Page 50 - Security Today, October 2018

Complete Perimeter Solution
Radar and deep learning technologies finally come together BAy Yaron Zussman
n alarm is triggered in the middle of the night at a re- mote power plant. An off- site security patrol officer re- ceives the alert via the video
management system and springs into action, driving more than 30 minutes to the remote location in hopes of mitigating the threat be- fore the situation escalates. Upon arrival, the security guard realizes the alert was simply an animal at the fence line that triggered a nuisance alarm. This scenario plays out all too often, whether it be at a utility substa- tion or commercial business. False alarms are detrimental to security efforts, wasting both time and money.
This is just one of many instances where artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning have become critical for security solutions to function optimally. While practically every- one in the security industry has been talking about AI and its possibilities, some are still unclear on how this technology works and what it has to offer.
A key trend for 2018 has been the inte- gration of AI with various security systems. AI-enabled surveillance cameras, facial rec- ognition software, and fingerprint authen- tication scanners are just a few examples. One unique AI technology pairing gaining traction in the perimeter security sector is radar. Thanks to its superior reliability and wide field of coverage, radar has emerged as a prime candidate for integration. Taking the most dependable radar sensors and optical sensors and merging these with deep learn- ing programs via advanced video manage- ment software, enables higher-performing analytics and enhanced perimeter security. Before discussing this dynamic technology combination, let’s look at radar and its uses for the security industry.
Radar Technology
Radar stands for “Radio Detection and Ranging,” and uses radio frequency waves to identify and track targets. In simple terms, radar is an object detection system that sends out radio waves to determine the range, di- rection, speed, and altitude of an object. Unlike video or thermal imaging cameras, radar performance is not adversely affected by weather, lighting, or other external forces. Radar provides continuous coverage of any protected site in all weather and lighting con- ditions, allowing for volumetric perimeter protection while keeping power consump- tion to a minimum.
Radar has been commonly used in gov- ernment and military applications, giving the misconception that it is only meant for high- level deployments. However, radar’s wide coverage capabilities make it an ideal system for a variety of perimeter applications in- cluding, data centers, oil and gas refineries, logistic centers and education campuses.
With the ability to reach up to 120-de- grees in azimuth and 30-degrees in elevation, a single radar is able to optimally cover an area despite changing topography. When ra- dar is placed around the perimeter of a site, targets that approach the “fence line” will be automatically detected and tracked. For security forces using traditional video cam- eras alone, detecting humans or vehicles at far ranges can be near impossible, allowing threats to come dangerously close to pro- tected assets. On the other hand, radar can detect humans or vehicles up to 1,000 meters away, alerting security forces long before they reach the boundary.
Integrating this technology with PTZ
cameras enables slew-to-cue capabilities, al- lowing security personnel to have eyes on exactly what the radar is tracking for maxi- mum situational awareness. New technology advancements have made radar even more effective. Here’s an overview behind the AI technology driving this enhancement.
AI and Deep Learning
The lines between artificial intelligence and deep learning can be unclear for many con- sumers. The easiest way to think of these technologies is in concentric circles, with AI being the largest or the umbrella concept, and deep learning in the center as it is the technology that enables AI’s abilities. Arti- ficial intelligence refers to systems that per- form tasks that identify patterns objects. In security, AI capabilities translate to greater data analysis and business intelligence.
For example, AI security systems can now detect and even recognize faces stored in a da- tabase, adding a whole new layer to duel-au- thentication access control and management.
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