EnviroVision Solutions
Hardware
At Envirovision Solutions we use rugged, non-propriety hardware and other components when setting up ForestWatch® and our other smart sensory systems. This keeps costs down and ensures high levels of availability and reliability. Our hardware is fully warranteed.
Camera
Although we can integrate our systems with pre-existing camera set-ups, EVS recommends the use of easily available, industrial PELCO cameras – the dome format Spectra IV or pedestal design Esprit. These cameras are installed on existing high structures (such as radio or cellular transmission towers), stayed masts or on specially constructed towers. The programmable cameras are set up to automatically rotate and constantly scan your environment 24/7, 365 days a year. They are low maintenance and weather resistant.
Features
Optimal surveillance distance of 8-12km, but can auto-detect up to 20km
Full 360° scan at optimal distance, stopping at 18 preset views, takes just 2-6 minutes
Powerful 35X optical zoom
Typical 45º field of view from horizontal at 1X zoom, focal length 2.4 to 85mm, lens aperture 2.4x2.5/1.2 = 5mm at typical detection zoom.
Infrared and near-infrared capabilities combat haze and enhance night detection
Ability to manually and remotely control camera – pan, tilt, zoom – from operations centre
Power supply
A major benefit of EVS smart sensory systems is that they require far less power than those of our competitors – making them more energy efficient, environmentally friendly and cost effective. Budget and camera location will determine the power supply required for your installation. Options can include mains electricity, wind turbine generators, solar panels and hydrogen generators.
Features
Typical system power consumption: ISE 21W, camera 34 W (without heating/demisting), to 64W (with heating)
Solar/wind combination suggested in remote locations, to ensure reliable power supply 24/7 (solar panel 12V, 65W, wind turbine 500W)
Both solar panels and wind turbines operate with dry batteries 200A/H, 12V min
Back-up for mains electricity power outage: Battery bank keeps systems running up to 4 days in event of extended power cut.
ISE (Image Sampling Engine)
The ISE is a vital system competent because this computerised unit allows for image processing right at the site of the camera. This “embedded intelligence” dramatically reduces bandwidth requirements and power consumption, and avoids potentially catastrophic delays in relaying information. It also contains a microwave link for communication purposes between the tower and operations centre.
Features
Robust aluminium enclosure, size 355mm x 172mm x 74mm, weight 2.6kg
Processing unit and camera power supply protected from lightning by faraday casing (1500V galvanic isolation)
Intel Pentium M – 1.6GHz processor, 256MB 333MHz DDR RAM
NTSC/PAL/SECAM video decoding, with capture resolution up to 768 x 576 (full PAL)
Image processing functionality: digitising and compression (JPEG, MJPEG, PPM formats), stabilisation, oversampling and quality control
Can house security alarms and various sensors (voltage, temperature, etc.)
Communication
The scale of your project, its budget, as well as the distance between the control centre and camera will determine what method of communication is used so that the various system components to “talk” to one other. While wired, high speed Internet lines work perfectly for systems like SiteWatch and CityWatch, in the case of EVS’s flagship product ForestWatch®, where cameras are typically placed in remote locations, wireless Wi-Fi and satellite are frequently the best communication options.