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Home > Wireless surveillance camera systems that are truly wireless and offer improved flexibility over traditional security systems
May 21, 2006
By: Alice Osborn
Wireless surveillance camera systems that are truly
wireless require no outside power lines, unlike many
"wireless" WiFi cameras that still need an attached power
connection. Many of these wireless video security systems
use solar power and are ideal for large property security or
remote location use. Part of the appeal of a solar-powered
surveillance system is providing security for areas without
a reliable infrastructure that would include electricity or
Ethernet capabilities. These surveillance systems can also
monitor wildlife, pipelines, construction sites, parking
garages, and environment changes in the desert.
Corporations, universities and the U.S. government are all
potential clients for these wireless security systems.
Says Ron Ryan, senior vice president of sales and
marketing at Hutton Communications, Inc., a distributor of
commercial wireless communications, "Customers with remote
or hard to access assets, such as oil and gas pipelines,
bridges or rural properties, have not had an effective,
economical solution for protecting those assets. This
solution makes it easy and affordable to set up a wireless
connection, and minimizes concerns about locating a
traditional power source."
These wireless surveillance systems not only offer
flexible deployment, they also offer analog, IP-based, and
network surveillance cameras, which have a great advantage
over traditional CCTV systems and their cameras. Wireless
cameras have features ranging from fixed models to
direction-controlled or dome models with automatic PTZ (Pan
Tilt Zoom) functions offering super sharp images. Since one
security camera can now do the work of five, the
surveillance efficiency improves for the long run. In
addition, wireless systems can store surveillance data onto
DVRs (digital video recorders), where CCTV systems have to
rely on videotapes and inaccuracy when a tape runs out.
Sun Surveillance, based in Greer, South Carolina,
manufactures solar-operated wireless surveillance cameras,
such as the SolaCam package. These wireless camera systems
do their best work outside where they can pick up solar rays
and monitor a large swath of perimeter.
AirCam is a similar solar-power wireless surveillance
vendor that uses IP-based PTZ cameras. The real-time
streaming images are then fed to the network from an
antenna, where they are sent to the Internet to users and
DVRs who can see and store the images.
Advantages of solar-powered wireless systems
These systems offer clear pictures, are scalable within a
company's current IP network, and feature superior camera
maneuverability than traditional surveillance systems. Since
these surveillance systems are scalable, they sidestep many
of the add-on charges of traditional land-based leased lines
on bridges or utility plants. They also can be quickly
upgraded to suit the company's or organization's needs. In
addition, most of these cameras are on the IP-based network
and monitor public spaces where the need for archiving and
retrieval is at a premium. For instance, Sun Surveillance
cameras helped bust two armed men after a bank robbery by
capturing important video footage of the suspects entering
and leaving the premises, which led to their eventual arrest
by the FBI. Above all, solar-powered cameras give customers
the means to have surveillance in areas that have been
previously unavailable to them due to lack of electricity or
challenging terrain.
The capabilities of solar-powered cameras
Solar-powered cameras are mounted on a pole and include
an antenna to pick up signals from the base station, solar
panels, adequate weather-proofing and lightning protection,
and a backup battery system. The cameras' ranges vary from 3
to 20 miles, depending upon the connection with the SSU
(single source unit), which is the PC or laptop in the
central control room and upon a clear line of sight. This
line of sight can be blocked by trees or a tall building.
These wireless camera systems come with a heavy price
tag, but over time the costs can be offset because these
systems offer a scalable, company-owned solution. For
instance, the Sun Surveillance camera package, SolaCam
($2,999 list price), includes the IP-based Tsunami MP.11
camera network entirely powered by solar energy.
Incidentally, solar panels become larger the further the
camera is from the equator.
Looking ahead
Over the next few years developers of these wireless
systems will also see how they can improve the cameras'
range, their maneuverability, the weather-proof housing, and
the line-of-sight restrictions. They may also develop how
these cameras can be converted to indoor use. Costs should
come down as more companies buy these systems after studying
how capable they are at returning their investment. As the
surveillance field grows in the future, these wireless
solar-powered surveillance systems will further the
development of battery-operated sensor networks where
weather or scene changes could set off a camera. Perhaps
these systems will reduce the amount of energy expended in
the environment as more and more users realize the value of
solar energy.
About the Author
Alice Osborn is a successful freelance writer and
contributor to Video-Surveillance-Guide.com. Your
definitive guide to video surveillance equipment, CCTV
cameras and wireless security systems for home and business.
Also See: [ Home
video surveillance using wireless technology ]
[
Advantages of digital video surveillance systems for your
security needs ]
[ The coming
video surveillance revolution -- trends for 2006 and beyond ]
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