An uncooled thermal-array-based detector as an advanced security sensor

A 16x16 un-cooled thermal array based detector (ABD) offers the prospect of a new generation of security sensors, with high false alarm rejection and the ability to detect, track and count the number of intruders. The IRISYS array provides the ability not simply to detect an intruder, but by tracking them as a true moving target discriminate between real and false alarm sources. Target processing is carried out within the sensor allowing the position and size of each target within the field of view to be generated. The location and size for each target is output as a low bandwidth data message suitable for transmission over alarm signalling networks. A central security management system or alarm receiving centre display would provide an operator with an intruder count per room, a pseudo 'visual' display of targets and locations, show target vectors on a graphical display and track targets from room to room, allowing an appropriate response to be initiated. Taking the same concepts into external detection, should allow discrimination of humans versus animals or vermin and afford a high level of reasoning to reject environmentally generated false alarms. In external detection applications using the ABD as a trigger for CCTV, intruder location data would be used to steer and zoom a PTZ camera to achieve an identification view. As auto tracking features are added to the latest dome cameras the ABD's ability to track and output simultaneous data from multiple targets will steer a camera between several intruders.