Wireless Video Surveillance Challenge or Opportunity? Mike Intag, RCDD RSM, Firetide
Why wireless? Agenda Understanding wireless and RF Wireless mesh Case studies Construction site security Burj Dubai Tower, UAE Mass transit security MBTA, Boston Special event security Super Bowl XLII Municipal public safety Dallas PD Critical success factors
Why Wireless? Cost savings/feasibility Mobility and flexibility Install quickly Extend or back-up cable and fiber infrastructure Deploy virtually anywhere
Who Needs Wireless Security & Surveillance? Public Safety Education Industrial Transportation Retail Hospitality Healthcare Government Utilities
Wireless Options
Radio Frequency Technology RF Information is created using electromagnetic waves Frequency is measured in Hertz - cycles per second Radio frequency measured in» KHz - Kilohertz - thousands of cycles per second» MHz - Megahertz - millions of cycles per second» GHz - Gigahertz - billions of cycles per second
Wireless Frequency Bands Licensed? Line of site 900 MHz Unlicensed Not required Advantage Penetrates trees, drywall Disadvantage Lower throughput for video compared to other bands 2.4 GHz Unlicensed Required Better penetration compared to 5 GHz Interference from consumer devices 4.9 GH Licensed Required Reserved for public safety; less interference 5 GHz Unlicensed Required Better range and less interference compared to 2.4 GHz Requires frequency coordination with other agencies Lower penetration than 2.4 GHz
Point to Point Network Topologies Point to Multi-Point (Hub and Spoke, or Star ) Multi-Point to Multi-Point (Mesh)
Understanding Wireless Mesh
Imagine a Traditional Wired Switch (Wired Ethernet infrastructure)
Now, Give Each Port Wireless Capability (Wired Ethernet infrastructure)
Separate the Ports Bingo, a Virtual Ethernet Switch! (Wired Ethernet infrastructure)
Wireless Mesh Infrastructure
Wireless mesh is self-healing for resiliency Redundant links eliminates single points of failure associated with conventional wireless networks Multiple paths overcome line-ofsight Self-Forming, Self-Healing Temporary Obstruction Permanent Obstruction
Why Wireless Mesh for Security and Surveillance?
Mesh in Linear Mode Linear mode takes advantage of dual-radio capabilities District 5 District 3 District1 District 4 District 2 n Miles Used along railways and transportation corridors
Case Studies
Public Safety and Security Hospital Ambulance Fire Station Public Park Police Station City Hall Police Car
City of Dallas
Wireless Video Surveillance at Goals: Crime deterrence and investigation How used Fixed camera placement Overt surveillance 24/7 monitoring at police headquarters Funding Grant from a private foundation Donations from local businesses Dallas PD
Project Timeline 2005 2006 Pilot at 3 sites in Deep Ellum neighborhood March 2006 issued RFP for downtown project Dec 2006 Feb 2007 Deployment March 2007 Phase 1 complete ~40 cameras Sept 2007 Satellite network in Jubilee Park neighborhood, 14 cam. Nov 2008 Phase 2 ~ 60 cameras 2009 Phase 3 ~ 100 cameras
Monitoring at Police Headquarters 24/7 monitoring Staffed by experienced officers Coordinate with patrol to respond to incidents Evidence recorded for crime investigation and prosecution
Jubilee Park Neighborhood Surveillance
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Software View
"We were pleasantly surprised at the speed of implementation. The mesh enables quick setup of the network without a complete overhaul, while providing excellent bandwidth and security for video streams." Deputy Police Chief Tom Lawrence, Dallas PD
Key Takeaways Single backhaul radio solutions are only good for 3 hops 10 to 15 cameras per mesh is a good rule of thumb Obtaining power on the poles is most difficult aspect of a municipal deployment Poles on alternating sides of the street provide the clearest pathways Crime cameras really do reduce crime
Commercial and Industrial Security Internet WI-FI Coverage Monitoring Station Internet Gateway
Dubai Tower Construction Site Security, VoIP
Transportation Security Security Monitors Internet Internet Gateway
MBTA, Boston Mobile Surveillance
MBTA, Boston Mobile Surveillance 300+ busses, 8 cameras each Mobile-to-mobile surveillance Passenger and operator safety Liability protection
Security for Special Events Hospital Ambulance Fire Station Public Park Police Station City Hall Police Car Fire Engine Portable Mesh Node and Camera
Phoenix PD Super Bowl 2008
Critical Success Factors
Clear Line-of-Sight Clear line of site between antennas is critical for wireless communications in the 2.4, 4.9, and 5GHz frequencies Fresnel Zone 60 % Fresnel Zone Path clearance
Planning a Wireless System Applications Future growth Requirements RF engineering Site survey Network design
Set the Right Expectations Understand requirements vs nice-haves Conduct a formal site survey Design mesh network for reliable performance Specify proper equipment Optimize as you go Take advantage of existing fiber assets
Technical Considerations for Video Dual radios nodes with minimal latency are required for multiple hops Wireless does not like multicasting multicast groups required Panel antennas and 30 degree sectors are ideal for street pole deployments Mix of 4.9GHz and 5GHz is the optimal solution for citywide public safety deployments Make sure you have RF expertise in-house Or hire a qualified sub for that first wireless deployment
Wireless Saves Time, Money Rockford, IL LA County Sheriff s Dept. Buffalo, NY Denver / DNC 08 Dallas, TX Downtown Chicago NASA Dryden Yuma Intl Airport
Thank You! Mike Intag, RCDD mintag@firetide.com Additional case studies at: www.firetide.com/video2