Design, supply and commissioning of a CCTV security system for a regional Caribbean university campus. The campus is divided into 9 main zones, connected over a WAN by fiber and other point-to-point solutions to the main control room. Within each zone, remote surveillance cameras were networked to the local gigabit network via a redundant wireless mesh network, with further connection to the fiber backbone.
As requested, cameras were focused on campus entrance and exit points for license plate and facial recognition. In addition, discrete audio streaming devices were placed at facility guard booths for the logging of visitor interaction. In addition to the 100+ new network cameras installed, the system also integrates with the 200+ existing legacy analog cameras. These analog feeds were integrated into the new IP system via MPEG4 encoders and are capable of full control, alarm responses, event triggers and advanced video analytics via dedicated DSP servers.
The UPS battery-backup system has three levels of accurate redundancy and has full online monitoring capabilities. Multiple UPS deployments also allow for full independence and redundancy of zone power supplies, from the other zones and the control room.
All wired and fiber-network devices are Cisco Catalyst managed appliances. Cisco is the undisputed industry leader in network appliances. CET Ltd. is a Cisco authorized representative and is certified to offer the training and support that a deployment like this requires.
All IP Cameras and video encoders are Bosch products which seamlessly integrate to the Bosch iSCSI recorders. All events processing is done within the IP camera itself. This allows for much faster data transfer and event response. Bosch Video Management Systems were also installed for user interface and video analytics.
An essential component of this installation was the use of a point-to-point, point-to-multipurpose, and a mesh-type wireless system. For this, CET utilized Fluidmesh wireless antenna hardware. The system was a purpose-built, dedicated, and reliable wireless solution specifically designed for network-based surveillance communications systems. The systems are scaleable with distributed intelligence and management that allows for almost limitless future expansion of the system.
For robotic camera applications, Bosch AutoDome was utilized. These units offer Interchangeable Central Processing Units (CPU), Cameras, Housing and Communications modules. Analog and Hybrid (analog/IP) communications modules options were employed.
For the control room infrastructure, we used a three-person custom-designed Winsted command and control type solution. Winsted is a leading industry manufacturer in the specific production of military and security type application furniture. The intended result is minimal user fatigue.
Software deployment was divided into three main categories: Management, Event Management, and Forensic Management.
Management of the iSCSI is managed by its own embedded operating system. This results in minimal failures that PC applications are prone to. This type of management software (being local to the iSCSI but manageable over the network also) allows the design to be further redundant and reduce the cost of having a high volume network infrastructure. By having the iSCSIs physically deployed in different locations throughout the campus in a distributed design, no single fail point would affect the recording of the more than 8 cameras. A break in the connection would not affect the others. RAID 5 configuration further increases redundancy within each iSCSI device.
Event Management applications are loaded in the camera DSP and occurs real-time within each camera. Due to this distributed processing, control center processing and hardware data requirements throughout are substantially lowered. By doing this, it becomes much more manageable to operate, and as stated a single point failure cannot affect more than one camera.
Forensic Management applications allow the client to have a DSP application review hundreds of hours of recorded footage of multiple views on a dedicated server for a specific activity or alarm event. This can be done without having an operator review it on a monitor. It also will summarize data and footage for monitor personnel to observe the key events the camera has flagged for review. While all this is being done, the cameras would simultaneously still be recording in real-time.
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CET designs, installs and provides equipment for security systems such as CCTV, fire, access control, and automation services in Caricom territories including Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Cuba, Suriname, Barbados, Antigua, The Bahamas, Grenada, St. Kitts. Please contact us if you have any consultation requests at info@CaribbeanAV.com
CET offers manufacturer warranties as well as a full systems warranty, repair, and maintenance services for our low voltage systems.