On the Wings of Wireless
Airport uses wireless solution that combines video, data in one network
- By Paul Gassett
- Jan 11, 2010
A regional Midwest airport needed a way to automate gate security
and deliver wireless video surveillance traffic from remote
locations back to its monitoring stations.
It had an inefficient and
outdated system to protect the gates that consisted of access
points that would require hands-on updates at each location
every time there were personnel changes.
The security system
also included analog cameras at the gates and airport management
wished to upgrade its video surveillance capabilities to IP
wireless video cameras. The airport needed a high performing
wireless solution that was cost effective to deploy and scalable
enough to allow for future modifications and expansion.
Azalea Networks created a wireless solution that combined data and video in one
network to allow security personnel to easily update employee accessibility to the
facilities.
They could allow individual employees access to certain gates at specific
timeframes and make changes to the permissions at will. Azalea’s solution also
allowed for upgrades of the video surveillance cameras to perform wirelessly over
the same network.
Operating over the 4.9 GHz public safety band, the network
consisted of Azalea MSR4000 quad-radio and MSR2000 dual-radio routers
specifically designed for outdoor use as well as its MSR1000 router for indoor use.
The entire network was deployed quickly and easily to allow for future scalability
including Wi-Fi access for airport personnel and travelers.
Wireless Advantages
Public safety agencies have been utilizing wireless, radio
frequency (RF) communications for over a half-century,
originally for voice communications and later for narrowband
data applications.
Advances in technology now make wireless
ideal for more advanced broadband multimedia applications,
and the Federal Communications Commission in the U.S. has
recently licensed the 4.9 GHz spectrum for exclusive use in
public safety applications, with support for both narrowband
and broadband communications. Wireless broadband communications
makes it possible for public safety agencies to
perform their duties in ways that were unimaginable just a
few short years ago.
Live video feeds can give first responders
better situational awareness while en route to an incident
and command and control personnel can utilize multi-agency
collaboration and whiteboarding tools to coordinate response
plans. And mobile command centers can bring these and
other capabilities right to the scene.
Cost-Saving Technology
Azalea’s wireless solution can save more than 90 percent on installation
costs when compared with traditional wired networks.
In urban areas, it can be very expensive to trench fiber and
obtain the necessary permits to install the network.
Azalea’s
solution also is simple and quick to configure. Azalea’s routing
protocol allows different subnets for security purposes, providing
for greater isolation and more control. Since wireless traffic
does not have to come back through a common gateway,
setting up the network is greatly simplified.
About the Author
Paul Gassett is director of worldwide marketing communications for Azalea Networks.