Solar Energy News  
TERROR WARS
Versatile Advanced Monitoring System (VAMS) For Perimeter Security

-
by Staff Writers
Palo Alto CA (SPX) Aug 17, 2010
Scientists and engineers at the Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company's (LMSSC) Advanced Technology Center (ATC) have demonstrated an innovative perimeter security system for government and commercial applications.

VAMS uses commercial off-the-shelf hardware and software from Intelleflex of Santa Clara, Calif., with proprietary Lockheed Martin-developed elements that include modified firmware, modified interrogation protocols, new detection and tracking algorithms, and real-time operator response.

"We developed this system in response to needs articulated by the US Government," said Dr. Vibeke Libby, principal scientist at the ATC and inventor of VAMS.

"Our goal was to create a robust and versatile system that offers an affordable solution to new challenges for perimeter security. Our close partnership with Intelleflex is ideal. We have been able to combine our companies' proprietary technologies resulting in an unprecedented range of new capabilities. For example, VAMS will detect stationary objects, single or multiple intruders, air-dropped items, left-behind items, and even intruders who vault perimeter fences or drop by parachute. As an intrusion is detected, a camera is automatically cued and pointed at the intrusion coordinates for operator alarm and verification."

"The Advanced Technology Center at Lockheed Martin has developed a truly innovative security application that leverages the unique capabilities of Intelleflex's new XC3 products," said Peter Mehring, president and CEO of Intelleflex.

"It has been a pleasure to work with Dr. Libby and her team, as their development fully realized the potential of the XC3's robust RF capabilities, which include 100-meter response range while adhering to the new ISO 18000-6 Class 3 Standard."

Due to a complex mix of possible emergencies, including terrorist attacks, accidents, and natural disasters, security protection of borders and critical infrastructures is a major imperative for the US Government. Increased security can be achieved through a layered approach of prevention, protection and preparedness. The VAMS security system provides one such layer.

The automated wireless VAMS alarm system can be rapidly deployed as a stand-alone long-life, greater than two years, battery-supported security system. It comprises a field of sensors that exchange information with a power source. The signal quality is persistent and predictable in an unperturbed environment and when perturbed convincingly produces a recognizable signature.

By exploiting Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) technology from Intelleflex, VAMS is able to achieve a high level of security by providing volumetric protection at a competitive performance to cost ratio. The system is extremely difficult to spoof or defeat, unlike fence-based security systems, which can be circumvented by jumping, bridging, or digging.

VAMS can detect intrusions in three dimensions as well as accurately locate moving and stationary objects. The long-life sensors can be placed anywhere in the field with little or no geometrical constraints.

A human intruder will affect one or more communication channels in the vicinity of an intrusion point. An object or a human does not need to be in the direct communication path to affect the communication of a sensor.

In fact, the disturbance is likely to affect several sensors in a protected area to varying degrees dependent on the relative position of intruder and sensors. This variation is used to determine the number of intrusions and their location.

VAMS can also be used indoors. Testing has confirmed that the system can detect nightly movements, room entries, including small robotic devices, and left behind items in should-be-closed areas. In protection of a soldiers' camp, sensors can be placed in a 325-foot radius around the antennas.

As movements take place, the sensors report the movement to the camp command center. For other applications, the detection range can be extended by increasing the antenna output power above the one-watt required for FCC compliance.

In a field demonstration, the RF system integrated seamlessly with a field camera with slew and zoom capability. The demonstration showed that data can be analyzed in real-time and alarms issued only 1-2 seconds after an intrusion was initiated.

In a control room-like setting, the participants could follow the activities in the field, switch to manual mode for intrusion verification, and check system status.

VAMS can detect both stationary and slow moving persons regardless of clothing or protective gear. Compared to current security systems, the VAMS-camera combination can detect and verify intrusions designed to spoof traditional technologies, like motion, infrared, pressure, or security cameras. VAMS therefore poses a serious challenge to sophisticated intruders.



Share This Article With Planet Earth
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit
YahooMyWebYahooMyWeb GoogleGoogle FacebookFacebook



Related Links
Lockheed Martin
The Long War - Doctrine and Application



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


TERROR WARS
Al-Qaeda executes Mali guide: security source, relative
Bamako (AFP) Aug 12, 2010
Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) executed Thursday a guide for the Malian customs service whom they kidnapped this week with a Mali soldier, a security official and a relative told AFP. The man, who acted as a guide through the vast northern Mali desert, was executed after militants found he was carrying documents from a Western embassy based in the capital, Bamako, they said. Know ... read more







TERROR WARS
Wide Range Of Plants Offer Cellulosic Biofuel Potential, Ecological Diversity

Linde Starts Up New York Carbon Dioxide Plant

Switchgrass Lessens Soil Nitrate Loss Into Waterways

ICCC Lab Becomes National Leader In Biodiesel Testing

TERROR WARS
Star Wars Meets UPS As Robonaut Packed For Space

Planet rover stretches its legs

First robot with 'emotions' unveiled

U.S. robot teams set for Aussie face-off

TERROR WARS
Canada looks to utilize wind energy

LADWP Approves New Wind Project

German wind growth down, exports strong

Study Shows Stability And Utility Of Floating Wind Turbines

TERROR WARS
GM, China's SAIC to co-develop core technology

Car Lighting Makeover Impacts Feel Of Safety And Style

Scots scientists create car biofuel from whisky by-products

Electric vehicles aim for 'longest and greenest' world tour

TERROR WARS
Australia looks to ocean waves for energy

Scientists say US figures on spilled oil in Gulf too low

Wax, Soap Clean Up Obstacles To Better Batteries

Which Type Of Electricity Generation Has The Least Impact On Climate?

TERROR WARS
Carbon capture needs a price -- study

Despite efforts, France fails to curb CO2

Graphene Exhibits Bizarre New Behavior Well Suited To Electronic Devices

German power plant testing CO2-scrubbing algae

TERROR WARS
Africa's Cell Phone Boom Can't Trump Dire Needs

Method proposed for power demand 'spikes'

German utilities blasted over power prices

South African energy execs' pay questioned

TERROR WARS
US converts Brazilian debt into environmental protection

Global Tropical Forests Threatened By 2100

Winds of political change blow through Malaysian jungles

Indonesia 'woefully inadequate' on illegal loggers: probe


The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2010 - SpaceDaily. AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement