To get an always-on live feed from a remote location (e.g. to monitor a remote parking lot or to monitor a remote construction site), two things are needed for the Network Camera – Power, Internet.
Power for the Network Camera
Most Panasonic network cameras (e.g. BL-C131 or BL-C111) require 9V DC to operate. The standard Panasonic adapter will convert the available AC (e.g. 110V in US) to DC. So either a 9V DC or AC power source can be used.
The Cameras consume very little power, therefore, Solar power solutions can also be used.
Internet for the Network Camera
Internet may not be available at the Remote locations. Depending upon the availability of Internet nearby or the coverage of mobile broadband, the following options could provide the Internet.
1) Is Internet available nearby within about 1000 ft of the remote location?
Setup a WiFi network at the nearby location. Use an external WiFi antenna with your WiFi access point (or router) to extend the range of the WiFi network. Use a wireless network camera e.g. Panasonic BL-C131A at the remote location.
If the nearby and remote location are in line of sight and there is not much interference (e.g. walls, metal, glass) then the external WiFi antenna should extend the range to 1000 ft or so. Note: To use an external antenna, the access point (or router) should be capable of attaching an external antenna. Some of the access points (or routers) do not allow adding external antennas.
2) Is Internet available nearby within 2 – 5 miles of the remote location?
Setup a WiFi network at the nearby location. Use an outdoor wireless bridge such as
http://www.wirelessnetworkproducts.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1900&HS=1
to extend the range of the WiFi network. Use a wireless network camera e.g. Panasonic BL-C131A at the remote location.
To extend the WiFi network to longer distances (e.g. 10 miles or more), use WiFi bridges such as
http://www.wirelessnetworkproducts.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1342
3) Does the remote location have a good 3G network signal?
Use a mobile broadband router such as http://www.cradlepoint.com/mbr1000/mbr1000.php to get Internet from the 3G network. Use a wireless network camera e.g. Panasonic BL-C131A at the remote location.
Make sure you get a ‘static IP’ from the 3G provider (3G networks change their dynamic IP addresses so frequently that DDNS services will not work with them) otherwise the IP addresses will keep changing and it will not be possible to access the network camera.
Also, remember to get an unlimited data plan for the 3G connection.
When newer mobile broadband services are available, e.g. WiMax or LTE, those can be used.
Filed under: Wireless network cameras , always ON, TenM3, wireless network camera, WiFi, network camera, Remote locations, construction, monitoring, live feeds, 3G, WiMax, LTE, mobile broadband, router, WiFi antenna
