The choice of camera for an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system is critical as the performance of the camera used will largely determine the suitability of the system for its role.

This is particularly true for ANPR systems used by the police and security service. ANPR systems over the past 10 to 15 years have been deployed in a wide variety of locations by these agencies for the same purpose, to capture vehicle registration

numbers. However the types of cameras used, their designs and performance have varied significantly.

The QRO team, while working on projects for customers with differing ANPR requirements, are always aware that choosing the right camera type to compliment an ANPR solution is vital.

The cameras in use now for ANPR have been specifically developed for ANPR application but can be divided into two main categories:

• those that use camera modules (manufactured mainly for packaging into CCTV cameras, manufactured in Asia by large multinational companies such as Sony and Hitachi);

• those that are designed by the camera manufacturer from basic components, e.g. optical sensors, lenses etc.

The second of these approaches gives much more control to the manufacturer over the camera’s characteristics such as size, shape, field of view, geometry of illumination, if the camera has built-in infrared illumination, etc. The main disadvantage from the user’s perspective can be the cost.

As part of the QRO commitment to assisting customers and the wider ANPR community, QRO’s Systems’ Director, Gary Austin has written an article ‘Understanding camera technology and its importance for ANPR’. Gary has been designing ANPR systems for more than 14 years and he has written this paper to share some of his knowledge surrounding camera technology. ‘Understanding

camera technology’ can be found at www.qrosolutions.co.uk/anprcameras

and discusses in some depth the design of cameras and how they can affect the performance of ANPR systems.

So when you come to consider a new ANPR solution, or upgrade an existing one, speak to the QRO team. They will be able to advise you on which camera solution fits best with the challenges that you are facing. They will also be happy to source it for you; as a systems integrator QRO is able to supply many of the ANPR cameras available today. This flexibility means that QRO can optimise all elements of your ANPR system for the requirements that you have.

To read Gary’s article ‘Understanding camera technology & its importance for ANPR’ please copy and paste www.qrosolutions.co.uk/anprcameras into your browser.

To discuss your camera needs with the team please call +44 (0)1604 780 941.