Farms Protection

14 May 2018

Farms in South Africa have been exposed to intrusions for decades. So far, cameras and fences provide a partial solution only while Magos radars provide a full security package for meeting farmers' needs of perimeter protection. 

The absence of clear perimeter limits, geographical separation, and isolation from urban police services lead to increasing cases of theft, robbery, and violence. According to a BBC report, farm murders are at their highest level since 2010-11 as South Africa’s Police Service states that since January 2018, 15 farmers were killed in 109 attacks. These circumstances lead to a rising immediate need for an efficient perimeter security solution that could eventually save farmers’ lives and properties.

Currently, most farms, which have installed electric perimeter fences or VMD cameras, report that these solutions are inefficient due to late detection alarm when intruders are already close or within the perimeter. Moreover, cameras often deliver limited capabilities in harsh weather conditions such as rain, fog or dust. After examining and considering many options, farm owners chose Magos Systems to supply a suitable solution for early detection, covering critical areas.

THE SOLUTION: Magos has already installed with our local partners its advanced radar-based solution in several farms in South Africa, providing full coverage of the farm’s perimeter with minimal installation requirements and maximum performance in all weather conditions. This case study depicts the installation in one of these farms:  1. Magos SR500 radars – 4 radars installed in four corners of the site, providing coverage of critical zones. The radars detect up to 500m with 120˚ coverage in azimuth and 30˚ in elevation resulting in no “dead zones” beneath the radar poles and a wide coverage of over 60 acres.2. PTZ Cameras – 6 cameras around the perimeter, integrated to our MASS Software receiving target location from the radar in real time and automatically cueing PTZ to radar detection3. MASS Software installed on a Desktop (which also runs Milestone VMS) and allows access from any device including mobile phone– The software controls and monitors all live alerts based on the radar’s sensors and automatically cues PTZ cameras. MASS is integrated with all leading VMS platforms including Milestone, Avigilon, Exacq, Qognify, Latitude, Genetec, Digifort and more.

CONCLUSIONS AND ADVANTAGES: 1. Reliability – The multi-layer radar-based solution provides full protection of sensitive areas such as the house and its surroundings, allowing detection before intruders reach the perimeter, detecting movements in all lighting and weather conditions and eventually saving lives. In addition, radars inherently minimize false alarm rate compared to VMD and electronic fences.2. Simple Installation  - Due to extremely low power consumption, the radars can be powered by solar panel and wirelessly transmit the data over low bandwidth communications.3. Magos MASS management software allows the following additional capabilities - 

• Integrated Video Analytics target classification for Minimal FAR
• Advanced Masking/ Geo-fencing capabilities
• Mobile device operation and Pairing
• Automatic Drone launch to Radar detection
• Fully unattended operation with Multi-Site capabilities
• The unlimited number of sensors: radars, camera, fence, etc.
• Web, IP, Map-based radar control interface

4, Cost Effective – A small number of radars covering a wide perimeter allows saving costs both in HW and in infrastructure compared to the alternatives such as camera-based solutions or full-time security patrolling team. The radars operate in any weather and lighting conditions, have no moving parts with an MTBF of 50,000 hours– Thus, further reducing long-term maintenance costs.