A New Generation of Active Intrusion Detection System for Physical Protection

In this paper, we intend to present a new detection system using millimeter wave radar. With this technique, we can detect, locate and track multiple intruders on an electric map using virtual perimeter. We believe this technique would be a great improvement for intrusion detection. The millimeter wave radar is a radio distance measuring equipment, which emits electromagnetic wave on the target and receives the echo, thus obtaining information including distance, position, height, velocity, etc. The millimeter wave radar detection system consists of the radar component, processing server and video assessment equipment. The radar component is about the size of a dome camera, installed on a standing pole of 3~10m high. The radar can locate every object within a range of 1.5km with the precision about 30cm, while the traditional intrusion detection system can only work within the isolation zone. The physical barrier is not necessary which can be defined virtually on the electric map. The millimeter wave radar can retrieve various features about the behavior of the detected objects, including velocity, position, etc, allowing it to process with more information to distinguish real alarms and false alarms caused by interference such as birds or other small animals. On the other hand, it can discover suspicious activity such as lingering near the protection area, or over speed vehicles, while traditional detection system is blind beyond the isolation zone. The radar detection system also has positioning function allowing the operator in CAS to track the intruder, which will greatly facilitate the response force. The construction of the millimeter wave radar detection system is easier compared with traditional detection systems. It only requires several standing poles and connecting cables. During extreme condition, it can even be deployed immediately using battery and wireless network. A typical applicable scenario for the millimeter wave radar is open area, such as water, or material storage yard. The convenience of installation makes it very suitable for temporary barrier or as a complimentary detection method for traditional detection system. It can also provide additional service such as positioning for important equipment or nuclear material. There is defect for the millimeter wave radar detection system. The millimeter wave can penetrate through fog, smoke, dust, but the signal will attune in heavy rain, which will lead to decrease of detection range. Besides, the cost of the radar component is very expensive, thus the economics of radar detection system need to be further assessed. Except for the several defects existed, we believe the millimeter wave radar detection is a great improvement for intrusion detection. Traditional intrusion detection system must be installed in an area isolated by physical barrier. It can only provide passive protection that an alarm will be triggered only when someone enters the isolation zone. The 1st generation of intrusion detection system (e.g. Infrared beam) detects intruder based on the existence of signal. It is easy to bypass or compromise. The 2nd generation of intrusion detection system (e.g. microwave, electric field) includes complicated signal processing, which provides much higher reliability. However, false alarm is almost inevitable during extreme weather. We believe the 3rd generation of intrusion detection system should introduce multiple sensing modes, with more features to identify real intrusion and false alarm. Besides achieving high detection rate and low false alarm rate, it should also have the following features: - target identification; trajectory tracking; behavior analysis. And we believe the millimeter wave detection system as a new generation of detection system has a very promising prospect. (author)