TV-SAT, CCTV, WLAN Dipol Weekly Review

No. 24/2026 (15 June 2026)

Monolithic 3D silicon chips could extend the life of Moore’s Law.

Something has happened in the world of semiconductors that seemed unimaginable just a few years ago. Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a technology that allows successive layers of monocrystalline silicon transistors to be stacked directly on top of one another, creating true monolithic 3D circuits. This is the first time this has been achieved at temperatures safe for existing metal connections, paving the way for further increases in transistor packing density without the need for further miniaturisation. For six decades, the development of electronics has followed Moore’s Law, whereby the number of transistors in integrated circuits doubles approximately every two years. However, modern transistors have reached a size at which physical and quantum limitations are beginning to prevent further miniaturisation. So, rather than trying to cram more components onto a single plane, researchers are proposing to build circuits ‘upwards’. Existing 3D technologies, such as HBM or 3D V-Cache, involved bonding separate wafers, which limited the density of vertical connections and the precision of alignment. Monolithic 3D integration solves this problem, as each layer is formed directly on top of the previous one with alignment accuracy measured in nanometres and the potential to achieve up to 10–100 times more interlayer connections.
The biggest obstacle so far has been temperature. Producing high-quality silicon requires temperatures of around 1000°C, whereas ready-made metal interconnects can withstand a maximum of 400°C. The team from Illinois has circumvented this problem by creating ultra-thin, freestanding silicon nanomembranes less than 10 nm thick, which can be transferred onto subsequent layers using a roll-to-roll laminator at a temperature not exceeding 200°C. Such thin membranes are flexible, allowing them to conform to the substrate and avoid the voids and defects typical of conventional wafer bonding. At the same time, they retain the quality of monocrystalline silicon, which allows the construction of transistors with parameters comparable to those produced at high temperatures. To avoid the need for high-temperature doping, the researchers used junctionless transistors in which the silicon is heavily doped prior to the layer deposition process. This allows for full gate control even with extremely thin layers, whilst simultaneously reducing contact resistance.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a prototype material consisting of three layers, each containing 625 transistors, achieving a production yield of 98–100% and current characteristics comparable to those of conventional silicon transistors. Furthermore, these circuits outperformed monolithic designs based on alternative materials by at least a factor of three in terms of efficiency. The team also demonstrated functioning three-dimensional logic circuits and SRAM memory cells, confirming the practical utility of the technology. The most important conclusion, however, is that the process is scalable and there is nothing to prevent further layers from being stacked on top of the three already demonstrated. The technology is being prepared for transfer to an industrial semiconductor factory, and companies such as IBM, Intel and TSMC are involved in the project. If it can be implemented on a mass scale, this could mark a new stage in the development of electronics, in which increases in computing power will result not from further miniaturisation but from three-dimensional chip architecture.

A modular headend as a signal source in a coaxial installation.

Headends distributing satellite programmes after conversion to DVB-T COFDM digital format are a popular solution used in many hotels. Satellite channels can supplement the terrestrial television offering or serve as the sole source of programming in the installation.
Digital TERRA headend has been designed for reception and distribution of terrestrial DVB-T and satellite DVB-S/S2 TV channels in hotels, motels, boardinghouses or other facilities. Thanks to the distribution of all the channels in the form of DVB-T COFDM multiplexes via coaxial cables, they can be received by any modern television (with an integrated DVB-T tuner) connected to an antenna outlet in the facility.
  2xDVB-T/T2/C Transmodulator - 2xDVB-T (COFDM) TTX-420 FTA TERRA DVB-S/S2 Transmodulator (8PSK, QPSK) - 2xDVB-T (COFDM) TDX-420 FTA TERRA DVB-S/S2 Transmodulator (8PSK, QPSK) - 2xDVB-T (COFDM) TDX-420C with dual CI slot TERRA 8xDVB-S/S2 Transmodulator (8PSK, QPSK) - 4xDVB-T (COFDM) TDX-441 TERRA FTA Transmodulator 8xDVB-S/S2 (8PSK, QPSK) - 8xDVB-T (COFDM) TDX-481 FTA TERRA
Model TTX-420 FTA TDX-420 FTA TDX-420c TDX-441 FTA TDX-481 FTA
Code  R81616  R81618  R81619  R81614 R81621
RF input  DVB-T/T2/C DVB-S/S2 (8PSK, QPSK)   DVB-S/S2 (8PSK, QPSK) DVB-S/S2 (8PSK, QPSK)  DVB-S/S2 (8PSK, QPSK)
Number of input carriers  2  2  8  8
RF output  DVB-T  DVB-T  DVB-T DVB-T  DVB-T
Number of carriers at output   2  2
Max. bitrate [Mb/s] 2x31.66 2x31.66 2x31.66 4x31.66 8x31.66
CI slot FTA FTA 2xCI FTA FTA

2xDVB-T/T2/C - 2xCOFDM TTX-420 R81616 transmodulator is used for reception of DVB-T/T2/C signals, some corrections of TS parameters (regeneration, filtering etc.) and retransmission of them in COFDM format in selected channel in VHF/UHF frequency range. It allows for distribution of digital TV channels in situations when the signal received by the antenna cannot be directly amplified or converted to a different frequency due to high BER and low MER levels. The output DVB-T COFDM multiplex with MER above 35 dB can be distributed to multiple users even within very large networks.
The modules: TDX-441 R81614, TDX-420 R81618, TDX-420C R81619 and TDX-481 R81621 are used to convert a DVB-S/S2 (8PSK/QPSK) to a DVB-T (COFDM) signal. The TDX-420C R81619 enables the reception of both unencrypted and encrypted channels when equipped with decoder cards and CAM CI modules. A single panel receives a signal from two transponders (a dozen or so channels) and then creates two adjacent DVB-T multiplexes, enabling distribution to 2–3 HD services with a maximum bandwidth of 31.66 Mbit/s for each of the two multiplexes. If the threshold is exceeded, the signal can be fed to additional TDX-420C R81619 modules. Transmodulators: TDX-441 R81614, TDX-420 R81618 and TDX-481 R81621 enable the conversion of the satellite signal to the DVB-T COFDM standard for FTA channels (no slots for CAM CI modules). The table above shows the number of input and output signals for each panel.

The advantages of fibre-optic cabling in communal TV/SAT installations.

The use of fibre optics in television installations is becoming increasingly popular. This is due to a number of factors, including:
  • Possibility of transmitting TV signals over long distances without regeneration (it may depend on the network topology and devices used). The signals can be transmitted over distances of hundreds of meters or even tens of kilometers. A large size of a building or a housing development is not a problem for easy implementation of the system, in contrast with traditional RF technology. SMATV systems based on copper cables can be difficult for implementation when the distances between active devices exceed 100 meters. The application of additional RF amplifiers means additional costs, both at the implementation and operation stage.
  • Complete immunity to ground loops, surges and spikes – this often overlooked fact may be in many situations the most important one. SMATV systems, due to antennas located on roofs of buildings are particularly vulnerable to surges resulting from lightning. Despite proper grounding of all system components, some of the equipment of traditional SMATV systems can be irreversibly damaged. Notably, overvoltages can destroy not only the SMATV equipment, but in extreme cases also some consumer devices, such as satellite receivers or televisions. In contrast, fiber optic cable is a perfect insulator. This means that all the surges induced in antennas installed on a roof will not cross the optical transmitter - all other components of the system as well as subscribers' devices are fully protected.
  • Complete immunity to electromagnetic interference – fiber-optic cables can be without any risk of interference installed together with copper cabling, including AC power lines.
  • Space-saving in installation shafts – one fiber-optic cable with diameter 2–3 mm transmits the same signals as a typical 9-cable multiswitch bus consisting of coaxial cables with 7 mm diameter.
  • Lower cost of cabling – the cost of installing fiber-optic cable instead of a bus composed of 9 coaxial cables can be several or even ten times lower. It is both the result of a competitive price of the optical cable compared with a good quality coaxial cable and the reduction of the number of the cables to the single one.
A single small-diameter fibre optic cable can successfully replace nine coaxial cables.

Powering the switch and cameras without access to power – "Powered Device" function.

The ULTIPOWER 352SFP N299707 PoE switch has a PD (Powered Device) function which allows it to be powered by connecting to another PoE switch. This function is particularly handy when only one twisted-pair cable is connected to the switch installation site (and the cameras, if installed in the same place, e.g. on a pole).
Moreover, the switch has the following functions:
  • Extend function that enables powering devices connected with twisted pair with a length of up to 250 m,
  • PoE Auto Check automatically performs current restart of the connected device in the event of hanging. (NOTE! Turn this function off when updating the software of the connected devices.)

New products:

Hikvision IP Dome Camera DS-2CD1167G3-LIU (6 MPix, 2.8 mm, 0.0005 lx, hybrid illumination up to 30 m, Audio, ColorVu3.0, MD3.0, IK08)
Hikvision DS-2CD1167G3-LIU IP Dome Camera (6 MPix, 2.8 mm, 0.0005 lux, hybr. ill. up to 30 m, Audio, ColorVu3.0, MD3.0, IK08) K00214 is equipped with hybrid illuminator, ColorVu 3.0 technology and motion detection 3.0. The EasyIP Lite Series cameras have the basic, most commonly used functions and are therefore the ideal solution for most installations where stable and trouble-free operation is required. Thanks to ColorVu 3.0 technology, the camera can record images at night in colour mode while retaining important identification details. Motion detection 3.0, eliminates false alarms by filtering out human/vehicle objects. The camera has a 1/2.4" CMOS sensor with a resolution of 6 Mpix and a hybrid illuminator with a range of up to 30 m, ensuring correct visibility in the absence of light.

Surface-mounted protective canopy DS-KABV6114-RS for Hikvision KV6114/6124 series door stations
DS-KABV6114-RS surface-mounted protective cover for KV6114/6124 series G74387 is designed for surface-mounted installation of the Villa IP door station from the KV6114/6124 series. It protects the door station from the effects of weather conditions such as rain or snow.


Worth reading:

How does the LR150 function work in ATTE switches? In situations where the distance between signal distribution points exceeds the standard 100 m, and it is necessary to connect multiple devices on a single line, traditional solutions require the use of an additional local power supply or the re-engineering of the network infrastructure...>>>more
Fiber optic system for cameras installed on poles.
SIGNAL CCTV BOX
surprisingly spacious