DIPOL for education - SMATV and CCTV systems

This article is dedicated to teachers and students of technical schools with electronics courses. It contains a set of materials that can be used in the implementation of a training program for SMATV and CCTV technologies.

The article has been divided into three parts:

Part 1Proposals for school laboratories
Presentation of specific hardware solutions allowing for the examination of the necessary knowledge and skills for future installers.

Part 2Designing SMATV systems with SatNet - an application for technical schools
We propose the use of the software in schools for teaching how to design multiswitch systems being a popular SMATV solution in multi-family buildings.

Part 3A knowledge base
Links to articles on telecommunication installations (updated on a continuous basis).

The figures below show the proposed solutions for laboratory workstations focused on the key issues related to installing TV, SAT TV and CCTV systems. We took into account possibly low cost of the equipment, but with the ability to practice and verify key installation issues. Each of the schemes is provided with a list of problems that should be solved by every installer. The answers to most of the questions can be found in the Knowledge Base listed at the end of the article. There is, of course, the possibility of combining the solutions, as well as enriching them with additional verification elements testing in a very detailed manner the knowledge of future installers. If you have any questions - please contact us - we are ready to assist in the development of other or more complex solutions. We will use our expertise to solve any problems in this field.

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The system enables access to full package of TV signals on up to seven laboratory workstations (stands) that can be used for exercise and examination purposes. When needed, the number of workstations shown in the diagram can be easily reduced or increased. The master antenna includes: A9646 satellite dish with a diameter of 115 cm with two A98266 quatro LNBs, A9658 satellite dish with a diameter of 110 cm and two A98253 quad LNBs, and UHF antenna for reception of DVB-T broadcasts. The outdoor cabling is made of TRISET-113 PE E1017 coaxial cable, the indoor network uses TRISET-113 PVC E1015 cable. The first part of the satellite path (with the A9646 dish) provides each stand with signals from two satellites, with division into different polarizations and bands. The signals from the quarto LNBs enter the Terra SA-91L R70901 amplifier and then are distributed to the stands with the use of SD-xx taps. At any stand the user can connect a multiswitch (e.g. MV-908 R70858).

The second part of the satellite installation (with A9658 dish) provides signals to the first four stands, also from two satellites, but only via single cables (full band and both polarizations). It uses A98253 quad LNBs and R852510 DiSEqC switches. For a greater number of stands, it would be necessary to use an octo LNB (8 outputs - e.g. A98258) or employ a multiswitch.

The third part of the system supplies all stands with signals of digital terrestrial television (DVB-T). The signals from the A2670 antenna are distributed to each stand via the Signal R-8 R60108 8-way splitter. The unused output of the splitter is closed by the R66200 terminating resistor. Depending on the signal levels in the area and the length of the cables, the terrestrial path may require the application of an TV amplifier, which can also be a part of the training.

Fig. 1 - Reception of DVB-T broadcasts - the influence of amplifiers and passive components on the level and quality of digital signals

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Figure 1 shows a typical antenna receiving system for terrestrial digital television (DVB-T). The Dipol TriDigit A2670 antenna is connected via Triset-113 PE E1017 cable for outdoor applications with Signal R694130 terminal outlet. The optional components include the Terra HS-013 R82010 subscriber amplifier and Signal R-4 R60104 splitter. The output signals are measured with the R10837 meter connected to the subscriber outlet with Triset-113 E1015 cable.

Fig. 2 - Reception of DVB-T broadcasts - setup and testing of channel amplifiers

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Channel amplifiers are currently the basic components of the majority of (S)MATV systems. It is highly important for each installer to know the operation principle and advantages compared with broadband amplifiers. The installation shown in Fig. 2 is based on popular channel amplifier Telmor WWK-951 R89861.

Fig. 3 - Individual reception of SAT TV

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Figure 3 presents a basic installation for individual reception of satellites broadcasts with two single SAT receivers or one twin tuner PVR receiver. The receiving set consists of 80 cm Triax TD 80 A9642 dish and Monoblock TWIN LNB A98254 allowing for reception broadcasts from two satellite positions, Hotbird 13.0E and Astra 19.2E. The LNB is connected with the Signal R694100 outlet via the Triset-113 PE E1017 cable. The output signals are measured with the Signal R10837 meter.

Fig. 4 - Basic SMATV system

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Figure 4 shows a multiswitch system distributing DVB-T channels and satellite broadcasts from two satellite positions to four subscriber outlets. The SAT receiving set consists of 100 cm Triax 100 TD A9644 dish and two quatro LNBs A98257, connected with eight Triset-113 PE cables with Signal MRP-908 R68908 multiswitch. The combined satellite and terrestrial signals (the former from the A2670 DVB-T antenna) are available in the subscriber outlets. The ability to make such a system and the knowledge of the principles of its operation will allow for the implementation of advanced television systems in detached houses, as well as the basis for the design and implementation of larger multiswitch systems in multi-dwelling units.

Fig. 5 - Analog CCTV system with 4 cameras

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Figure 5 presents the diagram of a simple video surveillance system, with one DVR and four analog security cameras. The M75274,
M75362 ceiling cameras and M75692, M75761 compact cameras are connected to the popular 4-channel DVR Hikvision M75605, with the use of typical CCTV cable Camset/YAR M5995. The cable transmits the baseband video signals (via its RG59 component) and supplies power to cameras (via two 0.5 mm power wires). The power is distributed from the M1825 power supply unit via power supply distributor M1802. Good practice requires protection of low-current systems against overvoltages. This function is performed by the Video Surge Protector HDO-1F PRO (BNC) M17011. It is worth mentioning that modern CCTV DVRs make use of smartphones. The users can remotely configure the DVRs and view images from the cameras.

Fig. 6 - Multipurpose SMATV system with security cameras (DVB-T+SAT+CCTV)

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The system shown in Fig. 6 allows for the reception and distribution of terrestrial TV (DVB-T) and SAT broadcasts from two satellites to 8 subscriber outlets. Additionally, the system integrates video surveillance functionality that has been implemented with the use of TV modulators and analog CCTV cameras. The students can test the application of analog modulator Terra MT-41 R871741 and digital DVB-T encoder-modulator R86702, which are connected to CVBS outputs of the HD-TVI cameras.

Fig. 7 - The network equipment for an office, placed in a RACK cabinet

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The figure 7 shows the network equipment placed in a RACK cabinet, used for the deployment of a wired computer network for 24 hosts. The main router of the network is e.g. the TP-LINK TL-WR841N N3250 (with optional Wi-Fi connectivity), or more advanced RouterBoard RB2011UAS-RM N242011. The physical connections with the computers are made via the R9120319 patch panel. The entire network uses Gigabit Ethernet 1000BASE-T standard.

Equipment and accessories:

1. Fusion splicer Signal Fire AI-8 L5870 (with universal stripper and cleaver)
2. Universal fiber optic stripper (250/900um) L5905
3. Scissors for cutting Kevlar(R) L5904
4. Fiber stripper for flat cables L5906
5. Dust-free Kim-Wipes 280 pcs. L5913
6. IPA solvent cleaner L5915
7. Heat-shrinkable protective tube L5554 (200 pcs.)
8. Fiber scraps trash can L5918
9. Rotational stripper Ideal (3-5.5 mm)

Single-mode cable L7104 (4x G.657A2 fibers)
Multimode cable L73008 (8x multimode fiber)

Exercise description:

• pulling out the respective lengths of fibers
• preparation of fiber ends (stripping, cleaning, cleaving)
• fiber splicing
• protection with heat-shrinkable sleeves

Equipment and accessories:

1. Fusion splicer Signal Fire AI-8 L5870 (with universal stripper and cleaver)
2. Universal fiber optic stripper (250/900um) L5905
3. Scissors for cutting Kevlar(R) L5904
4. Fiber stripper for flat cables L5906
5. Dust-free Kim-Wipes 280 pcs. L5913
6. IPA solvent cleaner L5915
7. Heat-shrinkable protective tube L5554 (200 pcs.)
8. Fiber scraps trash can L5918
9. RACK cabinet 6U R912018
10. Fiber optic box L5124 (with tray for 24 splices), front panel L5541
11. SC/PC L4211 adapter (24 pcs.)
12. SC/PC simplex pigtail (1 meter) L3551 (100 pcs.)
13. Cable tie E951032 (100 pcs.)
14. Rotational stripper Ideal (3-5.5 mm)

Single-mode cable L7104 (4x G.657A2 fibers)
Multimode cable L73008 (8x multimode fiber)
Single-mode cable L76012 (12x single-mode fiber)

Exercise description:

• preparing the cable end
• inserting the cable to the box
• preparation of fiber ends (stripping, cleaning, cleaving)
• splicing the fibers with pigtails
• protection of the splices with heat-shrinkable sleeves
• placing the spare lengths of the fibers on the tray
• plugging in the pigtails into adapters on the front panel

Equipment and accessories:

1. Fusion splicer Signal Fire AI-8 L5870 (with universal stripper and cleaver)
2. Universal fiber optic stripper (250/900um) L5905
3. Scissors for cutting Kevlar(R) L5904
4. Fiber stripper for flat cables L5906
5. Dust-free Kim-Wipes 280 pcs. L5913
6. IPA solvent cleaner L5915
7. Heat-shrinkable protective tube L5554 (200 pcs.)
8. Fiber scraps trash can L5918
9. SC/PC simplex pigtail (1 meter) L3551 (100 pcs.)
10. Ethernet media converter (set) L11525
11. 5 dB SC/APC optical attenuator L4515 (2 pcs.)
12. Rotational stripper Ideal (3-5.5 mm)

Single-mode cable L7104 (4x G.657A2 fibers)

Exercise description:

• preparing the cable end
• preparation of fiber ends (stripping, cleaning, cleaving)
• splicing the fibers with pigtails
• protection of the splices with heat-shrinkable sleeves
• plugging in the pigtails into media converters
• testing the link - Ethernet connection between any two network devices

All electronics schools can use in the teaching process a simple but very functional SatNet application, an ideal tool for designing SMATV systems. The freeware program can be installed in any school on unlimited number of computers.

SatNet software from TERRA is used to design multiswitch systems based on the equipment manufactured by the company. The program provides the design in graphical form, determines signal levels in all outlets and verifies if they are compliant with standards.
By clicking on the picture below, you can switch to the article describing in detail the functionality of the application and the components of multiswitch systems. There is a number of practical examples there, as well. Thanks to a user-friendly interface, the application can be easily controlled by novice users, at the same time providing advanced tools for professional designers and installation companies.

The SatNet app

Click on the picture below to switch to the article on the application with the SatNet downloading option.

Below there is a list of articles on TV/SAT and CCTV systems, concerning both theoretical and practical issues. We strive to create articles that are always up to date. DIPOL Library contains this set and many other items.

All interested schools should contact the person responsible for the "DIPOL for education..." project at this email address, or the following phone number: +48 12 686 02 11 ext. 38 (landline). You can benefit from our experience and purchase the necessary equipment.