First PTZ network cameras with active cooling for desert environments

At Intersec in Dubai, Axis Communications has introduced the new AXIS Q60-C PTZ Dome Network Cameras with integrated active cooling for exceptional and reliable video surveillance in desert environments. The high-speed pan/tilt/zoom cameras, with powerful zoom and resolutions up to HDTV 1080p, operate in heat up to 75 °C (167 °F). With the ability to withstand sandstorms, the easy-to-install and highly compact IP cameras meet the military standard, MIL-STD-810G. The cameras are ideal for use at construction, mining and oil/gas sites, along pipeline installations and for city surveillance.

"You have in desert areas-which make up about one-third of Earth's land surface-mining, oil and gas fields, pipeline installations as well as cities that need surveillance cameras that can withstand extreme heat and harsh conditions such as sandstorms," said Baraa Al Akkad, Regional Sales Manager, Middle East, Axis Communications. "In desert environments, it is critical for a camera with moving parts to have a high enough operating temperature to ensure optimal and reliable performance," Baraa explains. "The reason is that a camera with direct exposure to sunlight can be heated to a temperature of at least 15 °C over the surrounding temperature, so an air temperature of 45°C may mean that the camera has to operate at 60 °C or higher. A PTZ camera that is not designed to operate at such temperatures would have extra wear and tear and a shortened life span."

+75 °C down to -20 ° 

Kent Fransson, Product manager at Axis communications, explained further that the AXIS Q60-C cameras can operate in 75 °C (167 °F) down to -20 °C (-4 °F), and their advanced climate control system can handle rapid temperature changes to eliminate condensation. The IP66- and NEMA 4X-rated cameras are dust- and waterproof and require no additional housing. The cameras address a range of environmental conditions specified under MIL-STD-810G, including temperature shock, solar radiation and sand. An AXIS Q60-C camera is connected to a supplied media converter switch that provides two SFP optical fiber optic slots and two RJ-45 connectors, which give installers the flexibility to connect the camera cost-effectively to the network in a daisy chain over long distances using fiber optic or standard network cables. The media converter switch also enables the camera to connect to external alarm devices via two configurable input/output ports, and to 12 V power.

The camera models consist of AXIS Q6032-C (with Extended D1 resolution and 35x optical zoom), AXIS Q6034-C (with HDTV 720p and 18x optical zoom) and AXIS Q6035-C (with HDTV 1080p and 20x optical zoom). The cameras support day and night functionality, wide dynamic range, H.264 and Motion JPEG, automatic guard tour, alarm management and intelligent video capabilities such as auto-tracking, Active Gatekeeper and other video analytic applications from Axis' partners. They are ONVIF conformant and are supported by AXIS Camera Station video management software and the industry's largest base of application software through Axis' Application Development Partner program.

AXIS Q60-C cameras will be available for order in March 2012.