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

EMIB technology from Intel - the creation of processors using different lithographic techniques.

Traditional processors are currently manufactured using a uniform production process, independently from whether they are made in 32 nm, 22 nm, 14 nm, or other photolithography technology. Integrated circuits are becoming more and more complex. To improve performance, more space is needed to place more components: CPU cores, I/O controllers, GPUs. The development of a processor with these hardware enhancements results in an increase in the number of transistors, which translates into the creation of larger and more complex units. The complexity and larger size of circuits such as CPUs and GPUs is the reason for design and production problems, i.e. higher probability of errors and lower yield. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Intel's main competitor in the field, has already applied a partial solution to these problems. Its new Threadripper and EPYC processors combine two or four cores in 16- or 32-core units, keeping production costs at a low level.

Intel wants to implement even a more effective solution. At the Hot Chips 2017 symposium, the company announced plans to produce processors in which individual components would be created in different lithography. This way, proven production solutions that do not scale well to more advanced lithography process in a given period of time could still be used in new processors with other components produced in the latest technology, providing full advantage of the newest technological advances. Thanks to this combination, the process of implementing new technologies could be much more accelerated. This solution, however, encounters some difficulties in its practical application. In order to make the individual components (dies) of the processor work together, it is essential to create fast and energy efficient communication interface with low latency. Intel presented a method of combining silicon cores in a single package called EMIB (Embedded Multi-die Interconnect Bridge), which consists of incorporating small silicon bridges into the laminate of the package to form interconnections between the silicon cores (dies). Thanks to this approach, in the future it will be possible to integrate separately designed elements of processors made in various lithography processes. However, practical implementations of the idea may take some time yet.

Photo contest "Engagingly about Antennas" at the finish.

Sunday, September 24, is the last day for sending works to the annual photo competition organized by DIPOL company. For the last 6 days we wait for your pictures with a leitmotiv of antennas of any kind and shape, or where an antenna is an interesting accent in the landscape or composition. The works will be judged by a well known photographer and designer from Krakow, Mr. Pawel Zechenter. Additional distinctions will be awarded by our Marketing Department. As every year, there are attractive prizes, including Polaroid camera. Before submitting your work, please read The rules of the Contest.

Choosing an office access point.

TP-Link EAP225 N2567 wireless access point operates in 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. The device is intended for use by multiple hosts, but the recommended number of users in each band should not exceed 25, which sums up to 50 in both bands. If needed, the maximum number of wireless users can be proportionally increased by installing additional units.

In the case of multi-unit installation, when the number of clients exceeds the maximum set value, the Load Balance function automatically switches the user to a less-loaded access point. This function also allows a host to connect to a unit providing stronger signal, e.g. when the user is moving around the facility. Another important feature is the Band Steering function, which allows a uniform load in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands.

Wireless Access Point TP-Link EAP225 N2567 (dual-band, 802.3ac, PoE 802.3af)

An example of deploying TP-Link EAP EAP225 N2567 units in an office space

Adapters in FTTx networks.

Adapters are indispensable elements of any FTTH system, used for connections of pairs of optical fibers terminated with optical connectors. They are designed to properly position the end faces of the ferrules and secure permanent connection with the lowest possible signal loss.

As in the case of connectors, there are different types of adapters, but their construction is very similar. For example, SC/PC (MM), SC/UPC (SM) and the SC/APC (SM) adapters have the same dimensions. The most important part of each of the presented adapters is a zircon ceramic positioning sleeve. In contrast to less expensive e.g. polymer solutions, this kind of material ensures the smallest possible deviation from the nominal dimensions, which is especially important in the case of connecting single-mode fibers.

For practical reasons, adapters are manufactured according to a certain color scheme. Due to the fact that they are often mounted in distribution frames and it is impossible or difficult to see the kind of the connectors plugged on the opposite sides of the panels, the color scheme is very helpful. Gray color is reserved for multimode fibers, blue corresponds with PC/UPC connectors, green with APC connectors.

Distribution of DVB-S/S2 satellite signals in hotels.

The series of TERRA transmodulators has been extended with the TDX-480 R81621 model. Terra TDX-480 R81621 DVB-S/S2 to DVB-T transmodulator is used for reception of FTA DVB-S/S2 (8PSK/QPSK) signals, selection of desired channels and retransmission of them in COFDM format in chosen RF channels in VHF/UHF frequency range. The device allows the user to receive and manage a range of free to air satellite channels. One TDX-480 R81621 panel can receive channels from eight satellite transponders and convert them into two groups of four neighboring DVB-T multiplexes with maximum throughput of 31.66 Mbps. In the case of pay-TV platforms, the suitable model is TDX-420C R81619. The both models support SCR/Unicable systems (EN50494 and/or EN50607). It means that the satellite signals can be provided directly from SRM-521 R80521 multiswitch to ensure reception of satellite channels from the whole Ku band (11.7 to 12.75 GHz).

Simple video monitoring with Wi-Fi IP camera.

In everyday life, there is often a situation where we want to check what is happening in the apartment during our absence or to observe a child living in another room or playing in a backyard garden. In such cases it would be unreasonable to install a professional monitoring system. Anyone who wants to build low-cost high-resolution home IP CCTV system can use Hikvision DS-2CD2420F-IW K1717 camera (the camera has to be located/installed indoors). The cube IP camera has been equipped with microphone and speaker, which allows for two-way communication. The built-in PIR motion sensor provides more reliability than video motion detection, especially in the case of an environment with reflections, objects moving in the wind, moving pets etc. The detection of motion by the PIR sensor can trigger e.g. recording of the video from the camera on a memory card (the camera supports mocroSD cards up to 128 GB). In response to various events, the implemented alarm functions, such as motion detection, crossing a virtual line, or intrusion to an area, can send notifications or start recording. The camera can be powered conventionally with 12 VDC or using PoE option (compatibility with 802.3af).

Cube IP camera Hikvision DS-2CD2420F-IW K1717

The users can access the camera (connected to the local network via WI-Fi or Ethernet port, Internet connectivity is possible after port forwarding) on their smartphones running iVMS-4500 app, or on PCs/laptops running iVMS-4200 software, or just through a web browser. They can also use free Hik-Connect service, which provides remote access to the device (without a need for port forwarding) also in the case of dynamic IP addresses, or allows for the use of domain names in web browsers. Below there is an example of application of the camera for monitoring a child living in another room. The parent uses a smartphone running iVMS-4500 software. The local communication is based on TP-Link TL-WR1043ND N3253 wireless router. For example, the camera installed in the child's room observes a sleeping child. With motion detection configured as alarm event, the movement of the child after wake up results in notification appearing on the phone. The parent can watch the image from the camera, listen to what is going on in the room, and even say something to the child.

The idea of using cube IP camera Hikvision DS-2CD2420F-IWK1717 for monitoring a child's room. For example, the camera can monitor a sleeping child. With motion detection configured as alarm event, the movement of the child after wake up results in notification appearing on the phone. With active audio option, the parent can hear sounds in the room e.g. child's cry and remotely soothe the baby.

iVMS-4200 supports Hik-connect cloud service.

The iVMS-4200 application is a client software for the management and control of video functions of Hikvision DVRs, NVRs, IP cameras, encoders, decoders, VCA solutions, alarm hosts etc. The features of the software include live viewing and recording, remote browsing and searching of recordings, playback, backup, processing of alarm signals. This makes the iVMS-4200 application a universal tool for a wide range of video surveillance applications.

Beginning with the 2.6.1.6 version, the users can add devices employing Hik-connect cloud service. This way, the software can integrate the management and monitoring functions of devices connected to the network both with the use of external IP addresses and via the Hik-connect service.

Signal Fire AI-7 fusion splicer L5880. The video presents new fusion splicer combining simple operation and high quality of fiber-optic splices.

SMATV system in a hotel. Headends distributing satellite channels after conversion to DVB-T COFDM digital form are popular solutions used in hotels. Satellite channels can be a complement to terrestrial TV broadcasts or be the main or only source of programming in the system... >>>more

DIPOL Summer Photo Competition