In recent years, due to the frequent occurrence of theft incidents, residents have had to resort to technological means to prevent theft, especially in some old residential areas where security facilities are relatively outdated, often becoming the best choice for thieves to commit crimes. Burglar alarms create a safe and comfortable living and working environment for people, protecting personal and property safety. Governments, enterprises and institutions, as well as various types of collective institutions, and even national property, also need to be protected. As the closest security equipment to daily life, burglar alarms are widely used in various fields.

1 Burglar alarm market demand analysis

For the traditional military industry, especially in situations that require confidentiality, there is a great demand for burglar alarms. Moreover, a characteristic of these large application areas is that the total amount is relatively large:

• Financial sector: The market has become saturated, and currently the main focus is on maintenance and product updates.
• Schools: Especially the demand for new campuses under construction and university towns in various regions is also relatively high.
• Civil sector: More emphasis is placed on product aesthetics, service and easy operation, and the market is mainly concentrated in a large number of newly built residential areas.
• Factory and mining enterprises: Due to their large size and outdoor characteristics, the perimeter prevention system is the focus of their development.

(1) The most intuitive application of burglar alarm in residential communities

At present, with the continuous expansion of demand in residential communities, it is necessary to have systems such as security prevention, information management, property management, and information networks in residential communities. Therefore, the construction of security and prevention systems in residential communities has gradually been included in many essential projects for community construction.

(2) Wireless alarm detectors gain industry development opportunities

From the analysis of working principles, alarm detectors can be divided into PIR motion sensors, microwave detectors, glass detectors, vibration detectors, ultrasonic detectors, panic button, door contact, perimeter alarm detectors, dual technology alarm detectors, etc. With the continuous deepening of digital development, wired technology has given birth to wireless PIR motion sensors due to installation and aesthetic defects. The development of the Internet of Things and the intervention of communication giants have greatly accelerated the pace of wireless detector development.

(3) The development trend of the Internet of Things expands the demand for wireless products

Due to the integration of panel functions, combined with the system functions of smart homes, burglar alarm systems have higher requirements for detectors. For example, the application of ZIGBEE and Z-WAVE panels requires detection of detector status, such as fault detection, handshake protocol, insufficient voltage, online status, remote control, etc. Therefore, the demand for wireless bidirectional transmission and wireless networking of detectors in burglar alarm systems is gradually becoming apparent.

(4) The intervention of the communication industry promotes the application of wireless technology

Communication companies rely on their vast network system and customer base to vigorously promote the construction of “wireless cities”, integrating panels into telephones or service terminals, greatly facilitating the use of wireless detectors and encouraging more users to choose wireless products.

2 The current development status and trend of burglar alarm control panels

As a burglar alarm system, the alarm control panel is the key device. What is the current development status of alarm control panel modules with the multifunctional application of detectors and other accessories? What trends will there be?

Currently, the alarm control panel adopts modular settings for the convenience of user secondary development. When the product leaves the factory, the manufacturer not only prepares the core components, but also reserves some interfaces. Most additional functions are achieved by adding different modules, such as network modules, GPRS modules, 3G modules, 4G modules, voice modules, home appliance control modules, etc. For example, by adding a home appliance control module to the alarm control panel, the alarm control panel can become a controller for smart homes. Users only need to control the switch of home appliances, lighting control, gas, garage door switch, etc. through the keypad, remote control, or phone.

In addition to integrating with smart homes, the alarm control panel also adds SMS and voice functions, with the main purpose of improving the practicality of the system. By using SMS alarm method, the alarm signal can be received anywhere, and the communication time is very short and the speed is fast. After adding a voice system, you can make phone calls for voice communication at any time, and you can also use voice monitoring to more accurately grasp the situation at the alarm scene. Like wired and wireless compatible alarm control panels, users can remotely arm, disarm, monitor, and activate alarm signals through phone and mobile phones, and can automatically play this information and accurately inform the outside world of distress information.

In addition to publishing alarm information, the alarm receiving center can also publish property management content and various notifications to the panel. At present, this feature has been applied in some high-end residential areas. In addition, more and more alarm control panels have information storage functions, suitable for large network alarm receiving centers, which can store alarm information for users to query at any time. This makes it easier to search for the occurrence of alarm accidents, which is beneficial for the emergency response center and public security department to quickly solve cases and provide better services to customers.

3 IP networks are popular, and network alarm based on wireless transmission is the application direction

Telephone lines are the main and most important way for network alarm. The user who installs the alarm system is connected to the regional alarm receiving center through the telephone network (PSTN), and the regional alarm receiving center is responsible for receiving and processing user alarms. The advantage of telephone line network alarm is that it does not require additional wiring, the transmission network is reliable, and can be directly connected to any place where there is a telephone network, with the most mature alarm receiving and handling software. Due to its ready-made and mature alarm receiving and handling platform, it is convenient and relatively easy to integrate with other security systems in the city (such as video monitoring systems, checkpoint systems, etc.) to achieve alarm linkage. The disadvantage is that the operating cost is relatively high, and residents who install alarms have to pay monthly rent for their phone bills. The connection speed is slow.

The telephone network alarm system has been widely used in various industries, especially in the financial industry. The alarm control panel manufacturers have network alarm interfaces and protocols designed based on telephone networks, and any authentic alarm control panel has a telephone network interface, which is sufficient to prove the importance and necessity of telephone networking.

Dedicated buses (RS-485, CANBUS, etc.) are also a networking method for alarms, with the main advantages of fast speed (≤ 2 seconds), low operating costs, and no monthly rental expenses for users. However, in practical use, it has some undeniable shortcomings: the scope involved is very small (only applicable to residential areas), the reliability of line laying is poor, transmission is easily interfered with, there is no voice communication function, the alarm receiving and processing software is not yet mature, and the integration ability is poor. Therefore, this method is currently only applied within buildings or between buildings, and is at most applied to residential communities.

With the prevalence of IP networks, the use of wired or wireless IP network methods has been widely concerned. Although the TCP/IP alarm networking method has the advantages of flexible installation, convenient and fast operation, high stability and reliability, it has also been favored by many users. However, TCP/IP alarms are now commonly used in residential areas, and wireless network access is also commonly used in areas where residents have already been renovated and it is not convenient to install additional wiring. This network method is susceptible to the influence of network viruses and is prone to leaking alarm signals.

4 Burglar alarms using multiple detection technologies

(1) Multi beam technology

Among many detection technologies, PIR motion sensor is one of the more common ones. But the development of the beam can no longer meet the current requirements of the situation.

The active infrared detector should not sound an alarm when encountering obstacles such as leaves, rain, small animals, snow, sand and dust, or fog. An alarm will sound when people or objects of considerable volume are obstructed. The active infrared detector technology mainly adopts one transmitter and one receiver, which belongs to linear prevention. It has now evolved from the initial single beam to multiple beams, and can also be dual transmitter and dual receiver, minimizing false alarm rates and enhancing the stability and reliability of the product.

(2) Anti blocking, spraying, and pet detection technology

The motion detectors are usually based on passive infrared (PIR) technology to detect the radiation heat of intruders. Therefore, it is generally easy to deceive by blocking the detector. When the transmitter lens of the detector is blocked, the alarm system will sound an alarm, and even if transparent glue is sprinkled on it, the alarm system will also sound an alarm. Therefore, a technology called “multi-point anti blocking and integrated spray detection” can fully ensure the detection reliability of the detector. It includes functions such as mirror metering, infrared receiver reflection, and integrated spray detection. The mirror metering function can prevent substances from flowing through the front of the detector. The infrared receiver reflection and integrated spray detection function can prevent objects from approaching or obstructing the detector. If detectors with anti blocking technology are installed in places such as vaults and warehouses, robbers will not succeed easily.

(3) Solar wireless detection technology

The rise and application of solar wireless infrared detector technology is another new starting point for the development of detectors. Solar infrared fences and solar infrared light walls make good use of solar power supply without signals being transmitted wirelessly, at the same time, there is no need to add complicated power supplies and signal lines, and it can truly work wirelessly, which solves the troublesome problems of construction and maintenance.

The solar infrared beam detector is equipped with a rechargeable lithium battery, which is powered by solar panels and has very low energy consumption. Even in cloudy and rainy weather, it can be used normally with stored electricity for 20 days, which can recycle solar energy without the need for power cables. Generally speaking, solar panels are made of amorphous silicon, which can generate electricity without direct sunlight, greatly expanding the installation environment. In addition, the power supply capacity of solar panels is much greater than the power consumption of the target, ensuring that they can work normally even in the absence of light at night and continuous cloudy and rainy days.