Imaging technology | CCTVImage
Thermal imaging yields higher contrast images which are easier to process with video analytics Fire detection
a variety of challenging scene conditions to overcome, such as fog or bright backlit areas, which thermal is again better equipped for. Thermal imaging’s range – allowing detection of a human target at distances up to 2000m – is also said to be advantageous, through earlier incident detection that allows response teams more time to react. “ARCs love thermal technology because of its higher contrast images, which lead to fewer false alarms by making it easier for staff to visually verify situations. The high contrast images also enable analytics to work better,” says Cocks.
“The types of thermal solution gaining traction involve typical site observation using fixed cameras and analytics, with ARC operators deploying a separate PTZ with site-wide observation capability to ‘interrogate’ potential alarm incidents flagged up by the fixed units. Thermal cameras can also complement other detection methods including PIR and microwave intruder devices. For public sector cus- tomers, the economics of thermal technology are attractive. “For example, a 150metre-square site with perimeter distances of over 100m would exceed the range of an optical camera with top-end infrared lighting, so you’d need eight fixed cameras, eight (mounting) towers for them, at a cost of perhaps £2-5000 each, eight analyt- ics channels and appropriate lighting. By comparison, four thermal cameras with towers and analytics could do the same job for between 30-50% of the cost, when you factor in capital equipment cost, instal- lation, maintenance, energy consumption of lighting over five years and monitoring.”
One example of FLIR equipment in use can be seen in its PT-313 thermal imaging cameras installed at three solar parks in Wiltshire and Cornwall, linked to standard hard disk recorders and simultaneously shared with an ARC through secure broadband connections. Staff can audibly warn off would-be intruders using on-site PA systems, as well as use the cameras to distinguish between an alarm triggered by ani- mals or intruders, regardless of lighting and weather conditions.
Meantime, security is a key market for Opgal’s range of ther- mal imaging and near-infrared illumination cameras. Its EyeSec thermal cameras, for instance, are deployable for port security, border protection, petrochemical perimeter protection and airport boundaries. The company celebrated its 30th anniversary last year, taking the opportunity of its presence at IFSEC 2012 to introduce a new EyeSec Fire Detection camera, which integrates fire detec- tion analytics. Nobody is disputing thermal imaging technology’s distance abilities, but Opgal’s RangeSec line of thermal imaging cameras are notable in this respect for offering human detection capabili- ties up to 13km for applications such as maritime risk detection and homeland security deployments and related long-range sur- veillance uses.
Optical/thermal dual CBC (Europe) introduced Ganz C-AllView Thermal and Dual
cameras into its range a number of years ago, with the C-AllView Dual combining thermal imaging with the detail capture of visible light (using C-AllView’s 36x optical zoom), allowing individuals to be tracked and recorded in useful detail at ranges up to 1km and vehicles detected up to 2km. CBC also offers day/night cameras with ‘MIST’ image correction technology, designed to sharpen and increase visibility in conditions where fog, haze, smog, sand or rain impede outdoor video surveillance. The 540 TVL ZC-NH258PM camera, for instance, uses its dynamic range con- trol function to detect and measure image intensity on the screen. By digitally adjusting colour and contrast, poor quality images caused by environmental factors are automatically corrected.
Spring 2013 26
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