ECE 445

Centralized Alarm/Temperature Control System

TA: Jim Kolodziej

Introduction
Our idea for the new building is to not only have a centralized alarm system, but also to have a temperature monitoring system that is organized per class room. This will minimize the distractions from the current alarms which are scheduled to go off at :50 and :00 for classes that do not begin and end at those times. Additionally, we want to be able to monitor the classroom temperatures to maintain a level of comfort during business hours and power efficiency during afterhours. We will be monitoring and programming each classroom with a RS232 network of microcontroller boards implanted into each classroom that will be connected in a network to a central computer that can regulate the room temperature and class scheduling.

Objectives
The primary goal of this project is to design a centralized alarm and temperature control system that is efficient and accurate. We will do so by using RS232 controllers because the distance between the base and the microprocessor are relatively small such that we will not have to worry about interference from outside noise or from noise presented by the building population. Each room will be equipped with a unit that is microprocessor controlled; each unit also houses a speaker to signal the beginning and end of class periods, a clock, thermometer, LCD. These units will be connected to the central network in case of necessary immediate changes in schedules or classroom environment. These units will also be equipped for manual temperature adjustment: each unit will have a reset switch as well as set and adjustment switches.

Benefits
Centralized scheduling of the building will allow for a distraction-reduced learning environment. This will also allow for time efficiency since each class will be more precisely tuned and students and faculty will have easier synchronization with the operations of the building. Additionally, classroom scheduling will be easier to maintain thanks to one central scheduler. Centralized temperature maintenance will allow for controlling the building climate such that the building is both comfortable during business hours. In addition, we can expect to run climate control equipment at smaller capacities such that there is a lesser degree of power usage largely due to automation by means of these units. We will be maintaining a network based on RS232 protocol. We chose to use the RS232 protocol because of its ease of access and reliability relative to using wireless sensors; had we chosen wireless sensors, we would need to be able to distinguish to a greater extent the difference between the sensor signals, Wi-Fi signals, mobile phone signals, and noise. We also eliminate attenuation that occurs when communicating from one floor to another or even through classroom walls.

Features
These devices will be equipped for nearly lossless and noiseless information transfer with the implementation of the RS232 setup. By implementing this device, we also make the building to be selfsustaining in respect to time management and climate control. Additionally, we find the added features of being able to manually manipulate the room temperature with any one of these units.

Design
Block Diagram

Schematic
See attached.

Block Descriptions
PIC For our implementation of this, we plan on using PIC16F946/TQFP. This pin comes in a 64-pin package that we feel will be suitable for further additional utilities that can be attached to this unit. This microcontroller also has 14kB of Flash memory and 336 bytes of RAM. The PIC will be storing class schedules, and be the interface for temperature manipulation, activating the speaker and display units, and controlling the primary message handling with the computer. Power Supply To power this unit, we will use a 12 V power supply that will draw power from the 120 V power lines. While only the speaker will actually be using 12 V, the remaining components of the unit will be using 5 V; this can be accomplished by using a 5 V regulator that converts the 12 V being put through into 5 V supply to be used for the other components. Additionally, we include a bypass condenser that eliminates incoming noise in the power supply such that there are no noise surges that corrupt the internal machinery. 2

Manual Input Keeping in mind that communication errors as well as varying personal preferences in regards to temperature control, we will implement manual reset and set operation switches as well as switches that will increase and decrease temperatures as required. Computer Interface As discussed earlier, all units will be connected to a central computer via a network of RS232 cables. These cables convey signals in +/- 3 V; however, we will be using a MAX232 IC which converts RS232 logic into digital logic that ranges from 0 to 5 V. This is true for incoming signals, and the inverse is equally true for outgoing signals. Displays This unit will be act as clock, thermostat, and alarm for each classroom. Therefore, each unit will be mounted with a display to show the time, another display for the temperature, and a speaker to chime at the appropriate times. Sensor Our temperature sensor will be a thermistor which will vary resistance such that the varying voltage can be interpreted by the PIC to send a quantized temperature reading to be displayed and back to the central computer for monitoring purposes. We will be programming the PIC to calculate the temperature in by the Steinhart-Hart equation, , where a, b, c, and d are manufacture calculated constants, RT is the thermistor resistance, and T is the temperature in Kelvin. We can also use a -curve which gives a curve of the formula ; A can be found at a reference temperature and is obtained by two resistances at two known temperatures according to the formula

Performance Requirements
We will require that these machines be self-automated when disconnected from the network for any reason. These units are also to be tested for accuracy in time and when the alarms will signal the beginning and end of class periods. We also expect that these units will be accurate in keeping time as well as recording temperature accurately. In addition, we will also be monitoring how much power each unit draws as well as the power drawn through the cables since the project is trying to optimize power use. We will also require that the synchronization program be self-calibrating in the absence of the system administrator, in which case the following algorithm will be implemented.

Start with first classroom

Synchronize clock and input temperature settings and class schedules

Yes

Next Room

Last room?

Yes Check temperature for first classroom

No

Next Room

Adjust temperature

No

Desired temperature?

Yes

Last room?

Time to ReScynchronize?

Verification
Testing Procedures
We will test the unit by varying the temperature to known quantities and see how well the temperature sensor will be able to quantize this temperature. We can do this with calibrated, standard thermistors or even known temperature sources, such as ice baths. Another area of interest is the proper implementation of a schedule by means of the PIC. We will test the maximum number of classes which can be programmed into each PIC and how well they can maintain each schedule (i.e. beginning and end of each class). Ideally, we should be able to program each PIC for a week, but in lieu of memory space, we should at the least program each unit for one day.

Another area of concern is the speaker. We plan on using a low power speaker of relatively small size that will not draw too much current or have elements (i.e. the speaker magnet) that will interfere with operations. We can test the sound intensity with microphones at various distances from the speaker. Additionally, we can measure the magnetic field intensity and its impact on the circuitry with the use of Hall Effect meters.

Tolerance Analysis
In testing this overall unit, we need to be sure of its accuracy. Problems lie not only in possible changes in the felt temperature (heat index) but also on the variance of the sensors due to heating caused by the machines powering. In addition to finding the accuracy of the thermistor, we will also try to find whether it is better to use the Steinhart-Hart equation or the -curve to calculate the temperature based on which is more accurate.

Cost and Schedule

Parts

Component PIC Voltage regulator Quad 7-segment LED displayer RS232C IC 2 circuits connector 3 circuits connector 5 circuits connector 2 INCH 8-OHM SPEAKER Capacitor 470uF/10v

Part Number PIC16F946/TQFP L7805T LDQ-N3046RI-RA MAX232N 0353120250(molex) 0353120360(molex) 0353120560(molex) 665-AS05008PR2R MAL213214471E3

Quantity 1 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 1

Cost/unit $3.18 $3.82 $9.39 $1.16 $0.32 $0.43 $0.56 $3.67 $1.33

Capacitor10uF/16v Capacitor 220uF/50v Thermistor Rectifier Push button switch 330 Ohm Resistor 10K Ohm Resistor 100K Ohm Resistor
Parts total cost = $94.70

NTC-L106K16TRB P5183-ND MCP9700T-E/TT``` IRFR024NTRPBF FSM2JSMA 4116R-1-331-ND 20J10K P100KFCT-ND

3 2 1 1 4 7 14 1

$0.24 $0.99 $0.26 $0.91 $0.12 $3.40 $2.03 $4.56

Total Total cost = 30000+94.70 = 30,094.70

Schedule
Week 9/20/10 9/27/10 10/4/10 10/11/10 10/18/10 Daniel Park Circuit schematic Design Review work Order parts and more simulation Build and program test, build, and program and individual process reports test, build, and program and get ready for mock up demos(possibly Request First Revision PCB Fabrication) do mock up demos and presentation Request First Revision PCB Fabrication test, build, and program Request First Revision PCB Fabrication Programming Request Final Revision PCB Fabrication, sign up for demos thanks giving break(demo and presentation preparation, paper) Shabab Mustafa Circuit schematic Design Review work Order parts and more simulation Build and program test, build, and program and individual process reports test, build, and program and get ready for mock up demos(possibly Request First Revision PCB Fabrication) do mock up demos and presentation Request First Revision PCB Fabrication test, build, and program Request First Revision PCB Fabrication Test and build Request Final Revision PCB Fabrication, sign up for demos thanks giving break(demo and presentation preparation, paper) 6

10/25/10

11/1/10

11/8/10

11/15/10

11/22/10

11/29/10 12/06/10

run final demos final paper due, lab notebook due

run final demos final paper due, lab notebook due