Calhoun helps military base go wireless
By Dave Dreeszen, Journal business editor | Posted: Friday, August 29, 2008
SIOUX CITY -- A local electronic engineering, consulting and contracting firm recently completed a three-year wireless communications and video surveillance project at a military base in Wisconsin.
Sioux City-based Calhoun Communications was initially contracted to determine the feasibility of using high speed, point-to-point and point-to-multipoint wireless technology to support IP-based video surveillance cameras throughout Ft. McCoy, a full-scale training and readiness facility for all branches of the U.S. military.
After the initial study was completed, Calhoun was awarded the contract to install the wireless devices.
The base in west central Wisconsin covers 60,000 acres. Terrain and climate factors created some very unique and complex issues in the design and installation of the wireless network.
"Trees and hills are very difficult obstacles to overcome in the wireless world because of the extremely high frequencies being used,'' said Eric Wieling, senior microwave engineer at Calhoun Communications. "Radio waves will not penetrate these obstacles so engineering expertise is very important. But with the proper tools, test equipment, software and, most of all, experience, we were able to overcome all of these issues and provide a very robust and dependable network.''
Individual IP-based video cameras with the capability to remote pan, tilt and zoom were placed at all base entrance gates to monitor activity at each location.
At the main gate, five cameras were installed, not only to monitor the gate itself but also a large vehicle inspection bay. An additional high-resolution camera monitors traffic as it arrives via a highway about 200 yards away. It also will support face recognition software, scheduled to be implemented at a later data.
The project also included a second complete video surveillance system with cameras strategically located around the commemorative area of the base. This area serves as a large, outdoor museum that displays a variety of military vehicles, as well as barracks, a mess hall, administrative facilities, dating to World War II.
Calhoun, based in the fifth floor of the Benson Building in downtown Sioux City, provides engineering, design, installation, procurement and maintenance services for broadcasting, microwave and networking to government, schools, utility companies, private enterprise, health care and hospitality clients.
Sioux City-based Calhoun Communications was initially contracted to determine the feasibility of using high speed, point-to-point and point-to-multipoint wireless technology to support IP-based video surveillance cameras throughout Ft. McCoy, a full-scale training and readiness facility for all branches of the U.S. military.
After the initial study was completed, Calhoun was awarded the contract to install the wireless devices.
The base in west central Wisconsin covers 60,000 acres. Terrain and climate factors created some very unique and complex issues in the design and installation of the wireless network.
"Trees and hills are very difficult obstacles to overcome in the wireless world because of the extremely high frequencies being used,'' said Eric Wieling, senior microwave engineer at Calhoun Communications. "Radio waves will not penetrate these obstacles so engineering expertise is very important. But with the proper tools, test equipment, software and, most of all, experience, we were able to overcome all of these issues and provide a very robust and dependable network.''
Individual IP-based video cameras with the capability to remote pan, tilt and zoom were placed at all base entrance gates to monitor activity at each location.
At the main gate, five cameras were installed, not only to monitor the gate itself but also a large vehicle inspection bay. An additional high-resolution camera monitors traffic as it arrives via a highway about 200 yards away. It also will support face recognition software, scheduled to be implemented at a later data.
The project also included a second complete video surveillance system with cameras strategically located around the commemorative area of the base. This area serves as a large, outdoor museum that displays a variety of military vehicles, as well as barracks, a mess hall, administrative facilities, dating to World War II.
Calhoun, based in the fifth floor of the Benson Building in downtown Sioux City, provides engineering, design, installation, procurement and maintenance services for broadcasting, microwave and networking to government, schools, utility companies, private enterprise, health care and hospitality clients.
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 0 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
