TV-SAT, CCTV, WLAN Dipol Weekly Review

Will spintronics revolutionise modern electronics?

Spintronics, or spin electronics, is a field that has been maturing in the laboratories of physicists for several decades, and is now clearly beginning to make its way into the world of everyday devices. Its main idea is to use not only the charge of the electron, as in traditional systems, but also its spin - a miniature magnetic moment that can be directed in different directions. Manipulating this parameter turns out to be much less energy-intensive than controlling the electron's motion, and also generates less heat. It is for this reason that spintronics has the potential to become the foundation for a new generation of fast, efficient and durable electronics. The most advanced and already viable form of this technology is MRAM. Unlike modern operational memories, which lose data when the power is switched off, MRAM stores information even when the device is switched off. What's more, it works much faster, reducing access times from tens of nanoseconds to just a few. For users, this means noticeably longer battery life and faster devices; for hardware manufacturers, it means the ability to create more powerful artificial intelligence accelerators.

Spintronics is no longer a research curiosity. The first chips of this type appeared in niche applications a few years ago, and today major semiconductor companies are working hard to implement them in mass production. Research in collaboration with TSMC recently led to a memory chip with an access time measured in one nanosecond and a data lifetime calculated in years. A team from China has shown that spintronics can simultaneously process and store information, dramatically reducing the energy requirements of systems performing AI tasks. Researchers in Korea have found a way to significantly reduce energy losses in such systems and have thus opened the way to even more cost-effective designs. As a result, the market for spintronics is set to expand many times over in the next decade, and the first MRAM-enabled consumer devices may appear sooner than many expect. Although it sounds like a futuristic vision, spintronics has its roots in a breakthrough discovery from the 1980s - giant magnetoresistance. This phenomenon, associated with the change in electrical resistance in very thin layers of metals with different magnetic orientations, revolutionised the design of hard drives and enabled the miniaturisation of portable computers. For this discovery, Albert Fert and Peter Grünberg were awarded the Nobel Prize in 2007. Today's developments are referred to as the second generation of spintronics, in which it is no longer just a matter of reading magnetic information, but also of writing it quickly and energy-efficiently and using it directly in the computing process. These capabilities are due to new materials and technologies that allow layers just a few atoms thick to be produced.

There is also another development on the horizon - so-called magnon logic circuits. Instead of carrying information through the flow of electrons, they use spin waves, or magnons. This almost completely eliminates the problem of circuit heating, which is one of the biggest challenges in processor design today. Although this technology is still in the research phase, its potential is generating a lot of enthusiasm and could change the way we design future computers.
Spintronics is a rare example of a field where fundamental physics is moving almost directly into technological practice. If the pace of development is maintained, more devices using this technology will be in the hands of consumers in the coming years.

Networked meter for IoT.

The dynamic development of communication technologies has enabled the automation of metering processes in the energy, water and gas sectors. One of the most versatile solutions is remote meter reading (AMI - Advanced Metering Infrastructure) implemented via the GSM mobile phone network. This type of infrastructure allows reliable data transmission from multiple metering points.

LTE Cat.1, NB-IoT and LTE-M are three mobile communication technologies designed for Internet of Things devices, but with different capabilities, throughput and applications. LTE Cat.1 is the solution offering the highest throughput of the three technologies. It enables more advanced devices such as energy meters, controllers or monitoring systems that require a stable and relatively fast connection. NB-IoT (Narrowband IoT) operates in a narrow bandwidth, consumes very little power and allows devices with low transmission requirements but running for many years on a single battery to communicate - ideal for sensors, utility meters and telemetry systems. LTE-M (LTE Cat.M1) provides an intermediate solution, combining low power consumption with greater mobility and the ability to support more complex applications than NB-IoT, making it well suited to tracking systems, wearable devices or building automation components.

The NB-IoT / CAT-M /LTE cat.1 / GSM signal meter N7057 is used for the installation, measurement and optimisation of IoT networks. The device connects to the operator's network via a SIM card and measures radio parameter levels at the selected location. The results are presented on an easy-to-read display and can be used to assess signal quality where IoT devices are to be installed.

The device allows real-time viewing of the radio parameters of an LTE connection. Key signal quality and strength indicators are presented on the screen, allowing the user to assess mobile network conditions and optimise installation settings. Information displayed includes:

• LTE transmission technology and bandwidth currently in use
• signal strength received from the mobile network
• radio signal quality
• signal-to-noise ratio
• cell identification (Cell ID)
• physical cell identifier (PCI)

Thanks to the measurements, the location of the antenna and its orientation can be easily selected to ensure the optimal signal received by the connected device.

Hikvision among the first companies in the world with NIST CSF 2.0 certification.

Hikvision was among the first companies in the world to achieve NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 certification, confirming compliance with one of the most up-to-date cyber security management standards. The audit was conducted by the British Standards Institution (BSI), and a positive result confirms that Hikvision's systems and processes meet the requirements of the latest version of the US framework. NIST CSF 2.0 is a set of guidelines to help organisations effectively manage risk, and the updated edition places greater emphasis on managing security at a strategic level, including the integration of cyber security into organisational governance and supply chain control. The framework is structured around six functions: Govern, Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond and Recover, forming a complete cycle of activities to support service continuity and resilience.

Hikvision has for years been developing its own cyber security system in a holistic manner, including strategy, risk management, product design, compliance processes and vendor oversight. The NIST CSF 2.0 certification confirms that the company's adopted security procedures and mechanisms meet international best practices. This enables Hikvision to provide partners and end users with a stable, secure and compliant operating environment, which is particularly important in projects requiring a high level of data protection.

The company emphasises that it treats cyber security as an ongoing process, which is why it systematically develops its competences and regularly undergoes independent audits. Over the past few years, Hikvision has achieved numerous certifications, including ISO/IEC 27001:2022, ISO/IEC 27701:2019, ISO/IEC 27017, ISO/IEC 29151 and ISO 38505-1:2017, with a total of more than 25 security and compliance awards. The company's latest NIST CSF 2.0 certification is further confirmation that its investment in digital security remains one of its key priorities and will be further developed in the years to come.

MS-9xx SIGNAL PRO - multiswitches for installations in multi-family buildings.

The SIGNAL PRO series includes Class A multiswitches designed for professional SMATV systems. These devices are suitable for multi-family buildings, hotels, office buildings and wherever satellite and terrestrial signals are required to be distributed to multiple reception points. The cast housing of shielding class A ensures high resistance to electromagnetic interference (EMI) and stable operating parameters, while the carefully designed signal paths guarantee low levels of inter-channel crosstalk.

Name	MS-916	MS-924	MS-932
Code	R69916	R69924	R69932
Shielding class	A
Housing	Zinc-aluminum alloy surround
Input	SAT A + SAT B + Radio/DVB-T2
Number of inputs	9
Number of outputs	16	24	32
Dimensions [mm]	225x200x30	310x205x30	385x210x30
Type	Through or terminal (resistor mounting with DC interlock)
Purpose	Multi-family buildings
Warranty	4 years

SIGNAL PRO multiswitches are distinguished not only by their high technical quality, but also by their functionality which facilitates installation and later operation. The possibility of combining the devices in a cascade allows to create extensive systems covering many staircases or floors. The entire set can be powered from a single 20 V / 2.5 A DC power supply, which is included with each multiswitch. This solution reduces the number of additional components, simplifies cabling and allows up to four multiswitches to be powered simultaneously. Importantly, the same power supply provides the voltage needed for the operation of two QUATRO converters, which eliminates the need for additional power sources and increases the reliability of the entire system.

Damaged connector in a reflectometer.

Reflectometric measurements are carried out wherever there is a need to provide complete information on the condition of an optical link. This includes the attenuation of the entire link and its individual components: connectors, splitters, splices and the fibre itself. The reflectometer also provides information on the reflectance value for reflective events (e.g. connectors, mechanical splices).

Proper measurements depend not only on the OTDR configuration, but also on the cleanliness of the measuring connector. The OTDR connector as well as the connector of the run-up fiber put into it should be cleaned. Failing to do so, may prevent correct measurements from being made.

The picture below shows the connector of a OTDR that was used incorrectly – the connector was not cleaned regularly or was cleaned in an unprofessional way. This has resulted in accumulation of dirt and pitting on the front of the connector. The result was an incorrect pulse at the output of the OTDR. The damaged connector caused a large reflection of the pulse already at the beginning of the fiber, followed by several secondary reflections. This is shown in the reflectogram below.

It is imperative that installers carrying out this type of measurement have a tool for cleaning fibre optic connectors. The best, because the most versatile solution, would be to use the so-called "pens" - for example the Ultimode F250 L59171. These allow the cleaning of both device sockets (or e.g. ferrules of connectors plugged into adapters in switch boxes) and connectors, after the appropriate tip has been applied.

Web Nat – full access to Sunell DVR via the Internet without port forwarding.

P2P cloud usually allows partial access to devices from the network. Using an app on a phone or computer, it is possible to get encrypted live view, play archive recordings, handle alarm notifications and basic device configuration.

For Sunell NVRs, in addition to the standard P2P access, the Web NAT function can be activated, which allows full access to the device via a web browser. With this function it is possible to configure all DVR parameters from a remote location.

This function is crucial for both the user, who easily gains full access, and the installer. The installer can remotely adjust parameters, add new cameras, and easily perform any necessary configurations. Once Web NAT is enabled, go to https://www.51cloudtech.com, where the serial number of the device is entered. The DVR's browser interface will then appear, allowing you to log in and have full access - just as if the device were on the local network.

Colours of adapters in fibre optic installations. A fibre optic adapter is a socket-to-socket connector made of plastic that allows the connection of two plugs. As a rule, the connectors have to be of the same type - e.g. ULTIMODE A-111 L42111 adapter allows to connect two SC connectors, ULTIMODE A-233 L42233 two duplex LC connectors, etc. It is also possible to use adapters allowing the connection of different plugs - e.g. ULTIMODE A-115 L42115 connects an SC plug with an FC plug...>>>more