Emergency Alert System

Emergency Alert Emergency Alert SystemSystem

Dave SwiftZach Smith

Why EAS?Why EAS?

Virginia Polytechnic InstituteClient: Union College Campus Safety

◦Siren◦Text Messaging◦Email◦Web◦TV (TVuC)◦Radio (WRUC)

Overall SpecificationsOverall Specifications

Single point to initiate override of both TV and radio◦ Emergency control station (server)

Must always have TV-out enabled Cannot have pop-ups on screen Cannot automatically restart

Points of failure◦ Power & internet required◦ Manual override should internet not be available

Secure◦ Unique user name / password◦ Hardcoded IP address and port

Reliable◦ Must not change the audio or video level◦ Response time of < 2 seconds from activation◦ FCC regulations

DesignDesign

Hardware◦Switch

8051 IC (CBT3244A)

◦Server Linux

Software◦Java◦C++◦MPG messages

Launch SequenceLaunch Sequence

Campus emergency present User launches proprietary software Login (user name / password) User presented with list of pre-recorded scenarios User selects scenario from list Hardware activates

◦ Software sends “activate” command to hardware switch◦ Scenario MPG launched full screen◦ Audio and Video streamed to TV◦ Audio streamed to radio

Upon end of emergency, user repeats sequence, and chooses “ALL CLEAR” option◦ Hardware is reset◦ Normal broadcasting resumes

Current TVuC LayoutCurrent TVuC Layout

Time WarnerHeadend

(channel 21)Ch.2

Modulator WRUC

A/V Switch- Includes 250gb HD, JPEG

Slideshow Capabilities

MiniDV (video 1)

Computer(video 5)

VCR(video 2)

DVD 1 (video 3)

DVD 2 (video 4)

Monitor

coax composite audio

a/v

a/v

a/va/va/va/va/v vga

IP Connectiontvuc.union.edu

NetworkPatchPanel

* note: a/v = mono audio and composite video connection

With EAS AdditionsWith EAS Additions

Time WarnerHeadend

(channel 21)Ch.2

Modulator WRUC

A/V Switch- Includes 250gb HD, JPEG

Slideshow Capabilities

MiniDV (video 1)

Computer(video 5)

VCR(video 2)

DVD 1 (video 3)

DVD 2 (video 4)

Monitor

coax composite audio

a/v

a/v

a/va/va/va/va/v vga

IP Connectiontvuc.union.edu

NetworkPatchPanel

* note: a/v = mono audio and composite video connection

EMERGENCY SYSTEM

a/v

EAS Hardware SwitchEAS Hardware Switch

Emergency ComputerTCP Connection

(To SW Interface)

Emergency Override

(serial)

EmergencyA/V Switch

Input A-1

Input A-2

8051Microcontroller

VOLTAGE OUT

(Enables Input B)

EAS Switch LogicEAS Switch Logic

TV:◦ Input A-1: Normal Video◦ Input A-4: Normal Audio◦ Input B-4: Emergency Video◦ Input B-1: Emergency Audio

Radio:◦ Input A-1: Normal Audio (left)◦ Input A-4: Normal Audio (right)◦ Input B-4: Emergency Audio (left)◦ Input B-1: Emergency Audio (right)

Common:◦ Vcc: 5V DC◦ GND: Ground◦ Enable A, B: Active Low

http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/13/how-to-make-a-solid-state-a-v-switcher

ConclusionsConclusions

Single point to initiate override of both TV and radio◦ Emergency control station (server)

Single point to initiate override TV-out always enabled No pop-ups / automatic restart

Manual override implemented◦ Client software installed on server◦ Additional methods of launching

Secure◦ Unique user name / password required◦ IP address and port to be provided by ITS

Reliable◦ Output levels = input levels◦ Response time of hardware ~0.1 seconds◦ FCC regulations met

Frequency Response of Switch

0.000

0.200

0.400

0.600

0.800

1.000

1.200

0 5 10 15 20 25

Frequence (MHz)

Out

put /

Inpu

t

Output/Input

Audio: 44.1 KHz Video: 4.2MHzAttenuationAttenuation

What We Have LearnedWhat We Have Learned

Building specifications around a specific client

Building hardware controllers with near 100% uptime & limited points of failure

Preventing computer from crashingLearn how each other’s setup functionsTCP/IP connections in both Java and C/C+

+Scripting

To Be Implemented…To Be Implemented…

Actual hardware implementationInstall client softwareFinal design paperFinal modifications and updates to WebUser manual

Future DesignFuture Design

Designing printed circuit boardSoftware GUIBroadcast messages “on the fly”

Questions?Questions?