English
Polski
Česky
Deutsch
Irish
Magyar
Português
Română
Slovenský
No. 9/2016 (Feb. 29, 2016)
On the Moon without a rocket.
Have you ever dreamed of walking on the Moon without overcoming the distance of minimum 356 thousand kilometer and without dressing in a special suit? Moonshine Crea, an American startup plans to turn such a fantasy into reality. Its shoes called "20:16 Moonwalker" resemble, in appearance, traditional moccasins. However, the soles, besides the traditional foam and rubber, use powerful magnets. The outer layer of the shoes is made of synthetic fabric, while the inner layer is coated with DuPont Tyvek - synthetic polyethylene used by NASA to build space station modules.The "antigravity" shoes make use of N45 neodymium magnets, which are among the most powerful permanent magnets. Without an external power supply, the magnets create very strong magnetic field that can be used as a force field. They are made of a mixture of neodymium, iron, boron, and plastics improving their mechanical strength.
13 magnets in the upper layer of the shoe sole interact with identical magnets located face-to-face with them in the lower layer of the sole. The repulsive force is produced between the same poles of the magnets in the top and bottom layers. Each of the magnets with a diameter of 2.5 - 5 cm is strong enough to bear the weight of at least 12 kg.
According to the originators, anyone wearing these shoes and weighing less than 180 kg will have almost identical experience as astronauts walking on the Moon.
Visualization of CCTV coverage with E-map.
In the case of extensive video surveillance systems, the operator should know exactly the layout of the camera points. It is necessary for quick identification of the monitored areas in case of emergency. The IVMS-4200 client software supplied with Hikvision NVRs enables the user to import layouts of buildings and field maps as JPEG/bmp files. The plans will be the backgrounds for placing camera symbols onto, in accordance with their actual locations.
E-map window in a CCTV system based on Hikvision DVRs/NVRs
Each camera point can be correlated with specific alarm event, such as motion detection. When the alarm is triggered, a siren symbol by the camera icon informs the operator about the event. Double-clicking on the camera symbol allows the operator to quickly focus on the area and assess the situation. With a large number of cameras, E-map enables the operator to find out whether the alarms come from neighboring cameras and to follow the intruder or monitor other emergency situations.
Intelligent intrusion detection.
Hikvision cameras, aside from basic functions (Basic Event) like motion and tampering detection have "intelligent" functions (Smart Event), crossing of a virtual line and intrusion detection. To activate Smart Event, the user should log on to the camera and enter Configuration->Advanced Configuration->Smart Events submenu and configure the required option, set up the schedule, and confirm the settings by clicking Save button (not visible in the fragment of the screenshot).In the case of using the Intrusion Detection function for a defined area, the configuration options include:
- Threshold: 0...10 s (the period of intrusion),
- Sensitivity: 0...100,
- Percentage: 1...100 (the percentage size of the violated area).
An alarm event can trigger the following actions:
- Notification of monitoring center (that runs e.g. IVMS4200 software)
- Sending email(s) with a screenshot
- Sending images to an FTP server
- Activation of video recording (of the one or more channels)
- Activation of camera alarm output (if exist)
Configuration of Intrusion Detection function in Hikvision DS-2CD2042WD-I K1777 camera
In the case of violation of the protected area, the camera can activate video recording (also in other channels), send email with a screenshot to defined email address, activate its alarm output. In the case of other Hikvision cameras, the number, kind, and sophistication of the intelligent features depend on the hardware platform of the camera.
Distribution of TV programming via twisted-pair cables.
IPTV TERRA headend converts DVB-T and satellite channels into IP streams distributed via Ethernet network. Thanks to television distribution technology based on IP, the cabling in a building can be limited only to one (data + IPTV) or two (separate for data and for IPTV) UTP/FTP cable(s). In addition to low cost of such cabling, the users get access to additional interactive features, and the programming can be adapted to their specific requirements.The system is particularly recommended for hotels and B & Bs. It can be used wherever one needs combination of rich programming with good signal quality, and in places where television signals are to be distributed over twisted pair cables or optical fibers.
A configuration of TERRA headend for reception of channels from 2 satellites and DVB-T broadcasts. The IPTV system can distribute free-to-air and pay sat TV channels and DVB-T programming, both in SD and HD quality.
- IPTV Streamer TERRA sti-410C (DVB-T/T2/C-IP, CI slot) R81604 allows for selection of terrestrial (DVB-T/T2) or cable TV (DVB-C) multiplex and its distribution via Ethernet (LAN) network based on twisted-pair cabling.
- IPTV Streamer TERRA sdi-410C (DVB-S/S2-IP, CI slot) R81608 allows for selection of satellite channels and their distribution via Ethernet (LAN) network based on twisted-pair cabling.
- IPTV Receiver TERRA IF-402HD R81612 is used for reception/decoding of television signals distributed in broadband IP networks, based on IP protocol and coded in MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, both in SD and in HD resolutions. A unique feature of the TERRA IPTV system is the fact that the terminal units - R81612 IPTV receivers - do not require any configuration, which can be of great importance in the case of larger networks. They automatically detect any changes in the local network or the programming.
- Smart Switch TP-LINK TL-SL2452 N29965 has 48 RJ45 10/100Mbps ports, 2 RJ45 GbE ports and 2 SFP slots. The IGMP snooping function enables intelligent multicast forwarding of the streaming only to specific subscribers.
Transmission of video and audio to several receivers via LAN.
Signal-HD HDMI to IP converter enables the user to connect remote (up to 100 m) source of HD content to HD-enabled television/monitor, using one CAT5e/6 cable. The set includes transmitter and receiver units, as well as remote control extender for a Blu-ray/DVD player, STB etc. (the commands are transmitted over the same cable). The user can buy additional H3607 receivers and connect the corresponding number of televisions/monitors. The IP signal coming from the transmitter may be applied to an Ethernet switch to split it among the multiple receivers. The bit rate of the compressed signal at the output of the transmitter is about 30 Mbps.
Types of fiber splicers - which to choose?
Before purchasing a fusion splicer, the customer should necessarily determine the tasks to be performed. This refers, among others, to the average number of splicing operations on a monthly or annual basis, the number of splices done during one installation, and finally the kind of the networks (building, metropolitan, internal LANs, CCTV systems etc.).- Splicers based on fiber cladding alignment - this is the most economical option; the splicer adjusts the mutual positions of their cladding (the standard diameter is 125 μm) to minimize the difference. Theoretically, such a method of positioning results in a weld having a slightly larger attenuation compared to other solutions, especially in the case of fibers of poor quality, where the core is not placed centrally with respect to the cladding. In practice, however, the fibers sold today are of high quality and in most cases the parameters of the splices performed with this method do not differ from results achieved with the use of other methods.
- Splicers with aligning geometric core positions - this method is used by the majority of the cheapest splicers and many manufacturers and retailers wrongly describe them as devices with aligning (actual) core positions; the core geometry is obtained by optical means (visible light). The intensity of light in the fiber decreases as a function of depth, and with a given sensitivity and simple image analysis, it is possible to determine the approximate positions of fiber cores. This method has been optimized for good quality fibers, where the geometric position of the core is equivalent to its real position. When the core is embedded eccentrically, the parameters of the splice can be worse than in the case of fiber cladding alignment.
- Splicers with alignment of (real) core positions - it is the most professional and at the same time the most expensive solution. The devices using this method can automatically recognize the type of welded fibers and arrange them according to their real cores. Such welds are characterized by the best performance parameters. The welding machines utilizing this method are several times more expensive than devices based on the previous solutions.
EasySplicer L5810 is based on fiber cladding alignment, with the use of V-grooves
Splicers based on fiber cladding alignment can be successfully used in FTTH systems, in which, according to standards, the attenuation of any path in a building cannot exceed 1.2 dB, as well as in any fiber-optic networks where the lines between active devices have up to several splices. The examples are LANs, CCTV networks, or point-to-point links up to several kilometers.
In the case of hundreds or thousands of splices per month, it is advisable to invest in the most expensive equipment with the alignment of the real core positions, automatic operations, capable of performing great number of splicing cycles per battery charge etc.
In the case of hundreds or thousands of splices per month, it is advisable to invest in the most expensive equipment with the alignment of the real core positions, automatic operations, capable of performing great number of splicing cycles per battery charge etc.
 | Wall Bracket DS-1273ZJ-135 (for Hikvision cameras) M5132 has been designed for HIKVISION cameras of DS-2CD27xx series. A large space inside is usually used for placing cable connections. The mount is made of aluminum. Dimensions: 136×184×230 mm. | |
 | Flat Panel Ceiling Mount: PLB-CE946-02L E93524 has been designed for mounting modern flat LCD or plasma monitor/television (with diagonal from 37" to 70") on a ceiling. Its load capacity is 50 kg. The mount allows horizontal rotation (360 degrees) and adjustment of tilt in the range of 0° to -25°. | |
 | Stabilized Power Supply ZK-35 M18293 is a 4-output power supply designed to power CCTV devices and industrial control and automation systems which require stabilized DC voltage within the range of 11.4...13.3 V, with total current consumption up to 2.5 A. After changing fuses in two outputs from 0.63 A to 1 A, it can supply e.g. two cameras with current consumption up to 1 A each. | |
Worth reading
The use of thermal imaging cameras for temperature measurements. Thermal imaging cameras are often used for remote temperature measurements of various objects, with notifications about exceeding arbitrary thresholds. The problem of calibration of such temperature measurements is not straightforward and depends on many factors. However, when the measurements do not have to be very accurate, the calibration issue can be reduced to two presets of the camera, the emissivity of the surface of the examined body and the temperature of the environment... >>>more
A screenshot from a thermal imaging camera, with a human in the scene
Solid, fast, and cheap fiber splicing
