SITE MONITORING
By teaming with a leading energy management company, we are able to offer a variety of services that are especially applicable to the expanding requirements of Homeland Security. As the role of FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and the local counterparts (EMA), as well as county and local agencies change, so do the requirements.
Case in point. One of our technicians was recently asked to provide information on a highly secure, redundant, wireless communications system to transmit meteorological data (weather information to us ordinary folks) from remote data acquisition locations back to the local EMA (Emergency Management Agency). As it turns out, our satellite weather tracking systems and sophisticated forecasting techniques are still not totally accurate (some would say somewhat less than totally accurate).
The fact is that evolving weather patterns are constantly changing. Data accumulation equipment is available that can sense rainfall, wind direction and speed, as well as changes of barometric pressure the standard tools of weather forecasting professionals. However, to properly analyze this data, there must be as many data acquisition points as possible and that data must be sent to a central point where the impact of the changing data can be analyzed.
One of the more effective tools is an individual known as a Storm Spotter, generally an amateur radio operator who looks for visible weather changes and relays the information by 2-way radio to the local EMA center. The problem is that volunteers are becoming increasingly scarce and it is difficult to do accurate measurements or forecasting when you are relying on a resource that may or may not be available when needed.
One solution is to set up a line of weather sensors on the western county boundary (at least this would be true in north Alabama where our weather generally moves from west to east. Now, back to our story. We could not use cellular communications since we could not provide redundancy and cost tended to be a little on the high side. Conventional 2-way radio has essentially the same shortcomings. The Canopy system could meet the criteria and in fact could send camera data. Still a little pricey for this limited application. The solution proved to be a technology roughly described as an IP based packet Radio Router (or PRR).
In simple terms a PRR can be connected to any device that can provide data in a serial (digital) format and/or activate a switch closure or voltage shift. Depending on the output of the host device, the PRR can transmit the information for up to 10 miles or more using a simple internal radio system. This remarkable little gadget confirms transmission (and reception) of data. If there is a power failure, it has its own battery backup. Every unit is both a sending unit and a repeater.
These PRR devices can be located around the county performing a variety of functions. For example, a PRR can be connected to the appropriate sensor to alert the EMA and/or dispatch center whenever someone enters the gate to a water tank, water treatment plant, utility sub-station, school, or other facilities where there is a need to know when entry is made.
Although the PRR can be used in conjunction with applicable input devices to provide entry alarms, fire alarms, pressure alarms, or virtually any form of monitoring and detection; it is not meant to put a government agency in the security business. However, when it comes to national security and timely response, no security company can provide the speed of direct reporting.
As more PRR units are installed around the county, they become a part of a master network that is capable of healing itself in the event of a malfunction of a particular unit. In the event of a unit failure, the system can automatically reroute itself with no disruptions. That is redundancy PLUS!
An earlier mention was made to the fact that our suppliers main business is that of monitoring electrical energy use. By developing use patterns, it is possible to realize significant energy savings. With many schools and public buildings being faced with increasing energy costs, this amazing system can often pay for itself in a very short time.
To find out, send us an email to sales@falconwireless.net. Tell us your name, title, organization, address, and phone number. You will be amazed at what we can do for your community for so little money with flexible payment plans than can meet your requirements. Send us that email today. You'll be glad you did!
