Senstar (Canada)

The OmniTrax® leaky coaxial cable perimeter intrusion detection system was first introduced at the 2004 International Carnahan Conference [1]. This sensor evolved from the technology of “GUIDAR” pioneered in the 1970's to bring intrusion location to perimeter sensors. OmniTrax theory of operation, based on a unique application of new Ultra Wideband Radar was described, as well as its feature of allowing pinpoint location of intrusions along 800m of sensor cable using a single processor. This feature is fundamentally important to direct the response force, and also for rapid debug and maintenance of the installation. Since that first presentation the sensor has been fully realized as one of the most cost-effective ranging perimeter sensors with its own integrated power and communications network. It has also been evaluated for both detection and environmental performance at our own local test site (SITE), and at independent government sensor test agencies. Further components of the technology have been developed to enlarge the range of site applications. This paper provides an update on the technology and its application including some new applications for leaky coaxial cable technology. One such new application has been selected for more detailed discussion in the paper entitled “A Rapid Deployment Guided Radar Sensor” that also appears in these proceedings.

The next generation of guided radar (GUIDAR) is based on ultra wide band (UWB) radar signal processing. Just as spread spectrum technology has revolutionized the communications industry UWB is dramatically changing radar signal processing. These advanced signal processing techniques are adapted to leaky coaxial cable technology in the next generation GUIDAR to provide new features and enhanced performance. At the core of the new technology is an ultra high-speed digital correlator implemented in a field programmable gate array (FPGA). Complementary orthogonal codes based on Golay codes are used to produce thumbtack correlation functions simultaneously in multiple range bins. The net result is near continuous wave (CW) performance (97% duty cycle) in forty to eighty 11.6-meter long-range bins with targets located within one meter along the length of cable. This is a dramatic improvement over the 3% duty cycle of the original GUIDAR and the typical 100 to 200 meter long zones of current CW leaky cable sensors. Orthogonal complementary codes are transmitted on each of two leaky coaxial cables. The responses from the parallel receive cables are fed to a direct digital receiver. The orthogonal nature of the code allows the composite coded pulse response to be de-multiplexed into the independent response for each of the two cables. This ultra-high speed correlation process involves the addition and subtraction of the sampled in-phase and quadrature-phase responses to the multiple range bin accumulators at 10 million samples per second. Synchronous sampling at twice the chip rate ensures that each target is observed in three adjacent sample bins. The phase and amplitude response in the three adjacent samples are combined to precisely pinpoint (within 1 meter) the locations of targets along the length of each of the two cables. The ability to precisely locate and track multiple simultaneous targets on each of two cables leads to numerous new features and performance benefits relative to existing leaky cable sensors. With a separate calibrated threshold for every meter of cable the sensor sensitivity is much more uniform and installation restrictions on burial depth, cable spacing, and medium homogeneity can be relaxed. Potential sources of nuisance alarms can easily be located and overcome. The pinpoint location can be used to provide better CCTV assessment, target capture for video motion sensors and more effective response to intrusions. Through the use of parallel cables the sensor can be used to detect the direction of crossing and to classify targets such as small animals, people, and vehicles. This patented next generation of GUIDAR technology represents a dramatic step forward from that which was introduced at the 1976 Carnahan Conference in Lexington, Kentucky, and the numerous CW leaky coaxial cable sensors that evolved from that work. This technology effectively addresses residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental requirements including those relating to homeland security, military operations, and prisons.

Many different detection technologies have been employed for perimeter detection to sensitize a barrier, including for example, strain-sensing taut wire sensors, electric fences, electrostatic sensors, and various linear microphonic cable-sensing devices. These outdoor perimeter fence detection sensors must reliably detect intruders attempting to cut or climb the barrier, while ignoring the effects of environmental noise including nearby activity. In a recent conference proceedings, the new IntelliFIBER fiber optic based product was introduced and compared with previous technologies. We outline the advancements in the IntelliFIBER development since introduction, as well as, the field test results obtained from sensor testing each of the different options. Some of the new IntelliFIBER advancements are in the sensing cable options. These include, for example, a hybrid cable version with both embedded power conductors and additional fibers. This feature provides a highly robust cable, one that does not require a conduit for all-weather detection, while providing an economic advantage for multiple zone perimeter applications. With this option, both the power system and data communications are secured, and the expense of adding separate perimeter power and data networks is removed. This advancement provides for further applications beyond the typical perimeter one, such as, securing data or power networks from intrusion. Field test results, from our own outdoor field test S.I.T.E., are presented for the different cable options, and also compare IntelliFIBER with its triboelectric-based counterpart, Intelli-FLEX. The long-term monitoring data includes the actual performance, in terms of probability of detection, false and nuisance alarm rates. Vulnerability to defeat is also discussed.

Outdoor perimeter volumetric field disturbance sensors must reliably detect perturbations to the field caused by an intruder, while rejecting noise and environmental changes that may be orders of magnitude greater than the target response. Currently, E-Field(R) systems are widely deployed in nuclear, correctional, and industrial sites to provide perimeter security. These systems are effective in rejecting the majority of noise and environmental stimuli through combined fixed attribute threshold comparison techniques. However, some environmental stimuli closely mimic target stimuli, so improved discrimination techniques have been sought. We describe the results of current studies and investigations of electrostatic sensor system response to targets and to various environmental changes. Fundamental principles in the character of sensor response to these varied stimuli are discussed. Techniques and methods that may be used to exploit the difference between intruder and environmental responses, while using cost-effective discrimination methods, are described. We show how the new Intelli-FIELD system was created, using currently available technologies, to provide both excellent detection properties, and an extremely low nuisance alarm rate, while, at the same time, greatly simplifying installation, calibration, and maintenance. The details of the new system hardware components and test results from initial field installations are described. A comparison of field performance with the previous E-Field product is provided to indicate the advantages of this new sensor technology.

Covert illumination is an important element in providing surveillance, detection, and assessment for securityapplications. IR illumination is increasingly providing this function; however, conventional filament-based illuminatorshave limited performance and life. A new variety of light emitting diode (LED) iluminators is described that provides longlife at low power. A further advance is to use a planar array of LED's with lenses to optimize the uniformity of sceneillumination and maximize the illumination range. Modem CCD cameras have an inherently high IR sensitivity so are wellmatched to work with this illumination. Further enhancements are to integrate the combination oflow-light camera andLED ifiuminator in a discrete column type package to make the overall illumination and assessment system unobtrusive.Finally, these components can be further combined with automated assessment aids to turn the surveillance device intoa true detection sensor that can operate stand-alone without active personnel monitoring. A review of the major IR designconsiderations is included, along with several examples of systems to illustrate potential applications.Keywords: LED IR Illuminator, Covert Survefflance & Assessment, Video Intrusion Detection Sensors.

This paper reviews the basic considerations in outdoor video intrusion detection and assessment systems and outlines some recent advances to enhance their performance. The background elements of system design including, for example camera siting, lighting options and specific site features of the perimeter are reviewed and related to both detection and assessment needs. The principles and features provided by electronic detection systems will also be reviewed relative to the security needs. Finally a new advancement, a synergistic combination of illumination, camera, and detection system will be described. This utilizes a 'Video Post' camera and infra-red (IR) illumination package, and the David 300 intrusion detection sensor.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">&gt;</ETX>