Honeywell Security and Custom Electronics Case - Essay Example

EFFICACY OF DETECTION SENSOR TECHNOLOGIES Name: Institution Affiliation: EFFICACY OF DETECTION SENSOR TECHNOLOGIES INTRODUCTION Internal dual technology sensor devices play a vital role in the contemporary society. This is mainly because there are rising cases of insecurity across the globe. Therefore, security companies have incorporated the latest technology and related methodologies to come up with the most recommended solutions. One of the most significant companies that deal with the manufacture of such devices is Honeywell Security and Custom Electronics (Zakrewski, 2009). This company in known for the production of detection sensor technology devices that possess three critical and useful characteristics (Guo, Tiller, Henze & Waters, 2010). First of all, these devices are considered as quality as compared to the other devices in the market. This high quality substantially enhances the use of these devices. The second and most crucial factor of consideration is that they manufacture and produce highly designed sensor devices. These devices are referred to as dual technology detectors since they combine and integrate two different types of sensors into one. Finally, these devices are considered to be of high performance. Some of these sensors include PIRs, DUAL TECS, and Flex Guard (Hayes, Hagler, Austin & Pavel, 2009). The other most crucial factor that has led to the popularity of the Honeywell Company in the production of the detection sensor technologies is that they combine both PIR technologies and microwave technology. As such, these DUAL TEC sensors provides the best performance regarding superior detection and minimal occurrence of false alarms. This is the main reason most of the consumers are choosing these products since there is no room to compromise on both performance and minimal occurrence of false alarms (Fraden, 2004). UNDERLYING PRINCIPLES It is imperative to note that the combination of both the PIR and Microwave technologies is one of the significant underlying principles in the success and high performance of these detection sensor devices. One of the most important principles is that such a design enables easier identification of the real intruders and other changes in the environmental conditions. At such a point, it is profound to note that different types of intruders can compromise the security of a household or property (Moshiri, Khalkhali & Momeni, 2007). One of the most common intruders in the contemporary society is thieves. These are people with the ill intention of stealing property, damaging property, or committing murder or related activity. On the contrary, most of the detection sensors have no capability of distinguishing between such intrusion and the changes in environmental conditions. For instance, the temperature of a room can rise of fall drastically, and this can adversely affect the functionality the sensors. However, for the Dual technology sensor devices, this is a non-issue thanks to the combination of the PIR and microwave technology (Du, Ulaby & Dobson, 2007). The other crucial underlying principle for the DUAL TEC to function efficiently is that the PIR and the microwave sensor must work in coordination. In such a way, the PIR sensors sense an intrusion while on the other hand the microwave sensor as well senses the other type of intrusion. For effective sensing and detection to occur, both technologies must confirm to each other that they are sensing the right intrusion. This detection being sensed must also be within the stipulated area. There are two crucial products of this dual technology design (Katz & Marder, 2008). One of the most significant resultants is that there will be optimal performance. As such, no intruder can pass the areas defined to be secured without being detected. In addition to the above, there will be the minimal occurrence of false alarms which in turn increases the performance. Renown companies such as Honeywell are well known because they provide a wide range of DUAL TEC sensors. The most notable of these devices is the dual sensors that provide up to a maximum of one hundred lbs. This is used in pet immunity, flush mount versions, antimasking devices, and walls. The main objective of such technology is to provide high technology in the security sector (Rowland, 2009). The other significant strength of these dual technologies is that there are devices to suit any application in the contemporary society. for instance, some devices are meant for residential application. As such, such devices are portable and highly affordable. In addition to the above, there other sensor devices that are applicable in commercial sectors. Others of these devices are designed to be used in industrial environments. These types of sensors are expensive and complicated to enhance their performance. In that connection, the availability of these dual sensors useful in all types of environments such as residential and commercial is a notable strength. STRENGTHS In addition to the above, it is profound to note that there are different types of the DUAL TEC devices that are useful in the security industry. I will use various examples of these devices currently in the market with the objective of expounding on its strengths. One of the most significant of these DUAL TEC devices is the DT906. It is well known in the market as the Long Range Anti-Mask DUAL TEC, and it ranges from 200' x 15' and 120' x 10.' It uses mirror optics and is characterized by Dual coverage patterns which are selectable. As well, queue Logic event processing with selectable sensitivity modes. In addition to the above, this device has an active infrared anti-mask system. All these crucial features enhance the performance of these type of detection sensors (Zappi, Farella & Benini, 2010). Another typical example of the DUAL TEC device is referred to as DT900. It is also called the Long Range Anti-Mask DUAL TEC in the market. It ranges from 90' x 70' and 50' x 40' selectable. Just like the DT906, it also utilizes mirror optics. The other features that make it similar to the DT906 include Dual coverage patterns – selectable, Queue Logic event processing, Selectable sensitivity modes and the presence of active infrared anti-mask system. One major and latest example of the DUAL TEC PIR/Microwave is the DT7550C Anti-Mask DUAL TEC Motion Sensor. It is mainly used in sensing and detection of motion. Some of the keys feature that enhances its performance include advanced Dual Core Signal Processing, and K-Band technology for better pattern containment and pattern shaping. Better pattern containment and pattern shaping are one of the strengths of these devices that play a vital role in their high performance and enhanced security provision (Prati, Vezzani & Zappi, 2005). Other crucial features of the device include Supervision-microwave, PIR and temperature compensation, Uniform sensitivity optics, Digital adaptive microwave thresholds, Digital fluorescent light filter, Anti-mask detection, Dual Slope Temperature Compensation, Patented Zero Clearance Black Bug Guard, and Patented mirror look down. All these features are the primary strengths of these devices (Glen, Cockburn & Warburton, 2013). In summary, one of the most crucial advantages of these devices is that they provide better detection. These features illustrated above provide the necessary technology to enhance sensitivity to motion or related intrusion. As well, this plays a vital role in the reduction of the false off detection leading to wrong alarms (Wu, Phi & Merritt, 2011). The second advantage is that these devices offer better reliability as compared to other detection sensors on the market. The increased reliability is achieved by the combination of PIR and microwave technology is essential in the reduction of environmental interferences that can trigger false alarms. Thirdly, it is profound to note that these devices provide better aesthetics. Other devices in the market have led to various complains regarding issues such as product safety, operation reliability, and interior décor aesthetics. Finally, it is worth noting that these devices provide better safety (Song, Choi & Lee, 2008). One way in which enhanced safety is achieved is the fact that the DUAL TEC sensors are fully enclosed which play a vital role in minimizing curiosity from the members of the public. The most common of these members of the public are the children that can innocently damage or fault the devices. Thus, this feature plays a sensitive role in the prevention of vandalism and thus contributing to high product safety (Agarwal, Balaji & Weng, 2010). VULNERABILITIES One of the most significant challenges and vulnerability of these devices is that microwave is a wave that can be substantially interfered by the environmental conditions. In most cases, this type of interference is mainly due to changes in temperature leading to false alarms. However, the combination of both PIR and microwave technologies has been elemental in reducing this kind of vulnerability (Sharma & Panda, 2009). The other crucial vulnerability of these devices is that lenses deteriorate over time. this deterioration occurs mainly in dirty environments such as prisons or busy industries. in such a situation, the sensor will reach a point whereby the sensor will not function as expected. In such a case, intruders can utilize chemical sprays or other materials to mask the sensors with the objective of bypassing security controls (Baldwin, 2004). When these devices wear out, as well the intruders can use foam or other types of insulating materials to gain illegal access to the secured area. The other crucial vulnerability of these devices is that they can be easily be noticed. Intruders or children can easily notice such devices thus increasing the chance of being vandalized. Thus there is a substantial need to ensure that these devices are placed in places that cannot be easily noticed hence increasing the chances of being vandalized (Jin, Ray, Gupta & Damarla, 2012). The combination of both PIR and Microwave technology is still problematic. For instance, problems occur when some motions occur. A good example is when HVAC turns on, this leads to the blowing away of air to the close metal fan. As a result, this may lead to the tripping away of the microwave detector at the same time (Pan & Jiang, 2005). As well, if an intruder decides to block the sensor with some material such as glass or foam, this will lead to the situation whereby the PIR sensor not being triggered. In such a situation, the microwave sensor will be triggered whereas the PIR sensor is triggered. As a result, the whole system will not function as required thus substantially compromising security. This is the primary reason research reveals that combining both sensors in a hybrid version substantially weakens the detection capabilities (Elwell & Himonas, 2008). CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION In conclusion, the strengths of using internal Dual Technology devices greatly outweighs the vulnerabilities. One of the most significant advantages of using devices that combine both PIR and Microwave technology is that these devices are of high quality, enhanced design, and high performance. Secondly, these DUAL TEC sensors provide the best performance regarding superior detection and minimal occurrence of false alarms (Myron, Fowler & O'brien, 2004). This is the main reason most of the consumers are choosing these products since there is no room to compromise on both performance and minimal occurrence of false alarms. Other strengths include PIR/Microwave devices offer improved detection. They have recommended features that essential in the provision of the necessary technology to enhance sensitivity to motion or related intrusion. As well, this plays a vital role in the reduction of the false off detection leading to wrong alarms. In addition to the above, DUAL TEC devices offer better reliability as compared to other detection sensors on the market (Lee & Zhou, 2004). The increased reliability is achieved by the combination of PIR and microwave technology is essential in the reduction of environmental interferences that can trigger false alarms. Finally, it is profound to note that these devices provide better aesthetics. Other detection sensors in the market have led to various complaints regarding issues such as product safety, operation reliability, and interior décor aesthetics. Thus, I recommend that people should prefer using DUAL TEC devices to achieve the best in their security needs. References Agarwal, Y., Balaji, B., Gupta, R., Lyles, J., Wei, M., & Weng, T. (2010). Occupancy-driven energy management for smart building automation. In Proceedings of the 2nd ACM Workshop on Embedded Sensing Systems for Energy-Efficiency in Building (pp. 1-6). ACM. Baldwin, J. R. (2004). U.S. Patent No. 6,791,458. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Du, Y., Ulaby, F. T., & Dobson, M. C. (2007). Sensitivity to soil moisture by active and passive microwave sensors. IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing, 38(1), 105-114. Elwell, B. E., & Himonas, J. D. (2008). U.S. Patent No. 7,411,489. 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U.S. Patent Application 10/734,032. Read More