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Longwatch's Low-Power Video Surveillance System

Nov. 12, 2010
Video system for pipelines, well sites, pumping stations and other remote applications hibernates until it's needed, then wakes up instantly to record video.
Related To: Longwatch
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The Longwatch XLP Low-Power Video Surveillance System is powered by solar cells and batteries.The system hibernates in a low-power standby mode until an external sensor, such as a motion detector or intrusion alarm, or a command from the central control room sends it a signal to wake up.The system immediately records a short "video alarm clip," transmits it to a remote operator at a central HMI/SCADA system, and continues to record video on its disk until commanded to return to hibernation.The XLP system can transmit its video clip to the control room using an RF data link, where it can be viewed using the Longwatch Viewer or integrated into the HMI/SCADA system.The Longwatch software makes minimal use of the available bandwidth, so it does not interfere with control and instrumentation data.The XLP can also use Ethernet, wireless, cell phone or satellite communications when power consumption or bandwidth is not a concern.The low-power video surveillance system is designed to operate on a minimal power budget.In hibernation mode, the Longwatch XLP system's processor, solid-state disk and most peripherals are inactive, so that it consumes very little power while waiting for a wakeup signal. The Longwatch system can be configured to return to hibernation mode either automatically or on command after a period of activity. Longwatch recommends using traditional analog video cameras, which turn on almost instantly.With analog video cameras, the low-power Longwatch XLP video surveillance system can begin capturing live video within 6-7 seconds of an intrusion or process alarm – up to ten times faster than a digital camera. The Longwatch XLP Video Surveillance System was developed with the help of Advantech’s Design To Order Service (DTOS), which solved the problem of how to monitor sensors and wake up the video system. The XLP uses an Advantech UNO 2173 Atom-based computer.The UNO 2173 has a 1.6GHz Atom processor, 1GB of memory, Windows XP/E operating system, and battery-backed SRAM. When operating, the fanless UNO requires only 12W of power. When the XLP’s computer and UNO I/O board are in hibernation mode, the entire system consumes less than 2.5W.