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

Amazon's cloud reaching outer space.

AWS Ground Station service is addressed to companies from the space industry and enables them to establish communication with satellites and bidirectional data transmission. The companies/customers do not need to have their own infrastructure. The data from satellites are sent to them via the Internet, and fees will be charged per minute for the transmission time. The service also includes data storage, processing, and analysis, also with the use of specialized machine learning algorithms.

The Amazon's satellite transceiver network will consist of 12 ground stations located around the world. Two ground stations are already functioning and the rest will be ready by mid-2019 at the latest. At present, around 2,000 satellites are located on low Earth's orbits. An appreciable increase in their number is estimated in the coming years - up to 16,000. Owners of satellites having or renting individual communication ground stations can transmit data only in time windows in which a given satellite remains visible to the station's antenna. The deployment of 12 Amazon stations will ensure long-lasting and quick access to the satellite along its orbit around the Earth, by switching from one station to another. In case of problems, the system will use additional Verge antennas from US arms industry tycoon Lockheed Martin.

The main customers will be companies and government agencies having access to satellites. Most of them take pictures, e.g. in order to forecast the weather, assess damages caused by natural disasters etc, and transmit them to the Earth. In the future, the service can also be addressed to companies outside the space industry. Some examples can be independent systems measuring traffic intensity, supervising parking lots or logistic centers. Amazon Web Services (AWS), under which the service will be available, is currently the largest platform operating in the cloud model. The services include the provisioning of computing power, hosting of databases, delivering content, and many other products. Last year, AWS generated sales of 17 billion dollars.

Optical image stabilization (OIS) in CCTV cameras.

When using a CCTV camera in places where vibrations occur (for example from passing cars) or a long-focal lens is used, it is worth choosing a camera that has an image stabilization function. It eliminates or at least reduces vibrations and blurring of the image.

In the electronic image stabilization (Digital Image Stabilization - DIS) the stabilization process consists in the proper processing of image frames through the signal processor. The data from the image sensor is analyzed for the detection and measurement of the experienced motion. If the algorithm controlling the operation of the processor detects vibrations, it will introduce appropriate pixel corrections.

Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) uses the signal from a set of gyroscopes to adjust the position of the image sensor (stabilization in the body) or correct the optical axis by moving additional group of lenses. Unlike DIS, it is called active image stabilization, as is performed at the stage before conversion of the optical signal into electrical form. Due to the additional elements, the cost of such a solution is higher, but it provides the best quality of stabilization. An example of a camera with optical stabilization is Hikvision DS-2DF8250I5X-AEL.

The effect of OIS in the Hikvision DS-2DF8250I5X-AEL camera
(visible from the 10th second of the video)

TurboHD 5.0 system.

Currently DIPOL offers cameras and DVR from the TurboHD 5.0 (HD-TVI 5.0) series. The iDS-7208HQHI-K1/4S M75545 DVR uses AcuSense technology based on Deep Learning algorithms. In traditional monitoring systems, video analytics and object detection is based on changes in pixels. This approach is the source of a significant amount of false alarms caused, for example, by tree movement, rainfall or changes in lighting. AcuSence technology and deep learning algorithms introduce a new approach in monitoring systems, focused on efficient detection of threatening events with minimizing the number of false alarms. The DVR can perform the analysis in 4 channels. The function of detecting the target (person, vehicle) is active in the case of virtual line crossing and perimeter breaches (intrusion detection). The AcuSence technology enables easy finding of people and vehicles in recordings with ignoring alarms that do not meet the criteria.

AcuSence technology enables easy finding of people and vehicles in recordings
with ignoring alarms that do not meet the criteria - Hikvision TurboHD 5.0

ColorVu DS-2CE72DFT-F M75397 and DS-2CE10DFT-F M75673 cameras with very high sensitivity (0.0005 lx) and built-in white light illuminators guarantee high color imaging quality in low illumination conditions. They are intended for use in places where high resolution color imaging is required, even in low light or in complete darkness. In the latter case – without starlight or street lights – the necessary lighting is provided by the built-in source of environmentally friendly, soft, warm lighting. The 24-hour color performance is achieved by using modern lenses with super bright F1.0 aperture, and highly-sensitive Smart FSI image sensors. The combination of the DVR and cameras of the TurboHD 5.0 system in one installation ensures high efficiency and resistance to false alarms, with color images 24 hours a day.

Conversion of signals from HD-TVI cameras to DVB-T standard.

The access to video from CCTV cameras in shared antenna or SMATV systems based e.g. on multiswitches is a topic often discussed during the modernization of TV installations in buildings. The signals from video monitoring cameras (with a maximum resolution of 1080p) can be injected to such an installation with the use of the TERRA mix440 R81611 IP-4xDVB-T transmodulator. The panel receives RTSP stream with a maximum bit rate of 200 Mbps and creates 4 neighboring DVB-T multiplexes (each MUX can carry video from 3 full-HD cameras). Thanks to RJ-45 Ethernet port, the programming of the mix-440 R81611 panel is performed via a web browser (no need for a programmer).

In the diagram below, video signals from eight DS-2CE56D8T-IT3E M75263 cameras are connected to the HD-TVI M75609 DVR, and in the form of RTSP stream provided to the mix-440 R81611 transmodulator. The mix-440 R81611 transmodulator creates 4 neighboring DVB-T multiplexes. It is recommended to evenly locate the sub-streams from the cameras in each of the four DVB-T MUXes, as well as to remember about 10% safety margin when determining the maximum bit rate for the whole multiplexes (typically, the ultimate bit rate of a multiplex should not exceed 29 Mbps). The tests of the solution were performed only with Hikvision cameras.

PoE supply.

The PoE 802.3af standard is implemented e.g. in the majority of IP CCTV cameras. The supply voltage can vary from 44 VDC to 57 VDC, with maximum power consumption of 15.4 W. The 802.3at standard narrows down the voltage to the 50-57 VDC range and extends the power limit to 25.5 W. Typically, the higher power limit is sufficient for powering printers, PTZ cameras, network switches.

ULTIPOWER PoE switches are standalone devices that ensure smooth connectivity in Ethernet networks and power supply for the connected equipment. For example, the 0098af N29982 switch has nine RJ45 ports supporting auto-negotiation function, and eight of them can provide power over Ethernet (PoE function). The switch automatically detects PD devices compliant with IEEE 802.3af standard and provides them with power supply. This feature allows the user to expand the network coverage in areas where there is no access to AC power lines/outlets and to employ access points, IP cameras, IP phones, etc.

Example application diagram of the ULTIPOWER N29982 PoE switch

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.

SD memory card markings. SD memory cards have markings on their surfaces that tell about their most important parameters. The organization responsible for the standardization of the cards is the union of companies dealing in the production of memory cards - SD Association. Speaking of SD memory cards, the names SD/microSD are usually used. In fact, memory cards with such markings have been replaced by newer SDHC and SDXC formats. Depending on the specifications of a series, there are some limitations concerning the maximum available capacity, and specific file systems are applied/suggested... >>>more

SanDisk UHS card with minimum serial data writing speed of 30 MB/s

Vertical mounting system in 19" RACK cabinets