Axis proves their cameras can function well in various challenging environments, including in frigid cold conditions.
Needless to say,
video surveillance equipment needs to function well in various
challenging environments, including in frigid cold conditions. Recently, Axis Communications conducted an experiment where they successfully filmed a hockey game using a modular camera buried under the rink. This article takes a closer look.
For the experiment, Axis froze a modular camera in a block of ice. It was then buried under an ice hockey rink to capture a game from below the rink. The experiment was conducted by engineers from Axis in collaboration with a film team and ice hockey players.
“At Axis, we are challenged by new ideas and have a constant focus on innovation. Furthermore, we believe that quality should be the center of everything we do. We conducted this experiment to put ourselves to the test and showcase the essence of our company values,” said Niklas Hansson, Expert Concept Development Engineer at Axis Communications. “An ice hockey game is covered by cameras from all angles, except one. Ice hockey offers conditions that are truly challenging for a camera. By freezing the camera in a solid block of ice and ensuring it remains operational, delivering quality video perfect for surveillance, we were able to show the versatility, durability, and image quality of our products in challenging environments.”
Fisheye sensor
A
modular camera typically has two detached parts: a smaller sensor unit consisting of the image sensor and lens, and a main unit. The camera used in the experiment was the AXIS F2135-RE fisheye sensor, which was buried under the rink along with a cable that connected it to the AXIS F9114 main unit outside the rink. The main unit provided power to the sensor as well as processing the video feed coming off the sensor. Further, AXIS Camera Station was used for live monitoring and recording.
“For this experiment, AXIS F2135-RE had the best combination of size, field of view, and lens surface. It fits inside the 40 mm thick ice, can see both players at face off, and the large lens surface is not obstructed as easily by a small artifact,” Hansson said.
The sensor head used in the experiment was a production model of AXIS F2135-RE, and no adaptations were made. The camera is capable of capturing full HD/1080p at 60 frames per seconds with a 185-degree field of view, and is engineered to withstand temperatures as low as -40 °F (-40° C) and as high as 140° F (60°C). The ice in the experiment held a temperature of 23-26° F (-3-5° C).
The experiment proved to be a success. “It was possible to view the camera feed and record it, and the video quality was as high as in a real-life installation. The video footage from beneath the ice in the impossible angle video is real footage from the camera. Furthermore, the camera used in the experiment was intact and well-functioning after the experiment had ended,” Hansson said.
He adds the experiment speaks volumes of Axis products, all of which undergo stringent testing to ensure they can withstand challenging conditions.
“We test every model for at least 12 months (8,800 hours) before launch. Our products are mounted and monitored at live sites for at least 5 years (44,000 hours) after release, and our products undergo rigorous testing beyond the datasheet. We combine test cases to create worst-case scenarios (impact, water resistance, vibration, abrasion, and climate). For example, we always test water resistance after impact testing to make sure that no cracks appear in casing`s during impact testing,” Hansson said.
Use cases abound
Indeed, Axis cameras being hardened and ruggedized make them the ideal choice in various challenge condition use cases, with Hansson citing the example of the Gotthard Base Tunnel in Switzerland, where the 57-km tunnel is covered by 160 Axis cameras equipped with protective housing, capable of withstanding changing weather conditions, high air pressure and vibrations in the tunnel while trains go past at 200 km/h.
As for modular cameras, they are often used in small spaces, such as ATM machines, at supermarket exits, or on-board vehicles, while the main unit can then be placed up to 30 meters away, where there’s more space. Use cases vary, with Hansson citing the example of Axis’ modular cameras being deployed in the city of Vicente López in Argentina, where they are installed in vehicles used by the Municipal Defense Force and Civil Patrol. “The cameras’ resistance to dust, vibration, impact, and variations in climate, alongside the possibility of fitting them into small spaces, make them ideal for discreet surveillance both inside and outside the vehicles,” Hansson said.