Design and Installation Guide

Avigilon License Plate Recognition System

Version 2.0

920-0028A-Rev4

Copyright 2013 Avigilon. All rights reserved.

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Avigilon
Tel +1.604.629.5182
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http://www.avigilon.com
Revised 7/16/13

Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Site Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Overhead Mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Roadside Mounting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Maximum Vehicle Speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Field of View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
LPR Camera Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
NVR Processing Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Package Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Power Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Mounting the LPR Camera Enclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Mounting PSU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Connecting Data and Power to LPR Camera Enclosure . .7
Positioning the LPR Capture Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Software Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Verification Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Appendix of Images . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Introduction
The purpose of this guide is to detail how to design and install a License Plate Recognition (LPR)
system using the Avigilon HD LPR Capture Kit.
The first section, Site Design on page 2, covers possible mounting locations and equipment
selection.
The second section, Installation on page 6, covers the physical installation of the LPR Capture
Kit, configuring the software, and a simple test to verify that the system is functioning properly.

Site Design
The Avigilon HD LPR Capture Kits are designed to cover a single traffic lane of 10 ft (3 m) or two
adjacent traffic lanes for a total of 20 ft (6 m). For each LPR Capture Kit, a mounting location
must be selected. The kit can be mounted in either the overhead or roadside position.

Overhead Mounting
In overhead mounting, the LPR Capture Kit is mounted directly above the vehicle path. Table 1
lists the recommended mounting height and Table 2 lists the maximum mounting height for each
LPR Capture Kit model. Refer to Figure A: Overhead mounting (top view) and Figure B:
Overhead mounting (side view).

Table 1: Overhead Recommended Mounting Height

LPR Capture
Kit Model

Target
Distance
(ft [m])

Recommended Mounting
Height
(ft [m])

Horizontal
Distance
(ft [m])

1L-HD-LP-35

35 [11]

9 12 [2.8 3.6]

33 [10]

1L-HD-LP-50

50 [15]

13 17 [4.0 5.2]

48 [14.5]

1L-HD-LP-75

75 [23]

19 26 [5.9 7.8]

72 [22]

1L-HD-LP-100

100 [30]

26 34 [7.9 10]

95 [29]

2L-HD-LP-40

40 [12]

10 14 [3.1 4.2]

38 [11.5]

Table 2: Overhead Maximum Mounting Height

LPR Capture
Kit Model

Target
Distance
(ft [m])

Maximum Mounting
Height
(ft [m])

Horizontal
Distance
(ft [m])

1L-HD-LP-35

35 [11]

18 [5.5]

30 [9.2]

1L-HD-LP-50

50 [15]

25 [7.5]

43 [13]

1L-HD-LP-75

75 [23]

38 [11]

65 [20]

1L-HD-LP-100

100 [30]

50 [15]

87 [26]

2L-HD-LP-40

40 [12]

20 [6.1]

35 [11]

Figure A: Overhead mounting (top view)

Figure B: Overhead mounting (side view)

Roadside Mounting
In roadside mounting, the kit is not directly above the vehicle path and is often pole-mounted on
the side of the road. Table 3: Roadside Mounting Height and Offset lists the maximum mounting
height and maximum offset distance for each LPR Capture Kit model. Select the shortest target
distance that results in a practical mounting location. Refer to Figure C: Roadside mounting (top
view) and Figure D: Roadside mounting (side view).
NOTE:

The dual lane kit should not be mounted in the roadside position.

Table 3: Roadside Mounting Height and Offset

LPR Capture Kit
Model

Target
Distance
(ft [m])

Max Mounting
Height
(ft [m])

Max Offset
(ft [m])

Horizontal
Distance
(ft [m])

1L-HD-LP-35

35 [11]

12 [3.6]

12 [3.6]

32 [10]

1L-HD-LP-50

50 [15]

17 [5.2]

17 [5.2]

46 [14]

1L-HD-LP-75

75 [23]

26 [7.8]

26 [7.8]

69 [21]

1L-HD-LP-100

100 [30]

34 [10]

34 [10]

93 [28]

Figure C: Roadside mounting (top view)

Figure D: Roadside mounting (side view)

Maximum Vehicle Speed

The Avigilon HD LPR Capture Kit can recognize vehicles travelling at up to 60 mph (100 km/h)
when mounted in the overhead position at the recommended mounting height. The maximum
speed is limited to 40 mph (65 km/h) when mounted in the overhead position at the maximum
mounting height or when mounted in the roadside position.
Tip: To increase accuracy at high speeds (greater than 40 mph [65 km/h]), install the camera in
the overhead position at the lowest recommended mounting height and the shortest target
distance that is practical (See Table 1: Overhead Recommended Mounting Height).

Field of View
The field of view is the physical area that is visible in the image.
It is important that there are no objects with high detail in the field of view when a vehicle is not
present. For example, if the LPR camera is installed on the shoulder of a highway, it is important
that the field of view be limited to a single lane and that the camera cannot see into other lanes.
This will prevent it from generating incorrect results.
Important: When a vehicle is not in view, the image should not contain anything that could be
interpreted as a series of alphanumerics or any objects with high detail.

LPR Camera Selection

Select the HD LPR Capture Kit based on the determined target distance.
Table 4: Camera Selection Based on Target Distance
Target Distance
(ft [m])

Single Lane

35 [11]

1L-HD-LP-35

50 [15]

1L-HD-LP-50

75 [23]

1L-HD-LP-75

100 [30]

1L-HD-LP-100

40 [12]

Dual Lanes

2L-HD-LP-40

NVR Processing Requirements

Avigilon LPR software should only be run on Avigilon NVR Servers or machines with similar
specifications. For Avigilon NVR Servers, it is recommended to purchase an additional processor
to supplement the high computational requirements of LPR.
The maximum number of LPR lanes that can be enabled on a single server depends on the
target vehicle speed and the mounting position.
Table 5: NVR Processing Requirements
Speed
(mph [km/h])

Maximum number of lanes per NVR

(Recommended Overhead)

Maximum number of lanes per NVR

(Maximum Overhead or Roadside)

0-20 [0-32]

20-30 [32-50]

30-40 [50-650

40-60 [65-100]

Not recommended

Installation
Package Contents
LPR Enclosure
HD LPR Camera and Lens
Power Supply Unit (PSU)
Enclosure Bracket Assembly
Camera Power Connector
3 mm Hex Tool
Camera Mount Shims (Single Lane only)
Shim mounting screws

Power Requirements
The LPR Capture Kit requires 78 W plus an additional 6 W for an overview camera. The following
power transformer type is recommended:
Recommended Transformer: 24 V secondary, 100 VA or higher.

Power cable
Network cable

24 V AC/DC
Network cable

Figure E: System Diagram

Mounting the LPR Camera Enclosure

Install the enclosure and the enclosure mount in the location determined in the previous section.
Caution Do not tilt the enclosure backwards with the back removed. It is possible for the
camera to slide out.

Mounting PSU
The distance between the LPR Camera Enclosure and the PSU is limited by the maximum length
of the IR power cables. See the following table in reference to Figure E: System Diagram.
Table 6: Wire Gauge vs. Distance
Wire gauge

Max Distance

AWG

(m)

(ft)

18

4.0

13

20

2.5

8.4

22

1.6

5.3

24

1.0

3.3

Install the PSU within the maximum distance using the 4 x M4 mounting holes.
Do not connect power to the PSU yet.

Connecting Data and Power to LPR Camera Enclosure

1. Terminate the network cable after passing it through the environmental glands.
Connect the network cable to the camera.
If you are planning to install a secondary camera inside the enclosure, be aware that
the network cable between the PSU and the enclosure combines data from both
cameras.
2. If the camera is not powered using PoE, connect the terminal-block inside the
enclosure to the camera.
3. Connect power to the IR panels using the wire gauge determined in Table 6: Wire
Gauge vs. Distance and the wiring diagram in Figure F: Wiring Diagram.
4. Do not adjust any of the potentiometers in the PSU.
5. After the IR panels have been wired, connect input power to the PSU (terminals L and
N).
There should be a red glow from each IR panel. If only 1 panel is glowing, immediately
disconnect input power to the PSU and check the wiring.

NOTE:

The environmental glands are designed for cables between 0.15 0.30 inches (4 8
mm) in diameter. For thinner cables, thicken the cable with electrical tape at the gland
to ensure a tight fit. Unused glands should be plugged or sealed.

Enclosure

PSU

Red

Red (Lamp + )

Black

Black (Lamp - )

Purple

Purple (Aux power + )

White

White (Aux power - )

Figure F: Wiring Diagram

Positioning the LPR Capture Kit

Avigilon HD LPR Capture Kits are pre-calibrated for a specific distance as indicated in the model
number. It is important to accurately aim the camera to this distance. Use the horizontal distance
determined when measuring the mounting position.
When the LPR kit is mounted in the roadside position, vehicle license plates may not appear
horizontal in the captured image (see Figure G: Rotated License Plate (Incorrect)). For high
accuracy, it is important that license plates are oriented horizontally in the image as in Figure H:
Horizontal License Plate (Correct).
To compensate, the included shims can be placed between the enclosure and mount interface.
The shims should be placed under 2 screws on either the left or right side of the interface. If the
LPR kit is mounted on the right side of the road, shims should be installed on the left side of the
enclosure/mount interface, and vice versa for the left side.
1. Park a vehicle in the centre of the target zone.
2. View the image of the vehicle. If the image is horizontal, you do not need to install the
shims.
3. If the vehicles license plate is not horizontal in the image, replace the 2 screws in the
base with the shim mounting screws on the side that needs to be corrected. Do not
tighten.
4. Install a shim under each of the mounting screws between the enclosure and the
mount. Repeat until the license plate is horizontal in the image. Up to 3 shims per
screw may be necessary.
5. Tighten the screws at the enclosure/mount interface.

Important: If using roadside mounting, the included shims must be installed so that license
plates are horizontal in the image.

Figure G: Rotated License Plate (Incorrect)

Figure H: Horizontal License Plate (Correct)

Software Configuration
For more information about each step in the the following procedure, see the Avigilon Control
Center Client User Guide.
1. In the Avigilon Control Center Client software, configure the License Plate Recognition
options in the server Setup dialog box.
2. In the LPR camera Setup dialog box, click Compression and Image Rate and set the
following options
a.

Set the Image Quality to 4.

b.

Set the Image Rate according to the camera mounting position and estimated
vehicle speed.

Speed (mph [km/h])

Minimum Frame Rate (ips)

(Recommended Overhead)

Minimum Frame Rate (ips)

(Maximum Overhead or Roadside)

0 20 [0 32]

10

20 30 [32 50]

10

15

30 40 [50 65]

15

24

40 60 [65 100]

24

Not Recommended

Verification Test
After the LPR Capture Kit has been installed and the software has been configured correctly, a
simple verification test should be performed. Before performing this test, make sure to block off a
section of the road with safety cones and obey local laws.
1. Park a vehicle in the centre of the field of view of the LPR camera.
2. The vehicle license plate text should be displayed in the image panel as an image
overlay.
3. If the license plate does not appear or does not appear correctly, check the following.
a.

Software is setup correctly. See Software Configuration on page 9.

b.

The camera is aimed so that the target vehicle is at the correct distance. See
Overhead Mounting on page 2 or Roadside Mounting on page 3.

c.

The license plate is horizontal in the image. See Positioning the LPR Capture Kit
on page 8.

d.

The license plate should be bright compared to the rest of the scene.

e.

There is contrast between the license plate background and the alphanumerics.

4. Drive a vehicle through the field of view of the LPR camera and check that the license
plate was read correctly.
5. Review each frame of the vehicle passing through the field of view. The brightness of
the license plate should peak as the vehicle passes the centre of the field of view.
6. Unblock the road and watch the LPR camera capture actual traffic. Run a License
Plate Search with a blank search term and wait until at least 100 search results are
found. For help on using the search function, see the Avigilon Control Center Client
User Guide
7. Playback the video over the search range and see if any license plates were rejected
(did not generate a result). Most often license plates are rejected if:

The reflective coating is severely worn off.

The license plate is from a region with a different font.

10

8. Click through the search results and compare it to the captured image. Incorrect
results are often caused by:

The license plate is partially covered.

The license plate is dirty.

9. Advertisements and other text on vehicles may be interpreted as license plates and
generate extra results.

11

Specifications
Camera Resolution
Single Lane

1280 x 720

Dual Lane

2592 x 720

Illuminator Technology

High-power SMT LED

Wavelength

850 nm

Network
Network

100BASE-TX

Cabling Type

CAT5

Connector

RJ-45

Security

SSL

Protocol

UDP, TCP, SOAP, DHCP, Zeroconf

Mechanical
Enclosure Dimensions(LxWxH)

284 mm x 279 mm x 221 mm (11.0 x 11.2 x 8.7)

Weight

4.0 kg (8.8 lbs)

Mount

4x M5 holes at 40mm x 62mm (1.57 x 2.44)

Illuminator Power Supply

Dimensions (LxWxH)

160 x 160 x 81 mm (6.3 x 6.3 x 3.2)

Weight

1.85 kg (4.1 lbs)

Mount

4 x M4 holes at 145 mm x 123 mm (5.71 x 4.85)

Electrical
Camera
Power Source

24 VDC, 24 VAC, PoE: IEEE802.3af Class 3 compliant

Power Consumption

6 W per camera

Power Connector

2-pin terminal block

Illuminator
Power Source

24 VDC, 24 VAC

Power Consumption

72 W

Power Connector

3-wire terminal block, 12-20 AWG

Environmental
Environmental Rating

IP66

Operating Temperature

-10 C to +45 C (14 F to 113 F)

Storage Temperature

-10 C to +70 C (14 F to 158 F)

Certification
UL 60950

CSA60950

EN 60950-1

CE

ROHS

WEEE

12

Appendix of Images
The following images provide a reference when installing an LPR camera.

Figure I: Recommended Overhead Mounting Location

Figure J: License Plate Illuminated at Night

13

Figure K: Roadside View at Max Offset

Figure L: Enclosure Bracket Assembly

B

A-A

[.4]
10

[4.7]
120
[3.4]
86

[.4]0
1

5
[.24]
6

]
[2.462 =
=

[1.6]
40
[3.1]
80

[7]
180
[8]
204

[3]
75

]
[1.6 0
[.4] 0 4
1

65

30

INCHES
MM

Figure M: Enclosure Bracket Assembly Dimensions

14