Enhanced security, including remote video surveillance, has become a major initiative for many organisations, says Sadiq Malik, director of business operations at BCT Global.
"The challenge faced by them is how to transmit high bandwidth real-time video and other information back to the command-and-control centre."
Organisations that typically employ video surveillance include first responders (police, fire and medical), military, facility managers, utilities, transportation, border patrol, and other security-sensitive organisations involved with home or corporate security, he says.
"The option to use readily available copper or fibre connections is not feasible for many situations where a video surveillance system needs to be set up immediately," explains Malik. "The wireless video monitoring system must integrate with advanced software for automated intelligent monitoring that can detect unauthorised objects, land and water intrusions and suspicious movements."
Furthermore, bandwidth could be the most expensive part of the cost, he says. "To run several simultaneous video streams can require the equivalent of several E-1 lines from the local carrier. The cost to implement such a solution can be astronomical, as the average E-1 line, with 1.5Mbps of bandwidth, can cost R25 000 or more per month."
According to Malik, a comprehensive video networked security solution could include any of the following elements:
* Thirty days' storage of eight cameras at full motion or 30 frames per second on a digital hard drive. Remote retrieval of the stored video via the network.
* Support for up to 40 or more cameras at some locations and the ability for multiple users, greater than five at a time, to connect to the same camera at one time.
* A cost-effective, high-speed network to support the video transmission in this application, with full motion video even on a 128K wireless circuit.
* A wireless VOIP system for interactive security, to communicate with people in a remote location in need of help.
* Twenty-four-hour control centre viewing of primary cameras located in the facility.
* Real-time location tracking application running from the wireless backbone to monitor the movement of human or material assets.
Going wireless
According to Malik: "Recently we had less than 30 days to complete a sophisticated security installation - including design, installation and commission of video surveillance and real-time location tracking application. The only way to meet the demanding functional requirements and the limited budget was to employ a wireless, IP-based system, thus eliminating the high cost of trenching or setting poles for long cable runs. We designed an interactive system in which the security personnel could respond in real-time to breaches of security and interact with those who needed assistance in potential criminal situations."
Broadband wireless systems allow a video surveillance system to be set up very quickly wherever the surveillance equipment needs to be located, he explains.
"The equipment provides reliable and secure high-speed backhaul to the control centre. The non-line-of-sight capability allows for rapid deployment and operation, even from difficult urban and rural locations. Some wireless equipment can transport up to 48Mbps of data over distances of up to 80km, while over-the-air encryption ensures security of sensitive surveillance data."
Malik lists other benefits of a broadband wireless system: "The high bandwidth supported by the system - much greater than the speeds supported by a standard E1 line - enables clients to achieve true video surveillance, supporting 15 frames per second in real-time.
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