Master thesis : Detection of intruders stealing high voltage cables from electric pylons

Abstract

This Master's thesis consists in developing a prototype of a detection system which purpose is to prevent intruders from climbing an electric pylon to cut off and steal the electric cables. This project was realized in collaboration with BATS S.A. which is an electronics company specialized in the design, development and supply of advanced technology solutions in the fields of Defense and Homeland Security.

Using a short range FMCW radar and a thermal camera as \color{black} the sensors and a Raspberry Pi as the processing machine, the aim is to implement an algorithm that would detect an intruder climbing a pylon thanks to the features of the radar and the thermal camera.

First an overview about the three components is made, and the basic working principle of radars and thermal cameras is explained. Afterwards, the connection between the components is described and a custom-made 3D printed housing is designed and manufactured to embed the whole system inside. % the whole system is then embedded inside a custom-made 3D printed housing.

Then, a detection algorithm is developed and implemented based on data acquired by the radar and the thermal camera during a simulation of an intruder climbing a pylon.

Finally, the algorithm is tested and is proved to be working, as it is able to detect an intruder climbing a pylon. The latter works only for some case scenarios and further study would be necessary to come out with a fully operational detection system.