Fluidmesh Networks
Reliability and flexibility
Wireless Mesh technology far exceeds in reliability and flexibility all traditional point-to-point and point-multipoint Wi-Fi bypass systems. In a Wireless Mesh network, each installed Mesh unit not only transmits the video streams of the camcorders connected to it, but at the same time functions as a Hertzian link and "smart" router capable of sending, through the optimal route, the packets received from other units. This creates a reliable and redundant network in which each video stream has several possible routes to reach the base station, and each packet is sent in real time through the best route. Video streams can dynamically and in real time reach dodgy radio connections. The absence of a single "point of possible errors" significantly increases the reliability of the system compared to any other wireless or wired transmission solution.
Advantages of Mesh technology
Unlike the Wi-Fi products created for the transfer of data at low cost inside buildings, the new technology was born specifically as the solution for video surveillance applications that need great reliability and broadband available for the transmission of video at high resolution. The transmission and routing protocols, which are fundamental in Mesh radio communication, were designed and optimized taking as a reference the transmission of high-resolution video in MPEG4 and M-JPEG format. Streaming protocols also support advanced features for video transfer such as video stream prioritization and multicast traffic.
During the broadcast phase, the transmitting equipment automatically recognizes the type of video packet (e.g. MPEG4 vs.M-JPEG, I-frame vs. P-frame) and transport protocol (e.g. UDP vs. TCP), and optimizes the transmission of packets according to their typology. Likewise, video packets are distinguished from data packets and their route is prioritized to minimize delays. Unlike many wireless systems, these transmission protocols allow broadcasting in multicast mode, reducing the band required for each camcorder.
Dual radio band and IP protocol support
Unlike the Wi-Fi and Hiperlan protocols, the transmission and communication protocols of the new technology use two radios simultaneously, one on the 2.4 Ghz frequency and one on the 5 Ghz frequency. The dual radio allows you to double the available band and make completely bidirectional wireless connections. An advanced selection algorithm is able to choose the appropriate radio by evaluating the channel conditions in real time. In this way the transmitter can automatically take advantage of any variation in traffic and signal quality.
Like the 802.11 Wi-Fi communication protocol, the Wireless Mesh protocol is fully compatible with the IP protocol and with all products for video surveillance over IP such as IP camcorders and video servers. Therefore, it is not necessary to install a special camcorder model or a specific recording software or NRC to be able to transmit within a Wireless Mesh type network. The video surveillance systems used can be chosen completely freely and depending on the particularities of the place and the needs of the end user.
Reserved algorithm
A major disadvantage of wireless communication with the 802.11 Wi-Fi protocol is the poor security of the data, as it can be easily intercepted and decrypted due to the notorious vulnerability of the WEP 128 encryption protocol. The fact that the data can be easily ascertained is also due to the existence of free programs such as AirCrack that, using the "error" of the WEP algorithm, allow data to be decrypted even to inexperienced people who do not have the 128-bit key.
Unlike Wi-Fi systems, traffic transmitted with this protocol cannot be viewed with a common 802.11 radio and the communication protocol does not use WEP 128 to encrypt the data. A reserved authentication algorithm ensures interoperability only between "friendly" computers and excludes any other radio from communication. In addition, the transmission within the Wireless Mesh network is fully compatible with the best protocols, encryption and authentication methods (VPN, SSL, HTTPS, etc.). Therefore, it is possible to guarantee 100% privacy as well as the authenticity of video and data traffic using the most reliable algorithms such as AES, 3DES and RSA.
Reliable in any situation
This technology has been designed and developed for applications that require maximum reliability, even from a physical point of view. Each outdoor transmitter with Fluidmesh 2200 technology must be fully submersible and in compliance with IP68 and NEMA6P standards, so that it can be installed in places with extremely difficult environmental conditions such as ports, refineries or industrial establishments.
In the same way, if point-to-point solutions require the installation of poles or other lighting towers to overcome large obstacles (hills, buildings, etc.), this technology is able to guarantee the sending of video streams bypassing any type of obstruction. Indeed, it is not essential that the camcorder is in optical visibility with the final base station, only one communication is needed between the camcorder and the next node of the network, so that the latter can send the flow to the next node and so on until reaching the base station.
Video surveillance of a historic center
The advantages in terms of flexibility and ease of installation of video surveillance systems based on Mesh technology obviously create new applications for video surveillance. Mesh networks allow you to design mobile video surveillance systems for temporary applications. The incorporation of a new node to the network does not affect the proper functioning of the same, the system automatically recognizes the node without it being necessary to reconfigure or adjust the system.
An example of this is the supervision of the historic center of Como, Italy. The municipal administration of Como, which recently installed a wireless system with Fluidmesh technology, had specific needs that made it impossible to use other wireless technologies. It was essential to use camcorders and wireless transmitters that could be easily moved and relocated elsewhere, according to the different requirements of the administration with regard to public safety.
The aim of the project was to install video cameras in two distinct areas of the city: the lake promenade and the two most important streets of Como. Therefore, the system had to be completely mobile and the camcorders had to be able to be easily relocated to other locations in case the police needed them to control specific areas.
The possibility of installing the Fluidmesh 2200 unit at traffic lights or on public lighting poles, at the same height as video cameras, has made it possible to cover all angles by having Fluidmesh units that function as repeaters for the transmission of data packets.
Thanks to the Mesh architecture and routing, the public administration can easily move and relocate camcorders and transmitters without the intervention of an expert, since the route control system is completely dynamic and self-configurable.
Mesh routing also guarantees the ease of movement of the transmitters because it is not necessary to install them on the roofs or on top of buildings, but can be located in the streets, in the street lamps of public lighting at the same height as video cameras.
The Mesh network: a global vision
The Mesh topology is a step forward from any other wireless network applied to video surveillance. Reliability and flexibility are the main features of this innovative technology, whose network has intelligent nodes capable of transmitting data packets received from the other units, and decide, in real time, the best route depending on network and channel conditions. Mesh networks allow wireless CCTV systems to be installed both in the presence of obstacles or sources of interference and in any other situation in which it is necessary to frequently foresee the reinstallation of camcorders.
The redundancy present in this architecture allows video surveillance systems to be placed with the same reliability as a wired network, but with a flexibility that only a wireless system can offer.
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