[TwoVillagers2]

Has anyone been able to program the villages gates to their car's Homelink? Looking for help.

[outahere]

I really doubt that using Homelink for the gates is possible. Homelink transmits a "radio" signal while I'm pretty sure the gate card readers are reading an RFID chip in the gate cards.

[getdul981]

Originally Posted by outahere

I really doubt that using Homelink for the gates is possible. Homelink transmits a "radio" signal while I'm pretty sure the gate card readers are reading an RFID chip in the gate cards.

I agree, but it would be great if you could do it. The firetrucks and rescue vehicles even have to stop and activate thee gates with a card or push the button. I don't understand why they can't have something like the opticons to activate the gates when they are approaching.

[Goldwingnut]

Not going to happen, two different technologies. Home link, made by Johnson Controls until recently, is a simple RF transmitter with the ability to "learn" the identity of another transmitter. Once it learns the transmitter it mimics it until changed.
The gates use a computer based access control system to control the gate. The reader, the 11"x11" square on the pedestal made by HID, transmits a 900 MHz signal. The transmitted signal induces a voltage in the access card which powers up the chip in the card. The chip then transmits a 26 to 38 bit badge number to the reader. The reader receivers the badge number and passes it to a controller which makes an access decision. The entire process takes about .2 seconds.
There is an active card available that has an internal battery made by HID that can be put on the inside of the windshield and will transmit 6-8 feet instead of the 12" of the current prox card. Unfortunately the card manufactures do not sell to end users, only to integraters, and then in minimum lots of 10 for the active cards at about $22 each (dealer cost). Not cost effective unless The Villages decided to sell them.
I'm still actively employed in the security business and have decoded my two cards. I can create clones of the passive cards but ordering the active cards is limited because each customer has a unique facility code that is only sold to a registered supplier for the end user (the villages).
As you can see, pretty much a dead end.

[buzzy]

Originally Posted by Goldwingnut

Not going to happen, two different technologies. Home link, made by Johnson Controls until recently, is a simple RF transmitter with the ability to "learn" the identity of another transmitter. Once it learns the transmitter it mimics it until changed.
The gates use a computer based access control system to control the gate. The reader, the 11"x11" square on the pedestal made by HID, transmits a 900 MHz signal. The transmitted signal induces a voltage in the access card which powers up the chip in the card. The chip then transmits a 26 to 38 bit badge number to the reader. The reader receivers the badge number and passes it to a controller which makes an access decision. The entire process takes about .2 seconds.
There is an active card available that has an internal battery made by HID that can be put on the inside of the windshield and will transmit 6-8 feet instead of the 12" of the current prox card. Unfortunately the card manufactures do not sell to end users, only to integraters, and then in minimum lots of 10 for the active cards at about $22 each (dealer cost). Not cost effective unless The Villages decided to sell them.
I'm still actively employed in the security business and have decoded my two cards. I can create clones of the passive cards but ordering the active cards is limited because each customer has a unique facility code that is only sold to a registered supplier for the end user (the villages).
As you can see, pretty much a dead end.

Thanks for the explanation. Sounds like that is also the technology used in the SunPass transponders. Florida is/has phased out the battery powered ones. I have wondered how they could send a signal without power.

[Goldwingnut]

Actually, the Sunpass technology is a smart chip technology that is not only faster but also significantly more complex. The readers are the large gray 2'x3' panels you see above the lanes and shoulders in the gantry and toll lane overheads. They are able to read, write, and verify the data on the transponder chip in a few milliseconds.
The FTE is just completing a multi-yeare statewide upgrade to the tolling systems to replace outdated technology, reduce toll losses, and to comply with the mandate to have a tolling credential that will operate with the other systems throughout the country. The old Sunpass transponders that used the battery were not compatiable with the interoperability standard.

When you go through any of the Sunpass lanes your picture is taken to capture the license plate and the entire passage is recorded by another camera, they also record on the video the date, time, transponder number, number of axles, and your speed as you pass through the lane. The new system is very efficient, fast, and accurate.

All of this is first hand knowledge as I was directly involved in the toll system replacement project for the last 7 years. The FTE has made a significant investment in this technology and are very good at what they do.

One other note on Sunpass, if you look along the side of the roadway you will see the readers every so often that are pointed at the roadway. While not a part of the toll collection system, these readers are reading your Sunpass when you go by. The purpose is "traffic management", it is not difficult to put into place the software to manage additional revenue collection with these - reader A to B are X miles apart and will take Y minutes to cover the distance, if it took you less you must have been speeding, therefore you could get a ticket in the mail just like the red light cameras.

[dirtbanker]

Originally Posted by Goldwingnut

manage additional revenue collection with these - reader A to B are X miles apart and will take Y minutes to cover the distance, if it took you less you must have been speeding, therefore you could get a ticket in the mail just like the red light cameras.

Interesting stuff there!

But with the lack of cameras at these "traffic" sensors, one might predict a slew of those being damaged after a ticket was generated. Maybe even easier; the Sunpass card (with the chip) could be installed in a way that it could be removed from the windshield or dash between toll plazas.

[Bizdoc]

Wrap it in foil after each toll plaza and unwrap it before next toll plaza. Of course, it might be a bit dangerous to be doing all of that at 70 mph in traffic.

[dirtbanker]

70 MPH on the Turnpike would be slow for me!

[Gat0r]

Gates are for golf cart safety.Even for firetrucks.