Convergence Channel: Security in Any Surroundings
The boundaries of security solutions can extend far beyond buildings and their immediate area. Find out how to power and connect systems in remote locations.
Connecting to Civilization
So you are able to get the system up and running, but you still need to do something with the video information. Whether it’s recording and storing video — or even more important, some kind of alarm event — that information still needs to get to someone. Sometimes in a great hurry.
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Just like with the power, we need to assume that there is no type of wired communications infrastructure available. What technologies do we have available to get the signal to where it needs to go? Here again, IP technology is definitely making things easier.
Let’s start by looking at the video system. We can assume that the video is being recorded locally in some manner. This can be with a small DVR/NVR box, of course, but new products might make that a thing of the past as well. There are several IP cameras coming onto the market that have built-in storage drives or slots for expansion cards. This is generally described as moving the recording to the “edge.”
Edge-based storage capable cameras are ideal for remote applications such as this, eliminating an additional piece of hardware along with the space requirements and power draw that goes with it. As far as getting the video to somewhere useful, the options depend on just how far away from civilized society you actually are.
If the application is farmland, and there may be a house or business within a couple thousand feet, then a standard WiFi wireless link might work well. This could allow you to get full motion, full quality video from the camera.
Assuming you are a little further away, maybe without a nearby structure but still within a city or county limits, it may be possible that a cell tower is nearby. Cellular data transmission is yet another tool that is becoming more viable as the technology improves. It may be possible to stream camera data, although the quality/image rates may need to be reduced in order to fit the pipe.
The last resort technology for sending video from remote locations, in my opinion, would have to be satellite. It is possible to send video streams up to a satellite, but it’s a pretty expensive prospect. In many cases though, it may be the only option.
Alarm and telemetry data would follow the same pathways, although being much less of a bandwidth hog, technologies such as cellular and satellite may be more acceptable.
Remember Integration Options
In order to lessen the requirements of your transmission medium, think about integrating systems together to more specifically monitor the situation.
If there is a perimeter fenceline around the facility, consider a fence intrusion detection system that uses a cable attached to the fence (or buried just under it) to detect vibrations such as climbs and cuts. Alarm contacts from the fence system can be wired into the camera/recording device to only trigger recording when necessary. Motion detection may not be practical if the installation is entirely outdoors.
Technology is improving faster than we can keep track of it. As alternate energy and data transmission technologies continue to get faster, s
maller and less expensive, the opportunities for unusual installations will also improve, and hopefully offer up some new niche markets for you to pursue.
MCSE- and CCNA-certified Steve Payne has more than 15 years of industry experience and heads Convergence Consulting, an IP and security solutions consulting firm. Be sure to also read his Integrated Thoughts blog.
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