ATSC 3.0 Broadcast Gate Control for Emergency Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current remote control systems for access gates require human intervention, which can be unreliable due to unavailability or loss of keys, and lack efficient emergency response mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The use of ATSC 3.0 broadcast technology for sending encrypted and signed messages to control physical barriers, such as gates, via IP-based remote telemetry, allowing for secure and automated opening in emergencies, and enabling low-power operation through wake-up mechanisms for battery-assisted systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional remote control methods (phone, text, email) are used to control access gates, then human availability is required to open gates, but this makes the system unreliable when persons are away or unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The gate control system automatically receives and processes ATSC 3.0 broadcast messages without requiring human intervention. The receiver autonomously decodes encrypted messages, verifies digital signatures, and actuates barriers based on received commands, enabling the system to serve itself and eliminating dependency on human availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical key-based access control with an electronic broadcast-based system. Instead of physical keys that can be lost, the system uses ATSC 3.0 digital broadcasts with encrypted and signed messages to control gate actuators, substituting mechanical access methods with electronic communication and control.
2Reliability
If ATSC 3.0 broadcast technology is used for secure message transmission, then encryption and digital signing are implemented, but this increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The ATSC 3.0 receiver is designed to handle multiple functions within a single integrated system: receiving terrestrial and network broadcasts, decrypting encrypted messages, verifying digital signatures, and controlling multiple types of barriers. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into one unified device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing layer that handles the complex cryptographic operations. The receiver acts as an intermediary between the broadcast transmission and the physical barrier control, absorbing the computational complexity of encryption and signature verification in a dedicated component rather than distributing it across the entire system.
3Reliability
If battery-powered systems are used for remote barrier control, then power consumption becomes a concern, but continuous operation is required for reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The battery-powered receiver operates in periodic cycles, entering sleep mode to conserve energy and waking up at intervals to check for ATSC 3.0 broadcast messages. This periodic operation allows the system to maintain reliability by regularly checking for commands while significantly reducing average power consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Despite periodic sleep modes, the system maintains continuous useful action through the persistent capability to receive and respond to emergency messages. The wake-up mechanism ensures that critical commands can be received at any time, maintaining system availability and reliability while allowing energy-saving operation during normal conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
ATSC 3.0 IP-based data is broadcast in signed and encrypted messages to one or more ATSC 3.0 receivers that control a barrier such as a gate, usually closed to traffic, in the event of an emergency, such as a fire, to open the barrier to allow additional escape routes or to provide access for emergency vehicles. The ATSC 3.0 system supports a wake-up mechanism which allows a receiver to go to a power saving mode. Periodically the receiver wakes up to check for the wake-up bit. Receipt of an “open” message actuates a battery powered or solar assisted system to open the gate while saving on power consumption. Present techniques can also be used to send messages such as Amber alerts to roads, freeways, and other public signage and to control remote water pumping and sewer pumping stations which currently depend on point-to-point UHF radio links.