Case Studies

CITY OF SAN DIEGO - SUPER BOWL XXXVII

The Challenge:

San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium needed to provide a fiber-optic link for more than 50 security cameras monitored by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies entrusted with securing Super Bowl XXXVII. Because of the high number of media outlets and satellite feeds for television coverage, the airwaves in and around Qualcomm Stadium were saturated, eliminating the option of radio frequency (RF) technology to send the security camera feeds 300 meters to a law enforcement command center and also 3,900 meters (more than two miles) to a second monitoring center at San Diego State University. The Super Bowl took place under the highest of security, due to ongoing concerns over the possibility of terrorist activity. The security cameras — and other surveillance and environmental monitoring — were part of an effort known as the "Shadow Bowl".

LightPointe Solution:

LightPointe FlightSpectrum™ 155/4000 and other optical wireless systems were deployed to deliver full-duplex optical connections of 155 megabits. A total of three LightPointe systems were mounted atop the light ring of Qualcomm Stadium, connecting the facility's 50 security cameras to the law enforcement command center and to the off-site monitoring center more than two miles away. The security video camera feeds were sent securely — and with no interference — across Interstate 8, one of the busiest freeways in San Diego.

LightPointe's optical wireless products — based on the latest in free-space optics (FSO) technology — are now at work in more than 60 countries, in 2,000-plus installations.

Sound Byte:

"We could not have done it without LightPointe. The optical wireless systems performed flawlessly. We are thankful for LightPointe's willingness to work with us on this very important effort. The multi-agency law enforcement approach and real-time video capabilities ensured rapid communications and the ability to respond instantly in the event of a problem."
— David Warner, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor, San Diego State University, 2003 Shadow Bowl Organizer