Powering network IP video surveillance systems with fibre optic transmission

The advances in video surveillance technology have seen the increased adoption of network IP products over analogue systems. A key constant to this shift has been the critical need for reliable transmission of video signal. As the transition to network IP video continues, the need for the widely used coaxial cable is wavering in favour of Cat-5/ UTP cable and high-speed Ethernet connections using Internet protocol (IP) to send digitised video images. In part 1 of this article Jack Fernandes, President and CEO of American Fibertek, provides insights into the important aspects of digital video connectivity, and the role of technologies that make the critical connections in today's security and video surveillance systems It also touches upon the history and evolution of fibre optic video transmission.

Changing role of fibre optics within video transmission

Fibre optics have had a role in video transmission for many years, starting in the days when analogue video signals commonly traveled using amplitude modulation (AM) and frequency modulation (FM) across fibre optic cables. But that role is changing with the transition to network IP. Now, fibre optics are capable of sending massive amounts of digital information across vast distances, securely and immune to electromagnetic interference. Fibre optics are just part of the picture, and networking of IP-based video is leading a path into greater connectivity and functionality for digital video surveillance systems.

Benefits of fibre optic transmission

Fibre is also less easily tapped into or interfered with, which makes it a more secure means of transmitting data over long distances

Fibre optics has the ability to send data over longer distances than Cat-5 cabling. The IEEE 802.3ab standard limits each segment of a gigabit Ethernet over copper wiring to a distance of 100 meters (about 110 yards). Alternatively, gigabit Ethernet transmission over fibre optics can extend to dozens of miles. IEEE standards specify gigabit Ethernets using various cable fibre types and wavelengths of light that extend to distances up to 70 km (43 miles), thus expanding the reach of modern digital video systems to remote locations and thus increasing their functionality in a far-flung campus setting..

Further, the core of fibre optic cable is glass instead of metal, which makes it immune to lightning strikes, short circuits, "cross talk" or other electrical problems. It is lightweight, is stable within a wide temperature range and has a long service life; for example, fibre optic cables installed 20 years ago are still in service. Fibre is also less easily tapped into or interfered with, which makes it a more secure means of transmitting data over long distances.

History and evolution of fibre optic transmission

The availability of commercialised fibre optic technology dates back to the 1980s, when telecommunications companies began constructing massive networks using fibre optic cables. The core of a fibre- optic strand is clear glass surrounded by reflective cladding that keeps light traveling along the strand from escaping and redirects it along the fibre. This fibre strand is about the diameter of a human hair. Light pulses are used to transmit information along the fibre strand. A transmitter or transceiver on one end of the fibre transforms electrical pulses from a copper line into light pulses that are beamed along the fibre strand until they are converted back into electronic pulses at the receiving end.

Fibre optics are just part of the picture, and networking of IP-based video is leading a path into greater connectivity and functionality for digital video surveillance systems

The terms singlemode and multimode refer to the diameter of the fibre and how light waves travel through the fibre; singlemode fibre core is smaller and uses light that travels a single path or mode through the fibre to achieve a higher transmission rate. Singlemode fibre is less expensive than multimode, but singlemode converters are slightly more expensive than multimode versions.

A consequence of the dot-com boom is the existence of a large amount of unused, "dark" fibre, some installed by telephone companies looking to expand their market. Millions of miles of fibre strands are installed throughout the world -- more than 90 million miles in the US alone. Because installing fibre cables is expensive, often additional or spare fibre is deployed and put in place for possible future use, and this is especially true in schools, hospitals, libraries and other campus settings.

Fibre optic networks, often including dark fibres, are also likely to be available related to a customer's data system or telephone cabling system. This infrastructure can be leveraged as the backbone of a high-speed data network. Extension of fibre to new and remote locations is also necessary given the IEEE distance limitations on gigabit Ethernet.

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Benefits of a modern access control system go beyond security

The picture that comes into most people’s minds when thinking about access control systems is someone offering a badge up to a card reader to unlock a door or release a barrier so that they can get into or out of a building. And, of course, this is a primary function for most installations. The capabilities of modern access control systems extend far beyond simply controlling who can get into a building. In this article, Alistair Enser of Siemens Building Technologies Division, Security Products business segmentexplores how access control can be used as an effective tool to enhance business efficiency and benefit an organisation in number of ways.

Improve payroll efficiency

Modern access control systems can supply data in a format that is readily compatible with payroll packages, so the tedious and error-prone process of entering staff attendance data manually can be completely eliminated. Even in moderately sized organisations, this leads to useful savings and efficiency improvements in the payroll department and, for larger organisations, the savings can be very substantial.

Enhance building security

Now let’s look at what an access control system can do inside the building. It can, of course, be used to limit access to specific areas, ensuring that only authorised staff can enter them. Particularly in multiple occupancy buildings, it is often also useful to tie the operation of lifts into the access control system, so that users can only send the lifts to the floors occupied by the company for which they work.

Some systems can go further by, for example, providing an effective solution to the perennial problem of bookings for meeting rooms and similar shared facilities, making it possible for authorised users to book the room or facility on-line. Then, at the appropriate time – but not at other times – their access control badge or card will allow entry. Arguments over bookings and wasted administrative time controlling the bookings manually are eliminated.It’s worth noting that access control can also take into account the time of day and day of the week. This means that staff who have access to a building or an office during normal working hours can be barred at other times. Conversely, cleaning staff can be allowed access only after the normal working day is finished.

Save costs

Cashless vending services can also be implemented using the same access control passes. This avoids the expense and inconvenience of having to issue separate passes, and also means that when a pass needs to be issued, cancelled or updated, the job only has to be done once. Again, this can lead to big savings in administrative time and costs.Many organisations these days are using access control passes to control printing and photocopying – before they can make a copy or print a document, the pass holder has to present their pass to the machine. This not only means that unauthorised usage is eliminated, but also that records can easily be kept of the volume of copying and printing carried out by individual users. This is a big incentive to print only what is necessary, thereby saving costs, protecting the environment. It also ensures the security of confidential documents.

Reduce energy bills and protect the environment:

For many users, however, one of the biggest benefits of installing a modern access control system is that it greatly reduces their energy bills and, therefore, their carbon emissions.

This is achieved by arranging for the access control system to exchange data with the building management system. Since the access control system knows which areas of the building are occupied, once this interchange of data has been enabled, it is a relatively simple matter to configure the building management system so that it automatically turns off unnecessary lighting and reduces the heating in unoccupied areas.

Solve car parking issues

Clearly modern access control systems have a lot to offer, but when it comes to installing such a system, there is always one element that we have not considered. This is availability of budget or lack of it. Before assuming that there is insufficient money available to install a system, it is worth looking again at the features and facilities discussed in this article, many of which lead directly to cost savings.A well-implemented access control system can start its work even before staff and visitors reach the building, by controlling entry and exit to the car park. Modern systems can be programmed to allow access only to authorised cars, or simply to count cars in until the car park is full, and then to bar further entries.

Selecting an expert access control installer

The features described apply to modern systems that have been designed from the outset with versatility in mind, and some of the bespoke functions, like the lottery system for car parking, rely on the expertise of the supplier for successful implementation.

It is always worthwhile seeking out a supplier that has a good track record in the access control field and that combines market-leading products with expert support. Bear this in mind, and there’s no doubt at all that an access control system can be an excellent and an invaluable tool for enhancing business efficiency.

By taking an overall view that includes savings on administration, reductions in energy usage and better control over payroll, in addition to the improvements in security, it may well be found that an access control system is, in fact, a very attractive and affordable investment that will deliver good returns over its lifetime.

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Surveillance Equipments Get the Technology Touch with IP Security Cameras

Computer security cameras, also known as IP security cameras, are the latest innovation when it comes to ensuring security for your home or commercial establishment. Their popularity can be attributed to the fact that these are extremely cost effective. For those who do not wish to spend a lump sum on expensive surveillance equipment, these cameras add to the effectiveness of the wireless home security system. These security camera systems directly send the images transfer the images to a DVR hard drive that is equipped with a recorder. The output of such wireless security systemsdiffer depending on the kind of camera that is been used. One of the recurrent issues faced by people using these cameras is that of hard disk space. Much of the hard disk space is used up fast as a number of files are created.However, there are ways in which this problem can be sorted. These systems enable easy navigation quite unlike the traditional video tape system. The advantage of usingIP security cameras is the fact that these provide better image quality in comparison to other available modes of wireless home security systems. Their range of coverage is also more than other cameras. The data recorded in these systems can be accessed from a remote location. It is possible to connect these cameras to a network and access them by using a web browser. You can also connect multiple IP cameras with your system if it has additional storage space. You can opt for cameras with advanced features if you are willing to spend some additional amount. If you are looking at wireless security systems that are relatively cheap, you can opt for webcams. These can be handled pretty easily. Webcams, in most places, are used for monitoring. But these cameras pose a disadvantage when you need to use them in low light areas and this affects the overall image quality. It is easy to install as well. People who have basic knowledge of computers can complete its installation within a span of a few minutes. All that you would need for the installation is the appropriate configuration, the necessary software and a USB port. Even if you are not at home, the webcam will record the images on its own and you can scan them later. Some of them are even equipped with an email alert. This implies that images can be attached to a mail and then forwarded to the law enforcement authorities.

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