| Rapidly deployable security systems
Alexander Ivanovich Larin, PhD in Engineering Rapidly deployable security systems Source: «Special Equipment» magazine The presented review does not in any way claim to fully cover the world market for rapidly deployable systems, however, I hope that this material will help to determine the development trends of this class of security equipment both in the domestic market and abroad. The significant differences between rapidly deployable security systems, as a class, and traditional perimeter security systems are:
These differences determine that rapidly deployable systems are intended to warn of an intruder approaching an object or of his presence in a certain controlled area. Therefore, such systems can be used both independently and in conjunction with traditional perimeter security systems. This class of security equipment has been most developed in the USA and a number of European countries, where state programs for the creation of such equipment have been implemented for several decades. For example, the state program MPASS (USA) provides for support of the RFPI and TRSS programs, within the framework of which a set of unattended ground sensors ANGSQ-257 is used, containing seismic, magnetic and IR detectors. The MPASS program also develops a technology for combining data from distributed sensors and their collective use by network subscribers. The sensors will be integrated into the Sensor Array Management network, designed to solve the following problems: matching sensors, combining their data, transmitting data and visually assessing the situation. Initially conceived as equipment for government law enforcement agencies, rapidly deployable systems are currently enjoying increasing commercial success. At the end of 1999, such systems were sold in more than 50 countries worldwide. 1. Analysis of the composition of foreign rapidly deployable detection systems. The Tactical Automated Security System TASS was adopted by the US Electronic System Center (ESC) in 1995. The TASS system includes:
TRW System Integration Group (USA) has delivered 12 TASS systems (worth $47 million) to the US Air Force for deployment in the Middle East. Based on the results of field tests, the TASS system was estimated to increase the effectiveness of personnel protection by 16 times. The company has signed contracts for continuation of work for 5 years from 1997 for the amount of $495 million. TASS includes: Mini Intrusion Defection System or Enhanced MIDS. The developer is Qual-Tron (USA), which has manufactured hundreds of thousands of unattended ground sensors UGS. The EMIDS system has the same form, layout and functionality as MIDS, but unlike the latter, it contains a frequency synthesizer that allows communication in preferred frequency ranges in any part of the globe (there are hundreds of thousands of them produced, used in more than 50 countries). The weight of a complete EMIDS set is 5.5 kg. It includes seismic, magnetic, infrared active and passive sensors, as well as traps in the form of stretched wires. After analog-to-digital conversion and encoding, the sensor signals are sent to a transmitter in the 138…153 MHz range with an output power of 1 W. The EMIDS system has an output via a personal computer to an interface with other communication channels — telephone and satellite (allow receiving signals at all points on earth). The system can interact with other existing CLASSIC or REMBASS/IREMBASS systems. The developer claims that its system is 10 times cheaper than known analogues with the same functionality, except for classifying violators, but a trained operator can distinguish between wheeled and tracked vehicles by comparing their signatures measured by different types of sensors. MIDS/EMIDS systems can include the following sensors:
Man-Portable Networked Sensor System. The central control station of this system with a personal computer of the Laptop type controls portable sets of sensors (up to 3). Sets can be installed on a light truck or an unmanned aerial vehicle. A typical set of sensors of the system includes:
The elements included in the kit are connected to a radio network with automatic repeaters. Inputs for signals from external sensors such as IREMBASS or TRSS (Tactical Remote Sensor System) are provided.
IREMBASS System(Improved Remotely Monitored Battlefield Sensor System) developed by L-3 COM (USA) consists of sensors (IR-passive, magnetic, seismic, acoustic), as in the previous REMBASS system, but it is more compact and has less weight. It includes a monitor/programmer AN/PSQ-7 and a lightweight radio transmitter with a nominal range of 15 km.
System of sensors for covert local surveillance and classification of intruders CLASSIC(Covert Local Area Sensor System for Intruder Classification). The manufacturer is a division of Racal Radio Ltd. of the well-known Racal concern (Great Britain). The system has been supplied to 36 countries since 1982. In 1997, the company released a modernized system CLASSIC 2000, which was announced as a “ground sensor system for remote control of terrain, object surveillance, perimeter protection and route monitoring.” The progressive modular design of the system, advanced technical solutions to the most important problems of this class of security equipment — minimization of weight and size characteristics and provision of autonomous modules with power supply, unconditional commercial success, all this requires a more detailed story about the stop on the features of the system design. The system equipment is intended primarily for use by the army, paramilitary units, police and special services. The CLASSIC 2000 system is characterized by rapid deployment, simple user interface, and high information content. The system is compatible with all previously released sensors, but its main elements are made programmable, which has reduced their size, weight and cost. The main elements of the system are: RA4310 monitor (photo 1), RTA4311 repeater, TA4312 multifunctional sensor, TA4314 magnetic sensor with built-in converter. Photo 1. RA4310 monitor of the CLASSIC 2000 system To increase the flexibility of the system as a whole, all sensors, relays and monitors are programmed using the Classic 2000 software. The programs run in the WindowsO environment on IBM-compatible PCs. Sensors and repeaters can be programmed directly from the PC. The software allows for the improvement of signal processing algorithms. Each monitor of the system with dimensions of 9.5×16.6×6.3 cm and weight of 1 kg can receive input signals from 99 sensors in the range of 148…155 MHz and programmable choice of channels. Input of signals is carried out either directly or through 3 repeaters. The RA4310 monitor stores databases in non-volatile memory, and the serial interface allows transferring data on intrusions for processing by software using a map of the area and various data processing programs. The database of sensors and repeaters is loaded from an IBM-compatible PC using the Classic 2000 software and contains the following information: type of equipment (repeater, sensor, etc.), confidence interval (from 1 to 24 hours), channel number, transmission frequency. The monitor is used not only to transmit information to the operator, but also to transmit program information to sensors and repeaters. The main source of information in the system is the TA4312 multifunctional sensor, which can work with the following types of converters:
Photo 2. Geophone MA4320
Photo 3. Piezoelectric cable 455912
Photo 4. IR detectors MA4323 The TA4312 sensor automatically detects the type of converter when connected and has all the algorithms necessary to recognize the nature of seismic signals (from a geophone or piezoelectric cable): people or vehicles, tracked or wheeled, as well as the target azimuth. The sensor has dimensions of 12x12x5.2 cm and weighs 0.85 kg with batteries (8 “AA” batteries in the MA4330 block) and an inconspicuous pin antenna. Racal Radio Ltd. also offers a special module of magnetic sensors with a built-in converter. In addition, other sensors can be used in the CLASSIC 2000 system: water level and radiation sensors, as well as various chemical sensors. Features of the converters. The signals generated by the MA4320 geophone enable recognition and classification of human and vehicle intrusions. The geophone's performance is significantly affected by the type of soil on which it is located. The difference in detection range for wet compacted soil and dry loose soil can be up to 100 m. The multifunctional sensor allows the operator to adjust seismic sensitivity with several settings, and the algorithm has an adaptive threshold to reduce the level of false alarms caused, for example, by ground vibrations during rain. The 455912 piezoelectric cable functions similarly to a geophone, but detection is performed along the entire length of the cable (the 455912 is a distributed sensor, while the MA4320 is a concentrated sensor). The cable transducer is available in lengths from 25 to 1000 m and provides a detection range of up to 50 m in favorable conditions. The CLASSIC 2000 MA4321-4323 passive infrared sensors are sophisticated dual-beam pyrometers with high-precision optics. Their signals are processed using algorithms adapted to the soil type and use joint data processing to determine the correlation between two surveillance zones, while it is possible to determine the direction of intrusion. All types of IR sensors are interchangeable, since they use the same interface cable. Unibeam Single Beam Laser Detection Systemis a portable laser barrier designed to protect local objects and to be installed at checkpoints, manufactured by Blomme Automation (France). Unibeam consists of a transmitting and receiving device and a 9V alkaline power supply battery. All components of the system are sealed in aluminum alloy housings with a black anodized coating and have universal mounting devices. A GaAs laser diode with an infrared filter is used as a transmitter, and a silicon Pin diode also with an infrared filter serves as a receiver. The transmitting and receiving devices can be separated by a distance of up to 100 m. The duration of continuous operation is 10…15 hours, from a battery of dry lithium cells — 20…50 hours. The overall dimensions of each component are 104x56x23 mm, weight 160 g. Autonomous, quickly deployable portable passive IR system from RDS(UK) is equipped with a 12 V battery and functions for 500 hours. The detection zone is 40×10 m (model 5000) and 20×20 m (model 2000). Within the zone, the system reacts to movement and temperature changes interpreted as human intrusion. The first signal transmitted by the system reports the coordinates of the location of the violation, and the second informs about an attempt to intrude or damage the system. Analysis of the composition of domestic quickly deployable security equipment Based on the reduced installation time (up to 1.5 hours), the following domestic equipment can be classified as quickly deployable security systems:
Radio beam rapidly deployable security systems The most well-known serially produced rapidly deployable radio beam signaling system “Vitim” is designed to protect local areas, temporary locations of people or vehicles, communication nodes, helipads, control points with the transmission of information via radio channel about the fact and location of the violation of the protected boundary. The system can be used for operational or stationary organization of protection of objects or for the protection of damaged areas of stationary perimeter security systems.
Photo 5. External appearance of the transceiver The Vitim system consists of a number of transceivers located on special portable stands (photo 5), a data processing and transmission unit, and a remote indication unit (photo 6) that displays signals about a violation of the controlled area with an indication of the location of the violation and equipment malfunction signals. The signals are transmitted to the remote indication unit via a radio channel or a wired communication line at a distance of up to 15 or up to 3 km, respectively. The system is powered autonomously (10НКГЦ1б battery) or using a group power supply kit. The installation of transceivers on special racks allows to create a continuous security line up to 1.0…1.5 km long on the ground by means of 10 sections. A radio beam is used to transmit information about a section violation, which actually forms the detection zone. The last receiving rack is equipped with a VHF transceiver, which provides communication with the remote indication unit via one of five fixed frequency channels (photo 6).
Photo 6. Remote indication unit VBI-R with antenna Mobile quickly deployable radio beam security system with information transmission via radio channelMobile-RLD, developed by NIKIRET (Zarechny) is in many ways an analogue of the Vitim system, although it has significant differences. The system allows for quick organization of perimeter protection of a territory, with a length of 0.05 to 1.25 km, with the possibility of increasing the length by increasing the number of blocked sections. Unlike the Vitim system, each of the Mobile-RLD zones is formed by a separate set of a two-position radio beam sensor of the RLD-94DR model. Therefore, the controlled sections can be located on the ground in any order without any connection with each other. The packaging kit for the receiver and transmitter of each section of the Mobile-RLD system is rigid rectangular boxes, which are used to install antennas on the ground. Therefore, the full functioning of the system is possible on unprepared terrain, including sandy and marshy soils. The Mobile-RLD system generates an alarm signal when an intruder attempts to cross any of the ten detection zones, transmitting a signal up to 1.5 km via a radio channel indicating the number of the area where the intrusion occurred, with subsequent memorization and documentation of the signal information by a radio receiving monitor. The system can operate both in an autonomous mode (powered by batteries) and in a stationary mode with power from external sources and with the transmission of alarm signals via wire lines. For both radio beam systems under consideration, all the limitations on use inherent to two-position radio beam sensors are valid: strict requirements for the terrain, for the height of grass and snow cover in the detection zone. Such limitations practically exclude the use of radio beam rapidly deployable systems in forests and mountainous terrain. Radio wave device “Gazon” is designed for the prompt blocking of temporary security lines in unprepared terrain with complex terrain and line configuration (parking lots for vehicles, warehouses and storage facilities, cargo areas). The weight of the electronic unit (about 10 kg) allows us to classify this security system as quickly deployable very conditionally, however, the presence in the kit of one of the modifications of «Gazon» of a special set of racks for quick installation allows you to deploy the system to a maximum length of 100 m in less than 60 minutes. The main advantage of the «Gazon» security system is the ability to match the detection zone with the terrain and the configuration of the security line.
Photo 7. External appearance of the elements of the «Gazon» security system: electronic unit, installation stand, wired sensitive element on a coil A wire line is deployed along the protected area at a height of 1.5…1.8 m from the ground and connected to the electronic unit (photo 7). The wire line is secured to dielectric posts installed in the ground every 7…9 m. The lower wire is laid under the upper wire along the ground surface. A volumetric detection zone is formedbetween the upper wire and the ground surface. The electronic unit records changes in the electromagnetic field when an intruder appears in the detection zone. The “Gazon” security system can operate both in autonomous mode and in conjunction with information collection and processing systems. For use in autonomous mode, the electronic unit is powered by a 10NKGTS-1D battery. Limitations during operation include the height of the grass and snow cover (no more than 0.6 m). In addition, the detection zone requires the following distances from objects and facilities:
The length of the blocked line for the “Lawn” system is from 40 to 100 m, with every 10° deviation from the rectilinear direction of the security line reducing its length by 1 m. The width of the detection zone is no more than 3 m. Breakaway Detection Devices Detection devices of the breakaway principle can be quickly installed on the ground, have minimal weight, dimensions, and a camouflaged linear part. They are relatively cheap. The operating principle of the devices is based on the device registering a break in the DC circuit (a violation of the integrity of the sensitive element of the linear part). Such devices are designed for the prompt blocking of temporary security boundaries (tourist campsites, vehicles, cargo areas, etc.), supplementing and strengthening the protection of individual sections of the perimeter in the directions of the likely movement of an intruder (forests, groves, ravines, etc.) and are designed for use in forested areas with arbitrary relief and configuration of the blocking area. In the “Rod” and “Kuvshinka” devices, the sensitive element is an insulated microwire with two copper cores with a diameter of 0.1…0.2 mm and a resistance of 7…10 Ohm/m. The low mechanical strength of the microwire ensures that the length of the protected boundary is no more than 100…150 m with a cassette capacity of up to 2 km. The mean time between failures of detection devices on the breakaway principle of operation usually exceeds 5000 hours. Principle of operation The “Crab-1” detection device is based on the reflectometric method of measuring and monitoring the length of a signal wire line made of a thin, barely noticeable single insulated wire with a diameter of about 0.1 mm. Along with traditional advantages – quick deployment, portable design, cheap single wire line, the “Crab-1” series devices have the ability to continuously monitor and digitally indicate the integrity of the wire line and the distance to the point of its break. The electronic unit design options include both the ability to operate autonomously and to issue an alarm signal to an external receiving and control device. The greatest efficiency of using breakaway means can be achieved in conditions of very rugged terrain with dense vegetation (trees, bushes, grass), which mask the sensitive element. At the same time, vegetation, which is an interference factor for sensors of other types, does not affect the operation of breakaway means. Table 1. Main tactical and technical characteristics of breakaway quickly deployable detection means.
Despite the sufficient power supply, microwire security devices are most effective in short-term security modes of 1…2 days, since the operating time to a false “Alarm” signal does not exceed 48 hours/km and the operability of the device can be restored only after the immediate exit of service personnel to the controlled area. The structure of domestic rapidly deployable security systems differs from the structure of foreign systems. A brief analysis shows that domestic and foreign rapidly deployable security systems are based on different construction ideologies:
The difference in the design ideology also determines the differences in the composition of the detectors: the two-position radio beam (Vitim, Mobil-RLD) and wire-wave (Gazon) sensors used in domestic systems are not found in foreign security systems. Instead, various seismic, geophone and IR passive sensors (Rembass, CLASSIC 2000) are used. Both approaches to building rapidly deployable security systems have a right to exist, moreover, in the future they can organically complement each other in security systems of the next generations. In preparing the article, materials kindly provided by the Moscow representative office of the Racal concern, as well as technical documentation from NIKIRET (Zarechny), Elektrokhimpribor (Yekaterinburg) were used.
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