The 3rd International Conference on Digital Arts, Media and Technology (ICDAMT2018)
Automatic Gate using Bluetooth technology
(Open the gate with the strength of the Bluetooth signal on the smartphone)
Kittipat Khreasarn
Digital Technology Innovation,
Faculty of Science, Maejo University,
Chiang Mai, Thailand
kittipat10k@gmail.com
Abstract—This paper introduces the use of Bluetooth as an
automatic door opener. From the existing door system, the RFID
card or fingerprint are used to identify the person to open the
door automatically. In the proposed system, we change the
identification from RFID card or fingerprint to Bluetooth signal
sent from the user’s smartphones. It is because our observe, the
users often forgot their RFID cards and there are many errors
when the users use their fingerprint with the finger-scanner.
From the evaluation results show that proposed system,
Bluetooth can reduce the waiting time and error to open the door
compared with RFID card. Moreover, because the proposed
system uses the value of the RSSI from Bluetooth on the
smartphone to be converted to the distance between users and the
door, we also find the optimal distance that the door should open
when the user comes to the door.
Keywords - Bluetooth, Raspberry Pi3, RSSI
I. INTRODUCTION
Current technology has developed faster both. Hardware
and software The modern technology was developed by IoT
(Internet of Thing) to play a role in the development of various
systems. From the original automatic door systems are widely
used today, the technology is the key card or fingerprint
identification of the user to order the system to open the door.
The user also needs to carry a key card. This makes it
inconvenient to use. The key card may be lost or forgotten. In
addition, it is a fingerprint system, it also causes
inconvenience to the user. Because of the long fingerprint
scanning times and frequent errors, users have to scan more
often than they do through the door. These errors are caused
by many factors. For example, the efficiency of dirty finger
scan algorithms, or even some users with unclear fingerprints.
It is the origin of Bluetooth technology, which is a device that
publishes small data in a specific format using data display
mode, which is commonly used to detect and monitor devices
in the building. They can provide their device information and
location. For this purpose, it is recommended to use
technology that meets the following requirements. Low cost,
low power consumption. High-precision, reliable and real-
time operation [1, 2] Bluetooth is the primary device of
wireless communication.
978-1-5386-0572-1/18/$31.00 ©2018 IEEE
Kittikorn Hantrakul
Digital Technology Innovation,
Faculty of Science, Maejo University,
Chiang Mai, Thailand
kittikor@mju.ac.th
The main idea of Bluetooth is to develop a broad way of
connecting mobile devices quickly and easily without the need
for cable. [3, 4] Bluetooth is one of the keywords associated
with the Internet era. Thing (IoT), because it can more
accurately locate indoor building data than GPS technology,
where mobile location services continue to grow. Bluetooth is
thus widely used in mobile devices [5], which characterize the
Bluetooth signal. It is a signal strength indicator. Is the
measurement of the energy contained in the received radio
signal. In this research, we will find distance ranges based on
the correlation between (RSSI) and distance between two
Bluetooth devices. Stay in the right distance and time to use
Bluetooth to control the automatic door system.
II. LITERATURE REVIEW
A. BLUETOOTH SIGNAL
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology developed
for use with low bandwidth signals. This is communication
between two devices. Switching devices such as mobile
phones, headsets, and portable computers Bluetooth is an
alternative technology for indoor positioning devices. Lower
than wifi, power consumption, Bluetooth, lower power
consumption, and automatic power control. Since power is
important in mobile phones. By comparison, Bluetooth is a
more attractive display device for indoor areas [5] and most
modern building systems such as location identification in
buildings. Widely used. Including low energy Bluetooth BLE
Beacon with. This research will use the Bluetooth of the
mobile smartphone to test to meet the reality. At the same
time, Bluetooth signals are transmitted along with other
technologies such as WiFi, the microwave may take a long
time to transmit.[10] Avoid by specifying the phase of the
system instead of the signal strength or signal sensitivity. To
avoid Bluetooth signal errors.
B. MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport)
Today, more and more technology-savvy systems have
been developed and stepped into the Internet of Things (IoT)
and wireless sensor network technologies. Message Queuing
Telemetry Transport (MQTT) is a protocol developed by the
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 The 3rd International Conference on Digital Arts, Media and Technology (ICDAMT2018)

developer for loT. It is a communication feature between two

devices. It is an ideal protocol for wireless communication. [7,
8] However, the MQTT does not fully function on mobile
when the duration of the connection is disconnected or by a
new connection. This may be a defect or a restriction on the
adoption of the MQTT protocol, which may be a frequent and
long-term problem. [5]

III. SYSTEM DESIGN AND METHOD

A. An overview of the system design.

Based on this research, we have experimented with the

original system. It will also provide a key card to confirm the
identity in the decision to unlock the gate and the test will
open a system using Bluetooth to confirm the identity to
unlock the gateway. The system will store the door opening
time stored in the database that we created, along with the
RFID data collection, so that we can send time data to send the
work of both systems to analyze the comparison of the work.
By the style of the current gate system.
Figure 2. System operation using Bluetooth
Figure 2 is a system operation, which displays the
operation from the release of the Bluetooth signal to the
receiver. Raspberry pi 3 and its operation are software as a
processor. The value obtained by the algorithm calculates the
conversion. The strength of the RSSI signal to the specified
distance so that the system will decide to automatically lock
the magnet attached to the door automatically. Specify the
Bluetooth user as the Bluetooth address (BD_ADDR), which
is displayed when Bluetooth is enabled. To make the system
more efficient and more intelligent. The data is analyzed to
analyze both RFID-enabled and Bluetooth-enabled systems.
To simulate the automatic door system. So we have model in
Figure 3. It works like a real system using the same software
system.

Figure 1. Shows the current system operation using RFID.

Figure 1 is a current system that uses RFID to confirm the

identity to open the door. Then we developed using Bluetooth
to take part in identity verification for the convenience of the
user. Because of the survey. Most people will forget the key
card or take the time to open the door automatically each time Figure 3. The model used to test the system.
too. It becomes a burden on the user. And from the survey
found that the current user has a mobile smartphone is always B. Evaluation
available. It is that why to choose the solution by using the
already existing mobile phone smartphone is to benefit. It does By this experiment. It measures RSSI strength by a
not burden the user. Developed using Bluetooth technology to distance of 1-10 meters away from the Bluetooth receiver at a
control the opening of doors. The simulation is as follows. specified distance. No obstacles at the time of trial. The RSSI
value is stored in each distance.

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 The 3rd International Conference on Digital Arts, Media and Technology (ICDAMT2018)

By collecting data by defining the distance from the value

of the average RSSI signal, and then bringing the value to the
system software. The frequency of the RSSI to find the center
and determine the distance of the door to see feedback from
the user itself. This graph shows that the value of the RSSI of
Bluetooth. Variable wave received It is the origin of the
distance, rather than the strength of the signal. To reduce
system errors.

Figure 4. Shows the acceptance test. Of the Bluetooth signal.

Figure 4 is a measure of the strength of the RSSI value

that can be sent - send data, then the RSSI value obtained by
the phase analysis of the distance. The distance of each
distance is uncertain. It has been collected in that period. Take
a number of each distance and find the average value of the
RSSI value over that period to determine the definite value of
the RSSI value. Let's take a number to calculate the distance
between the receiver and the Bluetooth transmitter. To take
the distance, determine the distance of the two Bluetooth. The
Bluetooth receiver Raspberry pi 3 operates an automatic door Figure 6. Shows the variation in RSSI signal strength in
control system with Bluetooth on the mobile phone narrow and noise areas.
smartphone.
Based on narrow and noise tests. Figure 6 shows the
variation of the RSSI value in the range of 4 meters to 8
meters, which would impede the calculation to find the exact
distance. It is the origin of the distance, rather than the
strength of the signal. To reduce system errors. By testing the
new RSSI signal strength in a noisy area and obstructing it,
you can find the mean value of the RSSI that can be used to
determine the optimal distance.

Figure 5. Average RSSI in each distance.

Figure 5 is shows the value of RSSI of each phase. The

experiment was measured using Raspberry pi3 as a Bluetooth
receiver. Repeated experiments were repeated several times,
and data were collected at the average. It appears that there is
uncertainty in the data. Because of the variation in the
environment. [6] including the frequency of the channel, it has
interfered with the transmission of data. However, the distance Figure 7. Shows the variation of RSSI signal strength.
estimation using the RSSI signal is difficult due to the
uncertainty of the signal. Based on the preliminary tests to find C. Results
the relationship between reality and the distance RSSI of
Bluetooth in the open air environment without obstacles. As a From Figure 7 the distance of 1 meter to 5 meters, the
result of this test, we realize that the difficult distance from the RSSI signal strength is good for strength, but after 5 meters, it
signal strength measurement will guide the distance. Because is noted that the strength of RSSI is very variable. It cannot
of the inaccuracy of the Bluetooth RSSI value [9] it is determine the strength of course. Therefore, it is the origin of
necessary to determine the distance to keep the best distance the term, rather than the strength of the signal to calculate. In
from the system.

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 The 3rd International Conference on Digital Arts, Media and Technology (ICDAMT2018)
the decision of opening the door automatically. For the
certainty of work. So we set the trial period from the reception
point at Raspberry pi3 to the transmitter, Bluetooth from the
smartphone. The distance from these two is 1 meter to 5
meters, respectively.
Figure 8. Show system test from all spacing.
The results of the actual user test. The best time to make a
user do not feel that the door automatically opens too soon or
too late. Based on the satisfaction rating. The user has the best
response in 2 meters.
D. Test data collected from the trial.
This step involves experimenting with both systems
simultaneously and collecting data for analysis and
comparison between RFID-based systems and Bluetooth-
enabled systems. Which will use less time to open the door
and more accurately. If the Bluetooth system is more accurate.
The optimal distance to send a command to open the door.
What distance would it take for a user to feel the walk or the
distance fit into the door without feeling the door locked?
The first step is to open both systems to work together.
The system counts from time to time until the door is opened.
The system will keep the door open every time. From the use
of the time to work on each of the data to be analyzed. Which
model can respond to users more?
Figure 9. Collaboration on two systems.
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IV. CONCLUSIONS
The experiment made it known. The signal strength of the
RSSI of Bluetooth signal uncertainty, which if tested in a
place where there are many obstacles. Or where there is a lot
of noise, the strength of the RSSI signal is very variable. It can
not determine the exact distance. And when there are many
interference factors of Bluetooth devices. The strength of the
signal is the variation of the value can not calculate the exact
distance. This research is an internal system. The result of this
research is to make the system to find the optimal distance to
use the value of the RSSI signal strength with variation. In
order to find the appropriate term, it will be used to develop
the system within the building. Automated door opening with
Bluetooth, etc., is the source of this research. So the results.
Based on user satisfaction. The Bluetooth test system has a
good response. The test will determine the operating distance
of the automatic door system. A total of 100 users will be
evaluated in each distance to test the system. The trial has
been conducted. The results are as follows.
Figure 10. Satisfaction of the users.
The graph in Figure 10 is shows the satisfaction of each
distance used by the user. The data is 1 set of 4 levels are bad,
fair, good and excellent, respectively, it can be seen that the
distance of 2 meters received feedback from people. Used by
assessing user satisfaction, good feedback. Be satisfied with
the Bluetooth system to open the door automatically. This is a
summary of the experiment in this article. With this system
developed, it can reduce the burden on the user to worry about
the key card lost or forget the key card. And reduce the
opening time.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This research is partially supported by a grant from the
Graduate School and the Faculty of Science, Maejo University.
The authors would like to thank the colleagues at INTNIN
Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Maejo University for their
support.
 The 3rd International Conference on Digital Arts, Media and Technology (ICDAMT2018)

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