Wireless security of the object integrated with an autonomous drone as a perimeter protection system

In the community of installers and designers, many myths regarding the use of wireless techniques in electronic security systems have become established. They were created due to unpleasant experiences from many years ago, from the period when the first simple wireless systems appeared, as well as the habit to solutions using cabling. Contemporary, modern wireless techniques are related to solutions from years ago only in the name. It turns out that manufacturers of wireless solutions have long ago eliminated the disadvantages of old techniques. The investor, who is not the owner of the facility, but only its administrator, does not bear the costs and does not take on all the difficulties related to the distribution of the cable installation. The risk of overvoltage occurring in metal structures or the risk of lightning discharges is minimized to a minimum. Meanwhile, cable installations require special surge protection. The outer area of ​​the facility can now be protected with new methods.

Photo 1. Installation example of system detectors. Source: RCS materials

Designers know that the use of perimeter protection detectors for early detection of an intruder is one of the most effective solutions used in object protection, and integration with video surveillance systems is absolutely necessary. It is important to eliminate direct exposure to life and health of security personnel, to react quickly to an alarm and to precisely locate the threat. All this can be achieved thanks to the integration of perimeter protection systems with unmanned aerial vehicles by means of PSIM (physical security information management) software.

Varya Perimeter is a perimeter protection system using wireless RFID detectors mounted directly on fences, gates and wickets. The detectors can be used on all types of fences (mesh, panel, steel, sheet metal, wooden), as well as gates and wickets (photos 1 and 2).

RFID detectors do not require external power or wiring. The battery life is up to eight years. The architecture of the entire system is not complicated, and the installation of the detectors is very fast. The system also has the functions of monitoring the patrol activities of security personnel and the ability to supervise fixed or movable property located in the protected area. Varya Perimeter can function independently or cooperate with an intruder alarm system, an access control system, as well as a video surveillance system (at different levels of integration of these systems). In the simplest case, it is related to the use of presets programmed in high-speed cameras.

Photo 2. Example of detectors mounting on gate leaves. Source: RCS materials

Shock detectors are installed on the fence elements. They are equipped with a three-axis accelerometer and a gyro sensor (two independent alarm states) built in a sealed housing (IP67).

The system also monitors the battery discharge status in the detectors. The detectors record the human-induced vibrations of the fence, e.g. shocks, and the inclination of the fence during its forcing. An attempt to cut out detectors or a fragment of the fence is also signaled. Information about the alarm, the wind force, the attempt to damage the fence and the technical condition of the device are transferred from one detector to the next one in sequence, until the information is received by the FLU central unit. In the event of breaking the radio connection with one of the detectors and therefore breaking the data transmission by it, the data will be "jumped" to the next detector (jumping). This process is completely automatic and does not affect the operation of the system. Information about the event will be sent to the FLU central unit and an alarm procedure will be initiated, e.g. activation of signaling devices, setting the speed dome camera in such a way that the right place is observed, sending the drone or displaying the appropriate priority in the superior PSIM system.

Photo 3. The DC-01 Mucha drone with the command and control station. Source: UAVS Poland materials

The Varya Perimeter operator receives information about tampering in the event of radio interference. It also has the ability to verify this information. If the source of the interference is found and corrected, the Varya Perimeter calibrates itself automatically and recovers itself fully operational. The entire system additionally carries out the automatic diagnosis procedure by generating test signals once every 24 hours. Then, the system performs a self-test (self-test) in order to reduce the number of false alarms and maximize its effectiveness.

In the perimeter security system, proper securing of gates and wickets can be a big problem. In some cases, it is necessary to build additional cable infrastructure using reed switches or barriers. Ronyo Technologies engineers developed the FLG gate detector (photo 2), which is an integral part of the entire Varya Perimeter perimeter protection system. This device consists of two parts - a magnet and a detector equipped with a three-axis accelerometer, a gyroscope and a Hall sensor (Hall effect sensor).

Each detector included in the Varya Perimeter system is addressable, which enables precise identification of intrusion zones by limiting their length to one fencing span. This system allows for integration with modern building management software (including Gemos, Ostoya, Veno, Venom).

Photo 4. Assembly and service box. Source: UAVS Poland materials

The innovative WAV technique (from Weather Alarm Verification) is an algorithm specially developed by Czech engineers, implemented in each FLA detector. Thanks to the use of the WAV technique, the Varya Perimeter system meets the highest standards of perimeter protection. The number of false alarms caused by bad weather conditions (wind, rain, hail or lightning) is minimal.

The system was developed for a variety of applications. It can protect closed, open, small and wide spaces. It can also be used for quick temporary protection of a given place, e.g. a temporary camp, mass event, construction site. For this purpose, you can use a car with equipment that ensures connectivity and control.

The location of the Varya Perimeter system components depends on the customer's needs and the characteristics of the facility. The FLA detectors with the highest and lowest ID addresses communicate with the FLM monitoring unit. The FLM monitoring unit is connected to the FLU CPU via the RS485 bus or LAN using the TCP / IP protocol. Both the FLU central unit and the FLE extensions have logic inputs and double EOL logic outputs for integration with other security systems, e.g. for monitoring people and property in a protected area. These systems include Anarya Alarm (property protection) and Merya RTLS (personal protection).

The Varya Perimeter perimeter protection system has the necessary certificates, declarations of performance are attached to it and - most importantly due to the applicable law - complies with the norms and standards of PL EN 50131-1, PL EN 50134-2, PL EN 50131-5- 3, PL EN 50130-5, PL EN 55022, PL EN 50130-4, PL EN 61000-4-2, PL EN 61000-4-3, PL EN 61000-4-4, PL EN 61000-4-5, PL EN 61000-4-6, as well as with the applicable Polish defense standards NO-04-A004-1: 2016, NO-04-A004-4: 2016, NO-04-A004-5: 2016,? NO-04- A004-8: 2016 and NO-04-A004-9: 2016, so it can be successfully used in military facilities.

In 2016, our perimeter protection system received a prestigious award in the Innovation Technology & Products category at the world's largest security fair in Essen (Germany).

In order to improve security and increase the speed of response to an event, especially in facilities with an extensive surveillance area, the use of drones becomes justified - especially when the facility is subject to constant architectural changes as a result of production or functions, and when the most optimal is the use of wireless security. The introduction of modern solutions in the protection of facilities is aimed at supporting security personnel, and not burdening them with additional duties and requiring them to have additional specialist skills. Integration of the wireless system - Varya Perimeter with the DC-01 Mucha autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle (photo 3) enables quick arrival at the scene and remote verification - without direct exposure of security personnel.

Photo 5. Stationary automatic docking station. Source: UAVS Poland materials

DC-01 Mucha is a multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle. The flight time is up to 50 minutes. The maximum lifting capacity is 16 kg of payload, and the maximum flight speed is 20 m / s. The DC-01 is a universal device that works well in the protection of objects. Its standard equipment is a head with cameras, which is gyroscopically stabilized in three axes. The camera working in visible light provides 30x optical image magnification and software image stabilization. The thermal imaging camera enables observation in total darkness, with a resolution of 640x512 pixels.

The mobile set also includes the Light Mobile Command and Control Station (photo 3) built with the use of a professional Getac F110 tablet that meets the requirements of MIL-STD-810G, IP65 and MIL-STD-461F.

An indispensable element of the mobile set is the Peli transport box (photo 4), which, when opened, serves as an assembly and service table, which significantly reduces the time to assemble the drone and prepare it for flight. The chest is hermetic and equipped with a decompression valve.

The DC-01 Mucha drone is adapted for docking in a stationary automatic docking station (photo 5), which enables automatic charging or replacement of power packs. During the drone's standby mode, this station provides protection against both unfavorable weather conditions and other threats. The processes: take off, landing, docking and missions are completely automatic.

Advanced work is currently underway on the hydrogen power source for the DC-01 Mucha drone. The fuel cell will ensure a flight of more than four hours. Full functionality is scheduled for the end of 2018.

Paweł Piasecki RCS Engineering

Paweł Łuków aka Broniszewski UAVS Poland