Chicago Housing Authority Uses Wi-Fi To Help Power Video Surveillance System

  • Mar 21, 2011

Ruckus Wireless recently announced that it has teamed with Xtivity Solutions (Xtivity), a leading wireless integration, security, and information technology services firm, to provide high-speed, long-range Wi-Fi systems to the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), one of the nation's largest public housing authorities.

Currently in the first phase of an aggressive Wi-Fi project, the engineers at Xtivity Solutions have designed a sophisticated outdoor network using high-speed 802.11n Wi-Fi bridges from Ruckus Wireless at select CHA locations. The Smart Wi-Fi  bridges are being used to backhaul video surveillance files from the housing complexes to central sites where the video is stored and monitored.  In the Chicago area, CHA operates some 972 buildings in 59 different locations.

CHA was created in 1937 to own and operate housing that was built by the federal government under President Franklin Roosevelt's Public Works Administration, and is the largest owner of rental housing in the city of Chicago.

CHA provides homes to more than 50,000 families and individuals while supporting healthy communities in neighborhoods all across the city, through almost 9,200 apartments in buildings designated for seniors and more than 8,600 units of family housing. It also oversees the administration of 36,900 Housing Choice vouchers that allow low-income families to rent in the private market.

"A number of recent advances that make Wi-Fi much faster and more reliable created a unique opportunity for us to deliver high-speed connectivity  and backhaul between different CHA facilities," said Terry Crowley, president and CEO for Xtivity. "Instead of physically trenching locations to install copper wire or fiber from one building to other nearby buildings, we're using 5GHz 802.11n Wi-Fi point-to-point bridges to deliver 100 Mbps or more of capacity, an approach that's much quicker and far less costly."

With the Ruckus Smart Wi-Fi, multiple IP video cameras at each building send compressed video traffic over the secured Wi-Fi link at data rates of 1.5 Mbps per stream. To manage the wireless bridges, Xtivity will be making use of the Ruckus FlexMaster Wi-Fi management system.

Capable of supporting tens of thousands of Wi-Fi infrastructure devices such as Wi-Fi access points and bridges, FlexMaster is a comprehensive and full-featured Wi-Fi platform for managing large-scale Wi-Fi service infrastructures.

"Long-range, reliable Wi-Fi bridging lets our customers eliminate monthly recurring costs associated with alternative solutions such as copper and fiber connections," Crowley said. "Over time, these savings can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars when you're talking about large-scale deployments such as with CHA."

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.