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No.27/2016 (Sept. 5, 2016)
Highly autonomous vehicles as early as in 2021?
The Ford Motor Company announced that they would have launched highly autonomous cars, without even a steering wheel and pedals, by 2021. The cars will be at level 4 (High Automation) according to the SAE International Levels of Driving Automation for On-road Vehicles (the highest level is 5, Full Automation). This means that they will be autonomous, but only in limited driving modes (e.g. motorway, country road) in fully mapped and analyzed areas. Initially, Ford will introduce such cars for companies providing transport or rental services. The next step will be an offer for individual customers.
Ford is not a pioneer in the production of self-driving vehicles. There are companies that have more experience in this area - e.g. Google and Tesla. But these companies are lagging behind when it comes to the level of automation - at any moment the driver can take control of the car. Ford is the first company that has declared so advanced autonomy of their cars and has given the dates of mass production - in 2016 the number of the autonomous cars is expected to double, and in 2017 to triple. An equally significant increase is expected in the number of people involved in the development of this project. Additionally, the project is supported by billions in investments in young technology companies. Ford knocked on the door of Velodyne (manufacturer of equipment for scanning environments in 3D - LiDAR), SAIPS (image and video processing algorithms, artificial intelligence), Nirenberg Neuroscience (navigation algorithms, recognition of objects and people), and Civil Maps (3D high resolution maps).
Velodyne LiDAR - light detection and ranging sensor, used to create high resolution 3D digital images used for mapping, localization, object identification and collision avoidance
Mark Fields, the CEO of Ford, compares the creation of autonomous vehicles with the groundbreaking event of the first moving assembly line. The company does not intend to produce conditionally automated vehicles due to the possible danger when using them. With such a system, the driver loses concentration and deals with matters unrelated to driving. Encountering a traffic problem, it is possible that neither the driver nor the "conditional automation" car will properly respond to the situation. The Ford's solution should eliminate such a risk. But will the prospective users really entrust their health and life to computers...?
Signal camera with MOTOZOOM lens.
DIPOL has introduced new Signal IP camera K1878 with 2 MP (1920x1080) image resolution, equipped with 2.8 - 12 mm motozoom lens. The camera has IR illuminator with range up to 40 meters and can be powered traditionally with 12 VDC or via PoE.The use of motozoom lens allows the user to remotely change the angle view of the camera and automatically (with Auto Focus function) or manually adjust the sharpness of the image. The adjustments can be done after logging in to the camera via a web browser, directly from the camera menu, or via the connected NVR. The use of the camera with the lens greatly simplifies the installation process and allows for future remote adjustment or change of image parameters without the need to visit the site. The users of the system can on their own change the viewing angle and adjust the focus of the image, depending on their needs.
The zoom and focus adjustment window of the K1878 camera
New generation of HD analog video surveillance equipment.
HD-TVI systems enable users to transmit analog HD video via coaxial or twisted pair cables (in the latter case with the use of suitable baluns). The latest 3.0 version of this standard extends the maximum image resolution to 3 MP (with a quick perspective of 5 MP). As in any analog system, the video is not compressed up to the moment of recording, so the live images are more natural and without any delays, as opposed to those from IP cameras.
Key features of HD-TVI 3.0 systems:
- maximum image resolution and frame rate: 3.0 MP at 15 fps
- compatibility with AHD cameras
- greater transmission range (800 m for 1080p and RG-59 cable)
- efficient compression (recording): H.264+ (lower bit rates minimizing disk space consumption)
- increased bit rate for a selected channel:
- 6 Mbps in the case of DVRs supporting cameras up to 1080p
- 10 Mbps in the case of DVRs supporting cameras up to 3 MP
- HDTVI 3.0 DVRs have the following video outputs:
- CVBS - for connecting devices using TV standard
- HDMI - supporting resolutions up to 4K*
- VGA - supporting resolutions up to 2K*
- all varifocal lens of HDTVI 3.0 cameras are of motozoom type
Designing SMATV systems with SatNet - 100% compliance with the actual implementation.
The implementation of bus topology with the use of multiswitches can provide the most flexible solutions for SMATV systems. TERRA manufactures a complete range of multiswitches, amplifiers, splitters and taps. Each of the devices is available in several versions, allowing designers to create small, medium and large SMATV systems. TERRA also provides designers/installers with a powerful design tool. SatNet 3.5.3 is advanced and easy to use computer software. The designer and installer get guarantee that the project will be compliant with the technical requirements for this type of antenna installations and each user of the SMATV system will receive high quality signals. An example of an SMATV system designed with the use of the free SatNet 3.5.3 software is shown below.
A SMATV system based on MV-9XXL multiswitches. The 9-cable bus runs from the master antenna array on the roof of the building to the SA-911 amplifier and then is split into two staircases and led downwards. On each floor there are installation boxes with multiswitches for distribution of the signals to outlets located on the floor.
All TERRA products are designed and manufactured in Europe by experienced professionals. The production process takes into account rigorous quality control and testing prior to sale. The components used in the production come from reliable suppliers. Thanks to this attitude, antenna installations built with the use of TERRA equipment are free from problems such as failures of power supplies, signal dropouts, or even the lack of some TV channels.
Low-cost remote control of home appliances.
F&Wave is an easy to install and use system of wireless control of home appliances. The system allows for remote control of lighting including dimming option, lowering/raising roller blinds, shutters etc., opening/closing gates and garage doors, and control of many other electrical appliances. The appliances can be managed with the use of handheld and/or additionally installed wireless controls, just by the existing electrical switches combined with the system.
The system has been designed for customers who want to increase the comforts of their homes, efficiently and for a low cost. Simple installation and configuration of the system is even within the range of experienced "do-it-yourself" users who know the safety rules required for any work within home AC power network (you do it on your sole responsibility, the best choice is to commission the job to a qualified electrician).
Components of the F&Wave system:
Components of the F&Wave system:
- Single Bistable Relay F3211, and its DIN-rail version F3212
- Double Bistable Relay F3221, and its DIN-rail version F3222
- Roller Blind Controller F3521, and its DIN-rail version F3522
- Wireless Dimmer F3311, and its DIN-rail version F3312
- 2-channel Wireless LED Controller F3421, and its DIN-rail version F3422
- 10-button Remote Control F3110
- 4-button Remote Control F3104
- 5-button Remote Control F3105 (for Ø60 box)
Applications of F&Wave system
More on the system: F&Wave system - remote control of home appliances
Full information on the installation - reflectometry measurements.
Recently DIPOL has introduced optical time-domain reflectometer GRANDWAY FHO3000-D26 L5828. The device offers functionality similar to that of much more expensive devices of this category. The dynamic range of the L5828 model (26 dB at 1310 nm and 24 dB at 1550 nm) is suitable for measurements of single-mode optical links even with lengths of hundred or so kilometers, but the device is also very useful for testing FTTH systems.The use of a reflectometer by the installer is associated with a number of advantages and opportunities not available in the case of transmission method (light source and power meter):
- testing of optical fibers on reels before costly and time-consuming installation - to verify the continuity, attenuation, bends etc.
- exact location of problems in optical paths (bad splices, excessive bendings or loops, defective connectors)
- verifying the quality of connectors used in the installation (reflectance, attenuation)
- measuring of the parameters of a selected section of a link (using markers on the screen) with the attenuation and reflectance values of individual "events" - the installer gets exact information on excessive attenuation in the link caused e.g. by a concrete splice/connector, which is not available in the case of using a light source and optical power meter
- macrobend detection and location - the installer knows where the optical cable has been laid improperly
Time-domain optical reflectometry measurements are usually performed in long fiber optic links. However, such measurements are also useful in building installations in order to verify if the total attenuation of any link does not exceed the maximum allowed value (e.g. 1.2 dB in Poland).
An example of visualization of a splice in the OTDR Viewer. The splice is located in the 3015 meter of the optical path. The reflectometer gives the attenuation of the event (in the case of the low quality splice the attenuation is 0.47 dB), as well as provides the attenuation of the section between the 2775 m and 3285 m (0.6 dB).
 | VGA Extender Signal HD (VGA to IP) H3618 allows for connecting a monitor or television with VGA input to a remote (up to 100 m) source of signal with VGA output. The video signal that can have resolution up to 1920x1080@60Hz is converted into IP stream and transmitted via cat. 5e or cat. 6 twisted pair cable. The set includes transmitter, receiver and 2 power supplies. | |
 | Antenna Triplexer ZA-204Ms C0342 is used for combining signals from three antennas: FM (87-110 MHz), VHF (174-230 MHz) and UHF (471-790 MHz), and is installed on the same mast that carries the antenna set. The construction of the casing prevents rain water from getting to the inside of the device. A convenient and simple installation with the included plastic tie. | |
 | Antenna Amplifier APL-102 B4003 is designed for amplification of low FM/DAB+/DVB-T signals broadcast within 87-230 MHz range. The device is suitable for outdoor use. The B4003 amplifier has input and output impedance of 75 ohm, which means that antennas with 300 ohm impedance have to be equipped with a matching transformer e.g. C0001. | |
Worth reading
The use of UTP cable for transmission of video from HD-TVI cameras. The recommended transmission medium in HD-TVI systems is the coaxial cable. RG-59, the most popular cable used in CCTV, can transmit HD-TVI video over distances up to 300 m, keeping fine detail in the image. Cables with larger diameter of the central conductor ensure longer ranges (e.g.. Triset-113 E1015 - over 500 m), however they cost more and are more difficult to install. The application of a UTP/FTP cable instead of coaxial cables has important advantages... >>>more
The example of an HD-TVI video balun is Etrix M16654. In the case of a UTP/FTP cat. 5 cable,
the transmission line can reach 170 meters (signals from HD-TVI, HDCVI, AHD cameras)
or 400 meters (signals from CVBS cameras).
the transmission line can reach 170 meters (signals from HD-TVI, HDCVI, AHD cameras)
or 400 meters (signals from CVBS cameras).
Net9 - new series of TERRA multiswitches
