3 Preferred Sensors for Modern PIDS

Here’s a quick overview of how each of these tools contribute to comprehensive situational awareness.

Radar  

Radar is the primary sensor in every multi-sensor array used for Defense and National Security around the world. While commercial users can benefit from radar, until recently, high-performing radar was not affordable for non-defense users. Echodyne’s ground-breaking radar technology has shattered this price-performance barrier, making it accessible for critical site security.

Radar detects all moving objects, on the ground and in the air. Radar can also be an effective sensor along coastal areas where trespasser approach via the shoreline. Radar detects in the day or night and in all weather conditions, which means it can sense intrusions in many situations when other sensors fail to perform. 

Radar generates primary data elements about the object’s location: azimuth, elevation, range, and velocity. The radar data is ingested by the security system’s C2 (command and control) where it is leveraged for slew-to-cue, alarming, and more. The accuracy and reliability of the radar data is fundamental to system performance, distinguishing friend from foe and maintaining the safety of commercial air travel in regulated airspace.

Small Form-Factor Radar

There are many different types of radar on the market today. And many of them appear similar. However, not all small-form factor radars perform equally. Historically, high-risk sites have used moderately precise, small form-factor radar for detecting ground trespassers. These radars detect trespassers in a single domain and often struggle with object discernment – which is fine if multi-domain detection or object discernment is not part of the site’s risk profile.

High-security sites like critical infrastructure — utilities, transportation, corrections, and others — have much to gain from high-performance, low-SWaP, multi-domain MESA (metamaterial electronically scanned array)  radars that offer dependable operation and exacting precision.

 

Solid-state, software-driven MESA radars offer the same type of active beamforming technology found in military radars and deliver similar precision and reliability. Thanks to a rapid data processing rate MESA is preferred for system integration when the radar data will be used for slew-to-cue.  with other sensors and systems thanks to a rapid data processing rate.

Precision radar data is the foundation for comprehensive awareness of movement around a secure site. Unfortunately, radar alone does not generate imagery of the target and does not provide a means for “eyes-on” confirmation. A high-performance camera can provide the picture that radar cannot. That said, radar data is key for orienting a camera’s position and helping the camera retain target lock, especially for fast-moving drones.

PTZ Camera

If your team already has static cameras, they likely provide adequate coverage for the investment you’ve already made. If the security industry started from scratch today, most teams would likely choose to use advanced, multi-spectral PTZs (pan, tilt, zoom) coupled with advanced video analytics. PTZ cameras are more expensive per unit, but fewer are typically required to cover the same real estate and offer excellent second sensor performance for drone detection. 

 

Pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras give teams a real-time view of a threat. Cued by radar data, triggered by alarms, or directed via manual input via a C2 (command and control system) these cameras zoom, tilt, and swivel in multiple directions to monitor large areas and maintain “eyes on” objects that change direction and altitude, rapidly. PTZ footage is captured within the VMS (video management system) and is valuable when reviewing incidents for process improvement or when engaging law enforcement for assistance.

PTZ cameras deliver the benefit of “eyes-on-object.” They can help you focus security resources on trespassers, deploying human intervention only when real threats are observed. However, PTZs have limitations.

When daytime weather conditions are excellent, you may be able to get all the object data you need from PTZ cameras - especially when combined with advanced video analytics. At night or during severe weather conditions, unless thermal capable, PTZs fail to detect and/or maintain target lock on moving objects. Like other cameras, PTZs struggle to discern objects that are positioned in front of similarly colored backgrounds. For example, a camera may lose lock on a drone flying in front of clouds or dense trees. 

 

While cameras alone are not enough for full situational awareness, PTZ cameras can be very efficient when combined with radar. You can focus your optical resources and security attention when and where it’s most needed. The combination of sensors cooperates to minimize false positives and false negatives.

RF Detectors

While RF detectors are sometimes confused with radar, they are not the same. Designed for drone detection, RF sensors identify and analyze radio frequency signals emitted by drones and the devices that control them. Since RF detection units are directional, several units placed at different locations are required to determine the drone’s approximate location via triangulation. RF can have a longer range than other sensors and may capably function as the first line of general awareness.

RF sensor data includes an object’s location and may include - by leveraging the drone maker’s catalogue of signals and triangulating the signal between control device and drone – the location of the drone pilot. This data is especially helpful if you wish to enlist law enforcement to engage a trespassing drone operator. 

 

RF detectors, like all stand-alone sensors, have shortcomings. They cannot detect anything that doesn’t emit an RF signal. For example, drones that fly by Wi-Fi or on-board GPS waypoints are sometimes referred to as “dark” or “silent” drones and cannot by detected by RF, and so dark drones are preferred by criminal actors for the ability to evade commonly used RF detectors.

RF detection is susceptible to false positives in RF-dense environments. RF sensors may not work as well in places where there are other radio frequency emitters, like navigation systems, some high-power wireless devices, walkie-talkies, baby monitors, and more. 

For high-security sites, RF can be an effective sensor when combined with radar and/or PTZ cameras. The combination of sensors provides multi-domain detection. Multiple data sets and/or “eyes-on” confirmation reduces false positives and boosts operational efficiency.

Tips For Choosing Sensors

For more complete situational awareness, you will need to first evaluate the risks at your site. From there, you can create a sensor stack that provides perimeter intrusion detection coverage that delivers against the threat assessment. 

PTZ + radar is a cost-effective solution for augmenting and integrating with most existing security deployments. The addition of advanced camera analytics will boost PTZ effectiveness even further. Depending on the site characteristics, your team may also want to add additional sensors that deliver against specific concerns outlined within a risk assessment: RF detectors, acoustic or vibration sensing equipment.

The better each of these sensors perform, the better the overall system performs. As you evaluate your options, pay special attention to these performance attributes: observation/detection range, accuracy, and dependability.

Boost Your Situational Awareness with Echodyne

Echodyne offers compact, high-performing radar solutions for many different use cases. Our unique technology breakthroughs have allowed us to deliver precise data at longer ranges in a low size, weight, and power (SWaP) solution. Echodyne radars are also designed to integrate with advanced command and control platforms, together with your other sensors.

EchoGuard and EchoShield are well-regarded radar solutions for critical infrastructure protection and secure commercial security applications. These advanced, low SWaP radars can rapidly and precisely detect targets, including UAVs, vehicles, and people approaching by foot. They track and classify objects while giving you precise data on the threat’s location and movement.