Intrepid MicroPoint system - European fence experience

When Southwest Microwave introduced the Intrepid MicroPoint fence disturbance sensor at the 1994 Carnahan Conference, it was primarily directed at chain link fencing. While the vast majority of fencing in North America is of the chain link variety this is certainly not true in Europe where a plethora of fence types are in use. Steel Palisade fencing, the most common type of fence installed in the UK today, does not even exist in North America. Since the fence structure and fence fabric become an integral part of the sensor when a fence disturbance cable is applied it is not surprising that Southwest Microwave has gone through a learning curve as MicroPoint is tested and applied to European fences. This paper describes some of the lessons learned over the past 8 years. In describing the effects of the fence type on the MicroPoint system, one must naturally consider the threat, as this too has a profound effect on where the cable should be located on the fence structure and also determines how the sensor should be tested. While new installation techniques and set up procedures have evolved based on the European experience, the basic MicroPoint TDR type of signal processing has proven to be very robust. The ability to not only detect the presence of an intruder but to accurately locate the intruder along the length of the cable has been proven to provide a number of significant benefits. As a result, Southwest Microwave has an office in the UK and the Intrepid MicroPoint System is now being used in at least 8 European countries.