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

Smart jacket from Google and Levi's.

The IT giant together with the clothing manufacturer decided to implement a joint venture in the field of "wearable electronics", aimed at the production of clothing and accessories that contain microprocessors and advanced electronics to make it easier for the users to interact with their devices. The idea is not new, to increase our comfort in many situations we should not have to take our phones out of the pocket or bag. So far, however, the available products still do not convince a wider audience, mainly because of the price, appearance and ergonomics. The new "intelligent" jacket created in cooperation of Google and Levi's seems to be stylish and at the same time practical, convenient and easy to clean. So, will it find a wide range of customers?

The jacket will be made in Jacquard technology, by weaving special thin metal threads with materials such as cotton, silk or polyester, using industrial textile machinery. The conductive fibers will be woven into the cuff of the jacket, transforming it into a touchpad. Tapping or swiping across the surface of the cuff, the user will be able to toggle a series of commands to his/her smartphone. This will be possible thanks to "Smart Tag" sensor camouflaged as a button on the left cuff and communicating wirelessly with the smartphone. With this combination, the user will be able with simple gestures to query Google Maps, get suggestions for nearby stores and coffee shops, adjust the volume of the music player, skip songs, silence or answer a call, etc. What's important, such a jacket can be washed in the traditional way just after taking the wireless sensor off.

A promotional video of the Google and Levi’s project

The project of the two companies should be available for public in the fall of 2017. The price is estimated to be about $350. It will be the first commercial product developed by Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP) research division, which has developed the innovative Project Jacquard technology.

Family of digital transmodulators of satellite DVB-S/S2 broadcasts.

Transmodulators of DVB-S/S2 signals to DVB-T COFDM or DVB-C QAM standard are dedicated for systems requiring central management of the channel list. No need for additional devices connected to televisions (satellite receivers) is especially important in the case of hotels, motels, boarding houses, hospitals. The transmodulators, especially those with DVB-C QAM output signals, can also be the main or additional platform for CATV operators. Modular headends based on TERRA transmodulators can receive and convert a wide range of satellite signals, including pay-TV channels (models with CI slot/s). The output signals can be distributed as digital DVB-T (COFDM) multiplexes or DVB-C (QAM) multiplexes, as well as both simultaneously.

Thanks to the modular construction, it is possible at any time to expand the headend by additional satellite channels just by installing another transmodulator. The new platform has many advantages over competing solutions:

Access to the Internet via cellular networks.

This form of providing access to the Internet is an increasingly popular service. Depending on the cellular operator and transmitter, the connections can be based on different technologies. The maximum theoretical throughput for each of the popular technology is given in the table below.

In the case where the base station is remote from the user's device or shadowed by buildings or other obstacles, the data rates may considerably fall. In order to improve the parameters of the transmission, the user should connect an appropriate antenna. The antenna presented below is often used to increase LTE signal strength.

ATK-LOG ALP LTE MIMO 2x2 Antenna (800-3000MHz, 10m cables, SMA plug)
A7054_10

LTE technology is flexible both in the terms of the frequency range and bandwidth of the transmission channel. LTE networks can operate in frequency bands from 700 MHz (non-urbanized areas - longer range) to 2.6 GHz (metropolitan areas - higher capacity). An important element of LTE is MIMO technology (Multiple Input Multiple Output) increasing transmission efficiency by employing multiple antennas on both ends of the transmission links.

Some problems with FC connectors.

Popular types of connectors used in fiber optic systems include SC, LC, FC, E2000 and ST (mostly used in industrial applications). A common opinion that FC connections are the most reliable ones due to threaded construction, may be not true in the case of less experienced users who install them in an inappropriate way.

FC/PC plug.
After enlarging, one can see the guide that should slide into the groove in the socket.

During installation, the installer has to properly position the plug relative to the socket. There is only one position of the socket and plug, at which the guide on the plug fits the groove in the socket . Otherwise, the socket and the plug will not connect properly, despite of the possibility to screw the plug onto the socket. With incorrect assembly, there will be a gap preventing proper transmission of the optical signal.

Proper positioning of the FC/PC plug.
The guide of the plug fits into the groove on the socket.

It is also worth noting that FC connectors are the only ones that allow the installer to adjust the distance between the plug and socket. In the case of specific devices and situations, the natural way of assembling (screwing on the plug until slight resistance is felt) may result in lack of signal in the installation. It turns out that the remedy for this symptom is a minimal loosening of the threaded connection in order to lower the pressure of the ferrule on the counterpart. Such cases were recorded several times in fiber-optic SMATV systems with devices equipped with this type of connectors.

Use of twisted pair cables for video transmission in HD-TVI 3.0 systems.

The application of a UTP/FTP cable instead of coaxial cables has important advantages. The installation of the twisted pair cables is easier due to their flexibility and versatility - one cable containing four pairs can transmit signals from more than one camera and/or be also used for power supply. The application of the cables for video transmission is connected with the use of impedance matching devices, i.e. matching the 75 Ω unbalanced impedance of analog CCTV systems to the 100 Ω balanced impedance of the twisted pair, located on both sides of each video transmission line. HD-TVI systems require the use of dedicated transformers (baluns) that are capable of operation in a broader frequency band compared with "classic" systems transmitting CVBS signals.

View of the Hikvision DS-1H18 M16641 HD-TVI baluns

In the case of the 3rd generation of HD-TVI cameras and DVRs, the maximum range of transmission has been extended to 350-400 m (cat. 5 UTP/FTP cable). The previous generation allowed for distances up to 150 m. The error correction algorithm has also been improved, resulting in less susceptibility to interference.

Documentation of construction process with Hikvision cameras.

Hikvision IP cameras have the ability to sequentially take and record pictures, as well as they can perform such operations in response to some events. The ideal cameras for this purpose are those with microSD interface (F letter in the camera name). In the sequence mode, one can create e.g. the history of the progress of construction of a facility, such as apartment house, school, shop, sports facility etc. This solution enables the user to save a large amount of disk (memory card)/server space, while ensuring that the construction process is well documented. The time interval can range from 1 s to 7 days. Additionally, the schedule can be configured in such a way as to take the pictures during working hours i.e. at certain times of the days of the week, when the construction crew is on the spot, for example from Monday to Friday, from 8:00 - 17:00, with 1-hour interval (see below).

Some Hikvision cameras supporting this function:

Digiair PRO - video manual of the DVB-T/T2 and DVB-C meter. Professionals rely not only on intuition but above all on indications of measuring instruments. To ensure that a TV/SAT antenna system will operate in all weather conditions, it should have a sufficient margin of the signal power and quality in compliance with appropriate standards. We invite you to watch the short video showing the basic configuration and operation of the R10511 meter.

DVB-T signal measurements with Digiair PRO T2 R10511 meter

Multiswitch SMATV system with fiber-optic links in a multifamily building. Fiber-optic SMATV systems provide greater freedom in implementing long transmission lines, the installation of the systems is also easier thanks to replacing the multiple thick cables by a single, thin fiber-optic cable. It means that the deployments of the shared antenna systems can be easier for implementation, especially in existing buildings equipped with narrow shafts or even without such conduits... >>>more

A multiswitch SMATV system based on TERRA optical devices

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