bill when making calls or using data (e.g. for online navigation) during holidays or business trips.

The aging process of coaxial cables.

Some investors are forcing installers to lay coaxial cables under the plaster or building thermal insulation without the use of protection tubing. This is an incorrect approach. Each coaxial cable is subject to the natural process of aging - the attenuation of the cable increases with its age. The expected lifetime of a typical cable is 15-20 years. The process depends mainly on the temperature (high temperature under the roof and on the southern facade shortens the life of the cable) and mechanical stresses. So, the investors should be informed that this approach may cause big problems in the future. Normally, the cabling should be installed in such a way that it can be replaced without a major overhaul of the building. It is also important to use cables which guarantee long life of the cable system. Triset cables passed the test of accelerated aging of coaxial cables (IEC68-2-3 standard). The standard defines the maximum allowable increase of attenuation at high temperature and with increased humidity during a three-week test run.

In compliance with the IEC 68-2-3 standard, the increase of attenuation is below 5%

HotSpot for a hotel.

Free access to the Internet for the guests during their stay belongs to standard services in hotels. At the front desk, the receptionist along with the room key provides the guest with login data. UniFi access points are supplied with suitable management software for this kind of systems.

A window from the UniFi software

With the UNIFI WiFi Enterprise System, the administrator can configure and manage wireless network composed of UniFi devices directly from a web browser. The software enables the administrator to view the status of devices and operation parameters in real time. Additionally, the software also allows for import of premises maps to display the signal range of each device.

Access point Ubiquiti UniFi UAP-LR (Long Range 802.11b/g/n 300Mbps) N2574 -
the optimal device for Wi-Fi systems in hotels

Typically, a hotel system consists of several devices deployed in the facility (corridors, swimming pool, garden etc.) working in the same network (one SSID). The UNIFI system enables the creation of user accounts with access to the Internet only for a defined period of time. The user can surf the Internet with individually assigned maximum speed. The administrator can redirect the login window to a selected website, for example the hotel homepage. By adding to the hotel LAN e.g. the RouterBoard RB2011UAS-RM N242011 router, the system can collect information on users' logs and visited web pages (e.g. in order to identify the user who has committed a crime).

Optical power meter - the basic equipment of any fiber optic technician/installer.

The measuring device is one of the basic tools of every installer. While low-current systems, based on copper cables (distribution of television, CCTV) may sometimes forgive the installer an unprofessional approach to measurement issues (quality estimation based only on the observation of the effects on the end devices), there is no place for such simplification in the case of optical networks. Optical systems are often deployed long before the actual use and at the initial stage they include only cable infrastructure. To verify the performance of the job done, it is necessary to have appropriate measuring devices. Even the smallest mistake or inaccuracy in connecting the components of an optical system may result in attenuation increased by a few dB, which may lead to the failure of the entire system.

GRANDWAY FHP1B02 L5821 is an affordable optical power meter used for measurements of optical power loss in fiber networks based on multimode and single-mode fibers. The meter is calibrated to measure optical power at six wavelengths (nm): 850, 1300, 1310, 1490, 1550, and 1625. A wide measuring range (-40...+23 dBm) and high accuracy (not worse than 0.35 dB / 10 nW) allow for precise control of any optical network. It is also possible to set 0 dB reference level. The meter is equipped with a tip that allows measurements of optical power in optical paths terminated with connectors with 2.5 mm ferrules. The kit includes FC/PC and SC/PC adapters. The features make it an ideal tool for measurements in point-to-point links and FTTH systems.

The tool necessary for precise measurements is the dedicated optical laser source GRANDWAY FHS1D02 L5825. The source generates laser beams of predetermined wavelengths and power. The device generates laser bream of the wavelength 1310 nm or 1550 nm at the power level of -5 dBm. A short-term stability of the light source is better than 0.1 dB. The two devices (the GRANDWAY meter and laser source) allow for professional testing of nearly any fiber-optic network.

IP CCTV security system based on IP NVR with PoE.

In a single-family home the ideal solution for such a system is the application of an IP NVR with built-in PoE switch. Thanks to PoE the device supplies power to the security cameras and the switch integrates the system. The 802.3af PoE standard allows for the use of lines up to 100 meters. In the case of application of Sunell K2505 IP NVR with built-in PoE switch and IP cameras of the same manufacturer, e.g. K1681 or K1697, the configuration of the system is extremely simple, similarly to analog CCTV. After adding the user name and password of the camera to the NVR, the camera is automatically discovered and added to the system, independently of the network configuration, and the NVR automatically assigns the suitable IP address. An example of an IP CCTV system based on the NVR with built-in PoE switch is shown below.

The architecture of a home IP CCTV system based on Sunell devices

Hard drives for CCTV systems.

An important aspect of video monitoring systems is reliability. The hard disks used for recording of video surveillance data are heavily loaded, i.e. they operate on a continuous basis, saving and overwriting the video data (which is usually necessary due to the large amount of the video information). Typical hard drives are not suitable for this mode of operation, so their lifetimes in CCTV systems may considerably decrease. Video monitoring systems should be equipped with hard disks designed for 24x7 operation, specially prepared for video surveillance applications. Additionally, the modified firmware of the drives reduces the likelihood of the loss of image frames caused by errors or heavy load. Due to continuous but steady load, the power consumption has been also optimized for such conditions. Disks of this category are also characterized by an increased resistance to adverse environmental conditions, first of all vibrations and increased temperature.

WD HDDs of the Purple series have been specially designed for CCTV systems

April 29, 2015 - the finish of spring training courses. The last course of the spring session ended in Wroclaw on April 28. Eighteen participants had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the theory of fiber optic systems as well as could practically learn how to install mechanical splices (ULTIMODE L5550) and make fusion splices. This training was unique - the participants were using 5 fusion splicers EasySplicer L5810. Each installer performed the whole procedure of preparing fibers and joining them (flat cables L7102).

The spring edition consisted of 16 training courses, with total of about 350 participants! The courses were developed and run by our Technical Department and first of all they allowed the attendants to improve practical skills, so the great interest of installers.

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... >>>more

Diagram of the hotel TV installation

SIGNAL rack cabinets - performance and completeness