Acoem has announced two software updates for its Acoustic Threat Detection (ATD) Gunshot Detection System, introducing individual sensor-level elevation tuning and enhanced acoustic analytics to help reduce false positives.

False positives remain an operational challenge for organizations using acoustic threat detection across campuses, critical infrastructure, utilities and communities. Hills, buildings and other environmental changes that affect the surrounding skyline can complicate the classification of acoustic events, creating additional alerts for security teams to review and assess.

Acoem’s latest Cadence software release addresses these challenges by allowing administrators to configure elevation and horizon thresholds for individual sensors based on their surrounding environments. The capability is particularly useful in areas where loud noises such as fireworks can have acoustic characteristics similar to gunshots. Adjusting elevation thresholds helps the system more accurately classify fireworks and other skyline noise as non-threats.

For larger deployments, administrators can also tailor individual sensors to local conditions rather than applying identical settings across an entire fleet.

Acoem is also refining its artificial intelligence methodology through updates to acoustic signal and noise analytics. The changes are intended to improve anomaly detection and reduce false positives by enhancing the system’s ability to distinguish potential gunfire from surrounding noise.

The updates build on existing ATD capabilities, including dual-detection technology that uses shockwave-enhanced muzzle-blast detection to analyze acoustic signatures and verify gunshots across urban and rural environments. The system also uses an onboard AI neural network to analyze acoustic events through 96-attribute analysis, filtering ambient noise and urban distractions.

Additional capabilities include edge-based processing, which verifies threats locally at the sensor in real time, eliminating latency and reducing reliance on backend server infrastructure. The system also supports integration with pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras, automatically directing connected cameras toward the origin of a detected acoustic threat to provide visual confirmation.

“The volume of security system alarms are one of the biggest drains on security resources today. This update highlights how we leverage our deep data science expertise to continuously evolve our technology alongside our customers,” said Mike ODea, managing director of Acoem ATD. “By giving teams the ability to adapt detection to their specific environments, we're delivering the most flexible, accurate acoustic threat protection available to keep communities and critical infrastructure safe.”

The software updates are scheduled to become available to existing customers in the fourth quarter of 2026. Customers will be able to apply the updates through the Cadence software platform.

System administrators will receive official release notes ahead of the rollout. Updates will be delivered over the network directly to edge sensors without requiring additional backend server infrastructure.