New firmware development enhances features for the REDSCAN RLS-2020 series

The Redscan RLS-2020 series is a high resolution, PoE compatible, 20x20m LiDAR that has recently obtained the Grade 3 compliance certificate (Security Grade 3, Environment Class II TS50131-2-11). A few months ago, a firmware development was made to provide a wider range of supported network protocols including HTPPS, DHCP, DNS, and SNMP v1/2c/3 making the data transfer between the laser sensor and the security management platform more secure. Network security is becoming an increasing concern, so it is important to provide secure, encrypted data communication from the edge device all the way to the controlling software.

In addition to these new features, the new firmware version 3.0, is providing an extended range mode to the RLS-2020S model (indoor/outdoor model). The model will now have the possibility to create a 30m radius over a 95° detection area.

In virtual wall mode and mounted at approximately 4m high, the new extended range mode will give an extra 10m detection coverage and able to detect a person standing or crouching; this is a significant benefit to provide even stronger and more cost-effective perimeter protection.

In horizontal mode, the extended range (20 to 30m) can act as a pre-warning detection area, able to detect vehicles or objects wider than 45cm, so one device can provide even wider approach protection.

OPTEX’s Redscan 2020 LiDARs are being produced with firmware version 3.1, providing the new featured listed above. You can download the updated datasheet here. If you wish to discuss a firmware upgrade with our technical team, please contact them here.

Let them run wild without triggering the security system

For four decades, OPTEX has been providing outdoor PIR sensors that are truly animal tolerant. They have been designed with two or three layers of detection that require multiple breaks for the alarm to be triggered. The multiple detection layers detection means that birds, cats, rabbits, squirrels, foxes and medium size to fairly large dogs will not trigger the alarm.

While most people want to be notified about individuals entering the boundary of their premises, they don’t want their alarm system triggered every time the cat goes out, or whenever a wild animal comes into the garden.

End users can protect their property using one or a variation of OPTEX outdoor intrusion sensors, while having the peace of mind that they will not false alarm because of animal activity.

Our animal tolerant range consists of 180° (WXI- WXS)) and 90° (VXI-VXS) 12m PIRS and dual tech sensors, as well as 5m and 24m curtain sensors, the FTN and BXS series. They all feature two detection beams, one pointing to the floor and one aimed at waist height – both beams need to be crossed to trigger the alarm. If the sensor combines passive infrared and microwave technology then the two beams and the microwave detection field need to the crossed for an object to be detected, creating a third layer of detection. They can be used to protect the garden, yards, sheds, storage area, driveway and parking area as well as doors, fire exits, windows and balconies.

In this video recording, we show how a homeowner and pet lover is using a VXS outdoor sensor to protect his yard and how his many cats don’t trigger the alarm. The sensor is connected to a video camera and the camera software indicates when the sensor triggers.

For people who would like to have a combined sensor and camera solution, OPTEX has developed a wireless HD camera module for the VXI pet-tolerant outdoor sensor, called the VXI-CMOD, to create an App-based visual verification solution that will only notify you when you need to be, and not every time the cats or dogs are out.

Tech Tip: Measuring voltage for optimum Active Infrared Beam alignment

Active infrared beams perform best when they are well aligned, and OPTEX beams are equipped with useful tools to help you ensure that the receiver is receiving the maximum amount of infrared signal from the transmitter. After an initial optical alignment between the transmitter and receiver – which is made easier with the Sniper Viewfinder magnifying glass included with the SL Series, it is advised to fine-tune the alignment with a voltmeter on the receiver to achieve the best possible performance of the beams. Here is our tech team’s step-by-step guide:

1. Set the voltmeter range to 5 to 10 VDC

2. Connect the voltmeter’s positive probe into the positive terminal of the monitor jack, and the negative probe into the negative terminal

3. Check voltage to achieve a monitor output level over ‘good’ or ideally reaching ‘excellent’.

Active Beam Sets	Monitor jack output ‘good’ (for minimum good performance)	Monitor jack output ‘excellent’ (for best performance)
SL-100/200TNR	2.0 V	2.8 V
SL-200/350/650QDM	1.5 V	2.0 V
SL-200/350/650QDP	1.5 V	2.0 V
SL-200/350/650QN	3.5 V	5.0 V
AX-100/AX-200TF	2.0 V	2.5 V
AX-70/130/200TN	2.5 V	2.9 V

Should voltage be below ‘good’ level indicated in the table above, the beams will need to be realigned.

4. Adjust the horizontal and vertical angles while checking the light receiving status by using the Alarm indicator LED on the pairing receiver. For the SL series, the LED will blink to represent the level of alignment ranging from poor to excellent: slow blink = okay, fast blink = better, continuously on = best. AX series the LED indicator is off if aligned and on if not aligned. For the AX-TF models the LED will blink to advise if the beams are getting better alignment and the LED will turn off once perfectly aligned.

5. For SL-QDP (receiver only) there is also a sound assist function to check optical alignment. A continuous tone indicates excellent performance.

If you have any additional questions regarding beam alignment, please contact our technical team.