Development of Community Security Panel
This case study showcases the development of a community security panel (Suite Panel) based on Atmel's ARM 9 micro processor AT91SAM9263 and running on embedded Linux and the sensor interface board for the panel.
Client
The customer has an enviable history of developing leading-edge technology to protect against a variety of security. They are the industry leaders in access control systems. In addition to over 20,000 systems used by the banking industry, their products are used by corporate, industrial, academic, government and commercial clients worldwide.
Challenge
The customer wanted to launch a powerful security panel with built-in Ethernet for communication. The solution should have a central security desk along with an LCD for alarm and status display, secured login and a keypad with pre defined hotkey functions. The biggest challenge was to implement voice communication over Ethernet to achieve a competitive edge in the market in terms of using same cable infrastructure for voice and data.
Solution
The security panel is designed around Atmel's ARM 9 processor AT91SAM9263. The product consists of main CPU board and the I/O board. The main board with the Atmel CPU has following interfaces:
- Memory-SDRAM and Nand Flash
- Serial and SPI interfaces
- Character and graphic LCD
- Audio Codec interface
- Keypad, speaker and Microphone
- 10/100 Ethernet
- USB 2.0 host interface
The I/O board has sensor interfaces for interfacing 8 zones to the security panel and relays for alarming the 8 zones. The sensor logic detects not only the sensor activation but also sensor tamper making it a fool-proof security panel.
The panel operates on Linux 2.6 kernel and uses Ethernet for audio communication between each panel and central security desk. The panel also has an optional speaker phone ciruit for operation on POTS.
The panel supports local and remote management through Central security desk (CSD) and supports multiple levels of access security. The panel itself is "Tamper" proof and generates an alarm if the panel is tampered or panel cover is opened by unauthorized personnel.
The team from Calsoft was responsible for the following:
- Designing the panel hardware consisting of main board and the I/O boards
- Porting Linux kernel and drivers to the Atmel 9263 main board
- Developing application software for Suite panel functionality
- Porting audio over Ethernet for voice communication from panel to central desk
- Developing test and diagnostic software
- Developing user interface for voice handling, remote management at CSD
- Producing prototype
- Costing for mass production
Technology
- ARM 9, Ethernet, SPI, LCD, Voice over Ethernet, Audio codec, Linux and C, PADS and Orcad
End Product
Benefits
Calsoft helped the customer to:
- Create state of the art product because of the deep technical experience and expertise with technology
- Reduce time to market with proven processes and methodologies
- Increase product development productivity with a flexible, proven partner approach
- Achieve their overall objective at a lower cost and with guaranteed support from a proven technology vendor.