Wireless intruder alarms

	iZafe from Trisat is a ZigBee-enabled PIR motion detector with a 100°, 5m range.

ZigBee, Z-wave, GSM and CDMA functions in anti-intrusion systems promise greater stability, making digital homes a reality.

Market growth is steady, albeit slim, in the wireless intruder alarm industry in Greater China. The steady growth is attributed to the following factors: heightened home security awareness among consumers in Europe, and Central and South America; the development of wireless technologies such as ZigBee and Z-wave, and networking technologies such as GSM and CDMA; and the soaring popularity of home automation and IP surveillance. While remote monitoring and integration with home automation systems are the most important trends to date, makers are treading slowly due to the high production costs involved.

Although wireless systems have better chances at universal usage and of breaching the mainstream, their currently higher cost is limiting their success in the domestic market.

Mainland China and Taiwan makers, however, are optimistic that prices will remain stable in 2008. Meanwhile, Hong Kong makers expect a 5 to 10 percent price increase for entry-level models. Basic wireless intruder alarms with four to 16 monitoring zones currently sell for $30, while GSM-supported models cost over $100. Interviewed suppliers eye a 10 to 30 percent output growth this year.

Today, the wireless intruder alarm segment, which boasts wireless transmission and easy installation, is gradually entering the mainstream and is specifically serving the home and DIY markets. Wired intruder alarms, on the other hand, are now considered low-end, struggling to survive amid fierce price competition.

Mainstream wireless intruder alarms from mainland China commonly work on UHF public bands (315/418/433MHz), have four to 256 monitoring zones and keypads with LED or LCD screens, and support wired and wireless detectors, such as PIR sensors, beam sensors and magnetic contacts. Some high-end models can be linked to access control and video door phone systems.

Basic wireless DIY intruder alarms commonly feature four to 16 wireless zones, while midrange models feature 16 to 256 wired and wireless monitoring zones plus auto dialing function. High-end models commonly support 16 to 256 wired and wireless monitoring zones, GSM dialing and SMS/MMS sending functions.

Hong Kong manufacturers, on the other hand, offer a wide array of home security products that are packaged as DIY or professional kits. Products can also be supplied individually for standalone use or for system expansion. In Hong Kong, starter kits can have one to four components, while professional kits can be daisy-chained to as many components as possible. Most professional systems remain wired, except for a few high-end models.

Wireless intruder alarms from Hong Kong manufacturers are available in a variety of configurations, from basic two-piece kits to multi-node systems connected to emergency dialers. Almost all suppliers use 433MHz RF technology.

	Chuango's model CG8800plus is a wireless intruder alarm with 1 million inlet RF pin sets and late-night mute remote control.

New wireless technologies, such as ZigBee, Z-wave and Wi-Fi, are boosting the wireless intruder alarm line with advantages such as high bandwidth, lower power consumption, longer transmission range and higher interference resistance. However, due to higher production costs, very few makers are adopting these new wireless technologies. Some merely use wireless modules.

On the other hand, Taiwan makers are standardizing ZigBee and Z-wave technologies for future system integration, such that devices from different suppliers will be able to communicate or "talk" with each other via the same wireless standard.

HoviCom Security Technology (China) Co. Ltd, for instance, has launched model HCX-301-B, a wireless PIR sensor that features double IR sensors, MPU design and low power consumption. It works on the 315/433MHz frequency bands, and has a 150m transmission distance, 8/10/13m adjustable detection distance, and 110° tilt and 100° pan detecting angles.

Model CG8800plus from Fuzhou Chuango Electronic Co. Ltd is a wireless intruder alarm that features six wireless zones, wireless detector automatic matching, late-night mute remote control, eight pre-set phone numbers and automatic dialing, and time auto-armed and unarmed functions.

Everspring Industry Co. Ltd also tries to integrate home automation sensors into its new intrusion systems. It has successfully made a Z-wave sensor for future integration, and is developing ZigBee-powered alarms. The company has an independent testing center for its product designs.

In Hong Kong, integration with home automation systems is also giving wireless intruder alarms a big boost. While ZigBee and Z-wave provide a feasible platform for unified wireless intruder alarm and home automation systems, most suppliers are not rushing to adopt both technologies. Trisat Industrial Co. Ltd, a new entrant to the security sphere, recently announced a new ZigBee-based monitoring and security system, which in succeeding months could further be bridged with home automation products.

	Nuzon offers HG2500, a wireless intrusion system that boasts multi-language support and system stability.

Small-scale installation is the core competence of Taiwan suppliers. Large companies are now developing products that go beyond traditional intrusion detection, and are targeting digital homes and large-scale implementations.

Most Taiwan makers offer integrated intrusion detection systems and solutions. Susy Liang of General Electronics explained that an intrusion detection system aims to achieve three goals: property protection, family safety and lifestyle enhancement.

According to the interviewed makers, all wireless intruder alarms can only communicate within specific and closed/secured systems, which usually include a main control device, intruder alarm sensors (e.g. door/window contacts, PIR detectors, motion detectors), sirens/strobes, and remote controls or keyboards. High-end systems may include gas and smoke detectors. Home automation and IP surveillance are also integrated into top-of-the-line intruder alarm systems.

Some large manufacturers, such as Everspring, offer wireless intruder alarms for both DIY retail and build-to-construct (pre-fabricated) projects. With four business units, namely, Security and Safety, Surveillance, Home Automation, and Lighting and Sensors, Everspring plans to introduce more value-added functions to its intruder alarm systems, and provide solutions that will pave the way for truly digital homes.

Nuzon Technology Inc.'s intruder alarm systems can be integrated with its PIR sensors, door/window sensors, smoke and gas detectors, and door keypad and wireless sirens. The company develops its own software and utilizes hopping code technology to enable coding. Currently, its intrusion system can display up to five languages but can support other languages upon request.

Trisat's iZafe motion detector is embedded with a ZigBee wireless module. Suitable for indoor use, the compact motion detector has a detection angle of 100° over a 5m distance, and is powered by three AA alkaline batteries. The motion detector is one of many ZigBee-enabled devices that network with Trisat's monitoring and security system. The other devices include alarm lights, gas detectors, magnetic switches, photoelectric detectors, temperature detectors, window shock detectors and dialers.

At the heart of the system is the iZafe control panel, which can interconnect up to 65,000 different modules. It features a digital display, alphanumeric keypad and user-friendly control keys, and ZigBee remote controller. The network coverage can even be extended over the 100sqm primary area by routers. It is also interoperable with traditional wired sensors and intruder alarm systems.

iZafe uses 16 channels in the 2.4GHz ISM band to avoid interference. High-speed data transmission enables fast response whenever a sensor triggers an alarm. It uses discovery routing algorithm for reconstructing the communication path in case of a network router failure. It is further protected by AES 128-bit data encryption against eavesdropping.

After months of in-house development and testing, Trisat's iZafe is now ready for mass production. In the future, Trisat plans to further expand its ZigBee-enabled system to include home automation functions.

Capital Prospect Ltd's motion detectors are designed to work optimally with its wireless intruder alarm systems. One of the major suppliers in Hong Kong that focuses on wireless systems, Capital Prospect believes that the current PIR motion detection technology is already mature. While it is aware of other wireless technologies that can be used in its intruder alarm systems, the company considers them to be too costly to be widely adopted.

Capital Prospect's motion detectors and other wireless sensors operate in the 433.92MHz RF range. Model PS-101, for instance, can be used indoors and outdoors. Powered by an alkaline battery, the unit supports a 110° detection angle with adjustable sensitivity and 12m range. Another model from Capital Prospect, PS-434A, is a wireless motion detector with a 12m detection range over a 110° angle. It runs on a 9V alkaline battery, and includes a ball-joint mounting kit for easy installation.

Capital Prospect has two main control panels that can be connected to its motion detectors. AM-001 and ML-001 support five programmable and supervised zones, and are compatible with up to 10 sensors, five control modules and five keychain remote controllers. Both can monitor every sensor's status, including battery condition, and conduct fault line monitoring. An emergency dialer is integrated with each model via five programmable telephone numbers. Users can even call in to the control panel to check system status.

To complement its wireless motion detectors and control panels, Capital Prospect also offers audio alarms, external emergency dialers, keychain remote controllers, alarm sensors, flood sensors, door/window sensors, temperature monitor sensors, garage door monitor sensors and repeaters.

Mainland China makers are introducing enhanced functions such as mobile phone dialer, SMS or MMS sender, voice recorder, video recorder, and even DVR functions in their wireless intruder alarms.

HoviCom recently released model HC-GSM-I, a wireless intruder alarm that supports 10 group numbers via GSM mobile phone, and can either be set as a voice, police call center or SMS alarm. Its intelligent analysis function allows the model to send out different alarm types according to the different alarm zones. The model also features 36 wireless and four wired monitoring zones, which can be programmed independently; unlimited number of wireless detectors, horns and lights; LCD screen; remote control; and built-in UPS.

Similarly, Chuango has launched model GSM-8800, a GSM mobile phone wireless intruder alarm that consists of an alarm host, microphone, horn, remote controller, wireless magnetic contact and PIR sensor. It supports three pre-set numbers, remote control and AC/DC power auto conversion. Chuango also offers model GSM-9900, a GSM dialing module that can work with standard wireless intruder alarms, such as Chuango's CG-8800, to add a GSM dialing function.

Shenzhen Wolf-guard Security Hi-tech Co. Ltd's YL-007M4 is a wireless intruder alarm with GSM, photo taking and MMS functions. The model supports 850/900/1800/1900MHz GSM or CDMA network, and is compliant with various 315/433MHz wireless detectors. It can dial five pre-set numbers, and send SMS with color picture together with the alarm. Users can also monitor areas via a mobile phone. Model YL-007M4 can support three wired surveillance zones and three application control extended ports. New models with built-in DVRs will be launched within the year.

System stability remains the top product development priority of Taiwan's intruder alarm industry. According to David Chen, business unit manager at Robert Bosch Taiwan, "stability in intrusion systems is the key. After installation, users generally won't and don't want to remove or adjust any single device. You just hope the system can run perfectly forever without triggering annoying false alarms."

Nuzon echoes the importance of system stability. Specializing in wireless security systems, the company offers its latest intrusion system, HG-2500, which boasts a user-friendly design, multi-language support and system stability. The system can accommodate up to 63 wireless and three wired sensors. It has one NC/NO relay output, two-way voice communicator and automatic telephone dialing system. HG-2500 also has remote telephone-activated capability, allowing users to mobilize the system remotely. It also supports two-way communication (via PSTN or GSM), making it possible to call back (check if the alarm is activated by an unexpected guest), and call out (when people at home need to make an emergency call).

Everspring's product enhancements also underscore the value of ease-of-use and stability. The company recently unveiled three LED control panels, SC801, SC811 and SC821, which feature four, ten and 16 zones, respectively, and can be used according to the desired installation scale.

The new panels also have auto scan capability to search automatically for its intrusion devices, and a power saving design that can support at least two days' operation in the event of a power failure.

Everspring offers a comprehensive line of intrusion devices, such as sirens/strobes, PIR detectors, door/window contacts, wireless keypads, smoke detectors, GSM dialers and remote control units.

Same-frequency interference, which translates to high false alarm rates, is a common technical problem among wireless intruder alarms. All of the interviewed makers claimed that they have made enhancements on their respective products' circuit designs to address the problem.

Model YL-007G from Wolf-guard is an intelligent wireless intruder alarm host. The model has a unique "interference wall" design that can block frequency interference. YL-007G supports 32 wireless and eight wired surveillance zones, up to 99 detectors and LED indicators, and features voice reminder, integrated phone number dialer (two pre-set alarm center numbers and six pre-set user numbers), phone line fault alarm, remote control, and shielding remote control functions. The model comes with a backup battery.

Meanwhile, Everspring has introduced its new proprietary protocol, the U-Net security system, which utilizes a control panel to manage all security devices. The system forms a control center that manages the five area devices within the home, namely, the intruder system, siren system, environment detector, swimming pool detector and other control interfaces. The company said it will soon integrate CCTV cameras and access control products into the U-Net system.

According to Everspring, the communication protocol between devices should be a closed one, otherwise it will be easy for intruders to decipher and break the security system. Similarly, Hong Kong-based Capital Prospect's R&D projects are centered on securing wireless data transmission, and integration with home automation products. It has also developed its proprietary rolling code technology to prevent hackers from breaking into its security system.

Mainland China currently has over 1,000 makers of wireless intruder alarms, 90 percent of which are considered small-scale companies and traders. To date, only 100 makers are active, including leading industry players Wolf-guard, Shenzhen Longhorn Industrial Co. Ltd, Shenzhen Meian Technology Co. Ltd and Karassn Security Protection Electronics Co. Ltd. These suppliers have monthly production capacities ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 units. It is estimated that mainland China makers produce around 5 million wireless intruder alarms per year. However, their production capacity is reported to be 10 times larger than their current output.

Shenzhen in Guangdong province is regarded as the primary manufacturing base for wireless intruder alarms, followed by Zhejiang and Fujian. Guangdong alone is home to 70 percent of wireless intruder alarm makers in mainland China.

Large-scale makers have strong R&D capability and conduct most production processes in-house. Midrange makers handle key processes, but subcontract mold making, plastic injection and SMT to local factories. Small-scale makers, on the other hand, concentrate mainly on product assembly.

Hong Kong has about 10 suppliers of wireless intruder alarms. Most are small- to mid-sized companies focusing on home security products. Among the leading suppliers in terms of output and brand recognition, are Capital Prospect, Lelux Electronics Ltd and Sun Fu Cheong Electronics Co. Ltd. Major suppliers carry out product development in-house and assemble products at their own factories. Second-tier suppliers rely on partner factories for both product development and manufacturing, and capitalize on their marketing expertise and familiarity with export markets.

Most suppliers maintain their headquarters in Hong Kong, where sales, marketing, accounting and some QC and R&D activities are usually conducted. Manufacturing is almost entirely done in mainland China, specifically in Shenzhen, Dongguan and Guangzhou.

In Taiwan, there are at least 20 makers of wireless intruder alarms, including Everspring, Climax Technology Co. Ltd, City Wall Enterprise Co. Ltd (Garrison) and Scientech Electronics Co. Ltd. Some of these makers are expanding their respective product lines to include surveillance and/or home automation devices.

According to the interviewed Taiwan makers, consumers in developed regions, such as Europe, are willing to invest more on home security. These areas thus absorb the bulk of Taiwan's output. Similarly, majority of wireless intruder alarms manufactured in mainland China are shipped to OEM/ODM buyers in Western Europe, the Middle East, North America and Oceania.

The UK and other European countries, as cited by Everspring, are seeing growing demand for home security products. The company sells to regional distributors and system integrators, and provides on-site tuning services as well as technical support to large-scale installations. It has overseas branches in the UK, France, the US and Japan, and exports 95 percent of its output primarily to Western Europe.

Nuzon also cited growing demand for wireless intruder alarms in Central and South America, particularly among small businesses that require cost-effective and easy-to-maintain security systems. Nuzon sells its JATE-, CE-, FCC- and DOC-certified wireless intruder alarms to installers in Western Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan, and Central and South America. In turn, these installers sell to small shop operators, retail stores and homeowners.