Dallmeier relies on 3D simulation in the planning of modern video security systems

Numerous stadiums worldwide rely on this German manufacturer's video security technology. Nicolai Priller, team leader 3D-Engineering at Dallmeier, explains the technical advantages of their patented Panomera technology, a decisive factor in the awarding of projects, as well as their innovative approach to planning and implementation.

Many video installations today are extremely complex large-scale projects. For this reason, reliability and flexibility are of utmost priority, especially during the planning phase.

How is it possible to ensure that a new video security system truly meets all customer requirements? What happens if unexpected changes arise during project execution? How on-site installation costs can be kept as low as possible?

The video security expert Dallmeier, based in Regensburg (Germany), relies in its solutions on sophisticated 3D simulation that not only offers maximum planning security but can also react quickly and flexibly to changes.

'What we plan is what you get'’

A whole team of specialists at Dallmeier is responsible for the area of 3D simulation and planning. The client provides two- or three-dimensional plans, for example in DWG format, from which engineers and graphic technicians build precise three-dimensional simulations of the client's environment.

If there is no other solution, even photos and information from Google Maps are enough to create suitable models for planning. Then, the complete solution (cameras, sensors and other components) it is simulated in the final 3D model of the customer's environment.

This procedure is very important, For example, to detect the so-called 'shadows', that is to say, areas that are not captured by a camera because there are intervening objects. With the 3D simulation of the project, the problem can be addressed immediately and eliminated, by relocating the cameras or adding other components. Thus, the customer obtains an exact planning of their future environment, in which all details have been taken into account.

250 pixels per meter as a specification

Before finishing the 3D model, se organizan talleres junto con el cliente para definir los objetivos de seguridad y elaborar un pliego de especificaciones técnicas y condiciones. Una especificación podría ser que se alcanzara una ‘densidad de píxeles’ mínima -de 250 píxeles por metro (px/m) the superior- en todas las áreas del estadio accesibles para el público.

Este parámetro está regulado en una norma DIN y asegura que la calidad de captación de personas desconocidas es suficiente para identificarlas claramente en caso de una investigación. La garantía de que se obtengan literalmente en el último rincón los 250 px/m requeridos es facilísimo con la simulación 3D: The color coding in the 3D simulation allows you to say exactly where the value is reached and where it would need to be adjusted, relocating a camera or replacing it with another model.

The story with the roofs

The enormous benefit of this procedure for the client was demonstrated, inter alia, in a project with several large stadiums. During the course of project execution, it was communicated during an on-site inspection that a roof for the upper stands had to be built in all stadiums.

Naturally, such a sudden modification represents a great challenge for any planner, since it requires extensive changes in the location of the cameras, the selection of camera models and the overall concept. Y, of course, there is no more time available for it. Nevertheless, the 3D project planning team of Dallmeier was able to plan and implement all the necessary changes in less than two days.

From planning directly to construction

With a system developed by Dallmeier itself it is possible to select, in the linked product database and with just a few clicks, different camera models and compose the optimal configuration. Once the entire environment is completed, the system generates a comprehensive list of materials with all components, which then serves as a basis for the order.

A special added value is the automatic creation of the so-called 'CamCards', precise configuration documents for each of the cameras. With this information, The on-site installer knows exactly where to mount the specific camera, at what height and at what angle. The great advantage lies, apart from the immense time savings, especially in planning security: it is possible to predict with high accuracy how much time and work the installation of the entire solution will take, since the approach minimizes unpredictable factors.

No experiments: full system test in Regensburg

The decision-makers in the IT departments are the ones who know the problem best: complex systems are implemented and it is then that the real integration work begins, with all its full range of uncertainties.

That is why Dallmeier chooses a different path with the Factory Acceptance Test(FAT – factory acceptance test): todos los componentes de la solución completa son ensamblados en el Dallmeier FAT-Centre tal cual lo harán en el entorno final, probando su funcionamiento real hasta que todo funcione perfectamente. Opcionalmente, empleados individuales o incluso departamentos enteros del cliente final pueden formarse en Ratisbona con sus futuros sistemas.

Cobertura de grandes áreas: desde el estadio hasta la plaza de la Catedral de Colonia

Otro factor igual de importante para la decisión de muchas operadoras a favor de las soluciones de Dallmeier es su patentada tecnología de cámaras Panomera, disponibles en el mercado desde 2011, que ofrecen hasta ocho sensores por sistema, permitiendo la cobertura de inmensas superficies con una densidad de píxeles exactamente definida, con muchas menos cámaras.

Esto reduce el gasto de gestión mientras se incrementa la comodidad de manejo y, with it, también la seguridad. Ambas son responsables de una reducción significativa de los costes operativos totales.

Y los sistemas no sólo son aptos para su uso en estadios de fútbol, como lo demuestran los numerosos proyectos de la empresa de Ratisbona por todo el mundo, ya sea en los casinos de Macao, en muchas compañías de logística o en el área de Smart City como, For example, en la plaza de la Catedral de Colonia, donde un total de ocho sistemas Panomera proporcionan seguridad desde 2016 y representan una solución para la que hubieran sido necesarias más de cien cámaras PTZ convencionales.

Nicolai Priller

Team leader 3D-Engineering en Dallmeier