Beyond Perimeter Protection
Security Middle East looks at some of the latest systems designed to give Security cover to both sides of the fence
The perimeter is the boundary of a site, but it is not the line at which security should either start or stop. The area of concern to the security manager stretches both beyond the perimeter and, of course, within it. Whatever type of fence or physical barrier is used at the site boundary, there is an enormous operational advantage in being able to pinpoint intruders before they reach it. Equally, it is essential to keep track of anyone who is successful in breaking into the protected area.
The latest security developments, both in software and hardware, are making it easier to do both with much less reliance on manpower. Where sites are extensive, these become important advantages because of the greater difficulty of ensuring a rapid manned response.
Latest solutions
As good examples of new solutions, two imaging technologies which have been recently adopted and developed by CBC are radar and thermal. These are been used by the company as the basis for new detection and tracking solutions for both perimeter applications, and open areas.
The two technologies work in very different ways, but a key benefit of both of them is that they allow suspects to be spotted and tracked as soon as they enter pre-defined zones, and all the time they remain in these zones. This means that people can be monitored while they are still beyond the perimeter, and they can be tracked if they cross it.
In addition, automation cuts out the possibility of human error – the likelihood of potential intruders being missed – and earlier warning of an approach gives more time for the site security staff to respond.
Thermal systems
There are a number of suppliers of thermal systems for perimeter security applications. The images that they capture have some limitations compared with optical CCTV (ie they are processed interpretations of infra-red heat signatures, so features such as colour, writing, facial features don’t show) but they also have important advantages. Because they are seeing ‘heat’ they work without lighting and can pick up people at ranges of around 1000m, and vehicles at up to 2000m. They are not affected by smoke, fog or other environmental conditions that hamper optical cameras, and they can see camouflaged people where visual surveillance might be fooled. They also work across water.
Axsys supplies infrared cameras and surveillance equipment for demanding military applications and also for commercial and industrial users. For example, its RangePro is a dual field cooled thermal camera designed for middle range security and infrared surveillance needs.
Compact and easily moved, it provides the clear night vision and infrared imaging required for detection in perimeter applications. Synectics Industrial Systems manufactures the COEX range of camera stations which produce images industry standard CCTV cameras cannot, and reveal details that cannot be detected by conventional cameras.
And FLIR Systems’ range of HRC cameras offer powerful optical zoom capability on the thermal image, allowing the camera to see more detail when a target has been detected. The system allows the operator to gradually zoom in without losing focus on the target. There is no switching or swapping between images involved to distract the operator, says the company, and its series is designed to operate over an extremely long range so is suitable for applications such as border and coastal surveillance.
Thermal and optical
Ganz’s new dual thermal-optical camera is designed to combine the advantages of both visual and heat-signature surveillance. Versions have been developed which operate at either 9Hz (for international markets) and 25Hz (subject to international licence agreements).
The company gives the example of a petrochemical shipping plant, which recently upgraded security by improving surveillance along 2.5 miles of shoreline.
“The plant installed thermal cameras along the shoreline at strategic locations where the lack of light was a potential cover for intruders. Security staff switch between thermal and visible images to identify potential risks that occur in the harbour.”
Radar at the perimeter
Meanwhile, Radar is a relatively new technology in the security industry, but it is used in other sectors and has exciting potential in perimeter applications.
Ganz’s newly launched Radar View combination of camera/radar has been developed based on the same millimetre-wave radar technology, which is used in the automotive industry for vehicle active cruise control systems.
The system constantly scans the secured zone (which is pre-defined and can be a full 360 degrees (around the unit) and it can ‘see’ through the fence line with ranges up to 800m. It will automatically spot potential intruders regardless of lighting conditions, and is largely unaffected by rain, fog, dust and smoke and, like thermal technology, it works across water. Once an intruder enters a designated zone, control room staff
are alerted by an audio or visual alarm. The cameras will automatically track the intruder’s movements in real time and the system’s event recorder will be triggered.
The system will track multiple targets, switching between each one and recording for a specified time before switching back. Each radar unit can control up to five cameras.
The system can be easily integrated into any existing security system and so can be used to upgrade an established CCTV network, or form the heart of a completely new one. One big advantage that it has over buried sensor systems is that once installed it can easily be pre-programmed if requirements change. Thresholds for vehicles and animals can be tailored for each site.
Nuisance alarms
The problem of distinguishing people from animals or other sources of false-alarm is also addressed by Xtralis with its Axiom video-based intruder detection system, part of the ADPRO range. Designed to provide reliable detection of intruders under a range of changing environmental conditions, Axiom reduces the probability of nuisance alarms from small animals, blown debris, birds, clouds, moving trees and wind induced camera movement.
This system features perspective compensated sizing (ie to distinguish between small objects close up and larger objects further away) speed measurements, and target tracking that focuses the detection process on real intruders. Automatic scene learning optimises detection of genuine targets, while rejecting false alarms from wind-induced movement of objects and shadows within the scene. The company’s Video Central - PC-based software program allows an operator to call up and remotely see and hear what is happening at the monitored site.
Also for use at the perimeter, Xtralis recently also launched three new infra-red detectors to compliment its ADPRO range of external PIRs. The detection range now includes the PRO 30 with a detection pattern of 30m x 20m, the PRO 40 with a detection pattern of 40m x 10m, and the PRO 50 with a detection pattern of 50m x 30m. All PRO detectors are designed for conditional triggering of CCTV, PTZ and dome cameras, as well as the triggering of video switchers and video transmission units for event-driven CCTV.
The ADPRO PRO series are sensitive, standalone passive infra-red detectors designed for outdoor protection that will detect human targets by sensing temperature differences between them and the background.
These detectors also have new anti-tamper features; if the detector is displaced from its installed position, it will generate a tamper alarm.
These perimeter systems are making it more practical for security planners to use remote monitoring, and to use manpower more costeffectively. By ensuring ever more reliable detection of intruders at an early stage (and when combined with active perimeter protection such as electrified systems) they can significantly reduce the chances of a successful attack.
 Salim Idris is general manager ( Middle East) of Dedicated Micros. For more information, tel: +971 4 390 1015/6/7, GSM: +971 50 4500 149. Email: SIdris@dmicros.com or visit the website www.dedicatedmicros.com www.dedicatedmicros.com
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