You’ve probably heard about various security systems used to protect both public and private properties, but do you know anything about the microwave barrier? The microwave barrier is a type of security system used in external perimeter protection. Its primary purpose is to detect any uninvited guests who could appear on the premises of the protected facility. This device is characterized by the fact that it creates a special electromagnetic beam using very high frequency microwaves. How exactly does the microwave barrier work and what is it made of? You will find out by reading the following article.

Construction

Main structural elements of the microwave barrier it’s a transmitter and a receiver. They can also sometimes be known to users under other names, namely transmitters and receivers. Another equally important element is the equipment for programming and analyzing the read signals. All devices available on the market are constructed quite similarly, so when buying such equipment, it is worth paying attention to the fact that it comes from the right manufacturer. We are then sure that the device will be of good quality and its operation will be at a really high level. What else is worth knowing? Well, the transmitter and the receiver must be properly correlated with each other. Make sure that these devices are at an appropriate distance from each other. The distance should not exceed the values ​​indicated by the manufacturers, otherwise the equipment may not work properly.

Application of microwave barriers

Microwave barriers are used both to protect large public facilities and private properties, and sometimes even to protect scaffoldings, corridors and tunnels. Most often you can hear about its use in prisons, where it is important not only to prevent anyone from entering the facility, but also to prevent anyone from leaving it. It is also very often used to protect factories, refineries, power plants, and sometimes it is used to protect shopping malls and art galleries. You may have also heard of the use of this type of barrier at airports. It is used there, but not for protective purposes. At airports, this type of barrier allows you to detect aircraft movements and to supervise and obtain information about the traffic on the premises. They are mainly used when there are unfavorable weather conditions that interfere with visibility, e.g. fog or heavy rain. Such actions help to avoid unnecessary collisions. Microwave barriers are also increasingly used to protect private properties, but models designed for this type of activity are less technically advanced than those designed to protect, for example, a prison or military equipment.

Operating principles

The principle of operation of the microwave barrier is very simple. A high-frequency electromagnetic beam is generated between the receiver and the transmitter, which creates an invisible and sensitive protection zone. Because it is invisible to a potential burglar, he does not know that by attempting to break into the premises, he can trigger an alarm signal, which means that no attempt will be made to disarm the alarm – which is practically impossible in the case of a microwave barrier. When the receiver receives a signal about signal disturbances, it immediately begins to analyze them. When it deems that the interference has been caused by an intruder, an alarm is triggered, which can be transmitted both by analog and digital means.

Intelligent system

The microwave barrier is a very intelligent security system  objects. The receiver carefully analyzes the signal received from the transmitter and, in the event of interference, tries to determine what may be the cause. The device is able to detect whether difficulties in the transmitted signal are not caused, for example, by changing weather conditions or by plants growing nearby. In addition, the microwave barrier system is able to distinguish the mass of a small animal, e.g. a mouse, rat, cat or dog, from the mass of an adult human. This is possible thanks to the use of digital signal processing algorithms. In addition, this type of protection is able to recognize the alarm signal and distinguish it from other types of signal. All these properties mean that the alarm will not go off without a clear reason.

A very important feature of the microwave barrier is that the device can detect any attempts to tamper with the system. The alarm is triggered automatically as soon as actions such as blinding the detector, moving the device, opening the housing or an attempt to destroy any of the elements are detected. As a result, it is very difficult, or even practically impossible, to bypass such a security system and get into the premises of the guarded facility.