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

Augmented reality by Facebook.

During the annual F8 developer conference, Mark Zuckerberg, American programmer and entrepreneur, the main creator and CEO of Facebook social networking site, announced the launch of Camera Effects platform, a new platform that allows for superimposing virtual objects on real images. The new platform is not only a tool for developers, but also a powerful instrument for artists. Regardless of whether you are a professional artist or you are creating something for the first time, the platform allows you to get to know the new medium, create an exhibit and make it available to your fans. The Camera Effects platform consists of two modules, Frames Studio and AR Studio. Frames Studio is an online editor enabling you to design frames (from the simplest to the most complex interactive effects) that can then be used as your Profile frames. AR Studio can be used to create masks, advanced script effects, animated frames, and other AR effects responding to motion or environmental factors. It is also possible to ensure interaction during online transmissions.

Recording snapshots from security cameras in the cloud.

Hikvision CCTV devices allow for sending screenshots from cameras to cloud storage services. This option can be an alternative to a local backup solution or when one wants to quickly view images from specific events. Hikvision provides support for the popular services:

• OneDrive,
• GoogleDrive,
• DropBox

Configuration of recording images from Hikvision NVR on GoogleDrive

The data is sent in the form of three images captured from the auxiliary stream after the detection of an event caused by:

The upload can be independently set in each channel for any of these events. There is also an option of using this functionality for each active event in the schedule mode.

WDM (single-fiber) vs. duplex (two-fiber) links.

Installers can choose solutions based on Wave Division Multiplexing (WDM), which require only one fiber for bidirectional data transmission or those with two fibers (duplex). Choosing a solution, they usually take into consideration its cost and the number of fibers available in the cable. However, there is one more technical aspect associated with the use of one or two wavelengths.

In the simplest form, WDM transmission uses two different wavelengths in one fiber (typically 1310 and 1550 nm, like in the case of the L11521 media converter). Duplex solutions use two fibers and only one wavelength (e.g. 1310 nm) in the both fibers. In each case, the characteristic feature of fiber optic transmission is the fact that different wavelengths are differently attenuated by the fiber optic fiber. This also applies to macrobending attenuation, i.e. the attenuation caused by bends exceeding 2 mm in diameter. Generally, fiber bends cause substantially higher attenuation for longer wavelengths.

A graph showing the dependence of the attenuation on the wavelength in the case of:
microbends (blue), macrobends with 20 mm (red) and 25 mm radius (green)
(The data come from studies of Cabelcon company)

The graph shows that accidental fiber bending will result in different attenuation for different wavelengths - for example, a 20 mm bend does not cause significantly greater attenuation at the wavelength of 1310 nm, but in the case of the wavelength of 1550 nm, the attenuation of the bend will exceed 2 dB. Compared with normal attenuation of the fiber at the level of about 0.25 dB/km, the loss increase is gigantic.

In the case of systems using more than one wavelength, any installer should be aware of the above phenomenon. That is why it is generally recommended that measurements should be made for all wavelengths used in the installation.

Autonomous building automation system based on ROPAM devices.

ROPAM company offers extensive systems for intelligent homes, with building automation components and means for transmission of control signals. Aside from wireless means, which have limitations in some environments and applications, ROPAM provides a solution that transmits the signals via the existing 230 VAC power network. This solution guarantees high reliability and eliminates wireless range problems. The control signals can be transmitted over any phase wire of the AC wiring and between them.

The system consists of the Hub-SimplePLC-D4M G7172 hub, input expander EXP-I8-RN G7051 or EXP-I8-RN-D4M G7053, output expander EXP-I8-RN-D4M G7054 and intelligent switches IO-SimplePLC G7182. The communication between the hub and expanders is performed via RopamNET bus, whereas the data exchange between the hub and intelligent switches takes place via the 230 VAC power network. The state of expander inputs is transmitted via the hub and SmartPLC platform to the dispersed IO modules. The state of the inputs of IO modules is provided to outputs of the expander. The IO-SimplePLC modules are equipped with remotely controlled two-state output (10 A / 250 VAC), two-state input (ON/OFF), potential input (N/L), for local control by a 230 VAC push-button or single-pole switch.

The states of the inputs of the input expander are duplicated by the switches with the same addresses (input no.1 controls the switch programmed as no.1 in the hub etc). The states of the inputs of the remotely controlled switches (that can also be controlled by local mechanical latching/non-latching switches) are duplicated in a similar way on the outputs of the output expander.

The SmartPLC technology opens up new possibilities for "intelligent homes", allowing for easy deployment of alarm installations integrated with building automation systems and for control of electrical devices (lighting, any appliances connected to electrical outlets) using the existing electrical wiring as the communications bus. There is no need for additional cables or application of wireless means. With the ability to provide information from each remote switch to the output expander, the entire system can be integrated with any existing or new alarm system. The system can be used, for example, to control lighting and any devices connected to the relay outputs in a distant farmhouse, garage, etc., to open/close a gate, to water a lawn etc.

An application diagram is shown in the figure below. Triggering the I8 input (by shortening it to ground, e.g by means of a push switch), we switch on the light bulb connected to the G7182 remotely controlled switch. In turn, with the S8 switch we can trigger the relay output no. 8 of the G7054 output expander. If this output is connected to the G7005 control panel input, the panel can be configured to perform a fixed action, such as triggering another device connected directly to an output of the control panel or just sending an SMS text informing someone of an event. So, the relay outputs of the expander can either send information to any control panel, or directly control electrical devices with the use of the S1-S8 switches.

An autonomous home automation system integrated with burglary alarm

Make it quickly and professionally - "Self-Install" F connectors.

The need for buying expensive crimping tool is often an obstacle for the application of professional compression connectors in ​​DIY antenna installations. High quality of such occasionally made antenna systems can be ensured by the use of Cabelcon compression connectors based on "Self-Install" concept.

"Self-Install" F connector - Cabelcon E80410

The installation of these connectors does not require any compressing tools. Properly mounted on the cable, they are extremely stable and protect antenna systems against the most common problem, i.e. deterioration of electrical contacts.

Prepare the cable end (1), put on the connector (2), and ... you can twist the connector on a socket (3).
The connector installed properly is fully integrated with the cable,
the self-compression process takes place after inserting the cable into the rear part of the connector

Types and markings of twisted-pair cables.

Twisted-pair (balanced) cables are used to transmit signals in telecommunication systems and computer networks. Currently they are mainly used in telecommunications (often in last-mile applications) and in Ethernet networks. Twisted-pair cables may consist of one or more pairs. The twisting strongly reduces the influence of external electromagnetic interference and mutual interference between the pairs, called crosstalk.

The most popular twisted-pair cable for indoor applications (NETSET U/UTP 5e E1408)

Acronyms for balanced cables are standardized by ISO/IEC 11801:2002 (Annex E). The information contained in the cable description should have the following syntax: xx/yyTP, where the letters yy characterize individual wires/pairs and the letters xx describe the overall construction of the cable.

The xx and yy markings can be as follows:

• U – unshielded
• F – foiled (screened with foil)
• S – shielded (screened with braid)
• SF – shielded and foiled

Typical balanced cables

• U/UTP – unscreened cable
• F/UTP – foil screened cable with unscreened balanced elements
• U/FTP – unscreened cable with foil screened balanced elements
• F/FTP – foil screened cable with foil screened balanced elements
• SF/UTP – overall braid and foil screened cable with unscreened balanced elements
• S/FTP – overall braid screened cable with foil screened balanced elements
• SF/FTP – overall braid and foil screened cable with foil screened balanced elements

Dynamic IP address and access to CCTV devices. Hikvision has introduced a new platform, Hik-connect. The platform is based on cloud computing and supports DDNS service. DDNS (Dynamic DNS) is a service that assigns fixed domain names to dynamically changing IP addresses. This service is very useful when an ISP does not provide users with fixed IP addresses. The necessary condition for using DDNS is to have a public IP address and ensure access from the external network to the appropriate ports of the DVR/NVR (server and http, by default 8000 and 80). The next step is to link the device with the Hik-connect account. For this purpose the user has to enter the serial number of the device and verification code... >>>more

The principle of operation of DDNS on the www.hik-connect.com platform

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