No. 36/2016 (Nov. 7, 2016)

End of traffic jams, as seen by Audi.

M2M systems (Machine to Machine) are very well suited for installation in vehicles and road infrastructure equipment (e.g. traffic lights). Their goal is to collect, process and exchange information without human intervention. The data is transferred between devices wirelessly and provided to the Internet (e.g. via cellular networks). With the right amount of data it will be possible to optimize the traffic, increase the road safety and comfort of users.
A visualization of wireless communication of Audi vehicles
(source: wired.co.uk)
The system proposed by Audi is based on so-called "swarm intelligence" that involves obtaining data from millions of devices that are on the road. A large amount of data will allow for a more accurate analysis of the situation and for control of the routes in an optimal way, reducing the possibility of the formation of traffic jams. The system should operate with vehicles from different manufacturers, because only a large amount of communicating devices will ensure sufficient amount of data. An important advantage will be the improvement of the road safety. The driver will be informed well in advance about various risks. The range of information will include e.g. messages on slippery spots on roads, narrow sections, free parking spaces etc. It is also assumed that in the future cars will be fully autonomous and will move in line with the recommendations of the system, driving passengers round, parking, or contacting the service station if needed.
Auto-parking
(source: wired.co.uk)

TERRA channel amplifiers in shared antenna systems.

Channel amplifiers provide the best way to strengthen DVB-T signals provided to the input of shared/SMATV antenna distribution systems. The distinguishing features of TERRA channel amplifiers include very high selectivity and automatic gain control (AGC) guarantying the required, stable level of the output signals.
In terms of selectivity, the Terra solution using SAW filters
is superior to other equipment available on the European market
The number of the amplified channel (multiplex) is selected using the buttons located on the front panel (no need for a programming device or computer). Additionally, the digitally controlled attenuators (range of 10 dB) of at420 R82510 and at440 R82511 amplifiers allow for better equalization of signal levels. The modules can be mounted directly on walls, on universal DIN rails, in TV installation boxes, or in RACK cabinets.
Terra amplifiers and modulators are also used in SMATV systems. Thanks to AGC - automatic equalization of all channel levels to 85 dBµV (analog mode) or 80 dBµV (DVB-T mode), the at420 R82510 and at440 R82511 amplifiers are ideal for feeding terrestrial TV signals to the most popular SMATV systems based on multiswitches.

Mounting RACK devices outdoors.

Enclosures with appropriate degree of protection is a prerequisite for the installation of electronic and similar equipment outside buildings. An example can be an outdoor IP video monitoring system in which all connections are located on poles and the cables converge into one place.
DIPOL has introduced waterproof 19" RACK cabinet R90632 suitable for protection of various devices in places outside buildings. The corrosion-resistant cabinet is entirely made of aluminum. These features and low weight (approx. 10 kg) make it an attractive alternative to steel cabinets. The cabinet is ideal for installation on poles (with R90639A mount) and in other "difficult" places. The door is protected with a rubber seal and water-tight lock with bolts locking it on the left and right side.
The cabinet has 12 mounting holes (to a wall, originally plugged). In the lower part of the cabinet there are 6 holes with 23 mm diameter. Four of them are plugged, the other two should be fitted with the included cable fittings. Rack rails with runners inside the cabinet allow for easy installation of equipment. The distance from the rack rails to the bottom is 54 cm, and to the top 20 cm, which allows free access to the equipment and safeness of operations with delicate components such as fiber-optic patch cords.
Waterproof 19
Waterproof 19" RACK Cabinet SH-750/600/300 R90632

EasySplicer - vertical positioning of fibers - OFFSET.

Even microscopic contamination of V-grooves in which optical fibers are laid in the welding process changes the position of the fibers. If the offset exceeds 20 microns (which, based on the camera image, is confirmed by the splicer firmware), the splicer will not perform the welding process. To prevent such situations, the user should prophylactically clean the V-grooves in the following manner:
  • 1. Place the cleft and cleaned fiber ends in the holders, an position the fibers as if for splicing.
  • 2. Manually move the handles backwards and forwards within the range of the V-grooves. Any loose dirt existing in the roofs should settle at the fiber ends and be visible on the screen. If needed, the Operation can be repeated with another pair of fiber ends.
  • 3. If after the cleaning operations the OFFSET is still too high, this may mean that some dirt adheres firmly to a V-groove. Then it is necessary to clean the V-grooves with a razor blade (or carpet knife) wetted with isopropyl alcohol. The blade should be pressed against each V-groove and moved left and right. This must be done under several angles in order to make sure that the V-grooves are clear. There is no risk of damaging the V-grooves. After the cleaning with the blade, it is recommended to repeat the operations with fibers to collect the dirt debris.
On the left - OFFSET problem caused by dirty V-grooves. On the right - the effects of the cleaning of V-grooves - the dirt on the end of the fiber on the right side.
Sometimes such contamination can be burned out by a small electric arc before the welding process, but the procedures described above are much more reliable. Also, it is recommended to cut off the fiber segments used for cleaning and perform the splice operation from the beginning.

Positioning of a camera for license plate recognition (LPR).

For maximum effectiveness of license plate recognition, a camera supporting this functionality, e.g. DS-2CD4A25FWD-IZS (2.8-12 mm) K17891 or DS-2CD4A25FWD-IZS (8-32 mm) K17892, should be installed in a suitable manner, so that the images of the plates on cars are appropriately captured. Depending on the manufacturer, the LPR functionality may be also named ALPR (Automatic License Plate Recognition) or ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition). There can be differences in requirements for placing the cameras and the required numbers of pixels.
Before choosing the installation place, the user should consider some guidelines that must be met, such as the right viewing angle of the camera, the distance at which the camera should be mounted to the site of detection, and the corresponding size of the license plate in the image. Here are some common installation requirements for Hikvision cameras dedicated for license plate recognition.
  • The width of the image of license plate should be within 130 - 300 pixels (optimum: 150-200 pixels)
  • Maximum vertical viewing angle: 30°
  • Maximum horizontal viewing angle: 30°
  • The angle difference between the horizontal edge of the image and the horizontal edge of the plate (tilt) should not exceed +/-5°
Diagram illustrating the positioning of an LPR camera in the vertical plane: X- height of the camera mounting location, Y - the horizontal distance between the mounting location and detection point (measured on the ground), Z - the distance from the camera to the detection point.

Which UPS to choose?

When choosing an uninterruptible power supply, it is important to take into account the output voltage waveform. Depending on the kind of a UPS, the waveform may be rectangular, simulated (approximated) sine wave, or pure sine wave. The waveform of the output voltage is important for the powered devices.
The waveforms of the output voltage generated by UPSes:
red - pure sine wave, blue - simulated sine wave, violet - square wave
Most devices can be powered by UPSes generating simulated sine wave like CyberPower DX850E N9720. Some devices (especially consuming higher power) are equipped with active PFC circuits which aim to improve the power factor. Such devices require the use of UPSes with pure sine wave, such as the CyberPower CP900EPFCLCD N9724.
An important feature of UPSes is AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulation). Its job is to lower (trim) or increase (boost) the AC line voltage. When, for example, the line voltage is too low, a UPS with AVR does not switches to battery mode, but it increases the output voltage to the rated value (in Europe to 230 VAC).

New products

Single-mode Pigtail PG-54S (FC, 1m G.652D)
Single-mode Pigtail PG-54S L3554 is a section of single-mode fiber optic cable with a length of 1 meter, terminated on one end with FC connector.
HD-TVI TURBO HD Camera Hikvision DS-2CE56D0T-IT3 (ceiling, 1080p, 3.6 mm, 0.01 lx, IR up 40m)
HD-TVI TURBO HD Camera Hikvision DS-2CE56D0T-IT3 M7522 has been designed for use in CCTV systems based on HD-TVI DVRs. The camera provides 1080p video. With high sensitivity (0.01 lx) and built-in IR illuminator with range up to 40 m, the camera ensures high quality image in low light or even no-light conditions.
Junction Box DS-1280ZJ-M (for Hikvision dome/ceiling cameras)
Junction Box DS-1280ZJ-M M57191 is designed for mounting dome/ceiling HIKVISION cameras. The box is made of metal and can hold video transformers/baluns, connections etc.

News

October 25, 2016 - a new subject of trainings for CCTV installers. The first training was titled "Signal transmission in CCTV systems: selection of transmission medium, network topology, choice of devices". The practical training gathered 23 participants. The starting point for numerous discussions was the range of issues often encountered by installers. High involvement of the participants confirmed our belief that courses on the subject are really needed. The courses will be continued in subsequent training sessions.

Worth reading

Fiber optic transmission windows. The transmission of data via optical fibers is usually performed in one (or more) "telecom windows" selected from the three (or sometimes even five) wavelength bands that are the most favorable for this purpose. The windows have been selected based on the characteristics of signal attenuation in the transmission medium... >>>more
The selection of transmission windows has been based on the characteristics of signal attenuation
in the transmission medium caused by the waveguide, absorption, and Rayleigh scattering losses
New Terra multiswitches. Four-year warranty now!