TV-SAT, CCTV, WLAN Dipol Weekly Review

Data centres in space.

Google launches Project Suncatcher - a space experiment that could change the face of artificial intelligence. Google is once again betting on visions bordering on science fiction. After autonomous vehicles and quantum computers, the company is launching another bold research venture - Project Suncatcher. The aim of the project is to take the computing power of AI systems into space and create a whole new type of technological infrastructure there.

The premise of Project Suncatcher is to build solar-powered satellites. Each is to be equipped with specialised TPUs (Tensor Processing Units), Google-developed chips designed to train and operate artificial intelligence models. Placing these computing units in orbits around the Earth will allow almost continuous operation, without the constraints of the day and night cycle. In space, the solar panels operate up to eight times more efficiently than on the Earth's surface. This means less need for batteries and a more stable energy source. According to Google's vision, future 'space data centres' could operate virtually uninterrupted, minimising environmental impact and reducing the use of water and raw materials.

The development of artificial intelligence is associated with an increasing demand for energy and computing power. Today's data centres consume gigantic amounts of electricity and their cooling requires thousands of litres of water per day. Project Suncatcher is an attempt to solve this problem - by moving computing to a space where access to solar energy is virtually unlimited. It is also the harbinger of a new kind of infrastructure: distributed, green and almost emission-free. In the future, similar systems could support not only AI development, but also the running of complex scientific simulations, climate change modelling or medical data analysis.

Google is planning to place its satellites in a sun-synchronous orbit (dawn-dusk sun-synchronous orbit). This type of orbit ensures that the satellites remain almost constantly illuminated by the sun, maximising energy production and reducing the need for batteries. If successful, Project Suncatcher could open a whole new chapter in the history of technology development - the era of space-based artificial intelligence. It is a bold vision of a future in which data centres will no longer be a nuisance to the planet and the frontiers of innovation will move far beyond the Earth's atmosphere.

One of the biggest tasks facing Google is ensuring reliable communication between satellites. In order for distributed artificial intelligence systems to operate efficiently, data exchange must take place at terabits per second. To this end, the company is testing free-space optical links, which allow information to be transmitted at extremely high throughput. In one laboratory experiment, speeds of 1.6 Tbps were achieved using a single transmitter and receiver set-up. The second major challenge is maintaining a stable formation of satellites, separated by only a few hundred metres. To precisely control their position, Google uses advanced orbital models to simulate movement and minimise the risk of collisions between units.

Google, in collaboration with Planet, plans to launch two prototype satellites in early 2027. Their main task will be to test the performance of TPUs in real space conditions and to test the operation of optical communication links between the satellites. Although there is still a long way to go before the Project Suncatcher is fully realised, Google sees this venture as a harbinger of the future of computing. It is not only a technological experiment, but also the beginning of a new era in which artificial intelligence draws its energy non-stop, directly from the sun, beyond the surface of our planet.

Mounting a 120 cm satellite dish on a ballast mast.

Installation of a 120 cm satellite dish on a ballast mast is performed in situations where permanent fixing to the building structure is not possible, e.g. on flat roofs covered with roofing felt or roofing membrane. The ballast solution allows the antenna to be stably positioned without interfering with the ground, provided that the appropriate safety rules are observed. The ballast base must have sufficiently distributed ballast to ensure wind resistance. In staggered structures a min. 150 kg, and in compact structures about 300 kg of ballast for a 120 cm diameter antenna. The mast should be fixed to the base in a rigid manner using high strength bolts. The ballast can be made of concrete blocks or paving slabs, mounted on rubber pads to protect the roofing.

The photos below show an example of mounting a DPL-120 A9682 satellite dish with a diameter of 120 cm on a ZB-1100/50+RAM6/415*265 E8748 non-invasive ballast mast.

Implementation of 8J cable termination in a RACK switcher.

The following pictures show the implementation of the termination of the L76008 8-fibre universal cable in the 1U RACK switcher Opti Steel L51354. For clarity of connections, 2 sets of coloured L34171A pigtails plugged into ULTIMODE A-211 L42211 duplex SC adapters were used.

In the next issue, there will be a description of all the steps to be followed by an installer implementing such a switch. The most common mistakes will also be addressed.

The strongest LTE antenna on offer.

In many cases, when the base station is far away from the mobile device there are problems with an adequate signal. In order to increase the signal strength, it is most often necessary to connect a suitable external antenna to the modem. However, there are cases where the use of an external antenna is not related to the need to improve the LTE signal, but, for example, to force data transmission between the modem and a particular base station from which the signal is, for example, more stable or is less loaded. It is worth remembering that the LTE antenna should be broadband - this is related to the operation of LTE networks on multiple frequencies and their aggregation.

The TRANS-DATA LTE KYZ 10/10 A741024 is an outdoor, directional log periodic MIMO antenna for use with LTE/GSM/3G modems. The antenna has 10 dBi gain. It is designed to work with LTE modems (equipped with two antenna connectors).

Distinguishing features of the TRANS-DATA LTE KYZ 10/10 A741024 antenna:

• external, logarithmic, directional
• MIMO 2x2
• wideband: 698-960, 1700-2700 MHz
• working on networks: GSM, DCS, UMTS, WLAN, LTE
• gain:
• 9.5 dBi (698-960 MHz)
• 10 dBi (1710-2700 MHz)
• compact antenna for direct current (DC)
• 10 m cable with SMA connector
• casing made of ABS plastic resistant to UV radiation and weather conditions
• pole attachment with U-shaped fasteners
• mounting to vertical or horizontal pipe possible

Which Hikvision video door entry system to choose: 2-Wire IP, 2-Wire HD or maybe IP?

Hikvision currently has three video intercom systems in its product range: 2-Wire IP, 2-Wire HD and an IP system. The choice of the right system for a customer can be dictated by two factors - functionality and the type of communication bus between the devices.

If you want to upgrade an old intercom system where there is straight or paired wire cabling, either the 2-Wire IP or 2-Wire HD system can be used. In both cases, the power supply and the establishment of communication between devices is done using two wires of cable, but the systems are slightly different. The 2-Wire IP system is in fact an IP system, which uses two wires of a straight or paired cable for communication between devices and a special distributor (switch), which enables communication to be established between connected devices and their 24 V DC power supply. The distributor has a network interface that allows connection to a switch, router or directly to a computer and activation, IP address setting and configuration. Once activated, the system is basically no different from an IP system from the user side. However, before choosing it, the installation requirements and communication ranges between devices should be studied in detail, as they are different to those of a typical IP system.

If the system is built from scratch, including wiring, it is best to use twisted pair and choose an IP system. This system is distinguished by the greatest functionality and immunity to interference. Due to network communication between devices and PoE power supply in accordance with the standard, the range of communication and power supply to devices is guaranteed up to 100 meters. The IP system allows, among other things, the construction of large and functional systems, control of two relays in the door station, integration with the monitoring system, remote operation via the Hik-Connect application and much more.

Hikvision's latest video door entry solution is the 2-Wire HD system, which is a slightly different approach. Power and communication between units is provided via a two-wire bus using the DS-KAD7060EY G74828 master distributor and DS-KAD7061EY G74830 floor distributors. It is also possible to power monitors within a premises from another monitor. The approach to configuring the addressing of the devices has also been changed, which is carried out using DEC switches located on the rear of the door station and monitor housings. Once the addresses are properly set on the switches and connected to the power bus, the system is immediately operational. There is therefore no need to think about which IP address and premises number has been assigned to a monitor, as this configuration can be done directly at the premises before the monitor is installed, without the need for a computer. The system is very flexible in terms of design, thanks to the use of floor distributors and the possibility of feeding monitors from other monitors. Additional configuration is possible by activating Access Point mode at the door station and connecting to it wirelessly via a smartphone or WiFi-enabled computer. In the 2-Wire HD system, the voltage on the communication bus is DC 48 V and is not compatible with the 2-Wire IP system. This system has the possibility of remote operation via the HikConnect app when the monitor is connected to the Internet via a WiFi interface, but it cannot be integrated into the monitoring system. When selecting it, it is also important to pay attention to the installation requirements and communication ranges between the devices.

Controlling the relays in the IP Villa 2nd gen door station from external buttons. The door stations of the IP Villa 2nd generation video door entry system, from the DS-KV8xxx series, have built-in 2 relays that are independently triggered, which allow, for example, the control of the gate or the entrance gate. By default, the second relay on the door station is deactivated and must be activated using the iVMS-4200 application or via a web browser. Triggering of these outputs is possible using the Hik-Connect smartphone app, the iVMS-4200 PC client app, indoor stations or by shorting to GND the AIN4 (DOOR2 relay trigger) and AIN3 (DOOR1 relay trigger) inputs...>>>more