TV-SAT, CCTV, WLAN Dipol Weekly Review

Space Forge will produce materials in space 4,000 times cleaner than on Earth.

Space Forge has become the first UK company to successfully demonstrate an orbital manufacturing module equipped with a high-temperature process reactor reaching around 1,000°C. The prototype system, the size of a standard microwave oven, was launched on a SpaceX mission and was confirmed to be fully functional, including generating plasma in the work chamber. This is a key part of the process of manufacturing semiconductor materials in microgravity. The project involves the production of highly ordered crystalline structures that are formed more precisely in an orbital environment than on Earth. The absence of gravity eliminates convection and sedimentation, allowing atoms to arrange themselves into perfectly homogeneous crystal lattices. In addition, the vacuum of space minimises the risk of contamination. According to the company, it is possible to obtain materials up to 4,000 times cleaner than terrestrial processes, which has direct applications in the production of components for 5G infrastructure, electric vehicle charging systems and advanced aerospace electronics.

The Space Forge team is carrying out continuous monitoring of the module's performance from Cardiff, analysing telemetry data and images from inside the heating chamber. The next stage of the project is the construction of a larger production unit capable of producing material for around 10,000 chips during a single mission. In parallel, a payload recovery system is being developed, including the Pridwen heat shield, designed to protect the module during atmospheric entry and enable reuse of the platform. The Space Forge initiative is part of a growing trend of commercial manufacturing in space, including but not limited to: advanced materials, pharmaceuticals and biological structures. Although the sector is at an early stage of development, successful technology trials confirm that orbital manufacturing processes can become a viable and economically viable part of industry. It now remains to be seen how quickly the technology will move from the demonstration phase to full-scale production and what benefits this will bring to markets on Earth.

Hikvision keeps customers safe by updating critical security vulnerabilities.

Hikvision, concerned about the security of its products, has announced the discovery of two serious security vulnerabilities in selected access control devices and front-end and back-end products. The vulnerabilities, designated CVE-2025-66176 and CVE-2025-66177, received a high score of 8.8 on the CVSS v3.1 scale. The company immediately prepared updated software versions that fix these threats, emphasising that responding quickly to critical vulnerabilities is a key part of its commitment to customer security. Hikvision also encourages users to install the latest firmware and follow basic cyber hygiene principles, such as strong passwords and correct device configuration.

The vendor points out that product security is a priority for it. The company has a coordinated vulnerability disclosure process, works with independent researchers, including the Cisco Talos team, and as a CVE partner is actively involved in identifying and remediating vulnerabilities. Users can report potential issues to the Hikvision Security Response Center, and the company ensures that it is compliant with applicable regulations and continuously strengthens the protection of its solutions, and that its product security efforts exceed required standards.

Useful safety information and materials:

Ultimode fibre optic connectors - Internet connection.

Ultimode fibre optic connectors allow direct termination of the cable, without the need for an intermediate subscriber socket to protect the splice and spare optical fibre.

This is the solution used when connecting internet services in flats. In the situation presented here, it was necessary to shorten the subscriber cable left in the flat by the operator (location of the modem in another room). Due to the impossibility of using a splicer, it was decided to use an Ultimode L5714 SC/APC quick connector.

Ballast masts for low-voltage installations.

Ballast masts are structures designed for the installation of antennas, lighting, signalling or other equipment on roofs and other flat surfaces, without the need to interfere with the structure of the ground. Their stability is ensured by appropriately selected ballast (usually concrete weight plates), which prevents the mast from toppling under the influence of wind or vibrations. Ballast masts are widely used in temporary and permanent installations, particularly where permanent anchoring of the mast is not possible or where the integrity of the roofing is required. A variety of mast heights are available as required and the ballast weight is selected to meet the safety requirements of the wind zone. The size of the ballast frames / ballast has been selected so that they can be lifted onto the roof even through a small roof hatch.

DIPOL offers 5 models of ATLAS brand ballast masts, designed for various installation applications. Each is characterised by different design features, such as height, load capacity, number of sections or installation method, allowing the solution to be tailored precisely to the individual user's needs.

Features and benefits of ballast masts:

Remote reading of energy meters.

LTE cat.1, NB-IoT and LTE-M are three cellular communication technologies designed for Internet of Things devices, but with different capabilities, bandwidth and applications. LTE cat.1 is the solution offering the highest throughput of the three technologies, allowing data transmission at moderate speeds and supporting 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.

In electricity meter reading systems, in order to reduce costs and improve signal quality, a system is used in which several meters are connected to a single external antenna with high energy gain by means of GSM combiners (splitters). This solution allows stable communication in areas with poor coverage and minimises the number of service points. The antenna acts as the central transmission point, and the splitters transmit data to it by wire, e.g. via coaxial cables or shielded twisted pair.

Collective RTV/SAT installation - multiswitch SIGNAL PRO. In one of Krakow's housing estates there was modernised collective multiswitch installation. The RTV/SAT installation has been based on MS-916 SIGNAL PRO R69916 multiswitch, enabling distribution of FM/DAB+, terrestrial DVB-T2 and satellite DVB-S/S2 signals (HotBird 13.0, Astra 19.2) to 16 subscriber points. The solution used ensures stable and even signal distribution to all end outlets. The implementation included the installation of coaxial cabling, proper connection of signal sources from RTV antennas and two quatro satellite converters to the multiswitch. The installation has been performed in accordance with the applicable principles of the art of installation and the recommendations of equipment manufacturers...>>> more