Wisconsin electronic parts manufacturer eyes remote security management as marketing and profit-generating tools

Editor / Provider: Matrix Systems | Updated: 5/20/2013 | Article type: Commercial Markets

Norstan, a US electronic parts manufacturer based in Wisconsin, replaced its legacy security system with an advanced security system consisting of biometric time-clock auditing, plus Matrix Systems' mobile surveillance and access control systems to improve profitability and secure doors. Matrix also upgraded the resolution of seven existing Ganz analog cameras, which helped Norstan save US$3,000. The analog cameras were integrated with Geovision software and hardware, and another 10 Geovision high-resolution cameras were added to cover the 3,716-square-meter (30,000-square-foot) facility.

Many CEO's think their security systems are just for opening doors, but John Nordigian, CEO of Norstan, envisioned video monitoring of his plant from anywhere in the world with his mobile phone, and state-of-the-art security technology to  reduce insurance costs, attract and retain Fortune 500 clients. One of the technological challenges during installation was finding a solution that could integrate with its existing five-door HID format key fob door reader system, which would cost approximately $2,800 to replace and install.

Matrix Systems enterprise-based access control system, which uses Mercury and HID access controller subsystems and its open architecture features allowed integration of third party technology. For larger views in remote locations, Nordigian can use a notebook computer, or unlock doors, respond to alarms and most other security functions via mobile apps that connect to the plant's access control system security workstation server from remote locations.

The main challenge, though, was integrating Nordigian's iPhone and Droid-X mobile apps, and his laptop computer into the upgraded video surveillance system.  Nordigian can now monitor any of the company's 17 video surveillance cameras anywhere within seconds through the access control security software using iPhone or Droix-X mobile apps. Matrix Systems built in functionality such as PTZ for closer looks. The CEO finds the iPhone's AT&T network more reliable abroad than the Droid-X's Verizon network, while domestically the iPhone's DGI software loading time and functionality, such as remote operating PTZ capabilities on surveillance cameras  outperformed Android GDA. The remote mobility feature is also capable of temporary access authorization, such as allowing an industrial service contractor into a secure area to repair a particular stamping machine. Future video improvements will include a conversion to IP to integrate into the access control system and add video voice-over to add audio capabilities for instant feedback and communication.

New cameras and digital recording capabilities through the access control system gave Norstan a hedge against illegal dumpers who potentially place illegal materials in the facility's dumpster, which could result in fines or recycling fees. Videos are stored on a NVR for 60 days.The mobile devices are also invaluable for afterhours alarm situations where Nordigian can go online within seconds after receiving an alarm phone call and inspect the entire plant from home or abroad.

Besides lowering operational costs, the new system is also attracting and retaining clients. "After we supplied the detailed plans of the installed the access control and GeoVision systems, a client was impressed with our system and commitment to protecting their on-site assets,” said Nordigan. “As a result, they chose to retain our services versus going to a competitor." Insurance carriers also took notice of the upgraded security system, which enabled Nordigian to negotiate a 10-percent insurance cost reduction.

Adding more functionality to Norstan's security was the impetus for replacing the prior access control system, which stopped providing updates for Microsoft SQL platforms and also crashed periodically. For example, many employee subgroups have been created for various authorization levels. Sensitive area access, such a precious metals inventories, tool areas and IT rooms are now accessible to employees authorized by the system with full audit trails provided by the new access control system. Employees see benefits as well, such as improved protection for personal property such as tools, autos and lockers. The system offers a safer work environment because of its capabilities of terminating potentially disgruntled former employee access just moments after dismissal.

Tennessee rehabilitation center keeps recovering residents in check

Editor / Provider: Sponsored by Qnap Security | Updated: 5/20/2013 | Article type: Commercial Markets

Recovery Ranch, located in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., is a special rehabilitation center for clients with addictive, eating or mood disorders, or in need of psychosomatic recovery for improved quality of life. The ranch employs 160 therapists and administrative personnel, serving more than 75 clients at a time, with 24/7 care for different treatments; hence, it is a large facility with residents of diverse backgrounds.

The ranch encompasses two sites: the main campus with two buildings and a new campus with six buildings, individually located one mile apart. On land stretching over 2,000 acres and multiple campuses, it is necessary to have a powerful surveillance system to secure the community and archive records of any incidents that occur. The two original buildings, dated back to late 1800s, were not designed with network wiring. Also, they had unstable power supplies due to the age of the buildings and the location in a rural area, where bad weather could easily cause a power outage. Therefore, wireless became very important, and a good mechanism to sustain system power supply was essential, too.

Moreover, Recovery Ranch required 16 to 18 cameras installed around the campuses and a system able to store videos for two to three months. Prior to the installation, Recovery Ranch surveyed CCTV and DVR solutions, but all lacked advanced management functions and did not have sufficient storage capacity.

Road to Recovery
In the end, Recovery Ranch turned to the Qnap VioStor NVR surveillance system because of its robust, IP-based design and the many unique management features. Two units of VioStor NVR VS-6020 Pro, powered by dual-core Intel Atom processor, were installed on each campus, monitoring 25 VIVOTEK fixed domes and Mobotix fisheye cameras. “Qnap NVRs definitely play a central role in the video security for Recovery Ranch, as this is a one-stop solution that is well-integrated with multiple brands of IP cameras and hence can fulfill very diverse indoor/outdoor monitoring requirements,” said Jeff Chase, IT Manager. “Moreover, the system is very scalable in camera deployment, and with free software updates, it is open to more features at no additional cost, making it a future-proof investment for many years to come.”

The VS-6020 Pro supports high-quality H.264, MPEG-4, M-JPEG and MxPEG recording, and can efficiently stream videos wirelessly while maintaining high-megapixel image quality. In addition, the 6-bay VS-6020 Pro accommodates up to 24-TB storage capacity to satisfy Recovery Ranch's needs of storing videos for up to three months. The VS-6020 Pro also solves the problem of unexpected power outage. With support for UPS devices, the VS-6020 Pro is programmed with USB-connected UPS to ensure 24/7 service. Detailed event logs of system warning, network disconnection and the UPS status are also recorded for diagnosis. What Recovery Ranch favored most was the intelligent video analytics. By using the motion detection algorithm in playback mode, the security administrator can set up areas of interest and time frames for the NVR to automatically find events of interest. It is, overall, less labor-intensive than manually watching each channel at 16x fast-forward play. It is quick to review — for example, an individual, in a specific area, at a certain time of the day — the day's video, and reviewing evidence is more efficient than ever.

Since the two units of VioStor NVR VS-6020 Pro were installed, the ranch has required little maintenance. The Linux-based operating system and RAID storage volume are very reliable; at the same time, it is more power-efficient than running the VMS server on a PC. Therefore, Recovery Ranch does not have to keep the PC running 100-percent of the time. It shows power consumption changes from 200W to 43W (with six HDDs installed) in average, resulting in up to five times of savings in utility. “The VS-6020 Pro is an easy-to-use and intuitive product, enabling the security administrator to fully utilize the features of the surveillance system. We can spend less time on IT, and more time on running the center,” Chase concluded.

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Indiana police deter criminal activity and vandalism with IP eyes

Editor / Provider: Avigilon | Updated: 5/16/2013 | Article type: Government & Public Services

The Pittsboro Police Department (PPD) in Pittsboro, Indiana has deployed a HD surveillance system with remote monitoring capabilities to monitor key areas across town to reduce the threat of criminal mischief, vandalism and boost community safety. The comprehensive system consists of an Avigilon panoramic dome, VMS, and analog video encoders.

“We have had a few incidents of vandalism and even assault in the past that we were unable to successfully investigate because of the lack of coverage and poor image quality of our previous analog-based surveillance system,” explained Lieutenant Scott King of the Pittsboro Police Department. The new HD surveillance system has helped the department save time and boosted investigation success.

All police officers and the chief of police manage the surveillance system from their desktops using VMS. The PPD installed a 180 degree HD panoramic dome in the town's main intersection to monitor vehicular and pedestrian traffic. They also deployed several analog video encoders to improve image quality and manageability of existing analog cameras to cover the parking lot, entrances, exits, and other high-traffic areas in Scamahorn Park. An Avigilon NVR stores 30 days of continuous video. PPD officers also use mobile VMS to monitor the cameras remotely from their Android phones. Pittsboro plans to expand the HD surveillance system to other key areas across town in the future.

The PPD can investigate incidents much quicker than before, freeing up police officers to focus on other aspects of community safety. The PPD has achieved higher identification success and conviction rates because officers can identify suspects and incidents with greater accuracy and are more likely to recoup costs for the time and materials needed to clean up vandalism or repair damaged property.

“Dedicated to ensuring the safety of its residents, the PPD faces the same security challenges of any big city, including the growing threat of vandalism and criminal mischief,” said Bryan Schmode, Executive VP of Global Sales at Avigilon. “The Avigilon HD surveillance system enables the PPD to identify incidents with greater success, achieve higher conviction rates, and save costs to ultimately enhance community safety.”

Bosch adds micro camera and dome to budget line

Editor / Provider: Bosch Security Systems | Updated: 5/16/2013 | Article type: Security 50

With the introduction of the micro 2000 and FLEXIDOME micro 2000 IP cameras, Bosch is once again expanding its successful network video systems portfolio. Wherever there is a need for a good product, at an affordable price, for a broad range of applications, micro 2000 IP cameras and FLEXIDOME micro 2000 IP cameras are the ideal solution. Providing more detailed images with less interference, the cameras are specifically designed for indoor areas with stable lighting, and their state of the art look sets them apart. They come in two different versions, a micro box, and a micro dome design. Beside their outstanding design, these cameras are also fully featured. The latest sensors and image processing technology from the professional security industry have been optimized for small business surveillance.

Both cameras are designed as complete networked video systems. They include a Dropbox application for remote storage of recorded activity, while also benefiting from 50 percent less storage needs in static scenes due to iDNR, saving on memory requirements, bandwidth, and costs. Furthermore, the Video Client PC software and the live viewer app from Bosch are available free of charge for reviewing live and recorded video material on a PC or mobile device from any location with Internet access.

In addition, the micro 2000 IP cameras and FLEXIDOME micro 2000 IP cameras are ONVIF conformant and compatible with software and storage solutions of third-party integrators. This is supported by the Integration Partner Program, which gives partners immediate access to online tools for easy integration of management and recording software, video analytics, monitor wall systems and cloud monitoring.

A mission with a vision

Editor / Provider: Sponsored by VIVOTEK | Updated: 5/13/2013 | Article type: Government & Public Services

The Hajj Organization in Tehran, Iran has been organizing the Hajj Mission since 1991, providing services to Hujjaj, who are Muslim pilgrims from Iran, with the aim of promoting Hajj and serving Hujjaj by facilitating and organizing all aspects of Hajj. With its pivotal role and sizable scale in Iran, the organization requires high-security surveillance to ensure the overall safety of the Hujjaj and the daily operation of the Hajj Mission. The manager of the organization decided to install several IP cameras, and VIVOTEK cameras, with excellent quality at a reasonable cost, became the organization's first choice.

Pooya Fara Negar, VIVOTEK's distributor in Iran, provided the professional consultation and design. A total of 178 cameras were installed indoors and outdoors. Outdoor areas are covered by 11 SD8323E, 12 IP7361 and 53 IP8362 cameras, while 73 FD8161 and 27 FD8162 cameras were installed indoors. Two IP8162P cameras were installed in the official area.

The SD8323E, a network speed dome with several superior features — such as the ability to capture clear video even in environments with high-contrast lighting conditions, a weather-proof IP66-rated housing, and 360° continuous pan and 90° tilt — is an ideal camera for monitoring open indoor/outdoor spaces. Equipped with a powerful 36x zoom lens and WDR technology, the camera is also able to capture sharp images at a great distance even under challenging lighting conditions. The SD8362E was thus installed outside of the organization for monitoring the grand square in front of the building.

Bullet cameras IP7361 and IP8362, with 2-megapixel resolution, weather-proof IP67-rated housings, removable IR-cut filters and IR illuminators for superior image quality around the clock, were chosen for a wide range of outdoor applications. The IP7361 was installed in the outdoor corridor, while the IP8362 was chosen to monitor the parking lot, taking advantage of its WDR enhancements, which allow users to identify image details in extremely bright as well as dark environments.

For monitoring the building halls, the FD8161 and FD8162 were used. Featuring a 2-megapixel sensor and ePTZ functionality, these cameras are able to provide extremely wide coverage with the finest details and enable users to focus on close-up shots of different areas. Moreover, the FD8162, which also incorporates WDR capability, is able to capture clear footage even when both bright and dark areas are present in the same field of view.

As for the official area, the IP8162P — a 2-megapixel camera with several advanced features like a P-iris lens, built-in Focus Assist button for precise focus adjustment, WDR Enhanced technology for an unparalleled ability to capture detail in extremely bright and dark environments — is able to monitor a much more comprehensive area than can a standard VGA camera, allowing users to fully enjoy the HD video.

Sacred, Secured
Access to all of these cameras is via a private Intranet. VIVOTEK's stand-alone NVR enables the Hajj Organization to record, monitor and manage video data simultaneously through the Internet. Both live video feeds and recorded video footage are centrally managed.

William Ku, VP of International Business at VIVOTEK, stated: “We are so glad to have the chance to enhance the security of the Hajj Organization. I believe that VIVOTEK cameras with their superior quality are able to meet the client's needs by providing clear footage and accurate event tracking around the place. Also, the Hajj Organization can monitor the status of all cameras and storage in real time and manage videos in a centralized way. We are expecting to provide more security support to the Hajj Organization in the future.”

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What's trending in 2013?

Editor / Provider: Judy Lin, asmag.com | Updated: 5/8/2013 | Article type: Hot Topics

Secutech International 2013, one of the largest trade shows in the security world, successfully concluded on April 26. Here are some of the key findings from the show floor interviews.

1. IP Rocks
IP-based video surveillance products accounted for the majority of items displayed at the exhibition, while HD-SDI products remained a minority. Of the 23 video surveillance manufacturers sampled, 16 companies featured IP products at the show, including Dynacolor, Dahua Technology, Itx, Mobotix and others. Hikvision Digital Technology and four other companies were promoting analog cameras, while Hi Sharp and Win4net were the only companies highlighting HD-SDI products. Most manufacturers are still promoting IP cameras, due to a smaller demand for HD-SDI cameras, and few related products and accessories, said Ray Chan, Director of Sales for APAC, Infinova. HD-SDI also requires larger storage, and the required frame rate is still playing catch-up, Chan continued. A technician from Fuho Technology echoed the sentiment, stating while HD-SDI products offer better image quality than analog cameras, market demand has remained low because of the lack of supporting appliances and hardware compared to analog or IP systems. Some manufacturers are trying to compensate this by promoting new HD-SDI cabling products, such as Win4net's Clebo HD-SDI PoC solution that can extend HD-SDI data transmission for more than 2 kilometers.

2. Light Sensitivity
The majority of low-light network cameras displayed at the show came with 1.3-megapixel resolution; only a few were 3-megapixel models. Shany's SNC-WD2131MSA and Yoko Technology's RYK-IPBX010 featured 1.3-megapixel low-light cameras, while Zavio's D7320 was a 3-megapixel camera. The limitations of network bandwidth and market demand are driving the sales of 1.3-megapixel low-light cameras, said Steven Mao, PM for Digital Surveillance Product Planning, Yoko Technology. Two trends in WDR network cameras were also observed, with some manufacturers such as Brickcom using software to enhance images and others, including Zavio, developing their own WDR sensors.

3. High and Low
Of the analog cameras displayed, a large number were of 700 TVLs and above. For instance, Hikvision's Picadis Exir Camera and Pishion's BRX-99P84WR were 720-TVL cameras, while Fuho's Vacron-P was a 1,000-TVL camera. The cameras target cost-conscious consumers that want better image quality close to IP cameras, but at a much lower price point, said Ian Ma, Overseas Technical Support Engineer, Hikvision. The cameras offer better images than traditional analog, and ideal for clients who are reluctant to say goodbye to their coaxial cables.

4. Easy to Install
Four- to 8-channel NVRs for SMB and home applications are mostly designed with easy setup procedures that are user-friendly. Whether its Nuuo's 8-channel NVR, that enables setup to be completed in six minutes with a click of a mouse, or Dynacolor's 4-channel NVR that automatically detects the company's cameras, the idea is to make installation hassle-free. Manufacturers are trying to make their products appealing and adoptable to the average home owner or shop keeper, who may not be tech-savvy or have the resources to hire IT specialists. Another interesting find was iCatch's latest NVR that enables consumers to use QR scanners to connect their IP cameras to the NVR.

5. Scalability Reincarnated
Installer-friendly products were not easy to miss. For example, Etherwan's ED3638 PoE switch can transmit data and electricity up to 1.8 kilometers, said Alvin Hsu, PM; Planet's BSP-300 solar-power switch is particularly suited for integrators struggling with outdoor cabling. Brickcom's FocusEasy makes life easier for installers, by beeping loudly when the camera is correctly focused; it is aimed at the hotel industry or large-scale projects that require many installations, said Anchi Chen, Marketing Administrator. All these products are designed with convenience in mind, by saving installers or system integrators valuable resources. These products are also ideal for large-scale projects and applications.

6. Value Adds
More camera and NVR manufacturers are teaming up with VCA companies to increase the added value of their products. To target the retail sector, Nuuo teamed up with Vit to add on people-counting features onto its NVR, while VIVOTEK has been cooperating with Cognimatics to add on similar people-counting features onto its IP cameras. Other common VCA features include people counting, item removal detection, and virtual fences that are targeted for retail market applications.

7. Mobility
From remotely monitoring video surveillance cameras to opening doors via NFC technology, mobile applications are increasingly prevalent. The popularity of smartphones and tablets is pushing this trend in the security sector. The majority of NVR manufacturers, such as iCatch and Nuuo, have matching mobile apps to enable remote monitoring, while newer access control systems from WFE Technology allow smartphones to open doors using NFC. Nearly all NFC access control systems are RFID-based at the show, with the exception of Hundure Technology that has promoted a Bluetooth NFC reader.

8. Hot Access
Access control manufacturers such as Pongee and WFE were promoting multicredential readers with four to five credentials targeting the banking or hotel sector. End users can choose which credentials they want to use. According to Johnson Wu, PM of Waferlock at WFE, markets that require high security, such as the banking sector, are more likely to use a combination of credentials or utilize all credentials offered.

9. Gaze Downward
Manufacturers are aiming for the mid- to low-end market with hopes of tapping into retail, home, hotel and banking applications. This was reflected with the promotion of affordable retail solutions with fewer functions, but easy installation, such as VIVOTEK's Counter Cam, a small 180-degree panoramic camera with very basic functions. Even Flir, which had traditionally manufactured high-end thermal imaging cameras, was promoting its first commercial camera, the VT602, at the show (which still costs US$190,000).

10. Emerging Opportunities
Most video surveillance manufacturers agreed that sales are particularly well in emerging markets. Dali Technology and Merit  LILIN both responded sales were particularly well in Middle East, while NVR manufacturer Qnap noted sales were particularly well in Central and South America.

Axis signs on development partner Cathexis

Editor / Provider: Cathexis | Updated: 5/8/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Cathexis has been appointed an Axis Development Member, enabling full integration of Axis Communications' network video products into its CatVision IP VMS.

"This strategic partnership will enable the VMS to fully exploit the potential of the Axis camera range, meaning end users will get the features, performance and results they require,” said Mark Ross, Sales Director, Europe, Cathexis. "Integrators will also benefit from the added flexibility and ease of set-up that the combination of the VMS and Axis can provide.”

The Axis Development Partner Program provides application components such as VAPIX (Axis' API), technical documentation, SDKs, and dedicated development support.

"The program ensures product compatibility and helps software developers provide reliable and optimized network video management solutions for most industry segments,” said Daren Lang, Business Developer Manager ADP/TPP, Northern Europe Region for Axis Communications. “We are pleased that Cathexis have seen the value in partnering with Axis to deliver optimized best of breed solutions to their customers.”

The VMS is a sophisticated and very easily configured IP VMS solution. It benefits from Cathexis' 18 years of experience in supplying high end analog systems, and builds on an in-depth understanding of the needs of installers to deliver a cutting edge suite of digital technology, well adapted to today's IP-based security demands.

The VMS is extremely easy to load, configure and commission. Because IP surveillance systems can have hundreds or thousands of cameras, and multiple recording parameters, Cathexis has introduced a Wizard process. Multiple cameras can be added with just a few clicks. The recording configuration process is equally simple, incorporating a ‘cut and paste' option to set up multiple identical events, rather than having to do them all one by one.

The end result is a simple and easy-to-use engineer interface overlaying a very powerful VMS platform, meaning less training, less time on site and easier maintenance. And Cathexis backs this up with the highest levels of support in the industry.

The open architecture Windows and Linux variants of the VMS enable IP cameras, recording and viewing servers to be integrated seamlessly, providing clients with maximum ROI. The VMS features built-in video analytics capabilities, and offers system health monitoring. The solution is also available with a Network Addressable Storage option. The software supports the ONVIF interoperability standard, and provides dewarping functionality for 360 degree cameras, such as the M3007 models from Axis.

The VMS is supplied on four software levels and has several licensed add-ons to provide full flexibility to seamlessly tailor endlessly customized solutions. The software's backward compatibility supports a hybrid platform making upgrading easy, cost effective and ensures a future proof solution.

Tyco Security/Software House integrates Inex/Zamir ALPR

Editor / Provider: Tyco Security Products | Updated: 5/7/2013 | Article type: Security 50

Inex/Zamir announced that its Insignia ALPR System solution is interfaced with the Software House C-CURE 9000 Security and Event Management System. Integration of the two technologies provides greater flexibility to existing C-CURE features.

Inex/Zamir, a global provider of ALPR systems, announced their having been granted the Software House Connected Program certification for the successful integration of the Insignia ALPR solution to C-CURE 9000 access control system. The Inex/Zamir system interfaces with C-CURE 9000 adding a capability for a vehicle's license plate to act as an additional means to grant or deny facility access. The direct interface with C-CURE 9000 provides real-time vehicle events to be created and sent to the C-CURE 9000 monitoring station, and provides the user multiple levels of management for collected ALPR plate data.

Key benefits to the end-user include the ability to provide "dual-credentialing" vehicle access control alongside the C-CURE 9000 card access system. Seamless command, control and administration from the C-CURE 9000 console gives the Inex/Zamir ALPR system the ability to function as a card reader, creating the option to use both systems in tandem for granting vehicle access. "Fully automated ALPR credentialing eliminates many time consuming problems associated with rapid vehicle identification and access, while still maintaining a comprehensive level of facility security," says Inex/Zamir's Director of Reseller Sales, Chuck Bartolomeo , who adds, "A typical system option could include instant vehicle-of-interest notification and alerting.'

EverFocus wins IP Camera Excellence Award at Secutech International 2013

Editor / Provider: EverFocus | Updated: 5/6/2013 | Article type: Security 50

EverFocus awarded the camera Excellence Awards in IP camera contest at 2013 Secutech in Taipei World Trade Center Nangang Exhibition Hall last week.

2013 Secutech, International Security Expo held from Apr. 24 -26, attracted over 520 manufacturers and professional visitors from 19 countries to Taiwan. EverFocus - an a&s 2012 Security Top 50 manufacturer -- received 2013 Secutech Camera Excellence Awards with their EAN3300― a 3 Megapixel IP Camera. With this award, the well-known CCTV manufacturer made a clear announcement to the world that they are ready for the IP battle, and once again proved their continuous hard work in IP producing is paid-off.

Earlier this year, the EverFocus EPN4220 IP speed dome received this year's Taiwan Excellence Award. Winning another IP camera Excellence Award at Secutech shows that the expansion of their product line is continuing successfully. The award proved their R&D engineers have also developed an extensive expertise in IP products.

During the contest, organized by Messe Frankfurt New Era Business Media, cameras of various brands were set up to monitor the color saturation and restoration, effective frame rate, camera shutter speed, and resolution performance. The contest also had an on-site live demo component, that not only served as a clear buyer's guide for IP Cameras but also a big encouragement for EverFocus and its business partners.

The EverFocus EAN3300 is a box-type IP camera delivering 3 Megapixel image resolution. It features WDR functionality, which can provide clear images even under back light circumstances where intensity of illumination can vary excessively. H.264/M-JPEG multi-stream output is available for simultaneous live monitoring and high-resolution recording. The EAN3300 is designed for simple installation and supports all types of indoor mounting applications.

The HD-SDI Demonstration was also a highlight of the Secutech. HD-SDI cameras and DVRs were installed to monitor banking activities in a simulated environment. EverFocus showed off their EPHD04 DVR and EQH5202, providing a total banking solution and achieved resounding success in this demonstration.

The EverFocus EPHD04 DVR supports 1920 x 1080 or 1280 x 720 resolution HDcctv cameras and offers real time HD recording and playback for all cameras at 1080p resolution. At the same time, all cameras are available for remote live display with reduced bandwidth. The built-in HDcctv DVR web server enables live display and playback of video footage without the use of specific software - a PC with web browser is all you require. Users can search video by date, time and event or filter by type of recording quickly and efficiently.

Lapis releases low-power, low-cost microcontrollers for embedded system control

Editor / Provider: Lapis Semiconductor | Updated: 4/30/2013 | Article type: Component

Lapis Semiconductor, a Rohm Group Company, is pleased to introduce the ML610Q100 series of low-cost, feature-rich, low-power microcontrollers. The new Mini Low Power Microcontrollers are especially well suited for embedded applications requiring a very small microcontroller that provides high computational performance and dedicated control functions, yet consumes a minimal amount of power. Applications include motor control, energy harvesting sensors and nodes, audio and speech control, smoke and fire detection, security and access control, battery management, home appliances, lighting control, power monitoring and metering, and many other embedded designs.

The Mini LP architecture is made up of a processing core, non-volatile memory and RAM plus several embedded peripheral functions including: GPIO, PWMs, counter/timer blocks, ADCs and comparators. The devices exhibit very low power consumption in both sleep (1uA typical) and operating modes (3.7mA typical), while executing one instruction per clock cycle at up to 8 MHz clock rates. The microcontrollers are unique in having their timing reference circuit completely integrated within the devices, meaning no external crystal or any other components are required. Some of the devices in the Mini LP Micro series have internal writable Flash ROM, which eliminates the need for external EEPROM for data storage. Their wide supply voltage range (2.7V dc to 5.5Vdc) and temperature range (-40 C to 85 C) allow the Mini LP Micros to be used in battery-powered and energy-harvesting applications located in harsh environments.

The Mini LP Micros are based on LAPIS Semiconductor's proprietary 8 bit RISC U8 core, which has been used within LAPIS Semiconductor's products for over 15 years. The U8 core's low-cost code creation and debugging tools are available for program development. LAPIS Semiconductor also offers a very flexible and expandable Mini LP Micro Development Kit with expansion sockets that enable easy access to all of the IOs available on the devices.