Industry Professional
From the Ground Up
Designing power and transmission solutions from the beginning
- By Ronnie Pennington
- Jan 01, 2018
Physical security systems continue to migrate to
the network, enabling overall better integration,
performance and improved total cost of ownership.
Nowhere is this more evident than with the
proliferation of IP cameras. In fact, according to
market research by IHS Markit, there are approximately 62 million
security cameras in North America alone. While networked
cameras accounted for only 17 percent of that total in 2012, IHS
Markit research now reports that networked cameras total 34
percent of the market compared to analog cameras.
The deployment of IP networked surveillance cameras is expected
to grow, due in part to security end user demands for IP systems that
can provide excellent image quality, increase situational awareness
by extending the physical reach of their surveillance capabilities, and
provide greater flexibility and unlimited scalability. Adding to the
list are higher levels of integration and system intelligence, such as
analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities for
myriad applications that go beyond traditional security and surveillance.
Yet one of the primary challenges of employing IP-networked
cameras and other devices lies in their requirement for high-quality
power and transmissions solutions that enable them to perform the
way they were intended.
Earning Industry Respect
For more than 30 years, Altronix has continued to design and manufacture
power and transmission products that have earned the industry’s
respect for quality and reliability backed by lifetime warranties.
The company’s turnkey manufacturing process, from the board level
through final product assembly and packaging, not only leads to new
mainstream products but also ensures that high-quality controls are
adhered to for extreme product reliability. On-site product design,
manufacturing and testing also enables the company to stay ahead
of the curve and quickly react to customer requests when they arise.
Close relationships with recognized testing labs help to ensure that
their products comply with rigorous installation mandates.
In addition to its own internal team of experienced R&D engineers,
Altronix drives new product development through a number of
factors. These include: company sales engineers working in the field
to assist system installers, integrators and design professionals with
their challenges and who provide feedback on their solutions; daily
contact with front-line users who provide valuable input on their specific
needs; and partnerships with other industry leading manufacturers
to stay ahead of new technology trends and developments.
Unique Combination of Features Required
These invaluable sources of input provide company engineers with
a continual stream of information for the company’s research and
development team. The result is a number of new product and technology
innovations that meet longstanding and emerging challenges.
A perfect example is the recently introduced OLS120D2 power supply.
This came about when a systems integrator working on a large
international airport installation inquired if there was a power supply
that provided a very specific list of features.
Although the industry offers a long list of power solutions designed
specifically for access control applications, this request called
for a rather unique combination of features that simply was not available.
Having all of the technology required to meet the need, Altronix
engineered the solution and shipped it to the integrator to test, where
it was quickly approved and to put into production for a fast turnaround.
Seeing that this otherwise custom product had widespread
applications, the company added the newly created OLS120D2 to its
general product offering in several configurations.
Another example came from feedback received from sales engineers
working across the country. The engineers realized there was
large market demand for the ability to transmit large amounts of
video and data with power over long distances. Composite cable provides
the ideal infrastructure for this application, as it combines fiberoptic
and copper cabling to simultaneously deliver low-voltage power
and data at distances beyond a mile.
To meet this specific challenge, NetWay Spectrum was developed.
It makes it easier to utilize fiber for numerous applications with features
such as battery backup for remotely deployed devices. In addition
to solving the data and power transmission challenge using
composite cabling, NetWay Spectrum has also grown into a series
of hardened switches that enables enhanced IP camera deployment
using conventional fiber cabling and localized power.
Reaping the Benefits
Another significant solution resulting from the migration to IP networked
systems is the development of LINQ technology, which delivers
remote monitoring, reporting and control of individual or multiple
groups of IP cameras and devices across any number of locations
and systems. This provides users and installers with remote access to
real-time data from power supplies to help ensure that systems are
running at optimal levels, as well as the ability to reboot devices and
save on expensive and unnecessary service calls. LINQ technology
also enables early intervention and preventative maintenance to help
ensure stable system operation.
By keeping its finger on the pulse of the physical security industry,
Altronix continues to leverage its turnkey R&D, design and manufacturing
processes to deliver new and innovative power, transmission
and integration solutions and build on its global reputation as the
go-to source for power and transmission solutions.
This article originally appeared in the January 2018 issue of Security Today.