Case Studies Solarbeam Wireless Solar-Powered Perimeter Security Company Deploys M2M Communications Network

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	Solarbeam Wireless Solar-Powered Perimeter Security Company Deploys M2M Communications Network

Solarbeam Wireless Solar-Powered Perimeter Security Company Deploys M2M Communications Network

Technology Category	Networks & Connectivity - Wireless Local Area Network Sensors - Infrared Sensors
Applicable Industries	Security & Public Safety Transportation
Applicable Functions	Facility Management Field Services
Use Cases	Perimeter Security & Access Control Predictive Maintenance Remote Asset Management
Services	Software Design & Engineering Services System Integration
Challenge	Following the devastation of Hurricane Andrew in South Florida in 1992, Solarbeam realized the need to upgrade from hard-wired systems, which required extensive piping and trenching, to wireless systems that could be easily integrated into existing infrastructure. The company aimed to develop a comprehensive wireless system designed for independent monitoring, diagnostics, and integrated video. The challenge was to create a reliable, versatile, and cost-effective perimeter protection solution that could operate in remote locations with harsh weather conditions. Solarbeam needed a solution that would allow for easy deployment and configuration flexibility while maintaining high dependability. Read More
About Customer	Solarbeam International, Inc. is a company based in Homestead, FL, specializing in solar-powered wireless perimeter intrusion detection systems (PIDS). The company is known for providing one of the most reliable, versatile, and cost-effective perimeter protection solutions available today. Solarbeam patented the technique of using solar power with wireless reporting of sensor systems formed between any two points. This technique is embodied in Solarbeam’s towers, which permit the deployment of various security applications such as Infrared beam, microwave systems, cameras, and fence sensor systems without the need for trenching, conduit, heavy equipment, wires, or permitting. The company has a history of innovation, particularly following the devastation of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which led to a significant upgrade in their technology from hard-wired to wireless systems. Read More
Solution	Solarbeam moved to a comprehensive wireless system designed for independent monitoring, diagnostics, and integrated video. The company designed software to complement the new wireless M2M communications capabilities, enabling area photography of complexes as visual indicators of where perimeter alarms sounded. This wireless M2M connectivity was provided by FreeWave’s proprietary radio technology, deployed through each of Solarbeam’s systems. Solarbeam developed the Roadside Animal Detection System (RADS), which offers automatic detection of animals crossing roadways. These systems, often deployed in remote locations with harsh weather conditions, rely on FreeWave’s M2M solutions for remote monitoring capabilities, ease of deployment, and configuration flexibility. The Solarbeam perimeter system comprises multiple solar towers, solar-powered batteries, detectors (Infrared, microwave, radar, or other sensors), and FreeWave M2M communications technology. Using FreeWave, Solarbeam can monitor each solar-powered tower individually, providing diagnostics such as solar voltage, battery voltage, and general tower health. To facilitate this monitoring, Solarbeam deployed FreeWave’s FGR2-IOS solution, part of FreeWave’s wireless embedded I/O series. The FGR2-IOS is user-configurable, with both digital and analog capabilities, serving the need for Solarbeam’s M2M networking connections. A radio was installed on each tower containing the solar panels with additional perimeter security equipment, allowing real-time monitoring and quick determination of maintenance needs. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Networks & Connectivity - Wireless Local Area Network

Sensors - Infrared Sensors

Applicable Industries

Security & Public Safety

Transportation

Applicable Functions

Facility Management

Field Services

Use Cases

Perimeter Security & Access Control

Predictive Maintenance

Remote Asset Management

Services

Software Design & Engineering Services

System Integration

Challenge

Following the devastation of Hurricane Andrew in South Florida in 1992, Solarbeam realized the need to upgrade from hard-wired systems, which required extensive piping and trenching, to wireless systems that could be easily integrated into existing infrastructure. The company aimed to develop a comprehensive wireless system designed for independent monitoring, diagnostics, and integrated video. The challenge was to create a reliable, versatile, and cost-effective perimeter protection solution that could operate in remote locations with harsh weather conditions. Solarbeam needed a solution that would allow for easy deployment and configuration flexibility while maintaining high dependability.

About Customer

Solarbeam International, Inc. is a company based in Homestead, FL, specializing in solar-powered wireless perimeter intrusion detection systems (PIDS). The company is known for providing one of the most reliable, versatile, and cost-effective perimeter protection solutions available today. Solarbeam patented the technique of using solar power with wireless reporting of sensor systems formed between any two points. This technique is embodied in Solarbeam’s towers, which permit the deployment of various security applications such as Infrared beam, microwave systems, cameras, and fence sensor systems without the need for trenching, conduit, heavy equipment, wires, or permitting. The company has a history of innovation, particularly following the devastation of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, which led to a significant upgrade in their technology from hard-wired to wireless systems.

Solution

Solarbeam moved to a comprehensive wireless system designed for independent monitoring, diagnostics, and integrated video. The company designed software to complement the new wireless M2M communications capabilities, enabling area photography of complexes as visual indicators of where perimeter alarms sounded. This wireless M2M connectivity was provided by FreeWave’s proprietary radio technology, deployed through each of Solarbeam’s systems. Solarbeam developed the Roadside Animal Detection System (RADS), which offers automatic detection of animals crossing roadways. These systems, often deployed in remote locations with harsh weather conditions, rely on FreeWave’s M2M solutions for remote monitoring capabilities, ease of deployment, and configuration flexibility. The Solarbeam perimeter system comprises multiple solar towers, solar-powered batteries, detectors (Infrared, microwave, radar, or other sensors), and FreeWave M2M communications technology. Using FreeWave, Solarbeam can monitor each solar-powered tower individually, providing diagnostics such as solar voltage, battery voltage, and general tower health. To facilitate this monitoring, Solarbeam deployed FreeWave’s FGR2-IOS solution, part of FreeWave’s wireless embedded I/O series. The FGR2-IOS is user-configurable, with both digital and analog capabilities, serving the need for Solarbeam’s M2M networking connections. A radio was installed on each tower containing the solar panels with additional perimeter security equipment, allowing real-time monitoring and quick determination of maintenance needs.

Impact #1	FreeWave’s wireless M2M communications solutions and Solarbeam’s monitoring technologies combine to provide around-the-clock, real-time intrusion detection and perimeter monitoring.
Impact #2	Solarbeam designed new software exclusively to leverage FreeWave’s reliable wireless M2M communication solutions.
Impact #3	With FreeWave’s technology, Solarbeam can monitor each solar-powered tower individually, providing diagnostics such as solar voltage, battery voltage, and general tower health.

Impact #1

FreeWave’s wireless M2M communications solutions and Solarbeam’s monitoring technologies combine to provide around-the-clock, real-time intrusion detection and perimeter monitoring.

Impact #2

Solarbeam designed new software exclusively to leverage FreeWave’s reliable wireless M2M communication solutions.

Impact #3

With FreeWave’s technology, Solarbeam can monitor each solar-powered tower individually, providing diagnostics such as solar voltage, battery voltage, and general tower health.

Benefit #1	The price point of FreeWave’s radios is a fraction of the cost of a fiber-optic cable installation.

Benefit #1

The price point of FreeWave’s radios is a fraction of the cost of a fiber-optic cable installation.

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Overview

Solarbeam Wireless Solar-Powered Perimeter Security Company Deploys M2M Communications Network

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit