Radar is Vital in Security Design
Radar has been applied for demanding applications right from the start. It was originally used by the military and to help with airplane and ship navigation. These applications already set high standards for radar devices when it comes to reliability and precision.
As the technology evolved, it became available to other markets. But it is still preferred for use in challenging environments and high-value or complex applications.
Because in these cases, the precise and reliable measurement that radar brings with it is usually the crucial point. Therefore, radar plays an important role in security technology. It is an almost indispensable part of security system design, especially in critical infrastructure.
What Radar Systems Do
Radar systems can detect static and moving objects. They deliver not only presence information like PIR, but they also provide information on speed, distance and angle to the object. With this information, it is possible to locate and monitor any moving person or object within the radar field of view.
Robustness is in most cases the clincher in favor of radar. It simply performs more reliably compared to other technologies such as PIR or cameras, which suffer performance issues due to environmental factors.
Why Radar Works for Critical Infrastructure
Radar works in any light and weather conditions. It also comes with impressive temperature tolerances, both extreme heat and penetrating cold. So, the technology is extremely reliably and robust and works perfectly for outdoor applications.
◾ Resistance to tampering – blocking, spraying or dirt build-up does not disrupt the performance.
◾ Radar devices require no maintenance.
◾ Radar detects various materials depending on their radar cross-section (RCS). From car to human, radar systems notice every movement.
◾ Large areas can be monitored as radar has a wide range.
◾ Numerous data can be obtained through the radar measurement, which is helpful for security personnel to assess security incidents. The data is anonymous because the technology does not output an image.
24 GHz Radars Are Typical
The combination of these benefits lets the performance of radar sensors technically stand out for critical infrastructure. Since the dawn of radar use in security applications, the products have developed significantly.
Advances in signal evaluation and antenna design not only make radar devices more user-friendly, but also offer more functionality that is tailored to the needs of the application. System solutions which are easy to integrate or ready-to-use are trending. For critical infrastructure such as industrial parks, 24 GHz radars are typical. Here, the developers achieve an optimum relationship between detection range and resolution that meets the requirements of the security industry. Radar is mostly used for detecting approaching objects from far off or as a radar barrier alongside fences.
Besides the large range and high resolution, advanced systems offer additional features to meet the requirements of the application. For example, they monitor multiple targets simultaneously. To increase the efficiency of the detection, it’s also possible to adapt the detection to the local conditions by setting limits to the detection range.
Trigger Responses in Specified Zones
Even individual zones can be set. These can be used to set aside specific ‘alarm’ or ‘ignore’ areas. Or they can be set to trigger by a combination of different security measures. For example, a motion detection some way off triggers first switching on lights and perhaps a camera, too. When the moving object gets closer and enters the next defined detection zone, the acoustic alarm could sound, or the guarding team be informed to monitor the potential intrusion.
Another highlight of modern radar systems is the tracking feature. It follows and visualizes the movement of people and objects over time. Operators can track the motion history for a better risk evaluation and to see where the intruder emerged from. This history won’t be lost, even if the slow-moving object or person stands still for a short time because radar also detects static objects.
Premium radar systems with advanced digital signal processing and high radar resolution are also able to classify a detected target. So, you will know if a car or a person is entering the critical zone. The extended measurement functionality also outputs more data about the target, such as speed of motion or RCS.
User-friendly configuration options enable operators to set filters to improve the performance efficiency. For instance, they can filter detections by RCS or speed individually according to their needs. In order to reduce false alarms, it is possible to filter out small animals or other irrelevant detections through the filter settings.
New Tech Promises Future Advances
The future still holds a lot of potential for further development for radar systems.
Advances in chip technology, software development, antenna design and other industries are promising and will influence the evolution of radar devices. It is to be expected that they will improve further in performance, design and customisation, which promises much for critical infrastructure security applications.
Innosent has 25 years’ experience in developing and manufacturing radar sensors and systems. As one of the leading radar technology firms, the company drives the innovation process forward and sets new standards for the market.
Its security product portfolio covers a large range of applications. For area surveillance and perimeter protection, the iSYS-5021 and iSYS-5011 24 GHz 4D MIMO radar systems bring in advanced features like smart tracking and multi-target-detection.
