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

No. 30/2023 (September 25, 2023)

Will muons revolutionize locators?

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have announced the results of the first tests of an alternative navigation system to GPS which is based on the use of cosmic ray phenomena. A key element of this revolutionary system is the use of newly discovered elementary particles called muons. These unusual particles are created by the interaction of cosmic rays with the Earth's atmosphere, generating a cascade of secondary particles in the process. Interestingly, per minute, a square meter of our planet's surface is bombarded by about 10,000 muons.
The key to the operation of the innovative MuWNS Muometric Wireless Navigation System), is the ability to detect muons, which uniformly cover the surface of our planet and move at a constant speed, regardless of the material they pass through. Equally important, they are able to penetrate through rocks, enabling the navigation system to operate in the most demanding conditions, including underground and in buildings.
Visualization of falling muons
The MuWNS system is based on the fundamental principle of measuring the time it takes for muons to travel between the receiver and a number of strategically placed reference detectors. These are placed above the receiver and act as fixed reference points. By measuring the time it takes for muons to pass through the reference detector and reach the receiver, the system can calculate the distance between them. To accurately determine the location of the receiver, the system triangulates the distances between the receiver and multiple reference detectors. This process enables accurate determination of a location even in complex environments.
Currently, the system boasts an accuracy of 2 to 25 meters and a range of 100 meters from a reference station. To achieve a higher accuracy level, the researchers want to integrate atomic clocks on a microchip (CSAC). These are much more accurate than the quartz clocks currently in use, giving the potential for real-time measurements with an accuracy of one meter. Although the technology remains expensive at present, experts predict that as CSACs become more common in consumer electronics such as smartphones, the cost of using them will come down, enabling its implementation in MuWNS.
GPS is a widely known and used navigation tool. However, GPS signals have limitations, especially at higher latitudes or in cities between tall buildings, where they are weaker and more susceptible to interference. They can also be easily jammed or tampered with, and do not penetrate barriers such as walls, buildings, rocks or water. A new navigation system based on space-based muons has the potential to overcome these limitations. The applications of this technology are promising and versatile. In addition to providing accurate navigation inside buildings and underground, it can provide indispensable support in the event of disasters. Imagine a situation where flying drones equipped with reference detectors over disaster areas enable accurate navigation of rescue teams.

Signal conversion from HDMI source to coaxial cable.

The conversion of A/V signals into high-frequency RF signals, meaning the introduction of signals from all kinds of signal sources such, as computers, players or surveillance cameras, into a terrestrial TV system is an operation that requires the use of a so-called modulator. Such device has one or multiple A/V inputs (RCA, HDMI, etc., depending on the type) and an RF output (commonly known as the "antenna output), and it allows you to watch the video and listen to the sound on the selected channel, on all TVs connected to the system. For the receiver, the program added to the system is just another terrestrial television channel.
The MHD002P R86104 modulator is a multifunction device which provides input Full HD signal (1920 × 1080-30p) fed into the HDMI port, modulated in DVB-T COFDM standard. In addition to an HDMI input, the MHD002P R86104 is equipped with an HDMI output allowing to watch the video from the connected source.
Application example of Terra MHD002P R86104 digital modulator. The source signal (Blu-Ray) is modulated and can be viewed on any TV on the network and is made available on the HDMI output for the TV at that location.

The end of the holiday photo contest coming soon!

Only until September 29, you can submit entries for the twenty-first edition of***"s holiday photo contest "Engagingly about antennas". Winners will be chosen by Paweł Zechenter, well-know photographer from Krakow. We invite you to participate!
In this edition we have prepared very attractive prizes: a Wanbo T6 Max projector, a latest generation router and a WiFi camera. Distinction winners will receive a mug from DIPOL's collection. More information about the contest and the rules for photo submissions are available here.

New HDMI 4K to IP converter.

Distribution of ultra-high resolution 4K signal from HDMI signal sources such as satellite receivers or media players is a popular type of system in pubs, restaurants, conference rooms, etc. Often this signal has to be fed to several or a dozen TVs, to which the cable route from the source reaches up to several tens of meters. There are several solutions to this problem. One of them is the use of splitters and standard HDMI cables. If the cable length exceeds 30 meters, you can use optical HDMI cables, such as H1505 or H1705.
A much more flexible solution in terms of expandability is to build a system based on HDMI to IP converter. Then standard network switches are used to split the signal. When the distance between the TV and the signal source exceeds 100 m, the switch can be used for signal regeneration. Another exciting option is the possibility of changing the medium to optical fiber using media converter. Then the transmission range is calculated in kilometers.
Signal HD's HDMI to IP converter H3612 allows you to connect an ultra-high-resolution (4K) signal to a receiver (TV, monitor) equipped with an HDMI connector via CAT 5e or higher twisted-pair cable. The package includes the transmitter and receiver units. It is also possible to extend the USB port e.g. to control the recorder with a mouse. IP signal coming from the transmitter may be applied to an Ethernet switch to split it among multiple receivers. The bit rate of the compressed signal at the transmitter output is approx. 30 Mbps. For proper decoding of the signal with a greater number of devices displaying the image a dedicated H3612R receiver is required, the preview of the image on a PC equipped with network card is not possible.
HDMI to IP signal converter with USB 4K extender