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

A screen you can feel.

Researchers at the University of Bath in the UK have created a novel touchscreen called DeformIO that can change its rigidity in response to the user's pressure. This innovative display, which is made of silicone, allows users to physically deform the surface of the screen through finger pressure, providing new ways to interact with the device. Users can press the screen and then slide their finger across the surface with a natural, continuous motion. Moreover, the device allows force to be applied to multiple areas of the screen simultaneously. The display can distinguish between pressure levels and creates degrees of softness appropriate to the detected force. DeformIO is the first screen to use pneumatics and resistive sensing technology that converts physical forces into electrical signals.

The device is still a prototype (according to the researchers, it will take a few more years to perfect) and will need further development before it can be handed over to technology companies to turn into a commercial product. However, the inventors see it as a technology breakthrough, enabling a radical change in the way people will interact with the world in a variety of fields, such as commerce, communication, medicine and gaming. Before making an online purchase, for example, a prospective customer may be invited to "touch" the fabric of a new sofa or "feel" the softness of a pillow by simply pressing down on a phone display. In video games, the screen will be able to deform when a player presses an action button on the screen, and create physical resistance when an opponent launches a punch in the direction of a player-controlled character. New screens in cars will be able to replace hard touch screens, and rigidity cues from the deformable screen will help drivers find buttons or sliders and receive "physical" feedback without taking their eyes off the road. During a video call, two people will be able to make "physical contact" through their screens – one caller applies finger pressure to their display, and the other can both, see and feel the indentation on their screen. Digital map user will be able to switch between street, satellite, topographic and other views simply by changing the pressure applied with their finger.

Connecting a bell button to a Hikvision IP video door entry monitor.

You can connect a bell button to Hikvision IP video door entry monitors that have alarm inputs and outputs, such as DS-KH6320-WTE1 G74001. This way, when the corresponding alarm input on the monitor is triggered, it will notify the user with an audible signal that someone has arrived. This solution can be used in a situation where, after entering a property where a standard door station is installed, the person entering encounters another door on their way, through which they must pass. After pressing a button, the occupant can walk up to the door and open it manually. This solution saves costs by only installing one door station.

To configure the audible indication in the form of a bell on the monitor when an alarm input is triggered, after adding the monitor to the iVMS-4200 application, enter its settings and go to the Intercom → Zone alarm tab. In the Area No. tab, indicate the alarm input, the violation of which will trigger an audible alarm. Under Zone Type, select Door Alarm Switch.

Sendun SD-9+ fiber splicer – splicing fibers of different standards.

The Sendun SD-9+ L5877 fiber splicer has an excellent optical system with x380 magnification, so that the image of fibers on the screen is clear and it is possible to distinguish fibers of different standards that differ in refractive index profiles. Budget sheath positioning splicers and some of the budget core positioning splicers do not provide this capability.

In the hands of an informed installer, the Sendun SD-9+ will be a tool that will allow the initial identification of fibers already at the splicing stage, which in turn will avoid surprises during OTDR measurements of such connections (much higher attenuation in one direction and apparent gain in the other).

HDMI-DVB-T/C digital modulator for single-family houses.

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 an HDMI input 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 diagram below shows distribution of HD signal from any HDMI source and terrestrial DVB-T2 TV in coaxial cable with an example application of Signal R86301 modulator.

Wiring a house for the Internet – part 1 – choice of cabling.

Given the progressive development of technology, changes in the offerings of service providers, as well as technical innovations appearing on the market, the recommended method of building cabling is very different from that of a few years ago. Facing the task of designing Internet cabling, while planning the installation, you have to take into account several factors that may influence the final layout of the cables. Laying too few cables or choosing wrong type of cable can cause significant limitations in the future. On the other hand, it is important to consider the economic factor and not to plan too many cables that will never be used. So how do you currently wire your home correctly?

The basic transmission medium used for building LANs should be copper twisted-pair cable. The use of fiber optics for transmission in the home will certainly not make sense in the next several years. In homes, it is recommended to use twisted-pair cables of 5e category. This type of cable allows to transmit data at speeds up to 1 Gbps, which will certainly prove sufficient over the next dozen or so years or even decades. Those with a larger budget can consider laying a category 6 twisted-pair cable, which allows to transmit data even up to 10 Gbps (limited twisted-pair cable length). Given the availability of devices working at a speed of 5 Gbps, such a twisted pair may prove to be a safer solution.

The system diagram for a newly built house is shown below, taking into account the various options for obtaining Internet access – LTE network (2x 50 ohm coaxial cable), radio path (outdoor twisted pair), cable path (you can consider laying a microtube under the cable of a future provider).

Green line ⇒ E1171 50 Ohm Tri-Lan 240 coaxial cable for LTE/5G antenna
Purple line ⇒ E1611 NETSET U/UTP 6 gel-filled, black – outdoor twisted pair cable for WLAN antenna
Blue line ⇒ E1608 NETSET U/UTP 6 cable – indoor twisted pair cable for outlets
Light blue line ⇒ Internet Service provider cable in the E60812 micro-tube

IP surveillance system using a bispectral camera. A bispectral camera, is a solution that combines the advantages of traditional video surveillance. It allows identification of people during the day or night with the use of additional lighting and thermal imaging. A thermal imager does not need additional illumination to work properly. Any object with a temperature above absolute zero (0 K = −273.15°C) emits infrared rays. A thermal imaging camera allows you to see the temperature distribution on the surface of this body and thus detect people and animals without additional lighting at night and in difficult weather conditions. After connecting the bispectral camera to the DVR, the image from the visible light sensor and the thermal imager can be added to two separate channels. In addition, it is possible to do a fusion (overlay) of the images and consequently get a thermal image of better quality. The camera supports also the VCA image analytics that can be used to implement perimeter protection...>>>more