Changi to Enhance Airport Security with New PIDS Installation

Changi Airport Group (CAG) and ST Electronics’ wholly owned subsidiary, ST Electronics (Satcom & Sensor Systems) Pte Ltd, are collaborating to implement a Perimeter Intrusion Detection System (PIDS) based on Fibre Bragg Grating (FBG) for Changi Airport’s perimeter fence to further strengthen security of the airfield.

The proprietary AgilFence PIDS with intelligent signal processing has been developed by ST Electronics based on fibre sensor technology licensed from its research partner, the A*STAR Institute for Infocomm Research. AgilFence PIDS is specially customised for Changi Airport to meet its operational requirements.

Changi Airport’s perimeter is presently covered by a double-layered fence, and round-the-clock patrolling is carried out by security teams. The implementation of AgilFence PIDS will result in better detection of perimeter intrusions, more accurate determination of the incident location and a faster response time by the security team.

Unlike non-fibre sensor technologies, the performance of AgilFence PIDS is not affected by factors in Changi Airport’s operating environment, such as the presence of electromagnetic and radio frequency interference. Also, AgilFence PIDS, with its high pinpointing accuracy, allows optimal deployment of CCTVs around the perimeter fence. The unique signal processing algorithm in AgilFence PIDS allows FBG sensors at specific areas to be customised to achieve a higher probability of detection while reducing the possibility of false alarms triggered by weather elements and wildlife along the perimeter.

Mr Foo Sek Min, Executive Vice President, Airport Management, Changi Airport Group said, “We are pleased to have ST Electronics partner CAG in this effort to enhance the security of the Changi Airport airfield. At Changi, we take safety and security seriously and are committed to maintaining the highest standards. The implementation of AgilFence PIDS complements the security measures we already have in place to protect the airport perimeter. We are proud to support innovation by Singapore-based organisations and be the first to use this groundbreaking technology.”

Work on the implementation of AgilFence PIDS at Changi Airport is commencing immediately. It will be rolled out in stages along the airport’s perimeter and is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2012.

As part of the partnership, CAG and ST Electronics will also work together to promote AgilFence PIDS on a commercial basis to other airport operators and installations with long fence lines looking for solutions to enhance perimeter security at their premises.

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