VibraSector® represents the latest development in the field of fence intrusion detection systems which offer accurate location of hostile events occurring at any point along the perimeter of a protected site.
VibraSector® utilises Detection Technologies’ highly sensitive VibraTek® sensor cable of which more than 500kM has been installed on some of the most security-conscious sites in the world including prisons, airports, power stations, military establishments, as well as many sensitive industrial facilities.
Each VibraSector® analyser offers the ability to monitor and control up to 1000 metres of VibraTek® Plus sensor cable which may be segmented into 98 sub-zones for the purpose of point locating intrusion related activity detected by the sensor cable to an accuracy of approx. 1 %.
Each VibraSector® sub-zone can be allocated its own set of detection parameters so that variations in fence quality and type may be accommodated within a single system without incurring false alarms or detection ‘blind spots’ that would be inevitable without such flexibility.
VibraSector® provides high-quality audio verification in which audio signatures resulting from hostile events are stored in a digital format so that they may be recalled and replayed from any remote location. This feature is a valuable tool that may be used by security staff to confirm received alarms as being the result of genuine intrusions.
VibraSector® is fully compatible with industry-standard IP networks to ensure that integration and communication with a security management system is easily accomplished. All system configuration commands, alarm information and digital audio are accessible through the IP connection on each VibraSector® analyser.
Integration with legacy control equipment is achieved using the VibraSector® relay module in which a relay contact can be allocated to every detection sub-zone so that a simple, dry contact interface may be easily implemented.
Range calibration and sensitivity adjustment of the VibraSector® detection system is a simple and straightforward process which utilises Detection Technologies’ own VESPA engineering software to complete this task.
System Architecture
A typical VibraSector® system comprises a VibraSector® signal analyser connected to a loop of VibraTek® Plus sensor cable which is divided into sub-zones by a series of VibraSector® segmentation modules. The following schematic depicts a typical ring configuration.
Each VibraSector® analyser can monitor and control up to 1000 metres of VibraTek® Plus sensor cable with up to 98 sub-zones. The sub-zone lengths can be flexibly defined up to 300m depending on the type of fence.
Segmentation modules that define the physical sub-zones, are entirely passive and require no power or data connections. Additionally, each segmentation module is sealed making it suitable for all external environments.
Sub-zones may be combinations of sensor cable and ‘dead’ cable if site conditions dictate that non-sensitive sections are required within a sub-zone in order to bridge natural barriers between sub-zones such as roads or ditches.
Each VibraSector® analyser provides a facility to monitor 4 relay contact inputs to simplify the integration of 3rd party detection systems into the overall security system. The VibraSector® analyser also incorporates a sophisticated sensor cable tamper circuit so that, as well as detecting any damage to the integrity of any module or the sensor cable. The position of such damage is also indicated.
An optional external relay module may be ‘paired’ with a VibraSector® analyser residing on the same local area network. This allows the relay module to be located at any point on the network. The external relay module also provides a facility to monitor the audio generated by the sensor sub-zones at the location of the relay module.
In cases where multiple VibraSector® analysers are used to cover larger sites, the sensor array may be installed in a star configuration rather than the ring configuration depicted previously. In this configuration, the remote end of the sensor cable array is returned to the VibraSector® analyser using a simple twisted pair ‘dead’ cable.
Sensor Segmentation
VibraSector® works by sub-dividing a length of sensor cable into a series of discrete segments. Powerful monitoring and analysis processes embedded within the VibraSector® analyser enable accurate identification of the origin of the signals detected by the sensor cable. The VibraTek® Plus sensor cable is segmented using a special module which is introduced into the sensor cable at intervals to suit the site requirements. Sensor cable segments separated by these modules are referred to as sub-zones with each sub-zone having a unique set of detection parameters.
This powerful capability ensures optimum performance even when variations in fence construction are included within the protected perimeter since each different fence type can be allocated its own set of detection parameters.
Additionally, since each sub-zone may be any length, gates and other ‘non-fence’ sections of the perimeter may be allocated sub-zone lengths that encompass only those features. A maximum of 98 sub-zones can be accommodated by the system thereby providing a positional accuracy of 99%.
In terms of sub-zone length, a system utilising the maximum amount of sensor cable (1000 metres) and sub-zones (98) would result in a sub-zone length of 10 metres. This is accepted in the industry as being more than adequate for virtually every security application. Shorter sub-zones may be implemented simply by using the maximum number of segmentation modules within a total sensor cable length which is less than the permitted maximum.
Each segmentation module incorporates plug-in connectors to facilitate an easy and reliable connection between sensor cable and segmentation module. These connectors are encapsulated within the module housing and are fully protected against all environmental conditions.
Audio Capability
A powerful feature of the VibraSector® system is its capability to monitor and store audio signatures from any or all of the sensor sub-zones.
Live audio may be selected so that activity on any sub-zone may be monitored and in the event of an alarm activation, the audio signal produced by the active sub-zone is digitised and stored and may subsequently be recalled and replayed as required.
Each sub-zone maintains an audio buffer capable of storing up to 8 audio signatures with each signature offering pre and post alarm audio to assist security personnel to verify alarm activity.
System Integration
VibraSector® offers three options to facilitate integration with 3rd party control and annunciation systems as follows.
Option 1 – Internal Relay Module (10 relay outputs)
Each VibraSector® analyser can be fitted with an internal relay module that provides 10 relay contact outputs to implement a low-level interface between VibraSector® and 3rd party annunciation or control equipment. Such equipment may include alarm panels and simple mimic panel displays. Each relay output provided may be mapped to one sub-zone monitored by the VibraSector® analyser.
Option 2 – External Relay Box (up to 20 relay outputs)
The External Relay Box can be installed anywhere on TCP/IP network. You can choose between 10 or 20 relay outputs.
Option 3 – External Relay Module (up to 100 relay outputs)
An external relay module providing up to 100 relay outputs can be ‘paired’ with a VibraSector® analyser across a TCP/IP network. This module allows each sub-zone monitored by a VibraSector® analyser to be allocated a unique alarm relay output.
The external relay module may be located anywhere on the network on which the corresponding VibraSector® analyser resides. It also provides the capability to monitor the audio signals generated by the VibraTek® Plus sensor cable at the location of the relay module.
When options 1 & 2 described above are implemented, VibraSector® would normally be operating in a ‘standalone’ mode where all detection parameters and system configuration will have been carried out during the system commissioning procedure using Detection Technologies’ proprietary ‘VESPA’ engineering software package.
Option 4 – TCP/IP Interface
There is various ways to integrate into 3rd party systems such as Security Management Systems (SMS). Two levels of integration are possible using the TCP/IP connection route as follows.
1. Alarm information only is passed to the 3rd party systems using a UPD or Modbus TCP/IP protocol. As a Modbus server, VibraSector® seamlessly connects simplistically to any Modbus client without any configuration. The Modbus provides generic “discrete input” mapping on all available Modbus clients currently in the market with the aim to allow for simple and quick setup on SMS infrastructure.
2. A full engineering interface may be also implemented by any third party. The VibraSector® is fully integrated into Cortech’s Datalog 5.
EMC and Emissions
VibraSector® has been fully accredited with Industrial EMC/EMI CE EN-55011/61000 certification.