31 January 2020

Connecting our pre-assembled beam towers to an IP CCTV network

In a previous edition of our newsletter, we described the benefits of using the OPTEX pre-assembled beam towers to reduce installation times and the risk of misalignment.

In this edition we highlight the option to connect them onto an IP CCTV network by using our IP encoder, the PIE-1, which transmits our dedicated event code – the Redwall Event Code – via the network to the Video Management Software (VMS) platforms.

The benefits of IP connected Beam towers

Beam towers are a popular and cost effective way to protect an open perimeter, ranging from villas, hotels and leisure complex’s with open garden space or open access to water (lake, river, sea etc) to commercial and agricultural sites such as car dealerships, farmland etc.

Most of these sites have an IP-based CCTV system. By connecting the perimeter protection to the site video surveillance system, it gives the ability to detect the zone of intrusion and display the video stream of the related camera. The infrared beams become another component of the IP security system and the alarms generated can be centrally managed by the VMS.

The Redwall Event code is integrated with many VMS platforms, which makes the deployment of the security system much easier. The list of our integration partners can be found on our website.

What are the events sent by the encoder?

The PIE-1 encoder will transmit the following events to the VMS: alarm, trouble and tamper. It means the system will know if an intrusion has occurred, if the sensor has some operational difficulties (health check) and if the beams are being tampered with (cover being removed or beams being removed from its mounting position etc).

How many encoders are needed per beam tower?

The events and alarms are generated by the receiving infrared beam so each beam receiver should be connected to the PIE-1 encoder. The number of encoders required is therefore calculated based on the number of receiving beams located in the towers.

Does the PIE-1 make the IR beams PoE-compliant?

The PIE-1 encoder can power a beam sensor making it PoE-compliant. However, there is a caveat: it would mean that one encoder will be required for each beam - the transmitter and receiver – thus increasing the number of PIE-1 units and secondly it will not provide enough power if a heater is being used inside the tower.

OPTEX has deployed many IP connected beam towers, especially across the Middle East and we will be happy to provide you with any additional information.

FAQ now available on our website

Over several months, we have compiled the questions commonly asked by our customers in the Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region and are bringing the answers together in one place on our new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page on our website. The questions and answers include a: ‘General FAQ’ section for general customer service enquiries, as well as a section for each product type: Intrusion Detection, Vehicle Sensors, LED Lighting, Access Security, People Counting, Temperature Detection, Factory Automation and Environmental Sensors. The list of FAQs will evolve and grow with the new questions received and if you have any suggestion please contact us at marketing:optex-europe.com.

The questions relating to specific products will also be featured on the respective product pages, for instance for BX Shield sensors you can find answers to the most common questions relating to these series in the BX Shield product pages.

The FAQ page is a new tool to help OPTEX customers and users by clarifying concepts and providing quick assistance to common enquiries.

Tech tip: What does anti-masking do?

If any motion or intrusion sensor is masked, it can no longer detect, and the integrity of the alarm system is compromised. There are many ways to mask a sensor: the lens could be covered, blocked or sprayed on. Tampering with the sensor could happen when the sensor is armed or disarmed. If it does happen when it is disarmed, it is very important that the sensor recognises the change of operation when it is active again.


Should anti-masking be a ‘must’?

It depends on the level of risk and the accessibility of the sensor. If there is a high risk of burglary and the intrusion sensor is located outdoors and is easily accessible, for instance a low mount sensor placed on a driveway or on the outside wall of a building, then it is recommended to use an anti-masking sensor. If the sensor is at 4m height or more and can’t really be easily spotted or reached, it might not be necessary. For indoor sensors, anti-masking is a condition to obtain a grade 3 rated system.

What type of anti-masking is provided by OPTEX?

For all our anti-masking sensors, from indoor motion sensors to outdoor short and long range PIRs, we use an active infrared anti-masking technology. An IR transmitter LED and an IR receiver are located either side of the lens, pointing outwards. If the lens is covered or sprayed on, then the infrared beam light emitted by the transmitter will reflect onto the IR receiver and trigger the antimasking output.

Are there alternative anti-masking technologies available?

Another relatively common way to provide anti-masking is by using microwave technology. While this technology will detect most cases of a lens being covered, there is the risk with this technology that the carboard or textile covering the sensor could be ignored as the microwave energy will pass through the material.

Is the active infrared anti-masking part of a grading system?

The active infrared technology we are implementing in our indoor and outdoor sensors works in a similar way to the one used in Grade 3 detectors and complies to EN50131.

Which OPTEX product series feature antimasking?

Indoor:

Our LiDARs, Redscan series also feature anti-masking.

For our IR beams, as the active infrared technology is based on a constant signal transmission and reception, anything stopping the transmission will generate an alarm.