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No. 31/2024 (September 30, 2024)
Worldcoin – a digital passport.
Sam Altman, director of OpenAI, is also responsible for the Worldcoin project. Although it is not as popular as ChatGPT, it still stirs up a lot of controversy. One of the main goals of the project is to store scans of the iris of the human eye in a database. As biometric data, these scans are to be used to create digital passports – so-called “WorldID.” These passports would be resistant to forgery. To build the corresponding database, the company is already using so-called “orbs” – special basketball-sized devices that scan human eyes and generate unique, immutable codes based on the pattern of irises. Once the scanning is complete, Worldcoin's software converts the resulting data into a unique code that becomes part of a digital ID.
Orb – iris scanning device. A component of the Worldcoin project. TechCrunch, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped.
The company claims that the iris is the only biometric indicator that is unique enough to allow identification of all people in the world. At the same time, it assures that it does not collect any personal data, and that scanned images are deleted after they are verified. Altman himself goes a step further, proposing that for scanning an iris, users be rewarded with access to the Worldcoin cryptocurrency.
Alex Blania, co-founder and CEO of Worldcoin, explains the project as an answer to the problem of global identity verification. In an interview with CNN, he states: “We are trying to create the world's largest financial and identity network that will solve the everlasting problem of humanity's verification.”
While the vision seems valid, with identity theft being a huge problem today, such as in the banking sector, where phishing is a daily reality, the Worldcoin project is stirring up huge controversy. While the developers claim that the project aims to democratize access to cryptocurrencies and create a fairer financial system, skeptics are concerned that centralizing biometric data in one place poses serious privacy risks. Germany, where regulators have launched an investigation examining Worldcoin's compliance with the EU's Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), is critical.
Regulators in France and the UK have expressed concern about how biometric data, particularly iris scans, are collected, and whether users fully understand what information about them is being collected and how it will be used. These countries are concerned that such sensitive data, if it falls into the wrong hands, could be used in ways that violate citizens' privacy, leading to abuse, including user profiling or even identity theft. Concerns have also been raised in Spain and other European countries about the lack of transparency over who exactly controls and manages the data collected by Worldcoin. Critics point out that the centralization of vast amounts of biometric data by a private company could lead to new forms of surveillance and potential human rights violations.
In conclusion, the Worldcoin project, while offering innovative opportunities for the global distribution of digital assets, faces serious privacy and ethical challenges that require detailed consideration to ensure that its implementation is safe and in compliance with applicable legal and social standards around the world.
New models of Master compression connectors.
The F-type connectors are used for making connections in systems based on 75 ohm impedance coaxial cables. They are available in screw-on, cone crimped and compression versions. They are mainly used in terrestrial, satellite, and cable TV systems, as well as in CCTV systems. The reliability of the connection, attenuation level, and impedance matching in the signal path depend on the design and quality of the connectors. Top quality MASTER crimped connectors guarantee long-term and failure-free operation even in the most harsh environment.MASTER's range of F compression connectors has been expanded with two new models:
Cross-section of MASTER connector uncrimped and crimped on TRISET 302 cable. The two compression rings snake into the cable sheath to lock the connector onto the cable. An internal sleeve physically separates the jacket from the dielectric layer. The range of Master connectors, together with the coaxial cables offered by Dipol, is unique in Europe. The wide range of connectors makes it easy for installers to match the connectors to the cable and ensure a trouble-free system.
Power meter and VFL in Sendun SD-9+ splicer.
The Sendun SD-9+ L5877 splicer has a built-in optical power meter and visual fault locator (VFL). Both tools can be extremely useful when installing systems based on fiber optic cables. However, it happens that installers, misinterpreting their functionality, try to use them to measure the attenuation of an optical link (the so-called transmission method).
The power meter and visual fault locator connectors are located on the side panel of the splicer (orange color of the connector housing). You can connect plugs with a ferrule diameter of 2.5 mm (SC, FC, ST) to them. If you want to connect plugs with a ferrule diameter of 1.25 mm (LC,E2000), it is necessary to use an adapter – for example, L5937.
The functionality and purpose of both tools are described below:
- Optical power meter – allows you to measure the signal power in a fiber optic system. It is a universal meter, i.e. it can be used for measurements of single-mode (1310 nm and 1550 nm wavelengths) and multimode (850 nm and 1300 nm) systems. It only makes sense to use it when a source generating a signal at one of the above wavelengths is placed on the other side of the fiber optic link.
- Visual fault locator (VFL) allows to verify the continuity of a fiber optic link by introducing visible light into it (wavelength 650 nm – red). Using it, you can determine if the fiber is broken (no light at the other end of the cable) or locate excessive fiber bends in switches, splice boxes, etc. In such a location, excessive light leakage through the fiber sheath is recorded.
Installers often treat the fault locator as a signal source when measuring power with a meter. This is not a correct measurement. The VFL, due to its wavelength being beyond the operating range of the meter, cannot be used when measuring with the transmission method. This is not the only reason. Fiber optics are not made for transmitting a signal at a wavelength of 650 nm. The attenuation of such a signal is many times higher compared to nominal wavelengths. This means that trying to measure power/attenuation using such a source will give results many times worse than expected.
If you want to measure the attenuation of the system, use one of the external light sources.
Amplifying LTE signal in a building.
The Signal GDW-505 A6777 repeater is used to amplify EGSM, GSM, DCS, WCDMA, and LTE signals and bring them indoors. The device is ideal for places where the signal is so weak that making calls or transmitting data via cellular phone is impossible. An example may be a place located far from the transmitter or a building with thick walls, cellars (coffee shops) or modern windows with panes of covered with metallic compounds.Installation of the Signal GDW-505 A6777 repeater:
- choose a place outside the building where the cellular signal is correctly received,
- mount the outdoor antenna (A741031) so that it faces the GSM base station,
- choose a location for installing the repeater somewhere inside the building to place the indoor antenna in the central part of the building/hall/room to be covered,
- check if the distance between the outdoor and indoor antennas is at least 10 m,
- install the GDW-505 repeater away from heat sources, ensuring proper device cooling,
- check the correctness of the wire connections between the repeater and the antennas (the external and internal antenna sockets are marked accordingly),
- plug the power supply into the 230 VAC socket.
Device installation in a single-family house
Firmware update in the door station of the 2-Wire HD video door entry system.
The most up-to-date software of the individual components of a video door entry system is usually a guarantee of trouble-free operation of the system. What is meant here, is both, the basic functionality and, above all, the use of the equipment in more specific scenarios.Updating the firmware of the DS-KD7003EY-IME2/A G73647 door station is possible after enabling AP (Access Point) mode in the door station and logging in to it using a computer equipped with a WiFi interface. The latest firmware for the door station should be downloaded and unpacked beforehand and saved to the computer's hard drive. To activate the AP mode, press the left call button on the door station for 10 seconds. Activation of the mode is indicated by a short beep. The mode is active for 30 minutes with the possibility of extension by the user. To end the AP mode manually, press the left call button for 15 seconds. The door station will indicate this with a double beep. Once the AP mode is activated, a new WiFi network named "AP_ device serial number" will appear to connect to. Logging into the device is then possible after typing https://www.apv.com in the browser window and entering the login information (login: admin, password: given on the back of the device). To update the firmware, go to Maintenance and Security -> Upgrade, indicate the path to the previously downloaded and unzipped firmware with the file name "digicap.dav" and select Controller as the type of device to be updated.
View of the update window after logging in to the door station via computer using AP mode.
DIPOL's photo contest about to end soon.
September 30, at midnight, is the deadline for submitting your photos for the 23rd edition of DIPOL's photo contest "Engagingly about antennas”. The submitted works will be judged by a well-known photographer from Krakow, Pawel Zechenter. The winners will receive attractive prizes, including a DJi gimbal and TP-Link access points. Before submitting photographs, please read terms of participation of the contest. We also encourage you to check out the gallery of photos submitted so far.
Take a look at the works submitted for this year's contest.
 | Hikvision iDS-7204HUHI-M1/X(STD) 4-channel HD-TVI DVR (5 MP, 12 fps, H.265, 4 x AcuSence, HDMI, VGA) M76304 is a 4-channel, multi-system DVR capable of recording video from HD-TVI, AHD, CVBS and IP cameras. In the standard mode, 4 analog cameras can be connected to BNC inputs and 2 IP camera (up to 8 MP). If an analog channel is unused, disabling it in the menu adds support for a new IP camera. When all analog channels are disabled, 6 IP cameras can be connected. | |
 | DS-KIS703Y-P 2-Wire Hikvision 2nd generation video intercom kit G73307 is a complete 2-Wire Hikvision 2nd generation video intercom kit which includes the DS-KV8103Y-IMPE2 door station, DS-KH6320Y-WTPE2 monitor, a surface-mounted protective housing, and a power supply. To power the system connect the DC 24 V power supply to the monitor. The door station is powered from the monitor after the devices are directly connected via a 2-wire bus. The single-subscriber door station is equipped with a 2 MP camera with a wide viewing angle (140° horizontal and 85° vertical). | |
 | The LAN 10 Mbps + PoE transmission kit on 2 wires ETH10-2wire-SET ATTE J2842 is a set of active converters designed to transmit Ethernet data and PoE power, using only 2 wires, for example, one pair of twisted-pair UTP cable. The devices allow the installation of cameras or other IP PoE devices in places where it is impossible or uneconomical to replace the existing cabling. | |
Worth reading
Hikvision video intercom system in the 2-Wire standard. There is often a need to replace the existing intercom (video) system with a newer one, offering greater functionality and quality. Such an upgrade may require replacement of the cabling, e.g. with twisted pair cables for IP systems. Of help is here the Hikvision video intercom system working in 2-wire standard, so called 2-Wire, which has the same functionality as Hikvision IP video intercom 2 generation...>>>more
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