Savoring the Many Flavors of Intrusion Detection
Find out about the current state of intrusion detectors, with an insider’s take on the application of time-honored devices to advanced sensor technology and leading-edge intelligent systems.
Sometimes it seems like the variety of intrusion detection sensor technology mirrors that of an ice cream parlor.
An additional sound intrusion detection option might be the use of Sonitrol equipment and its accompanying sound monitoring services. A bit of trivia: Did you know that the original Sonitrol patent was to listen to and detect the sound that termites make in walls? It is now, however, used to listen to another type of pest: burglars.
In testing AGBDs, check how well an AGBD handles audio saturation. What this means is if an AGBD is too close to a large display window, the breaking of that window may create such a large sound the AGBD may totally ignore it. The FlexGuard series was one device that tested well in these situations.
Additionally, technicians should always overlap various intrusion technologies, such as AGBD with passive infrared (PIR) motion sensors. For quality coverage, the golden rule is to never rely on just one type of intrusion detection technology. What if you could easily turn any existing floor or roof into an intelligent pressure sensitive alarm? Well, you can with the Pulsor stress sensors from Sure Action. These strain gauge-type sensors are easily attached to floor or roof joists.
Due to their low cost and application flexibility, the PIR motion sensor has without a doubt become the mainstream interior intrusion device. Look for quality mirror and lens optics design, along with high level digital signal processing to reduce false alarm activity. A good example of such a product is the DSC Bravo Series, which uses multilevel signal processing (MLSP).
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Beating Back the Scourge of False Alarms
As with many PIR devices, false alarms can be frustrating. Watch out for false alarm sources. Heating vents, mirrors, fireplaces, sun and car lights on observed windows are just a few pitfalls. Did you know that some devices can be tripped by the temporary location of a reflective Mylar party balloon in the PIR detection area?
One of the vulnerabilities of PIR sensors is they are passive and can be optically masked with paint or tape and therefore prevented from detecting movement. To become aware of this tampering, an anti-masking PIR such as the CX-502AM from Optex is a good option.
We must not forget about the application of photoelectric (PE) beams. Mainly used to detect perimeter intrusion, today’s wireless beams provide much flexibility. One exciting new model is the battery-powered TXF-125E quad beam from Takex. Battery service is approximately five years.
Video intrusion systems are appearing everywhere. However, low-cost video motion analytics are still evolving. Videofied is a company that has proven itself with combining PIR and video monitoring. The indoor/outdoor devices are wireless motion viewers that make for easy installation. The product’s control systems can work alone via cellular or Ethernet, or integrated with existing alarm controls. Police like the high apprehension rate with the Videofied systems.
Wow Factor in Intrusion Detection Technology Advances
So what are some of the latest intrusion detection technology flavors? Are you familiar with the term tomographic motion detection (TMD)? A company called Xandem has devised a system of multiple small RF node devices that are evenly placed in walls at about waist high around a protected area to form a radio mesh network. As personnel move through the area, analytics in a controller activate an alarm when the RF mesh field is disrupted. Soon Xandem will have a TMD locater (TMDL) system that will show location of intruders in the detection area. You can check out how the system works at xandem.com or view this video demo, here.
Intrusion detection should happen at the earliest point of entry, and this can often be at the perimeter. While photoelectric beams have been utilized for perimeter security for years, there is a new stealthier technology available nowadays. The manufacturer Heightened-Security Inc. and its new patented product lines are the Intruder Defense Shield (IDS) and the Roof Defense System (RDS).
The IDS wall system is an easy-to-install, customized stealth wall capping system with advanced controller technology. It turns the top of a wall or railing into an intelligent pressure sensing area. It also has the capability for cell phone and Wi-Fi alarm reporting. The RDS provides similar pressure sensing technology for roof and deck areas.
Our advanced intrusion detection flavors would not be complete without mentioning robotics. No longer does intrusion detection have to be a fixed device. Standing four-feet tall and 165 pounds, the G2R robot from Gamma 2 Robotics can patrol an area or facility for intruders. Using the G2R Cybernetic Brain and accompanying camera, sonar sensors, PIR motion and eight-band thermal sensors, G2R can make rounds 24/7 with no lunch breaks.
Bob Dolph is a columnist for CS’ sister publication, Security Sales & Integration, and a contributing technical writer. Contact him at bdolph.ssi@gmail.com.
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