Even though wired networks are present in most buildings, there are situations in which a wireless solution can be the best and most cost-effective option for an IP-based surveillance installation.
There are situations where wireless is the perfect infrastructure solution to support surveillance (for example, where a project will need more cameras to be added at a later stage or the flexibility of being able to move the cameras, as will be the case with city centre surveillance).
This is because additional wireless IP cameras can be easily added to a wireless network without the additional cost in time and materials of laying Ethernet cables.
Not only convenient, wireless offers both flexibility and scalability if needed.
Wireless solutions are also well suited to covering large surveillance areas such as transport hubs, factories or outdoor car parks as the cameras can be placed at a considerable distance from the control centre without the need for yards of cabling. Yards of cabling that can be costly and may well result in compromises being made on how many and where cameras are positioned.
Wireless IP cameras are often the end user’s best option for difficult to reach locations such as city centres. A wireless IP surveillance installation can be useful in historic or listed buildings where the installation of cables is prohibited or limited due to it being unsightly and because of the risk of damage to the interior.
The wireless application will generally determine the type of wireless network that you’ll employ. For example, wireless LANs are ideal for short distances (and, typically, are used indoors).
Standards in relation to wireless LANs
A number of wireless LAN standards have been put in place, each of them with different capabilities:
There are some solutions that may also use other standards than the dominant 802.11 standard to provide increased performance and much longer distances, as well as very high security. This also includes the use of other means of radio frequency, such as microwave links, which can provide up to 1,000 Mbps for distances up to 130 miles.
Another common technology is optical systems, including laser links. For locations outside the range of all these systems. There’s also the option of satellite communication, although this is a very costly option.
Still some disadvantages to note
While wireless networks do have many benefits, there are still a few drawbacks. They can affect the frame rate and latency of video delivery as well as bandwidth (depending on the distance from the device to the access point).
Wireless networks are also susceptible to interference by other wireless technologies and systems.
As with any IP surveillance system, it’s important to understand the benefits and challenges of a wireless solution and whether it will meet your project’s demands before installing the network.
While there are still some limitations to this technology, it can prove highly advantageous when used correctly for installations that would otherwise be too difficult or costly to deploy using conventional wired infrastructures.
Phil Doyle is regional director for northern Europe at Axis Communications (UK)
Next time on The Networker: the Network Video Clinic examines the current state of the HDTV market
If you have any network video questions you would like to put to Phil, send an e-mail to: [email protected]
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