AcoustAlert integrates Perle Ethernet Extenders into Perimeter Detection System

Barring unauthorized intruders from business premises is a critical part of protecting corporate assets. In many cases, fencing or walls are adequate deterrents. Other times, more sophisticated intrusion detection systems such as security cameras, thermal energy detectors, and sensor cables are required. In these scenarios, the data recorded by the devices in the field needs to be transmitted over a network in real-time to a communication control room.

The physical cables used for data transmission are generally fiber-optic or copper. Data transmission distances over fiber can exceed 180km but, it is sometimes not readily available and expensive to install. Copper cabling is often already installed, can be cheaper to maintain, but has a data transmission distance of 100 meters. To overcome that limitation, Technicians will reach for an Ethernet Extender.

AcoustAlert, a manufacturer of Perimeter Intrusion Detection Systems (PIDS), provides a real example of securing site-perimeters. Cliff Rose, Managing Director at AcoustAlert, explains, “We had an inquiry from a gold mine in Ghana. Their perimeter fences were being breached on a regular basis and they needed a system that would detect the breach and pinpoint the location of it so that their security team could investigate further.”

Dual fences with AcoustAlert PIDS on both inner and outer fence lines were erected. The fence was divided into eight zones of around 300m each. The fence perimeter stretches 2.4 km with the field equipment protected inside custom steel cabinets and located between the two fences. In the event of a fence breach, the field analyzer transmits details of its location to the datacoms room on site for interpretation and action.

According to Rose, “Our initial proposal was to use fiber-optic cable around the site to LAN-link the AcoustAlert field processors. The IT Team on site were more familiar with copper cabling and reluctant to take on the maintenance of the fiber LAN infrastructure. Due to the size of the mine’s perimeter, the 100m Ethernet distance was just not sufficient. That is where the Perle Ethernet Extenders over copper come into play.”

Two Perle Ethernet Extenders with four ports are installed in each field enclosure, connected to the AcoustAlert field processors to act as both a switch and Ethernet Extender. Rose comments, “The spare Ethernet ports give us flexibility for additional installations, should security cameras or other surveillance equipment need to be installed.”

When the AcoustAlert system detects fence movement, an alarm indicating the position and description of the zone, is displayed on a computer screen to the control room operator monitoring the AcoustAlert management software. The operator also has several soft outputs that can be controlled on the user interface to open or close gates, switch lights on and off, or monitor cameras.

About AcoustAlert: – http://www.acoustalert.com/

AcoustAlert is a cost-effective Perimeter Intrusion Detection System (PIDS) that uses the microphonic effect of special sensor cable to listen to your perimeter fence. This special cable is attached to the fence generally with cable ties and can span distances of up to 300 meters per zone.