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No. 15/2023 (April 10, 2023)
This car knows what is around the bend.
Attempts to create autonomous vehicles are nothing new. In some cities in the US, China and South Korea, there are even already commercial services using them as taxis on a strictly controlled basis. However, attempts to improve such solutions are still being made. Three years ago, a consortium was founded comprising the companies: Nissan, Hitachi Europe, Transport Research Laboratory and the University of Nottingham. The project set up, which is now coming to an end, focused in particular on finding ways to use roadside infrastructure to make autonomous cars drive more smoothly.
Nissan Leaf with sensors installed
The project described here uses an electric Nissan Leaf model, which has been fitted with a number of cameras, sensors, computers and additional electronics. The system is supported by a network of roadside cameras to help it navigate through heavy traffic. The cameras allow the car to identify potential hazards in advance, before they are detected by its own sensors, and help it anticipate potential problems enabling it to move more smoothly along the route. The system was tested on the roads of Woolwich in south-east London as part of the ServCity project, which aims to improve autonomous technology for busy urban streets. During the tests, the car moved so smoothly that, sitting in the back seat, it was easy to forget that there was no driver behind the wheel. The guidance system used: accurate 3D mapping, high-precision GPS, radar and Lidar, a laser-based object detection method.
A key element in the project was the use of cameras from the road infrastructure for autonomous driving, providing data on situations and objects outside the range of the vehicle's sensors, such as behind a bend or a large vehicle ahead. Using this data, an autonomous vehicle could be 'informed' in advance, for example, of another parked car obstructing the passage or a bus starting from a stop. The technology under development aims to build an interdependent system in which cars would not rely solely on their own sensors, but would retrieve a wide range of information by communicating with the environment and even with each other.
Over the past three years, ServCity cars have driven around 1,600 miles autonomously without a serious incident. However, each route had a driver present who could take control of the vehicle if necessary. Given that Woolwich's roads are very busy and unpredictable – with buses racing against taxis, suppliers stopping without warning and cyclists squeezing through dense traffic, this is a very impressive result.
However, it is likely to be years before the use of fully autonomous cars becomes widespread due to the need to prepare the appropriate infrastructure and develop high-resolution 3D maps.
However, it is likely to be years before the use of fully autonomous cars becomes widespread due to the need to prepare the appropriate infrastructure and develop high-resolution 3D maps.
When should an external antenna be used for LTE?
An external antenna should be used when the signal strength indicator on your cell phone or modem shows a low level (less than -95 dBm, (less than 3 bars on a 5-degree scale). Such information can be found in almost every smartphone. Another reason to use an external antenna is when the signal level fluctuates a lot - for example, due to periodic reflections or worse weather conditions.
ATK-LOG ALP LTE MIMO 2x2 800-3000MHz A7054_5
Additionally, by logging into the management panel of the modem, it is possible to check what parameters the LTE network signal received by the modem has. An important parameter is the RSRQ: (Reference Signal Received Quality) – a measure of the connection quality. If this parameter is above -15 dB there is no need to install an external antenna, below -16 dB you should use an external antenna or change the location of the modem.
Amplification of DVB-T2 signals in (S)MATV systems.
The key issue in broadcasting the DVB-T/T2 digital terrestrial television programs is the reception of multiplexes with a large level differences. While in small systems (with 5-20 sockets) such a difference, although not recommended, is usually not an issue, in the larger ones, where the level difference at the input is increased by changing the attenuation of the cables along with frequency, it may cause signal loss in a part of the system. This effect can be eliminated by using channel amplifiers. The role of an amplifier is to selectively amplify one or, in case of receiving digital programs, several television channels. This means that the desired channel is amplified to the highest degree, and the others are attenuated. The PA321TP R82516 TERRA channel amplifier is often used as the first stage of signal amplification in SMATV systems.
The PA321TP R82516 TERRA channel amplifier.
Key features:
- 20 independent amplifier paths,
- Number of inputs: 3 (2xVHF/UHF+UHF+FM),
- Amplification of twenty DVB-T/T2 multiplexes,
- Remote power supply via coaxial cable or from the included 12 V DC adapter,
- AGC – automatic signal level equalization for all channels up to 113 dBμV (for 6 MUXes),
- Amplified frequency range 174...230/470... 694 MHz (channels 5-12/21-48),
- High modulation error ratio MER >=36 dB,
- Selectivity 30 dB at 1 MHz from channel border – ultra selective SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) filter,
- Output level adjustment 0. ..20 dB,
- Digital software device using any Android mobile device or Windows computer,
- Protection against unwanted signals (LTE, 5G),
- Preamplifier power supply 12 VDC max. 0.1 A,
- Die-cast enclosure.
Automatic download of recordings from mobile DVR via WiFi network.
Companies dealing with supply of cargo and transport people, deliveries or waste collection often decide to use video monitoring and to record drive parameters. Recordings are stored locally on disks of the DVR. Such drives have limited capacity and the harsh working conditions cause the risk of damaging the data carriers. It is a good idea to periodically download the data without having to move the disks. This can be done via WiFi radio network.The Protect 218 M80218 mobile DVR has a built-in 2.4 and 5 GHz dual-band WiFi module. It supports IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac standards. This allows the recordings from the DVR to be automatically uploaded to the recording server. The vehicle, upon arrival at the depot, connects to the WiFi network where the recording server service is running (free IVMS software is included). The synchronization of the recording is automatic. The device is equipped with two antennas which further increases the stability and speed of data transmission to the server.
In such a situation it is necessary to calibrate the splicer. AI-9 L5875 splicer does not have the automatic calibration function which many installers forget. It is necessary to perform a manual calibration always before starting the splicing. Not doing so may result in decreased durability of splices, despite good transmission parameters.
Fiber optics right after the splice is made.
If the splice breaks when the fibers are removed from the splicer the arc calibration should be performed.
If the splice breaks when the fibers are removed from the splicer the arc calibration should be performed.
Calibrating a fiber optic splicer involves adjusting the power and temperature of the generated arc to the current environmental conditions. A properly adjusted arc allows for proper splices to be made, both in terms of attenuation and strength. Therefore, calibration should always be performed before the actual splicing – at the beginning of work or in the case of drastically changing conditions, e.g. a sudden drop in temperature resulting from splicing inside a building and further work outside.
 | The IDLP-WDB401 Wideband LO 10,41 GHz Inverto A98233 is an LNB used in multiswitch systems operating in Wide Band technology. It is based on a single local 10.41 GHz oscillator providing excellent performance in the entire frequency range of 290...2340 MHz. Unlike standard Quatro LNBs, it has two signal outputs (H/V polarization). A system based on one satellite requires only two satellite cables from the LNB to the multiswitch. | |
 | The DeepinView Hikvision iDS-2CD2A25G0/P-IZS(C) K05905 is a professional DeepinView series Hikvision IP camera dedicated to the identification of license plates LPR (License Plate Recognition) and parametric protection in the form of a virtual line and an intrusion area. It is a new generation camera in which the license plate recognition function is supported by the AI artificial intelligence algorithm. The license plates are identified after an object is defined as a vehicle, which makes the process more efficient. The camera is equipped with a 1/1.8” Progressive Scan CMOS sensor which generates an image with a resolution of up to 2 MP. | |
 | The ZW-NOTKtsdD / U-DQ(ZN)BH LSOH multimode-mode 12G L78108 universal fiber optic cable can be used for indoor and outdoor connections. The multimode-mode fibers are housed in a gel-filled central tube. The Gel filling the tube provides a protective layer for the fiber optics, cushioning the movement of the fibers when the cable moves and protecting the fibers from weathering. The glass fibers used in the cable structure are designed to protect the central tube with fiber optics from mechanical damage and rodents. | |
Worth reading
TV/SAT system – multiswitches MV-9xx TERRA. For multi-family buildings whose TV system has to ensure reception of satellite signals from two satellites, DIPOL offers TERRA net9 multiswitch solutions. The solution offered is quite popular, among others on the British, German and Australian markets. Advanced TERRA multiswitches have been still highly recognized a solution for large SMATV systems in Poland since 2004. Quality built, stability of parameters very low failure rate , make these multiswitches a product of choice to even the most demanding customers...>>>more
Multiswitch system with taps for two satellite positions.
Fiber-optic cables guide
