Wireless intruder alarms

	The CX-218 wireless security intruder alarm system from Cionyx supports up to 100 sensors.

DIY is speeding up the line's growth but GPS, SMS and GSM are also used. Multifunction, system packages are also on offer.

Wireless intruder alarms, which broke into China’s mainstream market early last year, have displaced wired models to become the region’s staple product in the intrusion detection alarm segment. An increasing number of makers have released series of wireless detectors consisting of dual PIR detectors, microwave and PIR detectors, photoelectric smoke detectors, ionization smoke detectors and gas detectors. Most of these operate on the 315MHz or 433MHz.

The increased adoption of intrusion detection systems in the DIY and home markets is one of the main factors that hastened wireless intruder alarm’s penetration of the market. Makers, though, will continue to produce wired intruder alarms to cater to existing customers and reach markets where demand for such product remains strong.

The wireless intruder alarm industry in China, which has been growing steadily since 2004, has a supplier base consisting of more than 1,000 companies—mostly small-scale manufacturers and trading companies. About 150 companies are capable of supplying a wide range of home security alarms such as intruder/motion detectors and alarms, fire/smoke detectors and alarms, magnetic contacts, and control panels.

Trends in China’s supply market reflect worldwide developments in this industry. Recent reports from IMS Research forecasts that the global market for intruder alarms will move forward at a compound annual growth rate of 5.8 percent from 2005 to 2009, and wireless intruder alarms will contribute significantly to this growth. Annual shipments of wireless sensors and self-contained wireless intruder alarm panels are projected to more than double during the five-year period, with wireless PIR sensors registering the strongest growth in 2009.

Slowing down makers’ forays into the international market is the lack of turnkey system solutions that suppliers can access to be able to develop products that can compete with major foreign brands. Makers are also hampered by the variety of safety certifications and product standards that they need to secure to be able to facilitate exports to certain regions.

The slide in profit margin due to slower export sales is a cause for concern for makers, smaller companies in particular. Exports to certain regions have been affected by the appreciation of the local currency in the destination market. Some China suppliers offer to give buyers fixed or lower quotes if the fluctuating currency exchange rate results in only a slight shift in end-product prices.
Despite the challenges, makers are optimistic that the overseas markets will improve in 2009. Some companies, such as Shenzhen Jianing Star Electronic Co. Ltd (JNStar) and Shenzhen Security Group Corp. Ltd expect an export growth of more than 10 percent next year.

One advantage of wireless intruder alarms is easy installation, which makes it suitable for home and DIY markets that require simpler specifications than the industrial sector. The low cost of RF technology, which is the mainstream technology used in China-made wireless intruder alarms, allows makers to manage their cost and offer competitively priced products.

China suppliers admit ZigBee and Z-wave wireless intruder alarms are already available in other regions. However, the high cost of implementing these technologies constricts their application in the industrial sector.

The majority of models from China work on 315MHz, 418MHz and 433MHz UHF. Most units monitor from four to 256 zones. These alarms also provide keypads with LED or LCD screens, and support both wired and wireless PIR sensors, beam sensors and magnetic contacts.

Basic wireless DIY alarms from China feature four to 16 wireless zones. Midrange models support 16 to 256 wired and wireless zones, as well as auto dial. High-end models have 16 to 256 wired and wireless monitoring zones, and support GSM and SMS/MMS functions. Some high-end models can be linked to access control and video door phone systems.

Model CX-218 from Cionyx Technology (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd is a wireless security intruder alarm system with built-in phone. With easy setup and installation, it features back-to-base monitoring and self-monitoring, remote control for arming and disarming, medical alert remote control, and panic alerts. It supports up to 100 sensors for multiple room window security and works with gas detector, smoke detector, door gas detector and PIR.

	GBU's GPS-900P is a GSM car intruder alarm with vehicle tracking system.

Multifunction alarms with GSM and GPS networking capability lead the product trends in China. Remote monitoring and control are also strongly emphasized by makers.

Units with GSM modules enable automatic dialing to any mobile phone or landline preset number, remote monitoring and SMS/MMS service. Some of the GSM-based wireless intruder alarms under development support other functions such as CCTV surveillance, SD card storage, voice/video recording and even DVR. These alarms can be connected to wired or wireless CCTV cameras. The video signals from CCTV cameras can be stored in the alarm’s SD memory card.

There are high-end alarms designed with GPS modules for use in cars and other vehicles. These models provide automatic positioning and central control functions. Other high-priced models are integrated into home automation and IP surveillance systems, boosting the development of these types of alarms.

Systems that combine home automation and wireless intrusion detection functions are composed of a central control system, wireless switches for light and power, and wireless detectors. The control center transmits and receives signals from the switches and detectors. This type of system can control electrical household appliances and home security systems any time from any location.

Other home automation-intruder alarm systems support Internet networking, GSM communication, SMS/MMS and PMP playback. These sophisticated systems can usually adopt various technologies such as Wi-Fi, RF and IR.

Model GPS-900G from GBU Enterprise (HK) Co. Ltd is a GSM car alarm system with an automatic brake, GPS tracking and an emergency button. It sends an SMS to the car owner’s mobile phone and to a control center if the car is intruded upon. It offers optional remote control via phone. GBU also offers the GPS-900P, a GPS vehicle tracking system.

The SA-O from Shenzhen Security Group Corp. Ltd is a wireless intruder alarm system that has a compact design, orange backlight and LCD screen display. Its features include self-check function (optional), anti-tampering alarm, low power indicator, support for 32 wireless zones and eight wired zones, programmable arm/disarm alarm system schedule and voice instruction. It supports the international Digital Communication Standard-Ademco contact ID protocol.

Another product from Shenzhen Security is the SA-Y-GSM-LCD, a wireless intruder alarm system that operates on the 315MHz/433MHz frequency. The compact model set has a wireless transmitting distance of 100m and supports two alarm call modes—GSM and SMS.

	JNStar's JN-DCA is an IR photobeam detector solution that uses solar power.

Some China manufacturers propose added value by offering alarm systems rather than separate individual alarms. These alarm packages consist of a control panel, intruder/motion detectors/alarms and other detector types. Companies that supply total alarm packages focus on the production of one type of detector and outsource the other detectors/alarms to partner factories. Some makers outsource all the wireless sensors and integrate them into a single system.

One of the more interesting developments in this line is the use of solar power technology yielding to the emergence of the solar-recharged wireless intruder alarm. In 2004, JNStar began releasing solar-powered wireless intruder alarms. The company’s latest model is a wire-free IR photobeam detector solution, the JN-DCA. With a built-in solar-recharged battery system, the JN-DCA can work continuously for more than 30 days without sunlight. All its signals are transmitted via RF. Its working current is 0.2mA.

Mainland China makers mostly import their key components such as PIR sensors and CMOS sensors. Most companies source components from Taiwan, Hong Kong, the United States and Israel.

Sensors are typically sourced from Sony and Panasonic, while microcontroller chips for the control center are purchased from EMC, Motorola, Microchip and Texas Instruments. Other raw materials such as plastic and metal components can be procured locally.

	Taiwan's Everspring has the C821U wireless intruder alarm console system that features 16-zone 868MHz/923MHz transmission.

Unlike other electronics manufacturing industries, China’s security product export business—wireless intruder alarms industry included—is still young and small. Security product exporters from Taiwan and Hong Kong have been in the business longer, whereas China companies are still establishing their brands.

Nevertheless, some wireless intruder alarm makers in China are keen to expand their overseas markets. Most of these companies are located in six cities of three provinces—Shenzhen and Guangzhou in Guangdong; Ningbo and Wenzhou in Zhejiang; and Xiamen and Quanzhou in Fujian.

Guangdong is the largest production hub in the region, with 70 percent of the supplier base based in the cities of Shenzhen and Guangzhou. In addition to the province’s electronics manufacturing support services, its other advantage is its proximity to Hong Kong, which facilitates the sourcing of imported components.

The cities of Ningbo and Wenzhou in Zhejiang province, and Xiamen and Quanzhou in Fujian province have growing support industries for manufacturing intruder detectors and alarms and related products. Small-scale production can be found in Beijing, Hebei province in the north, Shanghai, and Jiangsu province in the east.

Most China wireless intruder alarm suppliers have strong R&D capability and handle key processes in-house. Processes typically subcontracted include mold making, plastic injection molding and SMT. Makers also conduct product development activities in-house and assemble products in their own factories. Some suppliers rely on partner factories for both product development and manufacturing, and capitalize on these factories’ marketing expertise and familiarity with export markets.

Most makers shipped their products to OEM and ODM buyers in Western Europe, the Middle East, North America and Oceania. Suppliers comply with CE, FCC, UL, GS and RoHS.

The supplier base in Taiwan is capable of providing integrated solutions. Most makers manufacture intrusion detectors/alarms or motion detectors, as well as offer integration services if required. Some companies are expanding their product lines to include surveillance and home automation applications.

Integrated solutions are becoming a benchmark in some security product lines. They have, in fact, become a popular choice for home security systems. Most Taiwan suppliers boast decades of manufacturing experience in the integrated solutions line, highlighted by their software and firmware design capability. More than 10 suppliers of wireless intruder alarms in Taiwan currently focus on system integration.

Taiwan suppliers develop more products for the high-end segment to avoid the price competition in the low-end and midrange markets. The bulk of new releases are 100 percent wireless for easy installation. GSM models dominate production. Midrange and high-end products feature GSM alarms, integrated security functions and wireless transmission.

Most units are designed for home and DIY use, partly due to suppliers’ limited resources in handling large-scale projects. In addition, intrusion detection systems are often used for small, confined spaces.

The region’s core competence is small-scale installation. However, large companies are working on products that go beyond basic intrusion detection systems, bordering on digital home and other large-scale implementation. System stability/efficiency and user-friendly interface are the two major R&D trends in the line.

Almost three-fourths of Taiwan suppliers are based in Taipei Hsien in the north. The leading companies are Everspring Industry Co. Ltd, Climax Technology Co. Ltd, City Wall Enterprise Co. Ltd (Garrison), IR-Tec International Ltd, Nuzon Technology Inc. and Scientech Electronics Co. Ltd.

Everspring claims to be the first wireless intruder alarm maker on the island. Its 20-year experience in intruder alarm systems has made it a trusted name among regional installers and built-to-construct project contractors. It currently focuses on integrated home security solutions.