As the alarm system is moving towards specialization, networking, and intelligence, the alarm market has ushered in a new wave of development. Many manufacturers are very optimistic about the network alarm control panel based on internet technology.

1 The status quo of the network alarm control panel

As the core component of the alarm system, the network alarm control panel is a new type of alarm control panel that adopts internet broadband technology. Many security industry insiders have stated that whether the alarm system is connected to the RS485 bus, PSTN network, GSM, 3G, 4G mobile network, or TCP/IP (broadband network), the basic alarm control technology is roughly the same, with the difference being the communication network used to transmit alarm information. The traditional alarm control panel is transmitted through the PSTN network, the bus alarm control panel is transmitted through RS485 cable, and the network alarm control panel is transmitted through the broadband network.

From a technical point of view, many network alarm control panels on the market are now composed of bus-based alarm control panels + RS485, TCP/IP conversion modules. The RS485, TCP/IP conversion module has a built-in TCP/IP protocol, which can automatically convert the bus signal to the network TCP/IP protocol, so that the alarm control panel has network functions.

With the continuous increase of market demand and the continuous development of product technology, the functions of the network alarm control panel are gradually expanded, such as alarm and video monitoring linkage function, SMS/voice function, monitoring/intercom function, remote control alarm linkage function, etc.

(1) Increasingly rich in functions

The basic functions of the network alarm control panel mainly include: alarm control, including defense zone setting and alarm response (local alarm warning and alarm linkage). Keypad control, currently on the market with dual serial ports, network alarm control panels that can be connected to wired and wireless keypads are more common. Display interface, such as knowing the specific arming/disarming situation of the defense zone through the display interface. It has the ability to detect its own working status. Support CID transmission protocol, etc.

(2) Alarm and video surveillance linkage function

The verification of the alarm situation is very important. False alarms usually give security personnel a “false alarm”. Therefore, it is particularly important to determine whether the alarm situation really happened. Combining with video technology has become the direction for many manufacturers to solve alarm verification and develop new products. At present, many alarm systems already have the function of “image capture”, that is, when the alarm system sends out the alarm information, it also sends the scene picture to the alarm center to determine whether there are really criminals at the alarm scene. Some manufacturers attach an alarm review module to the main board of the alarm control panel, connect the alarm control panel to a video server, and then upload the audio, video, and data signals to the alarm center through the broadband network. The actual situation, thereby greatly improving the reliability of the alarm system. There are also some alarm control panels developed by some manufacturers with the function of “MMS”: when the alarm system is connected to a camera and other image capture devices, the on-site pictures can be transmitted through lines, the internet, GSM, 3G, 4G mobile networks, etc. The captured pictures can be received through a mobile phone or computer that supports the “MMS” function.

(3) SMS/voice function

The main purpose of adding SMS function and voice communication function is to ensure the reliability of the system. With the SMS alarm method, the alarm signal can be received anywhere, and the communication time is very short and the speed is fast. After adding the voice function, voice monitoring can be performed, and the situation at the alarm site can be grasped more accurately. SMS and voice functions are mainly applicable to wired/wireless compatible systems and alarm systems using wired networking.

2 Advantages of the network alarm control panel

• The transmission speed of the network alarm control panel is fast. The alarm action can be completed within 1 second, even for cross-regional information transmission, it only takes about 3 seconds, while the general line transmission takes 10-20 seconds.
• Large information capacity. With the help of the high speed of network transmission and the expansion and extensibility of the network, the management mode of expanding the multi-level alarm center can be realized.
• Save communication cost. As long as the alarm signal is uploaded to the traditional alarm control panel, the call fee will be incurred. However, the broadband network is popular, and the monthly subscription method is adopted. Arming, disarming, and reporting the alarm to the networking center are free, and there is no inter-interval call fee, which saves user communication costs and greatly reduces application costs.
• Suitable for building large-scale networks. Traditional alarm control panels, such as bus-based alarm controllers, have troublesome network wiring, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Due to their own wiring, it is still impossible to complete the establishment of a larger network. The network alarm control panel is not subject to this restriction, and is more suitable for building a metropolitan-level alarm center, and its future function expansion will be more widely used.

3 Defects and remedial measures of the network alarm control panel

The advantages of the network alarm control panel are obvious, but the defects have also attracted the attention of the industry. The more prominent problems are mainly reflected in two aspects of security and false alarms.

In terms of security, many security industry insiders said that based on TCP/IP network transmission, usually through the public network, it is vulnerable to network virus or hacker attacks, network congestion or related information being stolen. In response to these situations, first, a variety of encryption and multi-layer authorization methods can be used to protect the security of the network alarm system, such as user registration, authority management, etc., to prevent illegal personnel from taking advantage of it. Second, IP/MAC address binding is carried out, and only the computer with bound IP/MAC address is allowed to access, so as to purify viruses or hackers to attack the original body. Third, according to the security level, use network security technology to prevent illegal attacks. Fourth, encrypt the alarm information data to prevent data leakage.

As for the problem of false positives, it should be said that it has nothing to do with the transmission network, but mainly with the front-end detectors. There may be two reasons for the false alarm of the front-end detector. One is human factors, such as accidentally entering the fortified area or encountering related alarm equipment, which is relatively easy to avoid. The second is the installation environment. For example, the environment in some places is relatively harsh, and it is not suitable to install certain types of alarm equipment such as detectors, which may also cause false alarms. The solution is to try to choose a suitable method and install it in a suitable location.

4 The development trend of the network alarm control panel

In the future, the function expansion and application of the network alarm control panel will be more extensive. Comprehensive alarm multi-function information terminal products for well-off families will gradually increase, and the urban alarm operation system will gradually tend to family services.

Due to the increase in the speed of two-way data exchange, the front-end alarm control panel can be endowed with more powerful security management functions, such as automatic remote network control and linkage of household equipment. With the sound and stable 4G and 5G networks and diverse business options, people can more conveniently control their own security domain. Based on the two-way control function and the real-time nature of the broadband network, the network transmission module can send events to several or more monitoring centers at the same time. And it can also send events to PCs and smart phones, and log in to the alarm through PCs and smart phones at the same time. It can also remotely set or control the alarm system, activate or deactivate some functions, and expand and integrate other devices more flexibly (such as smart home, access control, etc.).

In addition to the above functions, a professional also said that the future alarm control panel will gradually develop in the direction of intelligent terminals. The product not only has general alarm functions, but also has information release and reception functions, that is, in addition to releasing alarm information, the alarm center will also can issue property management content and various notices to the alarm control panel. It is reported that this function has already been applied in some domestic communities.

In addition, more and more alarm control panels have information storage functions, such as supporting SD card storage or SATA hard disk storage, etc. The purpose is to facilitate the search for the occurrence of alarm events, which is conducive to the timely detection of cases by the alarm center, the public security department. And it is better to provide services for customers.