Hardware requirements for Spectra Shield

At the heart of FuelDriveOff.co.uk is Spectra Shield — our intelligent ANPR platform designed to detect vehicle in real-time and deter drive-offs.The goal is simple yet powerful, to capture the vehicle as soon as it enters the site and retrieve all relevant details within 5 seconds — before the driver even lifts the pump nozzle.



To deliver this level of performance, the hardware must support the software; the following components are essential:

• ✅ High-resolution IP-Cameras with low latency and infrared capabilities for clear recognition in all lighting conditions
• 🌐 Fast and stable internet connectivity to enable real-time video processing
• 🎯 Optimal camera placement and angle to ensure number plates are captured head-on or at the right skew
• 🧠 A supporting CPU to process all the above

Seamless coordination between hardware and software is critical for sub-5-second detection, enabling real-time alerts, identification, and deterrence.

Camera Requirements

Resolution:

• Minimum: 4MP (1920x1080)
• Recommended: 6MP+ for enhanced clarity of number plates and vehicle details
• Manual Image Controls: The camera must offer manual adjustments for key visual parameters, including:

1. Aperture
2. Contrast
3. Saturation
4. Brightness
5. Frame rate

• Backlight Compensation (BLC): This feature is essential for handling high-contrast lighting conditions, such as when vehicles are backlit by strong sunlight or headlights.
• Lens

1. Varifocal lens (e.g., 2.7–13.5mm) flexible field of view
2. Accurate plate capture at 5–20 meters

• Compression Format
• Support for H.265+ (or Smart H.265)

1. Reduces bandwidth and storage requirements by up to 80% compared to H.264
2. Enables real-time streaming with minimal latency, even on constrained networks

• Shutter Speed

1. Fast shutter (≥1/1000s) to freeze fast-moving vehicles

• Frame Rate

1. 25–30 FPS for smooth motion and accurate ANPR

• Build Quality

1. IP66/IP67 weatherproof
2. IK10 vandal-resistant housing if placed near pumps or walkways

• Compatibility: Spectra Shield is compatible with both IP and non-IP cameras, as long as they meet the above requirements.

Camera Setup Guidelines:

Above all, the optimal placement angle plays an important role.

Positioning the camera at a strategic angle facing the entry/exit point of vehicles. For wider entry areas, use a wide-angle camera to ensure full coverage of the entire entrance.

System Hardware Requirements:

Processing Units (CPU & RAM)

• For 1 Camera

1. CPU: Intel Core i5 or i7 (10th Gen or newer)
2. RAM: Minimum 8GB
3. Suitable for single-stream processing with real-time recognition

• For 2 to 4 Cameras

1. CPU: Intel Core i5 or i7
2. RAM: Minimum 16GB
3. Recommended for handling multiple camera feeds with stable performance

• For More than 4 Cameras / High-Load Environments

1. CPU: Intel Core i7 or higher / GPU-enabled processor (e.g., NVIDIA CUDA-compatible for accelerated AI tasks)
2. RAM: Minimum 32GB
3. Required for real-time processing, video analytics, and fast ANPR across several feeds

Monitor Requirements:

• Minimum Size

1. A 16-inch monitor is required for effective monitoring and management of the camera feeds.

• Maximum Size

1. The monitor size can be chosen based on the user's preference, with larger screens offering improved visibility for handling multiple camera feeds or detailed data analysis.

Spectra Shield is built for speed, reliability, and real-time protection — but it can only perform at its best when paired with the right hardware setup.

At FuelDriveOff.co.uk, we make it simple to deploy this powerful technology with hardware-ready guidance, expert support, and lightning-fast response times. Use this guide as your go-to checklist to make sure your setup is future-ready and optimized for instant detection, deterrence, and protection.

For more information email us: contactus@fueldriveoff.co.uk