Components & Connectors

Mini media converter is robust for security and transport applications

Tue, Apr 09, 2019

Mini media converters connect field-based equipment to Ethernet networks over long distances via fibre. The small form factor of the 9HMEC mini media converters mean they are small enough to be installed in the confined spaces provided by camera poles and street cabinets, and tough enough to operate in temperatures ranging from -40 to 70 degrees C, says AMG Systems.

The converters are rugged enough to withstand security and transport camera and device installations. They provide a 100Mbits per second or Gigabit Ethernet uplink across fibre via the SFP port, providing a hardened means of converting IP signals for transport over long distances across all types of fibre cabling. It is also cost-effective, says AMG.

Target applications are CCTV system is used for security applications, where it is essential that the video signal delivery. Another use is transport applications, which use monitoring cameras and critical signage.

The Mini media converters are DIN rail-mountable, so can be quickly installed and removed for maintenance. They are non-programmable so there is no need for any user configuration or computer-based set-up.

The converters offer an optional link fault forwarding (LFF) feature, which allows a pair of media converters to share their link status. Any associated subsequent copper or fibre link failure will result in both linked media converters disabling the copper links, ensuring that attached networking devices recognise the Link Fail status and thus do not forward data into what would otherwise be a data cul-de-sac.

AMG is a UK manufacturer, providing environmentally robust fibre, analogue, IP/Ethernet, wireless and hybrid communication transmission products. It can design and build a bespoke transmission system for a highly specialist application or manufacturing a complete range of ruggedised and hardened industrial Ethernet switches for the CCTV industry.

This news story is brought to you by softei.com, the specialist site dedicated to delivering information about what’s new in the electronics industry, with daily news updates, new products and industry news.

To stay up-to-date, register to receive our weekly newsletters and keep informed of the latest technology news and new products from around the globe. Simply click this link to register here:  softei.com

http://www.amgsystems.com

> Read More

Integrated RF modules create 6LoWPAN sub-GHz mesh

Fri, Apr 05, 2019

A wireless IP mesh based on fully integrated RF modules has been created by Radiocrafts.

A new family of RF modules form a complete wireless IP mesh for long range IoT access. The RIIM (Radiocrafts Industrial IP Mesh) uses 6LoWPAN, a lightweight version of IPv6.  This allows the user to access each sensor and controller from the internet using IP addressing. The radio protocol uses IEEE 802.15.4 g/e providing bi-directional communications with short transmission pulses that enables dense networks with high reliability and very low power consumption.

RIMM will enable customers to get to market quickly, based on Radiocrafts’ compact RF module as the foundation, simple set-up and a novel way to interface any sensor or actuator, the Intelligent C-programmable I/O (CIO). Customers can create complex applications managing and interfacing sensors and actuators in less than 100 lines of C-code, removing the need for an external microcontroller in the devices, advises Radiocrafts.

A complete RIIoT network includes sensor nodes based on the RC1882CEF-IPM module. The module can be configured as any of the required network nodes, a border router, a mesh router or a leaf node.

The Wireless IP Mesh does not require any license or subscription, and is very low power.

It operates at 868 or 915MHz frequency and is based on a mesh network topology, using IPv6 to address each leaf node. It can support several hundred nodes in a network, reveals Radiocrafts, yet has very low power consumption; it offers a five-year lifetime on a 2000mAh coin cell battery.

The universal sensor/actuator ICI interface means that no external microcontroller is required.

The network range is up to 20km and up to 29 mesh hops can be supported.

Ethernet access to the RIIM network is via the Radiocrafts border router. The network is cloud-compatible via the CBOR protocol.

http://www.radiocrafts.com

> Read More

Automatic direction-finding antenna pinpoints rogue transmissions

Tue, Mar 05, 2019

Now available from Link Microtek is an automatic direction-finding (DF) antenna that allows the source of unauthorised or interfering transmissions to be located rapidly and accurately, even in urban areas where signal reflections can make this a challenging task.

Recent drone activity at Gatwick and Heathrow airports has served to highlight the disruption that can be caused when illicit transmissions continue unchecked, and the new ADFA 1 antenna could be used as part of a solution to help security and communications professionals deal with such situations as quickly as possible.

The device is also suits telecommunication or defence applications.

Manufactured by Narda Safety Test Solutions, the ADFA 1 antenna covers the frequency range 200MHz to 2.7GHz and is designed for use with the company’s SignalShark portable real-time spectrum analyser.

There is no need for a laptop computer. By means of a strong magnetic mount, the antenna can be attached to the roof of any normal vehicle to enable a series of random bearings to be taken in the suspected area.

Each bearing cycle achieves a typical accuracy of 1 degree and takes 1.2 milliseconds, thereby ensuring reliable measurements even for pulsed signals or transmissions of very short duration.

The results can be displayed by SignalShark numerically or with live visualisation of the transmitter location in the form of a heat map. In addition, the ADFA 1 determines the elevation angle of the signal bearing, allowing the location of the source to be narrowed down to an individual floor level.

Users of the new antenna can also observe the broadband spectrum at the same time as determining the signal bearing, which enables them to continue tracking a source that suddenly changes channel.

At the heart of the ADFA 1 is an array of nine antenna elements around an omnidirectional reference element, optimally arranged to achieve reliable measurement results.

The antenna works on the principle of measuring the phase difference between the nine elements and the central reference.

As well as the vehicle mounting kit, there is an optional tripod with quick-release coupling and level indicators, which allows easy set-up of the antenna for DF measurements to trace interference from a semi-fixed location, as is commonly required in military applications.

Housed in a radome measuring 480 (D) x 219 (H) mm, the ADFA 1 antenna weighs 5.6kg and is sealed to IP55 standard to prevent the ingress of moisture and dust.

It has an operating temperature range of -40 to +65 degrees C and when mounted on a vehicle roof can withstand wind speeds of up to 130km/h.

http://www.linkmicrotek.com

> Read More

CUI includes digital and analogue MEMS microphones for portable devices

Wed, Jan 09, 2019

MEMS microphones from CUI are designed for portable devices. The CMM series has been added to CUI’s Audio Product group. They are compact, with a low profile and measure just 2.75 x 1.85 x 0.95mm.

The reflow solder compatible components can be used where surface mount assembly is required, such as audio recording and voice capture in smart phones, tablets, smart home devices and wearables.

The MEMS microphones are omni-directional and available in analogue or digital pulse density modulation (PDM) output types with top or bottom port locations. Offering round or rectangular form factors, the CMM series models carry sensitivity ratings from -44 up to -26dB and signal to noise ratios from 57 up to 65dBA. The MEMS microphones are also claimed to deliver reduced vibration sensitivity, low current draw down to 80 microA, and operating temperature ranges from -40 up to +105 degrees C. Sensitivity tolerances are as low as ±1.0dB, making the CMM series particularly suitable for performing functions such as beam forming and noise cancellation.

The inner chamber construction provides a stable performance, claims CUI, and protects the silicon-based microphones against moisture and dust.

The CMM series is available immediately.

https://www.cui.com

> Read More

About Smart Cities

This news story is brought to you by smartcitieselectronics.com, the specialist site dedicated to delivering information about what’s new in the Smart City Electronics industry, with daily news updates, new products and industry news. To stay up-to-date, register to receive our weekly newsletters and keep yourself informed on the latest technology news and new products from around the globe. Simply click this link to register here: Smart Cities Registration