Will the new FeRAMs eliminate the need for processors?

Researchers at East China Normal University have unveiled a breakthrough RAM capable of performing differential calculations directly - without a processor. This so-called ferroelectric differential RAM (FeRAM) could revolutionise the operation of edge devices such as smartphones, autonomous vehicles and surveillance cameras.

Modern computers are based on a von Neumann architecture, where the computing unit and memory are separated from each other. This leads to the so-called 'von Neumann bottleneck' - the need to continuously transfer data between memory and processor, which generates latency and increases power consumption. The problem is particularly noticeable in tasks that require fast and complex calculations, such as image processing or motion detection.
The new solution eliminates this limitation by integrating the memory and processor functions into a single chip. Thanks to the use of ferroelectric materials such as hafnium or aluminium nitride, differentiation operations - crucial in signal analysis, among other applications - can be performed directly in memory. These materials have the unique property of changing and storing the electrical polarisation even without power. When switching ferroelectric domains, an electrical signal is generated that can serve as a direct indicator of changes in the input data.

The team of researchers has created a 40×40 passive crossbar array, consisting of 1,600 ferroelectric polymer capacitors. The array contains no transistors or other active components. The capacitors not only store data in the form of an electrical charge, but also process the differences between successive signals on an ongoing basis. This means that the FeRAM acts as both a memory and a computing unit. What's more, demonstrations of its capabilities have shown its effectiveness in video motion detection and first- and second-order derivative calculations - crucial for analysing temporal data.
One of the greatest advantages of the FeRAM is its extremely low power consumption. At an operating frequency of 1 MHz, the device consumes just 0.24 femtojoules (fJ) per differential calculation. In comparison, modern processors such as the Intel Core i9-12900 or the NVIDIA V100 graphics card require five to six orders of magnitude times more energy to perform similar operations. This makes FeRAM ideally suited for applications in edge computing, i.e. processing data at the point of generation - such as IoT devices, monitoring systems or medical EEG/EKG signal analysers. The technology is also distinguished by its scalability. As it is silicon-compatible, mass production of large arrays (above 1 Gbit) capable of performing complex differential calculations is possible.

In the world of modern electronics, where the demand for fast, energy-efficient and intelligent solutions continues to grow. FeRAM is not just a new type of memory - it is the potential foundation of a new computing architecture. By combining memory and processing in a single chip, the device eliminates the main drawbacks of traditional systems while offering unprecedented energy efficiency. Its applications in edge computing, AI systems and medical devices could significantly accelerate the development of smart technologies in the coming years.

Communication ranges between individual devices in Hikvision's 2-Wire HD video door entry system.

Hikvision's 2-Wire HD video door entry modular system is an excellent solution for creating video door entry installations with high functionality based on a transmission medium in the form of a two-wire cable. This system is characterised by the flexibility of creating installations and the fact that the configuration of device addressing is carried out using hardware switches located on the rear panel of the devices. This makes commissioning of the system much simpler even without network knowledge. This is an excellent solution when modernising old intercom or video intercom systems that use a cable other than twisted-pair. When upgrading an old intercom with a 2-Wire HD system, knowledge of the type of cabling in the facility and whether the distances between individual devices are within those specified by the manufacturer is required.

The following table shows the communication distances between the different devices in a 2-Wire HD video door entry system, depending on the type of cable (straight or paired) and the cross-section of the wires. It is recommended that a maximum of two devices communicate in a single cable. The maximum distance from the power distributor to the furthest monitor in the system must not exceed 200 m. After starting the system from the monitor, the strength of the network signal on the communication bus can be checked under: Settings -> General settings -> Cable detection.

Satellite dishes with a diameter of 120 cm - characteristics and applications.

Satellite dishes with a diameter of 120 cm are professional dishes designed mainly for collective installations in multi-family buildings and for receiving signals from satellites transmitting in more difficult reception conditions (e.g. from satellites located low over the horizon or transmitting a weaker signal). Their size provides better focusing of electromagnetic waves, resulting in higher quality and stable reception. However, few users and installers of satellite dishes pay attention to the build quality of the dish itself and its suspension. These are two elements that must ensure the stability of the antenna set and safety. High-end satellite dishes are subjected to state-of-the-art testing techniques to simulate gusty winds, acid rain, loads of freezing rain, exposure to salt spray (coastal areas) and high and low temperatures.

Due to its shape, a satellite dish is susceptible to wind which can shift or bend it and thus disrupt reception. Thunderstorms, tornadoes and hurricanes can completely break the antenna from its mounts and cause danger to people and property in the area. Some antenna manufacturers recommend using a reinforced mounting system in areas with adverse wind conditions.

DIPOL offers 120 cm diameter dishes for collective installations. The dishes are available in two colours - light grey DPL-120 A9682 and graphite DPL-120 A9684. You can read more about the durability and corrosion testing of DPL120 satellite dishes in library.

Industrial switches.

Industrial switches are designed for industrial facilities where adverse conditions such as increased dust, high or low temperatures or high humidity are possible. Installation of industrial switches is also recommended in the case of installations performed on poles or in telecommunication manholes - in hermetic enclosures. The switches have Ethernet ports (Fast Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet, depending on the model) for connecting devices such as IP cameras or computers. ULTIPOWER industrial switches have an enclosure that meets the IP40 standard (protection against access to hazardous parts, protection against foreign solids with a diameter of more than 1 mm). All ports have the possibility of PoE power supply (the switch must be powered by DC 48 V). The switches are equipped with an SFP port to convert the transmission medium to optical fibre.

The devices also have the following additional functions:

• Extended function - enables powering devices connected with twisted pair cable up to 250 m long
• PoE Auto Check function - automatically performs a current restart of the connected device in case of its suspension
• HiPoE 90 W support for ports 1 and 2 (N299704 switch only)
• PD function - allows the switch to be powered via the Ethernet port (N299707 switch only)

In the example shown in the diagram, the switches were mounted in hermetic housings on poles. IP cameras were connected to the switches and powered directly via PoE (48 V, 802.3af standard). A single-mode fibre optic cable terminated with LC connectors was laid between the poles, using SFP inserts, creating a network including five cameras and an NVR.
The use of industrial switches increases the reliability of the entire system, thanks to their increased resistance to surges and adverse weather conditions. In addition, the fibre-optic connection between poles provides effective electrical isolation between camera installation points.

ODTR - measurement via splitter on active fibre.

The ULTIMODE OR-30 L5835 reflectometer, thanks to its ability to generate pulses at 1625 nm and the appropriate filters, enables measurements on the active line - in particular measurements in GPON networks containing splitters.

An example of such a measurement made on one's own network by a reflectometer user is shown below. Event number 2, characterised by a large drop in backscattered signal power, is an optical splitter with an attenuation of 6.77 dB. The typical attenuation value of a 4-output splitter is around 7.2 dB, so the measured value should be considered a very good value. The further part of the measured line includes a 1381 m fibre optic line, a connector with an attenuation of 0.36 dB, a 10 m patchcord and the end of the line at 1978 m. Due to the end-of-line attenuation setting being significantly overestimated by the user, this end of the line was not labelled correctly (event number 4 was labelled as a connector with high attenuation, which is in fact the end of the measured line). This can be corrected by changing the value of the above-mentioned option in the advanced settings of the reflectometer.

Example of 1625 nm measurement by a splitter on an active line - Ultimode OR-30 L5835 reflectometer.

Transmission of DVB-T2/C signals by optical fibre. Providers of DVB-T2/C signal transmission by optical fibre usually use traditional transmitters and optical receivers, e.g. transmitter mo418 R82522 and receiver OD-005P R81760. Such connections use only separated cables with single-mode fibres, and the division of the signal for delivery to different locations is carried out with the use of passive optical splitters...>>>more

Transmission of the DVB-T2 digital terrestrial television signal from four digital multiplexes over a distance of 20 km using single-mode optical fiber

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