Ajax security systems have helped over 100,000 people worldwide save money on protecting their homes and property, minimizing and preventing health risks, and even improving the lives of many. All this is thanks to Ajax's meticulously researched and developed home security systems. As a leading name in security in Europe today, we are ready to overcome any technological challenge to deliver new products with outstanding quality and performance in protecting the areas surrounding your home.
The first flagship product on Ajax's list of outdoor security products is the MotionProtect Outdoor – a motion sensor with a two-step algorithm to prevent false alarms, distinguish between pets, and incorporate the most advanced anti-vandalism system. This is the most reliable professional solution for monitoring an area.
Precise target
Upon entering the Western European security market, we noticed a significant difference compared to Eastern Europe. The majority of Western Europeans live in detached houses or villas. Typically, security system developers design systems starting from the outer perimeter: aiming to scare off intruders with alarms, protect surrounding areas, and give homeowners time to react to nighttime break-ins. The lack of effective outdoor-operating sensors proved to be a major obstacle to Ajax's market penetration.
We quickly adapted by introducing the Transmitter – a product that converts signals from other manufacturers' sensor devices into Jeweller wireless signals that could be linked to Ajax's security system. Although it was only a temporary solution, the rapidly increasing sales of the Transmitter confirmed to us that the demand for Ajax's outdoor security equipment was very high.
However, our new product development process was hampered by another issue. We consulted with numerous experts in the security equipment market, seeking their opinions on what constitutes a perfect outdoor motion sensor. They all agreed that the most crucial element was accurate alarm reporting. At that time, even the most modern and expensive equipment on the market was prone to false alarms. This led to public security disruptions, wasted resources and manpower, and negatively impacted police forces and the general public. The problem became so serious that some security companies refused to integrate outdoor sensor systems into their central monitoring networks unless the client also included a video surveillance system to determine whether a threat was real.
We recognized the challenges posed by real-world market demands and created a list of stringent requirements for MotionProtect Outdoor equipment:
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The alarm system is completely accurate. The sensors will only respond and issue alerts for real dangers. Even in the most difficult-to-distinguish situations, false alarms are unacceptable.
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The system must be equipped with anti-vandalism and anti-tampering measures. Regardless of any potential sabotage attempts (attempting to paint or cover sensors, jamming signals, stealing sensors, etc.), users and security companies must be aware of the situation in order to respond appropriately.
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It retains the qualities that made the Ajax system famous: extremely long operating range, battery life of up to many years, and an alert speed of just 0.15 seconds.
No false alarms
We designed prototypes of outdoor sensor devices with: various types of sensor eyes, single or dual sensor eyes, and attached auxiliary microwave sensors… These products were equipped with cameras and then installed in areas with distinctly different environments: crowded city centers, industrial areas, quiet suburban areas…
Thanks to the MotionProtect product line – indoor motion sensors – we have collected comprehensive information on typical intrusion scenarios. We have fed this information into the SmartDetect filtering algorithm: bright sunlight, steam, hot air currents, pets… However, there are still many cases that can cause the system to issue false alarms: falling leaves, trees and objects heating up due to scorching sunlight, birds flying into the sensor's range, insects landing on the sensor's eye, animals running around in the area, wind blowing various objects along with it… all of these are just a small part of what can cause 99% of normal motion sensors to malfunction and give false alarms. We had to collect a huge amount of data to accurately analyze each type of signal for each event that could occur in the outdoor area.
Test results have given us the precise answer on how to perfect the MotionProtect Outdoor motion sensor. Although most popular sensors are equipped with infrared sensors along with microwave sensors, we found this insufficient. Microwave sensors can operate effectively and accurately at a distance of 8 meters without false alarms. The sensor works by detecting changes in the emitted wave beam caused by someone's intrusion. Therefore, the motion sensor is dependent on the installation location, requiring changes in height and tilt during installation. This reduces the device's performance and completely eliminates its ability to detect pets.
A system of two infrared sensors is the perfect combination for the MotionProtect Outdoor device.
Thanks to the installation of two sensors with different scanning angles, the device can gather enough information to clearly understand what is happening in the monitored area. This information is processed and 100% of false alarms are eliminated, even in the event of intrusion by animals up to 80cm tall. The adjustable viewing angle of the lower sensor allows users to set alerts within a range of 3 to 15 meters.
An alert is only triggered when a person enters the scanning area of both sensors.
Only the top sensor of the sensor device was activated - no alarm was triggered.
Only the bottom sensor of the sensor device was activated - no alarm was triggered.
Most motion-sensing devices use infrared sensors. The external sensor uses a simple waveform method: a sufficient number of reflected waveforms will trigger an alarm. However, this method is not reliable enough because many instances can occur where the sensor receives a coincidental amount of signals, leading to false alarms.
We had to use a much more complex analytical system than that:
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MotionProtect Outdoor will trigger an alert only when both sensors respond to movement within the detection area – this is the first step in preventing false alarms.
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The signals from both sensors are analyzed by the SmartDetect algorithm, specifically designed for analyzing outdoor events. Signal frequencies are compared and clearly distinguished. At this stage, the MotionProtect Outdoor device definitively determines with 100% certainty whether someone is within the sensor's detection area, minimizing false alarms. This is the second step; we could stop here as the system is already more effective than 99.9% of other products on the market – but we strive for perfection and absolute reliability.
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Spectral analysis is our third barrier. The algorithm for comparing the frequency components obtained from the two sensor eyes is unique among all security devices on the market. This is the trump card that allows the Ajax security system to confidently guarantee 100% accuracy of the MotionProtect Outdoor device. Because continuously calculating movement within the protected area can significantly reduce battery life to approximately two years, we only connect to the device when the analysis algorithm fails to identify the cause of the alarm through analog signal comparison.
An asymmetrical two-stage algorithm can detect intruders at their very first step, generating no false alarms and boasting a battery life of up to five years. This algorithm is called LISA: Live Intelligent Spectrum Analysis.
Vandal-proof design
After addressing the accuracy issues of the motion sensor system, we focused on designing the body of the MotionProtect Outdoor device. Because it's installed in an open outdoor environment, the device is easily vandalized: covered with fabric, the sensor lens glued or spray-painted, and even the body itself can be scratched or soiled. Furthermore, intruders might try to remove the device to vandalize it, perhaps simply by smashing it with a heavy object. A reliable sensor must be able to: firstly, resist the threat; and secondly, alert the user and security company to the problem.
The MotionProtect device is constructed from ultra-durable plastic and features an anti-tampering mechanism that detects attempts to open or remove the device from the SmartBracket mounting plate.
The sensor obscurity prevention system comprises three special sensors and an analysis algorithm for those three sensors. It will store and trigger an alert in advance of any obscurity occurrence within seconds.
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Locate an object that obscures both sensor eyes within a 20cm radius.
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When an obstacle obstructs the view of one of the two sensors within a 10cm range.
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When something gets stuck to or covers one or both of the sensor eyes.
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When the camera body is covered with transparent paints.
The MotionProtect Outdoor's anti-obscurity system meets Level 3 according to EN 50131 : "ready to respond to intruders in the most professional manner".
Furthermore, MotionProtect Outdoor is protected against rain and dust (IP54 standard), and can operate in environments with humidity up to 100% and temperatures from -25°C to +60°C. Because extremely cold environments can affect the performance of the internal lithium battery, leading to reduced device efficiency, we have added the ability to use an external power source with a voltage range of 5 to 28V.
ProtectMotion Outdoor's wireless connectivity is also exceptional – using advanced Jeweller encryption technology, the device can communicate with the central Hub processor at distances up to 1,700 meters, with an alert activation speed of just 0.15 seconds.
Detailed technical specifications of MotionProtect Outdoor
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Sensor eye |
Infrared sensor, 2 eyes |
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Scanning angle |
90o |
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Motion detection range |
Customizable, 3-15 meters when installed at a height of 1 meter. |
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Identifying pets |
Customizable, the pet's height can reach up to 80cm when installed at a height of 1m. |
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Connection distance |
Up to 1,700m in an unobstructed environment. |
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Operating frequency |
868.0 – 868.6 MHz or 868.7 – 869.2 MHz, depending on the purchase region. |
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Battery life |
Up to 5 years with 2 CR123A batteries. |
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External source |
5 - 28 V, 200mA |
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Anti-tampering |
Have |
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Anti-coverage |
Have |
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Protect the device body. |
IP54 |
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Temperature resistance |
From -25°C to +60°C |
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Moisture resistance |
100% |
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Size |
184 x 70 x 65 mm |
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Mass |
318 g |
Further details can be found in the user manual.
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MotionProtect devices have been successfully tested and used in a variety of environmental conditions, providing protection to many families in countries such as Ukraine, Malaysia, Finland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Greece, and the Balkans…