ABSTRACT
This project research titled “Development Of A GSM/UMTS/LTE Based System For Remote Parameter Detection And Data Logging” aimed at using low cost hardware module base on Arduino board, and a solar power which will be the source of energy to power up the system to measures the meteorological data for air temperature, atmospheric pressure, relative humidity, altitude, rain intensity, dew point temperature and geographical location. It sends this information to graphical user interface (GUI) application running on a PC through ZigBee wireless link. The user friendly GUI which is a standalone application for windows, is developed in LabVIEW. The application displays the current conditions graphically, logs the data in a format accessible by MS Excel and also has a facility to host the same information through a webpage on the internet. This system is also mathematically modelled which is capable of generating short time local alerts based on these weather parameters. The real idea behind this program is to monitor, condition mapping, weather forecasting and to alert the society on the effect that is hazardous due to climate change which has been one of the most important factors affecting the quality of life and the activities of the increasing population. It is also highly useful in increasing the resolution of high accuracy low cost weather stations in our environment for a better forecasting model, landing and aircraft, navigational and the shopping borne effect etc. it is propose further that through adequate funding, we are going to link with satellite system as a global feature of this system.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Mobile communication and wireless technologies have seen a major significant growth over the recent years because of the numerous advantages they contribute not only to the economic sector but to other sectors as well. This significant evolution of mobile communications technologies can be categorized into generations (G) which include 1G, 2G, 3G and 4G networks. The Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) which is a standard for 2G (second generation) cellular networks paved way as an avenue for the development of 3G (third generation) and 4G (fourth Generation) cellular network standards such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and long term evolution (LTE)respectively. These systems of communication allows its users to communicate wirelessly without limitations created by network or national borders. Long Term Evolution (LTE) is the most recent generation of mobile communications promising increased transfer rates and enhanced security features. The general method of data acquisition is manual, a process that could be both time and labor wasting. Manual method of data acquisition is generally costly and error-prone as man is susceptible to fatigue, carelessness, negligence and mistake. Therefore the development of a GSM/UMTS/LTE based system for remote parameter detection and logging will be used as a device for sensing remote parameters e.g. temperature, humidity, insulation etc. and digitalizing these sensed parameters using an Analogue to Digital converter (ADC) after which it would be sent through SMS (Short Message Service) which is a globally accepted wireless service that enables the transmission of alphanumeric messages up to the limit of 160 characters between mobile subscribers via SMS Center (SMSC) and then the received data would be logged on a spreadsheet.
The technological advancement in communications has recently developed the Arduino Uno microcontroller that can be used to aid the measurement and display of different physical parameters like temperature, relative humidity and light intensity. This microcontroller would be used together with the sensor to measure physical parameters and communicate wirelessly with either a GSM, UMTS or LTE based system. This proposed design would only measure temperature and would cover only a small geographical area.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
In Nigeria and the world at large, there is a major problem of lack of data in basic physical parameters such as temperature, humidity, insolation etc. even where such data are available the sources and location in which they are obtained may not be diverse enough for the data to reflect. Remote parameter detection entails placing sensors in remote and sometimes inaccessible areas for measurements to be taken and data gathered and this can be achieved using the GSM/UMTS/LTE based system for remote parameter detection and data logging. Also in Nigeria such networks are either nonexistent or very limited in their operation. Therefore, there is a need to reduce the problem of lack of data in basic physical parameters while increasing the sources from where these physical parameters can be gotten.
AIM OF THE STUDY
This project seeks to analyze the possibility of using a sensor together with either a GSM/UMTS/LTE based system to sense, compute and send remote parameters from their location to another location where the data would be needed.
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT
This study has the following objectives:
To solve the problem of lack of data in basic physical parameters
To provide a convenient and reliable means of temperature measurement.
To analyze a newer and easier means of communicating basic remote parameters from their locations to where the data would be needed.
To set up either a GSM, UMTS or LTE based system for detecting, calculating, recording and sending out of sensed remote parameters to a computer or phone.
To increase the number of networks in Nigeria that can be able to sense remote parameters and send out the data to another location.
To maintain quality working condition and recreational safety.
EXPECTED BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT
The expected benefit of this project includes:
Detection of remote parameters around the environment.
This project would be used as a means of educating individuals on the recent happenings within their environment.
Control of environmental pollution.
Detection of favorable weather condition for farming and as such help farmers to know the best time for planting and harvesting.
To control global warming.
To be able to meet National university commission (NUC) requirement in awarding Bachelor of Engineering, BENG in Electrical and Electronic Engineering.
SCOPE OF WORK (LIMITATIONS/ DELIMITATIONS)
The scope of this project is to develop a GSM/UMTS/LTE based system that would be able to sense remote parameters more especially temperature and log this sensed temperature value on a spread sheet. These values would be used for analyses for weather forecast in the nearest future and also will be used to determine a suitable and favorable time for planting and it will also serve as a means of controlling global warming. The limitations of this work includes;
The use of photo voltaic cells to harness energy from the sun.
The use of temperature sensor to sense the surrounding temperature parameters.
The receiver would reside in a GSM network coverage area where the sensed parameter can be sent and received.
The sensors would not be placed in swampy areas.
The sensors would be more active in small geographical area.
This project would not capture images.
Delimitation
The use of sensors in this design is not limited to temperature sensors.