A major oil and gas company based in Brazil is using network video security technology to remotely monitor high-tech automated gas facilities in the Amazon rainforest. The 12 compounds, many of which are unmanned, are spread across many thousands of miles of the forest. All the stations are centrally monitored from a control room in Rio de Janeiro using security management software.
A major oil and gas company based in Brazil is using network video security technology to remotely monitor high-tech automated gas facilities in the Amazon rainforest. The 12 compounds, many of which are unmanned, are spread across many thousands of miles of the forest. All the stations are centrally monitored from a control room in Rio de Janeiro using security management software.
This security surveillance project is achieved through the use of a hybrid IP network consisting of satellite, fiber optic and wireless links. The system was designed and installed by Indigo Vision's local partner, Airwire, who specializes in video surveillance of remote areas.
In addition to compression technology and bandwidth tuning tools, Indigo Vision's network video system supports a feature called activity controlled frame rate (ACF), which has been a major benefit for the project. ACF, which is built into each transmitter module, controls the frame rate of the camera video stream based on the amount of motion in the scene. When there is no activity, video is streamed over the network at minimum frame rate and when motion is detected, the video is automatically transmitted at the maximum configured frame rate. This reduces the amount of bandwidth needed since little or no activity is often seen at the 12 stations.
A number of fixed analog cameras at each remote facility are connected to transmitter modules, which convert the camera's feed to digital video. PIR intruder detectors are also connected to the IP system via digital inputs on the transmitters. Advanced alarm handling features in the system can then process these PIR detector alarms and alert operators to potential intrusions, immediately displaying the nearest camera on a spot monitor and identifying the alarm on an interactive map. The integration of alarms with video surveillance improves operator efficiency and incident response. Audio is also transmitted alongside the video, allowing two-way conversations between the central control room and workers at the remote sites.
In addition to the central control room, workstations are deployed at each remote facility for local maintenance and monitoring where applicable.