BRIDGING ETHERNET AND NETWORK CAMERAS...The AW900 Ethernet bridge from AvaLAN Wireless is capable of transmitting through 10 internal building walls as well as through a small grouping of trees. With 12 non-overlapping 1.54 Mbps channels, AvaLAN radio technology has the capacity to pr ovide a total of 18.5 Mbps of data rate, which can support up to 24 MPEG-4 network cameras.
To simplify setup and configuration, AW900 radios have no IP addresses, no MAC addresses and no browser interface. Each radio, upon startup, quickly finds its partner (uniquely keyed to its mate), selects the quietest of 12 available channels, and begins transmitting 128-bit encrypted Ethernet packets. The radios continuously monitor the link quality and automatically change channel to optimize performance. For multiple camera installations, a simple setting can be made to manually select a channel for each bridge. Visit www.avalanwireless.com for more information.
A MARRIAGE OF INTERCOM AND ACCESS CONTROL...Aiphone Communications announces they have successfully embedded HID ProxPoint and i-CLASS readers into several of its popular door stations. These “all-in-one” door stations eliminate the need to have proximity devices mounted next to the intercom at an entryway or on a stanchion. Aiphone units are compatible with both ProxPoint and i-CLASS credentials. For more information visit www.aiphone.com.
A WIRELESS SOLUTION FOR MONITORING...The Alarm.com Wireless Module addresses a major issue with VoIP (Voice over IP) telephone service. When a security system is fitted with an Alarm.com Wireless Module, it becomes phoneline-independent.
Most security systems rely on a traditional landline telephone connection to communicate alarm signals from the customer location to an offsite central monitoring station. The problems with using a VoIP telephone system as a channel for alarm communications are:
1) Power Outages. When the power goes out, the broadband modem that connects the VoIP telephone system to the Internet shuts off. Without an Internet connection, there is no way for an alarm signal to get delivered to the central station through a VoIP system.
2) Alarm Signal Distortion. Most security systems communicate alarms by dialing into a “receiver” at the central monitoring station and sending a series of tones through the phone line. When the tones are translated into digital format by the VoIP system and sent over the Internet, the alarm signal can be distorted and may prevent an alarm from being interpreted correctly.
Because of these reliability issues, dealers are advising VoIP customers to keep their landline phone connections solely to maintain reliable security monitoring. Westminster Security, Horsham, PA, is currently working with Alarm.com to incorporate the VoIP-compatible security offering into its standard security packages for new homeowners.
“With approximately 70% of our homebuyers signing up for central station monitoring, the recent push towards cell phone-only houses or using non-traditional phone services such as Voice Over IP has become a major obstacle to our program,” states Felicia Ratka, assistant vice president of Westminster Security. “A wireless, web-based product like Alarm.com will help bridge that gap.”
Alarm.com offers its VoIP-compatible security monitoring service through a national network of licensed security dealers. The Alarm.com Wireless Module is compatible with GE Security equipment. Visit www.alarm.com for more information.
