The world population is continuously growing and reached a significant evolution of the society, where the number of people living in cities has surpassed the number of people in rural areas. This puts national and local governments under pressure because the limited resources, such as water, electricity, and transports, must thus be optimized to cover the needs of the citizens. Therefore, different tools, from sensors to processes, service, and artificial intelligence, are used to coordinate the usage of infrastructures and assets of the cities to build the so called smart cities. Different definitions and theoretical models of smart cities are given in literature. However, smart city can usually be modelled by a layered architecture, where communication and networking layer plays a central role. In fact, smart city applications lay on collecting field data from different infrastructures and assets, processing these data, taking some intelligent control actions, and sharing information in a secure way. Thus, a two way reliable communications layer is the basis of smart cities.
Network video solutions
IP solutions have become basic communication tools for effective next generation networking. Image transfer, video calling, video conferencing, mobility and interface to next generation telecom networks amongst others have been prime use of IP solutions in the present world. Imagine a world where as a cooperate body, all meetings can be held at the comfort of your office via video conferencing. You literally eliminate expenses tallied with making appointments be it travelling, accommodation…Moreover, this part of IP solution has no bounds as regards applications. Many other applications of video conferencing and transmitting are made use of in various industries, for example, in manufacturing industries where high temperature is dealt with or toxic gases or high level of radiation, it becomes difficult for humans to monitor such activities going on, this problem is easily solved by the use of video transmitting devices. Where the output can be easily monitored at a control room free from all form of toxicants and hazards.
Surveillance
Surveillance is the monitoring of behavior, activities, or other changing information for the purpose of influencing, managing, directing, or protecting people. This can include observation from a distance by means of electronic equipment (such as closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras) or interception of electronically transmitted information (such as Internet traffic or phone calls).
The emergence of a smart city has led to the increased use of surveillance system basically for intelligence gathering, prevention of crime, the protection of a process, person, group or object, or the investigation of crime.
There are various types of IP cameras that capture and transmit images and recordings over the internet to a directed control station, which require IP solutions that support such transmission. This is basically a major tool in security systems in all smart cities, and there are other utilities attached to these IP cameras such as, face recognition, GPS systems, weapon detection systems and other ground breaking innovations.
Communication becomes easier and efficient with IP solutions, not to mention cheaper too. It is of great benefit for any emerging smart city to subscribe to the use of IP solutions for its communication and networking systems.
In addition to the above, it is also important to understand that there are a lot of ground/field staff who handle basic services and support functions. These may be civic authorities, personnel from utility companies, police, quick response team etc. These personnel use various types of communication like PSTN, GSM, CDMA, Radio (WalkiTalki) and also IP. It is essential to ensure that all of these can be connected through one communication platform, so that in the event of emergency, communication can take place seamlessly. At ELCOM Innovations, we have solutions that allow complete connectivity of all types of interfaces. Calls made on radios can be received by a GSM handset, transferred to an IP soft client, a multi-party conference call initiated with all interfaces, the options are endless. Come talk to us and feel the difference.
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