28 April 2021

Featured in: OPTEX in the news, Intrusion detection

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With the growing demand for smart campus and smart city applications, the need for intelligent detection has grown. The ability to detect activity, filter events and take different actions dependent upon the circumstances has long been sought after by a growing number of integrators and end users, but has often proved challenging to achieve without maintaining reliability and accuracy. However, the situation is about to change.

Historically, external detection has been something of a mixed bag. Many years ago, many manufacturers simply packaged sensors designed for internal use in IP-rated housings and sold them as external detectors. The high rates of nuisance activations and erratic catch performance led to these devices being relegated to use for switching lighting. Regulations meant external detection couldn’t be used in graded systems, and unless a high level of investment was made into a PIDS (perimeter intruder detection system) solution, external detection didn’t figure highly in system designs.

Despite this, the role of external detection has always been high on the wish-list of many customers. It makes sense to detect intruders or incidents at the earliest possible opportunity, often long before they have gained entry to buildings. The cost of damage alone can make even failed burglaries very costly, so detection before an attempt is made to force an entry is beneficial.

Sensing challenges

Modern external detection devices are significantly advanced when considered against sensors from a few years ago. Stable, effective and bristling with a range of features and functions, there are still challenges which face those designing and delivering intelligent detection solutions. For example, if an integrator wants to initiate different actions based upon where an activity takes place, they often need to link numerous devices and program separate types of actions to be taken when each triggers.

Sensor evolution

In recent years, the security sector has seen the growth of LiDAR sensors. LiDAR (light detection and ranging) is a technology which works by dispersing pulses of laser light, and measuring their return time as they are reflected off surfaces. It uses the return times and changes in wavelength to create a representation of the monitored space. By continually scanning a space, the sensor can not only accurately detect people and objects, but it can also provide X and Y axes for any target, delivering positive positioning data.

Unlike some detection technologies, LiDAR works by identifying the presence of an exceptional object: one which is not normal in the scene. It effectively ‘learns’ permanent objects, such as buildings, street furniture, etc., but reports objects which have ‘entered’ the scene.

The use of LiDAR is still relatively new in security, but specialist detection manufacturers, such as OPTEX, have optimised the technology for intruder detection applications. With the latest REDSCAN Pro range, the accuracy and ability to pinpoint the location of an alarm source is a key benefit, but there is a lot more which can be achieved with the sensors.

A smarter approach

The use of LiDAR sensors looks set to grow significantly, both in high-risk applications such as critical national infrastructure, transportation, manufacturing, logistics and campus-style commercial sites. However, because one sensor can cover very large areas with high degrees of accuracy, the deployment of REDSCAN Pro devices will be a cost-effective solution for many sites.