wireless video surveillance – - bicsi video surveillance – challenge or opportunity? mike intag,...

Wireless Video Surveillance –Challenge or Opportunity?

Mike Intag, RCDDRegional Systems Engineer,

Firetide

Agenda• Why wireless?• 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

Industrial TransportationPublic Safety

Hospitality HealthcareRetail Government Utilities

Who Needs Wireless Security & Surveillance?

Education

Wireless Options

Radio Frequency Technology• RF – Information is created using

electromagnetic waves• Frequency is measured in Hertz – cycles

per second

Wireless Frequency BandsLicensed? Line of site Advantage Disadvantage

900 MHz Unlicensed Not required Penetrates trees, drywall

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

Requires frequency coordination with other agencies

5 GHz Unlicensed Required Better range and less interference compared to 2.4 GHz

Lower penetration than 2.4 GHz

Network Topologies

• Point to Point

• 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 Switch!

(Wired Ethernet infrastructure)

Wireless Mesh Infrastructure

Self-Forming, Self-Healing

Permanent ObstructionTemporary Obstruction• Wireless mesh is self-healing for resiliency

• Redundant links eliminate single points of failure associated with conventional wireless

• Multiple paths overcome line-of-sight

Why Mesh for Security and Surveillance?

Used along railways and transportation corridors

Mesh in Linear Mode

Case Studies

Public Safety and Security

City of Dallas

Wireless Surveillance – Dallas PD• 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

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 cameras

• Nov 2008 – Phase 2 in progress ~ 60 cameras

Monitoring at Police HQ• 24/7 monitoring

• Staffed by experienced officers

• Coordinated with patrol to respond to incidents

• Evidence recorded for investigation and prosecution

Jubilee Park Surveillance

24

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

WI-FI Coverage

Internet

Dubai Tower – Security, VoIP

Transportation Security

InternetGateway

Internet

Security Monitors

MBTA, Boston – Mobile Video

MBTA, Boston – Mobile Video• 300+ busses, 8 cameras

each• Mobile-to-mobile

surveillance• Passenger and operator

safety; liability protection

Security for Special Events

Public Park

Super Bowl 2008

Phoenix PD Glendale PD

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 ZonePath clearance

Planning a Wireless System

Applications

Requirements

Site survey

Network design

RF engineering

Future growth

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

Technical Considerations, Cont’d

• 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 sub for that first wireless deployment

Wireless Saves Time, Money

Buffalo, NY

Dallas, TX

Downtown Chicago

Rockford, IL

NASA Dryden

Denver / DNC ‘08LA County Sheriff’s Dept.

Yuma Intl Airport

Thank You!

Mike Intag, RCDDmintag@firetide.com

Additional case studies at:www.firetide.com/video2