Wireless CCTV
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Wireless CCTV Operational systems based on wireless technologies provide the benefits of rapid deployment and ease of installation as they do not require dedicated cables or fibres and consequently they are also less vulnerable to accidental damage. However wireless systems do have their own characteristics that need to be considered.
Wireless operates using designated parts of the electromagnetic spectrum; some of these frequency bands are licensed by the government and consequently their use is monitored and interference between users is minimised. This comes at a cost; either as a licence fee or via call charges levied by a system operator such as the cellular companies or Airwave. The lightly licensed bands, such as the 5.4 GHz frequencies are not subject to this control and are expected to self regulate by users choosing frequencies that work within their area. Should more users in an area take up 5.4 GHz services then there is the possibility that the ability to gain a channel will decrease – this will often be seen as delays in channel acquisition.
GHz frequency radio relies on a clear path between the transmitter and receiver though some recent equipment can also operate on reflected signals(eg COFDM). Buildings and vegetation can block or reduce (attenuate) radio signals leading either to a degradation of the service or when it falls below a threshold an unusable signal. Users need to be aware that a building constructed within the coverage area and general vegetation growth can have an impact on the communication possibilities between sites, also trees in spring and summer block signals far more than the same trees in autumn and winter.
Whilst all care is taken by the manufacturers of wireless equipment the radio receivers are by function sensitive to electromagnetic energy and in some instances interference can be caused by electrical storms, sun-spot activity and other atmospherics.
In summary wireless connectivity provides a convenient alternative to fixed networks and current technologies are pushing forward the band-width capabilities such that operational cctv systems are well supported. However there are some limitations that users need to be aware of due to the underlying nature of the physics of radio; these are coverage patterns that can vary due to environmental factors and interference that can arise from a variety of sources.