Design and development of remote sensor (hardware)

• Main Author: Soh, Chi Keong.
• Other Authors: Khong Poh Wah
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/55256
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This project aims to create a modular plug and play remote sensing device that uses existing developed hardware and software. The platform selected for this project is the Arduino platform using the Arduino Uno R3 board. Remote transmission capabilities selected are Bluetooth and a set of 433 MHz radio frequency module. Bluetooth main purpose is for communication with Android phone and 433 MHz radio frequency is for notebook communication. Sensor used is an analog LM35 temperature sensor by Texas Instruments. Power supply used is standard disposable alkaline 9V batteries. The software used is Arduino 1.0.5 for programming and displaying data from the Arduino Uno R3 board, Tera Term 4.79 for data monitoring on Windows notebook, S2 Terminal for Bluetooth Free for communication between project setup and Android phone and lastly author coded program using Microsoft Visual C# Express 2010 for data monitoring on Windows notebook. A simple experiment was conducted to determine the effective penetrability and range of both Bluetooth and 433 MHz radio frequency. The results show superior penetrability by the 433 MHz radio frequency module as compare to Bluetooth, but in the range department it is slightly better compare with Bluetooth; all experiments are tested up to a maximum distance of 100m. Recommendations were suggested for software and hardware aspects of this project to cater for future improvements. Software mainly focuses on user coded program for better data management. Hardware suggestions made are to use latest Bluetooth V4.0, additional hardware for using a sim card to connect to a 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) mobile network and also local SD card storage capability, use of lithium ion 9V rechargeable batteries for environmental friendliness, and lastly the use of international protection rated case for underwater usage.