End user: Athens International Airport (AIA)
Athens International Airport was opened in 2001 to replace the now-closed Athens (Ellinikon) International Airport. It has become increasingly popular as a gateway to southeast and East Asia. In addition, it is the largest European gateway airport to the Middle East, due to its nearness to the region.
Business objective
The airport is designed to be upgraded over the ensuing years in order to meet the challenges of the increase in air travel. It is known for its continuous investment in pioneering technology. One of the most important and critical elements in airport security is the video monitoring system. The security solution has to handle open public areas, large fenced areas as well as to ensure the integration of all relevant systems.
Solution
AIA started with an analogue CCTV solution from Plettac. However, in the last years it became necessary to transfer that solution to digital. The first digitalization was based on Bosch's software management system VIDOS with the existing analogue cameras being connected to VIPXPRO encoders and VIP1000E decoders.
Now the next step to full digitalisation is done again with Bosch Security Systems. The Bosch Video Management System (VMS) for the airport consists of the fully digital IP CCTV network upgrade solution and embraces the following subsystems and equipment: Indoor/outdoor fixed and dome colour analogue cameras of which the existing number is 318 and they will reach a total of 450, two redundant Bosch VMS Servers for online management, 220 VIP X1600 module encoders, and 38 decoders using latest compression technology. For the management and displaying of the images 9 Bosch VMS Operator Client Workstations and 37 Bosch 20' Monitors are installed. For recording Bosch' patented Video Recording Manager solution for storage of digital video on decentralized network-based iSCSI arrays is used with a total of 66TByte of storage with RAID 5 redundancy. The Bosch VMS also includes an alarm/security management system.
Intelligence is incorporated in the security system from the base up with the intelligent Video Content Analysis (VCA) embedded in the encoders. Bosch's Intelligent Video Analysis (IVA) automatically adapts to difficult conditions like changes in lighting or environment such as rain, snow or leaves blowing in the wind.
Result
After a transition period of three months the system was successfully implemented and all areas of interest have been covered sufficiently. The expectations of the end-user were surpassed and the CCTV system of Athens International Airport raises the security standards of every other airport in Greece.
