User performance testing of the Perimitrax buried cable sensor

Beginning in the 1970's buried cable sensors have been used extensively to provide perimeter intrusion detection for a wide range of military, government and industrial facilities around the world. In 1998, the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (USAERDC), in partnership with Senstar-Stellar Corporation, conducted testing of the Perimitrax buried cable sensor. Perimitrax is a new product manufactured by Senstar-Stellar that features an advanced leaky coaxial cable and digital signal processor for intruder detection and includes an integrated command and control system for alarm display, maintenance, and diagnostics. The Perimitrax technology was first introduced at the 1996 Carnahan Conference. The purpose of this testing, sponsored by the U.S. Air Force, Force Protection Command and Control Systems Program Office, was to determine the performance characteristics of the installed Perimitrax product, when deployed in a wide range of deployment mediums. Testing was conducted at an ERDC facility that featured three types of soil and three types of pavement in which Perimitrax sensor cables were installed and tested. This paper reviews features and characteristics of the sensor, outlines the test protect undertaken, and presents a summary and interpretation of results in order to guide the user in its successful application.