Monumental Security: Ultra Wideband Security Detection Systems

Ultravision's Unobtrusive motion detection security systems are ideal for use both indoors and outdoors in the protection of national monuments

It seems a shame to have to start yet another article on security with the words "in the aftermath of 9/11". However, in the case of security of U.S. national monuments and treasures, the fact is, monument security has had to change significantly in the past six years as a result of heightened terrorism concerns. Traditional monument security issues of theft and vandalism remain, but now those issues are equaled, if not surpassed by the possibility that these items, which reflect a spirit of national pride that would be highly symbolic if lost to terrorism, must be considered possible targets of terrorists. Additionally, with daily visitors numbering anywhere from hundreds to hundreds of thousands, a balance must be struck between providing optimal human safety while avoiding creating an aura of fear at the locales where these monuments reside.

National Monument Security

In addition to the new "threats" to national monuments, there are logistical elements that further create unique security needs for monuments and monument housings. Those logistical concerns include:

1. The need to not interfere with monument and monument housing aesthetics
2. Balancing monument security with reasonably "open" visitor access
3. The differences that exist between open-hours and after-hours protection needs
4. Potentially remote and/or rugged locales

Such concerns were paramount to a particular national monument housing facility, a gallery with a range of both national and international artwork, sculptures and a plethora of historical documents and artifacts. This particular group looked to advancements in sensor technology, specifically the use of ultra wideband (UWB) technology, to solve or improve upon security issues.

Motion Detection Security Systems with Ultra Wide Band Technology

Ultra wideband (WB) signals have been used for decades in geophysical characteristic applications. When UWB signals are employed in geophysical analysis systems, the sensor is moved in order to detect and map underground stationary objects.

New developments in UWB products reverse the "moving of the sensor" application. Rather than moving the sensor over terrain, the sensor is positioned beneath or within terrain in a stationary position, enabling the sensor to "see" the motion of objects. Further, as in geophysical applications where echoes from targets that arrive a different times help define the distance of an object from the moving sensor, in this reversal of the process, these same echoes can aid in determining the distance from the stationary sensor of a moving object and the rate of movement or "velocity" of that object towards the sensor. Lastly, UWB technology provides improved motion resolution over that of a single frequency transmission like microwave, enabling measurement of subject mass.

So this "reverse" application of UWB technology takes motion detection to a new level, enabling a motion detection product that can see through barriers like walls, roadbeds, sidewalks or ceilings. Further the measuring of subject mass eliminates false detections of falling debris or animals in outdoor applications. Like most security technologies UWB sensor products available today can integrate with access control systems, day and night vision cameras with PTZ capabilities, alarming systems and so forth. This enables security personnel to determine appropriate actions based on the combined understanding of the fact detection has occurred, the size of the detected subject and the location and velocity of that subject from the object or location being monitored.

Outdoor Security Systems

An advantage of UWB technology in motion detection, especially as related to monument security, is the ability to effectively deploy systems outdoors. It is one of the chief concerns of the national gallery, as securing not only indoor areas surrounding specific monuments, art pieces and artifacts, but also the facility housing is a requirement.

In addition, the securing of the facility must be achieved covertly to either minimize or eliminate any affect on the aesthetics of the building and to minimize the risk that harm-doers can "circumvent" or tamper with the system. UWB technology is the only effective technology that can be deployed in a manner that solves these concerns. UWB sensors can be buried beneath concrete sidewalks, within walls or columns, or inside planters or myriad aesthetically-pleasing choices.

Intelligent Motion Detection Networks

Additionally, proper placement of UWB sensors and integration with other systems adds a layer of "intelligent" motion detection for facility protection. For example, when deployed, a product like the UltraSensor™ UWB Sensor from UltraVision™ Security Systems, Inc. can be integrated with existing CCTV cameras. Any detected motion sends an "alert" to an internal security console and the appropriate CCTV cameras are directed towards the location of the sensor detecting the motion. Further, the graphical user interface (GUI) from the UltraSensor™ constantly displays the sensor location relative to the building and the sensor area. When detection occurs, not only is the camera directed to view the sensor location, but also a red circle appears on the GUI showing the distance of the intruder from the sensor. Further, the GUI provides target velocity and mass, enabling the elimination of certain "false detections" like small animals or falling debris.

Therefore, as a sensor detects motion and the corresponding camera is alerted to point towards the motion, this creates an "intelligent network" of sensors and cameras. This network provides security personnel an opportunity to follow a detected threat, do a thorough assessment of whether the subject is a danger and take appropriate actions. Further, the UltraSensor™ can integrate with methods of alarming so that off site or patrolling personnel can be alerted to unusual circumstances. For example, with multiple sensors in place, if a security guard received alarms from sensors in four different locations within a short time frame, that would offer a great deal of proof that something suspicious might be afoot.

For monument security in indoor environments the need to protect while at the same time allowing access creates a diametrically opposed set of circumstances. For example, during the daytime, a monument might be surrounded by only a velvet rope. Ideally, the rope provides a level of protection from vandals, individuals intent on leaving behind something dangerous in a monument's vicinity, monument theft or simply over-eager enthusiasts wanting to touch a national treasure! Conversely, after hours, a threat to a monument must be detected from much greater distances for early apprehension of that threat. Solving open-hours versus after-hours issues with one technology is possible.

Covert UWB Security Technology

The ability to deploy UWB technology covertly does much to make protection possible during open-hours, without putting unappealing and ominous-looking security products in the field of view of the monument, art or artifact. Further, covert deployment, whether in open-or-after-hours application, provides a false-sense of security to any persons with harmful intentions, as there is no visible evidence detection is occurring.

An even more important feature designed in the UWB sensor products available today is the ability for detection distance to be "dialed up" or "dialed down" as needed to cover both open-hours and after-hours circumstances. During the day, the "field of detection" for the sensor may be dialed down to as little as a few feet from the monument, providing a "detect" notification only when someone crosses a physical barrier like a rope. Once the facility is closed for the night, the sensor can be set to automatically increase the field of detection, finding a threat long before it has a chance to become a harmful incident.

Once again, as with outdoors, the UWB sensors can be integrated with CCTV cameras, access control or other security technologies. For example, in the case of indoor detection in a gallery setting, detection might trigger an alarm that would "shut down" other areas of the gallery. This would protect other monuments and artifacts from harm and, at the same time, narrow the escape route choices for a detected subject.

Protecting national treasures means keeping security threats far from them or knowing well in advance when a threat exists. By securing both perimeters and indoor environments through a more accurate and discreet application technology, Ultra wideband products like the UltraSensor™ from UltraVision adds a far more effective layer of protection.