METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ADVANCED ELECTRONIC BORDER SECURITY

• US 20150206403A1
• Filed: 08/29/2013
• Published: 07/23/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bradley A. Weinstein
• Original Assignee: Sentrus International FZE
• Inventors: Weinstein, Richard D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,633,535 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/186 using light guides, e.g. optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2497 using transmission lines, e.g. cable

Abstract

A system (10) for protecting a border (B) comprises a fiber-optic cable (12) extending from one end of a border to the other end thereof. The cable includes a bundle of optical fibers which connect to sensors placed at intervals long the border. Included within the fiber-optic cable is a high voltage conductor by which high voltage AC is introduced into, and passes through, the cable for powering the sensors. The high voltage is stepped down and rectified from AC to DC for this purpose. Various types of sensors (100-700) are arranged in pods (14) located at intervals along the length of the border. A method of border protection is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A system for protecting a border comprising:

a fiber-optic cable extending from one end of a border to the other end thereof regardless of the terrain, the cable being installed beneath the surface of the ground substantially throughout the length of the border, and the cable including a bundle of optical fibers extending the length thereof;

sensors installed at locations along the border for detecting an incursion or intrusion of the border, each sensor being connected to the cable; and

,

the cable further including a high voltage conductor by which high voltage AC is introduced into, and passes through the length of the cable for powering the sensors.

2. The system of claim 1 in which a plurality of sensors are installed at each location, the sensors being comprised of different type sensors for detecting an incursion in different ways.

3. The system of claim 2 in which the different type sensors form suites of sensors arranged in sensor pods which are installed at the locations along the border.

4. The system of claim 3 in which each pod comprises a container placed in the ground and covered over so as not to be readily visible to someone attempting to cross the border.

5. The system of claim 4 in which the pods are connected together by segments of the cable with the cable supplying each pod a power and a communications capability for the sensors associated with that pod, and each pod including means for routing power to the sensors and for interfacing the sensors with the cable.

6. The system of claim 5 in which the power routing means includes a step-down transformer and rectifier for converting the high voltage transmitted through the cable to a voltage required for powering each sensor associated with the pod.

7. The system of claim 3 in which the sensors include:

optical and imagery sensors;

audio sensors;

vibration/seismic ground sensors;

weight/pressure sensors;

NBC sensors;

radar; and

motion detection cables.

8. The system of claim 1 further including at least one control center to which sensor information transmitted through the cable is routed, the control center having means for displaying and evaluating the information received in order to make a threat assessment for a detected incursion.

9. The system of claim 8 further including additional means for routing information to the control center.

10. The system of claim 9 in which said additional means for routing information includes one or more of a point-to-point;

point-to-multipoint; and

mesh topology communication systems.

11. The system of claim 8 further including a mobile control center and means for transmitting information routed through the cable to the mobile control center.

12. The system of claim 2 in which the sensors can either be overtly or covertly installed at the location.

13. A method for protecting a border comprising:

installing a fiber-optic cable from one end of a border to the other end thereof;

installing the cable beneath the surface of the ground substantially throughout the length of the border and regardless of the terrain through which the cable is routed, the cable including a bundle of optical fibers extending the length of the cable;

connecting sensors to the cable at selected locations along the border for the sensors to detect an incursion or intrusion of the border; and

,

conducting high voltage through the cable for powering the sensors.

14. The method of claim 13 in which a plurality of sensors are installed at each location, the sensors being comprised of different type sensors for detecting an incursion in different ways.

15. The method of claim 14 in which the sensors are either overtly or covertly installed at the location.

16. The method of claim 13 in which the sensors include:

optical and imagery sensors;

audio sensors;

vibration/seismic ground sensors;

weight/pressure sensors;

NBC sensors;

radar; and

motion detection cables.

17. The method of claim 14 in which the different type sensors form suites of sensors arranged in sensor pods installed at the locations along the border, each pod comprising a container placed in the ground and covered over so as not to be readily visible to someone attempting to cross the border.

18. The method of claim 17 further including connecting the pods together by segments of the cable, the cable supplying each pod a power and a communications capability for the sensors associated with that pod, and each pod including means for routing power to the sensors and for interfacing the sensors with the cable.

19. The method of claim 18 in which the power routing means includes a step-down transformer and rectifier for converting the high voltage transmitted through the cable to a voltage required for powering each sensor associated with the pod.

20. The method of claim 13 further including routing sensor information transmitted through the cable to a control center having means for displaying and evaluating the information received in order to make a threat assessment for a detected incursion.

21. The method of claim 20 further including additionally routing information to the control center using one or more of a point-to-point;

point-to-multipoint; and

mesh topology communication system.

22. The method of claim 20 further including transmitting information routed through the cable to a mobile control center.