CCTP is a revolutionary CCTV video surveillance system which integrates security video services into TIA/EIA standards-based network cabling architecture, allowing easy migration and management by network IT professionals.

The Current Problem

Traditional CCTV security systems utilize bundles of “home run” cabling from every camera to a central security headend location where monitors, controls and recording equipment are maintained. The home run cables for a given camera (in the older installed base) may use up to three cables and include up to fourteen conductors and coaxial cable to provide power, pan, tilt, zoom, blower, heater, preset controls and video signal back to the security office. Cable schemes are often proprietary, and used for a single application. Moving or installing additional cameras is expensive and can require all new cable. Distribution is not structured to incorporate a logical hierarchy as in the case of telecommunications cabling networks. Various bundles of CCTV cables penetrate walls and floors and traipse through ceilings and between floors in a haphazard run to the control room. There are no national standards for cable distance, installation practices or minimum cable performance levels. A lack of standards permits poorly installed or poorly designed networks. Video signal noise, power phase differential and unintended ground loops can be the result. Electromagnetic interference, unsynchronized power and ground loops are common in traditional CCTV systems and will result in video signal noise. These systems also lack any migration capabilities toward IP-based platforms. On top of that, CCTV installers have limited IT exposure, and little or no knowledge of computer technology, cabling practices or data network architecture. Logically, this new responsibility for IT Managers has led some of the management leaders to begin requiring the following:

• A standard form of installation practices
• The ability to seamlessly upgrade the system
• Performance reliability as good as the data network
• The ability to migrate to digital Ethernet communication
• Design/architecture based on national standards
• Quality installers and technicians
• Minimal bandwidth consumption
• Ease of operation
• Ease of system moves, adds and changes
• Ease of maintenance
• Open architecture
• Cost effectiveness

The Solution

A unique unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cable (Category6 rated); patch panels and camera cords were developed to carry data, power and video signals. Power supplies and distribution methodologies were developed to provide mid-span power insertion. The approach is to incorporate security camera cabling into the well– established structured cabling network architecture. The traditional CCTV cabling method is cumbersome. In the traditional method, coax, power and control cables are run by the shortest, most convenient route to the security equipment room—or the camera may be locally powered from an ordinary electrical wall outlet, resulting in video noise.

The CCTP system employs a short hybrid patch cord and a modified information outlet at the camera location. Category 6 horizontal 4-pair UTP data cabling runs from the camera outlet to the nearest telecom/data closet where patch panels are used to connect to active electronics. This is identical to the permanent horizontal link for data/voice cabling as defined by national standards established by ANSI/TIA/EIA. In the closet, active CCTP electronics are capable of routing video and camera control signals over existing backbone cabling, whether fiber or copper. Again, this is not only economically viable, but also fully consistent with the design of the cabling infrastructure for commercial buildings. The CCTP system is where existing copper backbone is used between the telecom closet and the main equipment room.

Various configuration options can exist depending upon the distance from the camera to the monitoring/recording equipment. A CCTP system based upon an indoor 100-meter (328 feet) horizontal design applies to installations where analog pan, tilt, zoom (PTZ) and fixed cameras may be installed today and upgraded to an IP-based camera in the future. In situations where a fixed camera will never be upgraded to an IP-based camera, greater horizontal cabling distances are possible. The CCTP horizontal cable distances vary by manufacturer and camera model. Closed circuit fiber optic solutions are available for both indoor and outdoor solutions over 100 meters (328 feet) but less than 300 meters (928 feet).

Advantages of CCTP

The advantages of the CCTP system are readily apparent. Three traditional camera cables (power, video and control) are coalesced with an adapter into a standards-compliant data jack. Ninety meters (295 feet) of 4-pair UTP cable is used for the horizontal run to the telecom closet where it terminates on the back of a patch panel. Standard data patch cords connect from the patch panel to active electronics that provide power, control and video signal processing. A single CCTP chassis with appropriate CCTP cards is capable of handling up to 40 fixed cameras or 16 PTZ cameras, respectively. In addition, a combination of both fixed and a single CCTP chassis can support PTZ cameras. Powering all the cameras from the telecom closet can eliminate traditional CCTV phase differential and ground loop problems. UTP cabling carries a balanced signal that can provide better noise rejection over greater backbone distances than an unbalanced signal over traditional low-grade coaxial cable. The signals from the horizontal pairs can be directed to the main equipment room anywhere on the campus over existing backbone cabling (which is typically under-utilized). The signal is reconditioned, equalized and amplified upon arrival at the security center equipment room to provide superior image quality. The arrangement of the cabling infrastructure is familiar to SD.
 
Protocol is a certified installer of the CCTP program

*CCTP is a registered trademark of Anixter
 
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