Using
Wireless Systems to Support Surveillance Applications
By Anthony Fulgoni, VP International Strategic
Sales, Proxim Wireless
The
threat of terrorism and an increase in crime have made security a major
priority on everyone's agenda and in many cases, rapid deployment of security
and surveillance systems has become essential. Institutions of all kinds
are being challenged to install video surveillance in areas that are too
remote, too costly or physically impossible to reach with additional cabling.
Wireless is proving a cost-effective, easy and fast way of installing
video surveillance systems. This article will discuss the use of wireless,
in terms of broadband IP technologies (WiFi and WiMAX) to support surveillance
applications.
To achieve effective IP surveillance, it is necessary to deliver high
quality video images with secure access and fast response in covert applications
with reduced Capex & Opex. It is also beneficial to consider which
requirements will be the most necessary in the future and build those
into the solution.
One of the core benefits of deploying a wireless network to support surveillance
applications is its adaptability. By building a network with an eye for
the future it can be adapted to support new applications, new demands
and new requirements and this can be done by deploying wireless technologies
that are the best fit for this purpose.
Wireless is a scalable technology enabling support for multiple applications,
which local authorities are demanding more regularly in order to stretch
their budgets and deliver greater value from their investment. Using VLANs,
VPNs and other techniques you can segment the network to different applications
for a diverse set of clients.
There are a number of significant advantages for using wireless to support
surveillance: Networks can be built or extended with a reduced investment
in Capex costs - no trenching or major disruptive roadworks. Likewise
there's a reduction in Opex costs with a reduced requirement for dedicated
lines to service multiple installation locations.
With the emergence of smart handsets and Ultra-Mobile PCs (UMPCs) secure
mobile connectivity is another advantage that wireless brings. Being able
to view footage on a PDA in a security patrol vehicle can provide important
information at the point of an incident - without the need to return to
a control centre. And all of this is possible without making a phone/cellular
connection. In this respect wireless broadband has come of age and brings
significant new benefits.
In order to build these scalable, robust and secure solutions, it's important
to use industry-based technologies: Point-to-point; point-to-multipoint/WiMAX;
Mesh; and WiFi.
Point-to-point radios have been used by carriers and enterprises for some
time. They can offer a lot of benefits: extend the network reach with
high capacity or long links; add resilience to or reduce dependency on
leased lines; connect point a to point b effectively and securely.
Typical of the solutions available today, network interconnections are
as easy as an RJ-45 or fibre connection. Point-to-Point is an affordable
and straightforward means of extending reach without increasing Opex.
Once the network extends from point A to point B, it is then time to build
out the infrastructure to support the relevant applications.
Multi-Point networks help to extend the infrastructure from one point
of presence to many - to create an umbrella infrastructure to support
the applications. This umbrella establishes a sector of nodes that may
connect more buildings e.g. a business park or residences to a rural ISP.
In a city centre the nodes may be additional camera locations that were
previously uneconomical due to trenching costs.
The Multi-Point architecture typically works in sectors to provide dedicated
support to a number of node locations in the coverage area. Each of the
nodes delivers a connection to an IP network - commonly RJ45 - to enable
IP cameras, IP signage and mesh nodes to be added.
An IEEE standard now exists for licensed Multi-Point technology called
802.16 and WiMAX is the certification body that is qualifying and approving
interoperability and performance of licensed Multi-Point products. Unlicensed
Multi-Point solutions share many of the same features and functions as
licensed WiMAX solutions but have additional technology that allows them
to co-exist and work effectively in an unlicensed unregulated band.
Mesh is a great technology, often misunderstood and oversold. Mesh brings
another solution for deploying networks within cities and towns. The approach
with Multi-Point is often a rooftop or tower covering a zone of nodes,
whereas mesh is a bit more organic, often utilising street furniture or
building facades to deploy nodes every several hundred metres.
Mesh is best delivered over systems with two or more radios - 'mesh backhaul'
is where one radio is dedicated to the mesh interconnection (or hops)
and the other can be used to support client devices, usually over WiFi.
To keep the mesh effective every so often it needs to tap into the network
backbone - either DSL or better still a Multi-Point or Point-to-Point
PoP. Without this, the actual level of throughput the mesh can carry will
degrade, which will have an adverse affect on applications. A good mesh
is supported by a good backbone, and this delivers scale and the ability
to support many client devices.
The best way to think of Mesh is as a Wi-Fi access technology that also
allows you to easily extend your network to areas your Multi-Point network
can't reach.
WiFi is the ubiquitous broadband wireless standard and plays a significant
role in the proposition. Affordable, flexible and proven, WiFi is by far
and away one of the most common communication protocols in use today.
Simply put, almost every gadget has WiFi on board.
Sometimes derided due to security misconceptions, WiFi needs to be used
sensibly. Good security practices need to be put in place, proper authentication
and network management techniques need to be implemented. WiFi has the
capability to deliver an open access solution alongside a secure one and
if a surveillance network is designed properly there will be excess capacity
available for public internet access, if so desired.
For all that is written about WiMAX, WiFi is not dead and it's not going
away. 95% of all laptops shipping today include Wi-Fi and every cellular
phone manufacturer now has at least one Wi-Fi phone. It's easier to add
another radio and the software to support it than to get users to throw
away their laptops and home wireless with the promise of another breakthrough
technology. Plus, the evolution towards 802.11n will bring other features
and benefits for wireless broadband as well as 10x the capacity of WiMAX
and 3G.
A wireless network must deliver scalability, security, resilience, flexibility,
IP standards and connectivity. But to deliver them effectively on a large
scale demands an open minded review of requirements, budgets, schedules
and future considerations.
An example of where video surveillance has been beneficial is in Manchester
where bus shelters were continuously being damaged and covered in graffiti.
In order to convict the perpetrators, The Greater Manchester Public Transport
Executive (GMPTE) needed prosecution quality evidence. The only solution
was to install a surveillance solution in the bus shelters that could
observe and record incidents, however the shelters had no cabling to support
CCTV.
Using Proxim mesh nodes, several shelters are interconnected along the
bus route and IP CCTV cameras are covertly mounted in the bus shelters.
Power for the Access Points is taken from the lighting circuit and the
video is backhauled over Mesh/DSL to the traffic control centre. Surplus
bandwidth is also used for RTPI and other applications. The result is
less vandalism and better security.
A wireless security solution simply leaps over any barriers, allowing
a virtually unlimited number of video surveillance cameras to be deployed
quickly, easily and cost-effectively. In a new or expanded security system,
high resolution, real-time video from each security camera is transmitted
directly to a wireless base station in a regional security centre or onsite
security office where the wireless network remotely controls the cameras.
IP surveillance solutions are now being used for numerous applications
in a wide array of sectors: government, retail, transportation, banking
& finance and education. All of these sectors have growing needs for
security and surveillance. Broadband wireless has evolved to meet these
challenges and is now being recognised as the smartest way to support
surveillance applications.
Web: http://www.proxim.com
