No. 40/2020 (Dec. 7, 2020)
Microsoft uses third dimension to save data as holograms.
Microsoft announced the launch of the HSD (Holographic Storage Device) project aimed at creating a successor to SSDs and HDDs. Under the project, scientists are to create a holographic data recording system that will be used with the company's Azure cloud data storage solution. The existing systems offer too low data recording reliability due to the presence of mechanical components or memory cells which deteriorate over time. Also the cost of long-term unchanging data storage is too high, and the demand for this kind of storage space is growing rapidly.The data carrier in the holographic system being developed is a lithium niobate crystal doped with iron atoms. To save data, the crystal is exposed to two laser beams: the reference one, marking the location to save the data in the crystal, and the three-dimensional data beam. The data is saved in the crystal structure at the crossing point of the two beams by changing the position and density of electrons by being exposed to the laser light. Such a change is visible as interference and is a saved hologram. Data saved this way takes up much less space than in standard carriers, and the access time is also shorter. The data is read by illuminating an appropriate part of the crystal with the reference beam and reading the interference by a camera. The development of cameras and image processing algorithms is of key importance in the design of data carriers, as only a high-quality camera is able to register the interference distribution. The data can be erased by illuminating the crystal with a more powerful laser.
Microsoft has already gained some experience in the field of holographic recording. Last year, a prototype system for storing information in glass was created under the Silica project. The original 1978 Superman movie was saved on a piece of glass measuring 75 x 75 x 2 millimeters. This method of data recording seems very promising.
Quick sharing of Hikvision devices.
Using the Hik-Connect application, another user can be easily granted access to Hikvision monitoring devices using a QR code. It makes it possible to quickly share the cameras and DVR added to our Hik-Connect application (to the user or guest account). This useful solution will be appreciated when, for example, access for family members is required. The possibility to deny access at any time is also an advantage.The generated QR code and Sharing Details screen
The steps of the sharing procedure:
- Generating QR code on the smartphone of the owner of the camera (the code is valid for 60 minutes)
- Scanning the code with a smartphone that should share the access to the camera
- Setting access privileges:
- Live view
- Playback
- Alarm notifications
- Two-way audio
- PTZ control
Monitoring of an apartment building based on high resolution Hikvision IP cameras.
The following figure shows a concept of a video monitoring system covering a building, based on a Hikvision NVR and IP cameras from the EasyIP 3.0 series. Cameras with a resolution of 6 MP and 2.8 mm fixed focal length mm were used to build the monitoring system. With high resolution of the cameras and wide viewing angle of 99°, a large area can be monitored with good quality. The cameras support the Dark Fighter (Ultra-low-light) technology which provides better color reproduction in poor lighting conditions compared to the ones without that function. Compact camera models DS-2CD2065FWD-I K17596 were used for monitoring outdoors, while the indoor monitoring uses the ceiling DS-2CD2165FWD-I K17306 cameras. The cameras are powered and connected to the NVR via the N29986 16-port PoE switch. With the use of two 3 TB hard drives, e.g. M89305, H.265 video compression and continuous recording mode at 20 fps for each camera, the data retention time is 15 days.Schematic diagram of IP CCTV system based on Hikvision devices in an apartment building
The video streams from the cameras are recorded by the 16-channel IP NVR DS-7616NI-I2 K22163. The M3022 monitor is designed for local live viewing and analysis of recordings played back. Moreover, after connecting the DVR to the Internet via the N3259 router, the access , to the system is possible via Wi-Fi (within the range of the wireless router) and through the Internet (after forwarding ports or using cloud solution). The entire cabling can be made of the E1408 cable.
Frequency refarming. DVB-T2/HEVC standard.
The 5G technology is the nearest future of the telecom market. However, for this to happen, appropriate infrastructure and allocation of RF bands is necessary. One of them, the 700 MHz band (694 MHz -790 MHz) is currently used to broadcast the DVB-T digital terrestrial television. In most EU countries, works are underway to organize the RF spectrum and make the provided bands available for telecommunications. To this end, the EU countries will have to free up the 700 MHz band and reorganize the DVB-T terrestrial multiplexes (frequency refarming) for the needs of mobile operators (5G services), as well as in connection with the transition to DVB-T2/HEVC broadcasting standard. Only TV sets capable of decoding so compressed picture and sound are able to correctly receive television programs. A number of DVB-T TV sets now in use are not equipped with a DVB-T2 decoder and can only display images encoded to AVC (also known as H.264 or MPEG-4 part 10), an older video coding standard. After the transition to DVB-T2/HEVC transmission standard, those TVs will no longer "recognize” the broadcast content and an external decoder will have to be purchased. The changes will not affect those recipients who use the cable TV signal or receive programs via satellite or the Internet.When shopping for a new TV make sure it is able to decode DVB-T2 signals with the HEVC codec (also known as H.265 or MPEG-H part 2). The new TV should process sound encoded to the E-AC-3 standard.
Coding of fiber optic cables according to DIN/VDE 0888.
The coding and interpretation of fiber optic cables is quite a challenge for installers, as well as for those involved in fiber optics business. The difficulty has to do with the complexity of cable coding (usually composed of many letters), the lack of knowledge on how to interpret specific codes, as well as the simultaneous presence of two different coding practices, i.e. the European DIN/VDE standard along with another standard used locally (in Poland, for instance, it is based on the standards of the leading cable manufacturer, Telefonika).European coding standard for the L79508 cable A-DQ(ZN)B2Y8E analysed:
outdoor, jelly-filled tube, water-resistive (due to fiber positioning), non-metallic reinforcement, glass-fiber or aramid armoring against rodent attacks, PE sheath, 8 single-mode fibers
. The standard also requires that the name should include two extra pieces of information: core and sheath diameter, as well as the fiber standard. For the cable in question, these figures would be 9/125 OS2, respectively. However, producers often leave out that data.
The table below shows possible coding variants
in accordance with the European standard DIN/VDE 0888:
sample coding | Coding in accordance with the European standard DIN/VDE 0888 |
A | A/I or U - universal cable A - outdoor I - indoor |
D | D - jelly-filled tube V - tight buffer tube K - slotted core W - twisted jelly-filled loose tubes |
Q | Q - water resistant (fiber positioning or water swellable materials) F - water resistant (core filling compound) |
(ZN) | non-metallic central reinforcement |
B | B - glass-fiber or aramid armoring against rodent attacks SR - metallic armoring against rodent attacks |
H | H - halogen-free sheath 2Y - PE sheath Y - PVC sheath |
24 | Number of fibers or number of tubes x number of fibers per tube |
G | G - multi-mode gradient fiber E - single-mode fiber |
9/125 | Core diameter/sheath diameter |
OS2 | Category /Fiber standard |
Extend mode in a switch.
The PoE ULTIPOWER 0064afat N29978 switch is a desktop type device that ensures smooth network transmission. It has 6 RJ45 ports supporting automatic connection speed negotiation. Four of them support the Power over Ethernet (PoE). The switch automatically detects PD devices compliant with IEEE 802.3af or IEEE 802.3at and supplies them. This makes it possible to extend the range of the network to locations with no access to power lines or outlets, and where access points, IP cameras, IP phones, etc. have to be located. The maximum total power of the devices supplied must not exceed 65 W.The switch has the Extend mode function (activated with the switch on the front panel) that allows for providing power via UTP/FTP cable to PoE devices located within distances up to 250 meters. In this mode the PoE ports do not support Auto-negotiation function and operate at 10 Mbps (the uplink ports can still operate at 10/100 Mbps).
Sample application of the PoE ULTIPOWER 0064afat 6xFE(4xPoE), 802.3af/at 65W N29978 switch.
Optical Fiber Distribution Frame: GP62DW-7 max. 12 splices, 8 SC adapters The L54012 allows for easy arrangement of fiber optic cables (up to 12 fibers, depending on the installed adapters.) The openings inside the distribution frame are suitable for SC simplex or LC duplex adapters. The splice cassette can accommodate up to 12 splices. | ||
XS12R BIRA HARTTE XS-series narrow and reversible electric door strike G74232 is used for remote opening of metallic, wooden and plastic doors, cabinets or wickets. It can be used with access control systems, intercoms, card readers, etc. | ||
Compact IP camera Hikvision DS-2CD2T46G2-2I K04525 belongs to the second generation of cameras based on the AcuSense technology, notable for even more effective filtering out of false alarms. The device is dedicated for use in CCTV systems based on IP DVRs/NVRs. The camera is fitted with a 4 Mpix 1/2.7" CMOS sensor and an IR illuminator with a range up to 60 m to ensure proper visibility in low-light conditions. | ||
Worth reading
Remote PoE switch power supply. The ULTIPOWER 352SFP N299707 PoE switch has the Powered Device function that allows it to be powered by connecting to another PoE switch. This function is particularly handy when only one twisted-pair cable is connected to the switch installation site (and the cameras, if installed in the same place, e.g. on a pole)...>>>more