Wireless revolution in security video & data transmission
With the convergence of the analog and digital (IP) worlds well underway, organizations have a variety of options for transmitting security video and data, including wired (fiber or copper), wireless and hybrid systems that blend transmission methods to meet the unique requirements of a specific security environment.
Data delivery has long been the pace car in the race to faster, more-advanced security systems. In other words, no matter how snazzy and powerful your endpoint technology is, whether it’s top-tier HD megapixel cameras or state-of-the-art access control units, the way you transport data from point A to point B will more often than not determine what will work on your network. But as the world braces for faster and better cellular networks, that pace car may soon take to the skies with a full tank of rocket fuel.
Expanding IP transmission
With the convergence of the analog and digital (IP) worlds well underway, organizations have a variety of options for transmitting security video and data, including wired (fiber or copper), wireless and hybrid systems that blend transmission methods to meet the unique requirements of a specific security environment. Some wired transmission methods have provided up to 10 Gbps connectivity, which is more than enough bandwidth to accommodate the huge amount of video data that emerging high-definition, megapixel cameras generate. Coupled with modern compression technologies, this makes it possible to deploy these high-performance cameras across an IP network with relative ease.
With the convergence of the analog and digital (IP) worlds well underway, organizations have a variety of options for transmitting security video and data, including wired (fiber or copper), wireless and hybrid systems that blend transmission methods to meet the unique requirements of a specific security environment. Some wired transmission methods have provided up to 10 Gbps connectivity, which is more than enough bandwidth to accommodate the huge amount of video data that emerging high-definition, megapixel cameras generate. Coupled with modern compression technologies, this makes it possible to deploy these high-performance cameras across an IP network with relative ease.
But what about the situations for which traditional transmission methods are either a poor fit or simply cost-preventative because there is no existing transmission infrastructure? We’ve all heard about the ongoing expansion of wireless cellular networks and the much-hyped evolution of “lightning-fast” 4G wireless connectivity. Could this actually provide a viable medium for transmitting bandwidth-intensive chunks of surveillance video?
The answer may surprise you
Prevailing 3G cellular networks can transmit live video at a low frame rate, which is less than ideal for today’s powerful HD cameras, to say the least. With emerging 4G networks from carriers such as AT&T, Verizon and Sprint, however, the potential to accommodate far greater bandwidth requirements and advanced forms of video compression is quite real. Based on the speed at which these 4G networks are building up and a few technologies’ success at optimizing 3G networks for surveillance video demands, cellular networks could very well be the go-to transmission method sooner than we think.
Prevailing 3G cellular networks can transmit live video at a low frame rate, which is less than ideal for today’s powerful HD cameras, to say the least. With emerging 4G networks from carriers such as AT&T, Verizon and Sprint, however, the potential to accommodate far greater bandwidth requirements and advanced forms of video compression is quite real. Based on the speed at which these 4G networks are building up and a few technologies’ success at optimizing 3G networks for surveillance video demands, cellular networks could very well be the go-to transmission method sooner than we think.
Video over 3G
Bandwidth on a 3G network works the same way it does on any other broadband connection. Generally speaking, a 3G network can provide download speeds of up to 1.5 MBps and upload speeds of up to 500 KBps, which is enough to accommodate streaming video, though with a marginal frame rate and image quality. The upload speed is the key to streaming video on any IP network. Download speeds are always faster and most often not a concern, but the upload speed, which often is low, is what will determine whether the network is capable of streaming video.
Bandwidth on a 3G network works the same way it does on any other broadband connection. Generally speaking, a 3G network can provide download speeds of up to 1.5 MBps and upload speeds of up to 500 KBps, which is enough to accommodate streaming video, though with a marginal frame rate and image quality. The upload speed is the key to streaming video on any IP network. Download speeds are always faster and most often not a concern, but the upload speed, which often is low, is what will determine whether the network is capable of streaming video.
For example, a video stream set to 256k or even 384k at 12 fps, which is half real-time but more than acceptable, will typically not be an issue for 3G transmission. Increasing the stream to 512k or higher, on the other hand, will often result in delays and pauses in the video. Even with the inherent limitations of 3G, new transmission technologies have emerged, such as KBC Networks’ ThruLink device, that can optimize the parameters of a 3G connection to ensure the best possible quality when streaming live surveillance video.
Although quite new to the market, these advances have shown tremendous promise for sending live video data across the Internet or a public 3G wireless network without compromising the security or integrity of the video stream. While high latency often hinders these types of connections because of extreme fluctuations in data traffic coming from many sources, it is possible to optimize and stabilize the available bandwidth to effectively transmit a high-quality live video stream.
The promise of 4G
Wireless 4G networks are the talk of the town in the consumer market, as global cellular carriers parade out a host of new 4G devices designed to fully harness the power and speed of the new networks. But the degree to which 4G will fuel deployment of robust surveillance applications remains unclear. The evolution of 4G wireless networks began roughly 10 years ago with the introduction of WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), which was introduced as a standardsbased technology for enabling the delivery of last-mile wireless broadband access as a viable alternative to cable and DSL.
Wireless 4G networks are the talk of the town in the consumer market, as global cellular carriers parade out a host of new 4G devices designed to fully harness the power and speed of the new networks. But the degree to which 4G will fuel deployment of robust surveillance applications remains unclear. The evolution of 4G wireless networks began roughly 10 years ago with the introduction of WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), which was introduced as a standardsbased technology for enabling the delivery of last-mile wireless broadband access as a viable alternative to cable and DSL.
This “Wi-Fi on steroids” was designed for a range of applications including broadband access, wireless backhaul and wireless hotspots and is the basis for Sprint’s current 4G mobile network. The LTE (Long-Term Evolution) standard, which arose several years after WiMAX, has proven to be WiMAX’s primary competitor. While LTE was built as an extension of today’s prevailing 3G networks as opposed to a pure 4G network, it offers greater speed than current competitive networks.
To date, nearly 50 telecom entities around the world, including AT&T and Verizon in the United States, have opted to use LTE for their networks, putting it solidly in the pole position. What does LTE offer for streaming live surveillance video? Given that LTE specifies 100 Mbps download speeds and, more importantly for security professionals, upload speeds that easily top 50 Mbit/s, the improvement in performance and video quality over current 3G and even WiMAX networks would be significant.
Of course, while these numbers do not reflect the speeds that individual security systems will realize, they are an indication of LTE’s increased bandwidth offering. Regardless, greater bandwidth and superior video quality will certainly be critical factors as camera technologies and the sheer volume of video data they produce continue to advance.
The role of WiFi
Most surveillance systems that use some form of wireless transmission be it point-to-point (PtP), point-to-multipoint (PtMP) or mesh are based on the 802.11 standard for implementing wireless local area networks (WLANs). While this has proven to be an effective transmission method for a wide range of applications, simple geographic limitations prevent it from solving the transmission challenges that 3G and 4G networks can address.
Most surveillance systems that use some form of wireless transmission be it point-to-point (PtP), point-to-multipoint (PtMP) or mesh are based on the 802.11 standard for implementing wireless local area networks (WLANs). While this has proven to be an effective transmission method for a wide range of applications, simple geographic limitations prevent it from solving the transmission challenges that 3G and 4G networks can address.
For example, a wireless mesh network is a proven transmission solution for a network of cameras distributed throughout an urban or residential area. This type of network effectively covers a static, defined area. However, when a mobile surveillance capability is required beyond the reach of the mesh system (e.g., a camera mounted to a moving patrol car), or when a signal must be transmitted from a location where no Wi-Fi connectivity exists, cellular networks provide the best option for transmission.
4G Application opportunities
With the growing availability of 4G as a more flexible and robust transmission option for security professionals, transmitting an HD video stream over a public cellular network that meets the rigors of prevailing security demands may soon be a widely available and welcomed reality. It will certainly take some time for 4G networks to reach every nook and cranny of the United States, as the ongoing build-out is still in the early stages. But once the wrinkles have been ironed out, the applications for transmission over 4G could be far-reaching.
With the growing availability of 4G as a more flexible and robust transmission option for security professionals, transmitting an HD video stream over a public cellular network that meets the rigors of prevailing security demands may soon be a widely available and welcomed reality. It will certainly take some time for 4G networks to reach every nook and cranny of the United States, as the ongoing build-out is still in the early stages. But once the wrinkles have been ironed out, the applications for transmission over 4G could be far-reaching.
Potential 3G/4G applications include:
Remote Locations -- For locations where there is no existing cable infrastructure (such as fiber or IP) or line-of-sight for wireless PtP, PtMP or mesh systems, but a public cellular network is available, 3G/4G offers an answer.
Remote Locations -- For locations where there is no existing cable infrastructure (such as fiber or IP) or line-of-sight for wireless PtP, PtMP or mesh systems, but a public cellular network is available, 3G/4G offers an answer.
Replacing Leased Lines -- When leased lines are being used to transmit video/data between locations, 3G/4G networks can potentially provide a more cost-effective transmission solution.
- This, of course, will depend on the type of data plans that become available for enterprise-level or industrial use of these networks.
- Mobile/Law Enforcement -- Cellular networks make it possible to stream live surveillance video from moving patrol cars to a head end (NVR or monitoring station), allowing law enforcement agencies to respond immediately to crimes in progress.
- Temporary Surveillance -- Organizations such as event companies, law enforcement agencies and embassies often need to implement additional camera locations for specific, temporary needs. 3G/4G networks can enable these systems to be deployed quickly and efficiently.
- Personal/Portable -- 3G/4G networks have the potential to enable live video streams from portable camera units carried by law enforcement officers, security personnel and news reporters.
The race is on: As the big wireless carriers work furiously to build out their respective 4G networks and bring their expanding portfolios of 4G devices to consumers, the security industry will be keeping a close eye on where and when coverage becomes available and the bandwidth packages offered in the very early stages. Sprint was the first carrier to introduce 4G (WiMAX) in 2010, Verizon followed in December with the initial deployment of its highly anticipated LTE network, and AT&T is planning to launch its LTE network in the second half of 2011. Once the dust settles, security professionals across the country and soon around the world will most certainly be putting wireless cellular networks to the test for a wide range of surveillance applications. So get comfy and pass the popcorn this will be a good one to watch.
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