Perimeter Security
Round-the-clock monitoring no matter how challenging the conditions
Safeguarding people, places and property is the aim of any kind of perimeter security – but that can be easier said than done in remote locations with difficult terrain or harsh weather conditions.
That’s why each solution is as individual as the site it is designed to protect – taking into account everything from timescales and budget to power and communications requirements.
Compact and precise millimetre-wave (mmWave) radar is particularly suited to round-the-clock perimeter security solutions, either on its own or combined with infrared cameras, for example.
Ultra-fine range and Doppler resolution make it possible to see small moving objects even when much larger objects crowd the scene – and multiple units can be netted together to provide comprehensive coverage of even the most complex sites.
The challenge
When a client wanted to monitor access to a remote site in a harsh location, the perimeter security solution had to be able to cope with thick fog, heavy rain and snow – conditions where cameras would fall short.
Long-range detection was required to find objects of interest in a complex scene and classify the behaviour as much as possible.
The solution
The Plextek team addressed the requirement by developing a mmWave radar that could detect a potential intruder more than 200 m away – an astonishing range for a radar board that fits in the palm of your hand – with all the nuances of the scene incorporated into a set of algorithms to optimise performance.
Information from a network of radars around the perimeter can be fed back to a central control point for a decision on how to proceed – whether to send out a foot patrol, for example – reducing the manpower necessary to effectively monitor the site.
Key skills
- Expertise with ultra-low size, weight, power and cost (SWaP-C) radars
Designing and fielding many different radar and communications systems to fit very tight operational constraints.
- Nuanced understanding of imaging radars
Designing, building and fielding a number of radars that generate very fine range-velocity-angle images using established, as well as cutting-edge, techniques.
- Configurable design approach
Easily able to design customised radar modules for a range of customer needs.
At Plextek, we specialise in great technology at competitive prices. Leveraging our 30 years of radar experience, we can customise the right perimeter security solution for a client’s needs.
John Markow
VP of Innovation
What sets us apart when it comes to perimeter security?
The Plextek team has extensive experience of using mmWave radar for perimeter security solutions. Our expertise in this field includes:
- Small covert sensors
- Sensitive site monitoring
- Hidden sensors for security
- Object classification with radars
- Drone surveillance
- Electronic security
- Imaging radars
- Intrusion detection with radars
- Long-range detection
- Motion sensors
- Perimeter protection
- Radar and communications systems design
- Radar detection theory
- Remote site monitoring
- Security integration
- Surveillance technologies
Contact Us
Millimetre-Wave Radar System
Expertly engineering a compact, high-performance 60 GHz millimetre-wave radar system using innovative Substrate Integrated Waveguide technology, achieving significant advancements in target detection up to 100 metres.
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Developing Automated Manufacturing Systems
Delivering a pioneering predictive maintenance solution for a global healthcare product company, utilising miniature battery-powered sensor systems to optimise automated production lines and significantly reduce costly downtimes.
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Surveillance Radar for Comprehensive Threat Detection
Advancing a perimeter surveillance solution with long-range detection and low false-alarm rates, using state-of-the-art Passive Electronically Scanned Array technology for robust and maintenance-free operation in a range of demanding environments.
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Microwave Camera for Detecting Hidden Objects
Developing a groundbreaking microwave camera technology, enabling real-time detection of concealed items in a non-intrusive manner, improving airport security with minimal passenger disruption.
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Marine Tracker
The team designed an advanced military-grade hybrid TETRA GPS smart tracker for ATLAS Telecom’s E-Passport programme, enhancing coastal security through cutting-edge surveillance and autonomous threat notification.
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mmWave Imaging Radar
Camera systems are in widespread use as sensors that provide information about the surrounding environment. But this can struggle with image interpretation in complex scenarios. In contrast, mmWave radar technology offers a more straightforward view of the geometry and motion of objects, making it valuable for applications like autonomous vehicles, where radar aids in mapping surroundings and detecting obstacles. Radar’s ability to provide direct 3D location data and motion detection through Doppler effects is advantageous, though traditionally expensive and bulky. Advances in SiGe device integration are producing more compact and cost-effective radar solutions. Plextek aims to develop mm-wave radar prototypes that balance cost, size, weight, power, and real-time data processing for diverse applications, including autonomous vehicles, human-computer interfaces, transport systems, and building security.
Low Cost Millimeter Wave Radio frequency Sensors
This paper presents a range of novel low-cost millimeter-wave radio-frequency sensors that have been developed using the latest advances in commercially available electronic chip-sets. The recent emergence of low-cost, single chip silicon germanium transceiver modules combined with license exempt usage bands is creating a new area in which sensors can be developed. Three example systems using this technology are discussed, including: gas spectroscopy at stand off distances, non-invasive dielectric material characterization and high performance micro radar.
60 GHz F-Scan SIW Meanderline Antenna for Radar Applications
This paper describes the design and characterization of a frequency-scanning meanderline antenna for operation at 60 GHz. The design incorporates SIW techniques and slot radiating elements. The amplitude profile across the antenna aperture has been weighted to reduce sidelobe levels, which makes the design attractive for radar applications. Measured performance agrees with simulations, and the achieved beam profile and sidelobe levels are better than previously documented frequency-scanning designs at V and W bands.
Ku-Band Low-Sidelobe Waveguide Array
The design of a 16-element waveguide array employing radiating T-junctions that operates in the Ku band is described. Amplitude weighting results in low elevation sidelobe levels, while impedance matching provides a satisfactory VSWR, that are both achieved over a wide bandwidth (15.7-17.2 GHz). Simulation and measurement results, that agree very well, are presented. The design forms part of a 16 x 40 element waveguide array that achieves high gain and narrow beamwidths for use in an electronic-scanning radar system.