AV Magazine Article

Just a quick note; I have an article in AV Magazine, Issue 21:

http://www.av.net.au/

http://www.av.net.au/contents/issue_21/soh_network.pdf

Since it relates to a lot of the things covered in this blog I thought I should post it.

Have a good one!

1.5 Mile Wireless connection

Just saw this pop up on Engadget. Wireless repeaters that go for 1.5 miles (2.4km).

I'm thinking large stadia or live sites where you'd need to move a bunch of signals around but it would be impractical to run Cat5 across the ground, or events like the Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks where there are barges spread out across the harbour...

Press-release and first thoughts:
http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/24/amped-wireless-gives-your-wifi-1-5-mile-range-never-lose-signal/

Company Signal:
http://www.ampedwireless.com/

Interesting Enagadget article on Whitespace

http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/16/fcc-to-test-white-space-database-at-its-own-pace/

I know that I have been hoping to drip-feed information here, but occasionally I will need to jump the gun.

For those of you that don't know about the "White Space," it is referring to the spaces in the RF Spectrum that will be left between Television Channels, leaving clear bandwidth for devices to communicate on.

This spectrum remains unlicensed, and thus manufacturers can use this space for data transfer. Wireless Microphones operate in the same space; they are designed to work in the TV channel space, but in the "gaps" between channels. Of course, the introduction of more "White Space" devices sends shivers up most Radio Mic Technician's spine, because it potentially means that a device will suddenly appear in the middle of your spectrum... when you least expect it!


The reason White Space Devices didn't work so well in the past is due to the difference between Digital and Analogue TV transmission. Analogue is much less predictable, however Digital Channels stick out like a sore thumb to even the most basic devices. So, when you turn off the Analogue stations, you make it a lot easier to make White Space Devices.

It shouldn't be confused with the Digital Dividend, which is the space at the high end (~800MHz) of the spectrum that will be "empty" (i.e. no TV channels) once the Analogue TV stations are turned off. This spectrum will be sold off, and in the US it made a hell of a lot of money.

I will go into all of these topics in much greater detail, but for those of you that are hanging on any bit of Spectrum Information, please enjoy the link.

Arts Communication Session at Integrate Sydney 2011

This week I received confirmation that my seminar session has been accepted for the 2011 Integrate show.

I will be presenting with Ben Moore from ARUP Theatres and Nich Young from the Sydney Opera House.

We will be discussing the applications of networks in Theatres and Performance spaces, as well as the advantages (and disadvantages) of a converged network.

So feel free to pop on down; 1430 at the RHI Mezzanine on Day 3 (Thursday, 1st of September 2011).

We even have a spot in the official show guide.

Look forward to seeing people there

Cisco Unveils new Wireless for Stadia etc

Just a quick one today (after my triumphant rant last week).

Cisco have just announced a new product for doing wireless networks in large areas, like stadia.

I obviously haven't covered the topic yet, however providing Wi-Fi access for an entire audience of thousands proves a lot harder than you'd expect. With the amount of access points (Wi-Fi Antennae, for want of a better word) required to support an entire audience you tend to get a lot of interference. 

I haven't tried, or even seen, Cisco's solution, but as mentioned in last week's post they are one of the world leaders in networking. If they say that it can work, then I have a fair degree of confidence that it will work.

Their press release is here:
http://www.cisco.com/web/strategy/sports/connected_stadium.html

I'll be reading this over the next couple of days, and if I determine anything I will post it here.