IOT203TC Sensor Technology (AY2023-24)

Individual Project and Implementation (50%)

1. Introduction

Sensor systems and networks, specifically in the context of Internet of Thing (IoT) constitute a collection of small computers that have microcontrollers, along with storage, a set of sensor nodes as well as actuators where required. Sensors-based systems can interact with the physical world and provide useful and critical information when deployed in an environment of interest for  monitoring  and  measurement  purposes  within  various  application  areas.   For  example, condition measurement, monitoring and analysis of manufacturing equipment or environment and so on. In the context of IoT, these systems can be networked and connected with other systems,  sub-systems  and/or  components  to  share  information  and  enable  communication within the same or different network. An example sensor system is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: An example of embedded sensor node, system or sub-system within a network (Courtesy of Researchgate)

2. Learning outcomes

As an individual, you need to demonstrate your core understanding and ability to design and develop  a  measurement  and  control  system   using  sensors  and  test  the  solution  through demonstration. You would be using basic principles of circuit design, development and testing to solve the problem at hand. You will be assessed against the following learning outcomes.

C. Design and develop electronic measurement system and computer (microprocessor) control, and solve the specific engineering application problems.

D. Design  the  measuring  and  controlling  circuit  and  analyze  and  solve  the  practical  testing problems by using the basic principles.

3. Coursework specifications

Problem definition

Smart devices contain sensor systems to provide them with the capability to measure, monitor and/or communicate. Due to such capability, within the context of IoT, they are crucial part of the design and development of any smart device. Your task is to design and develop a wireless solution   consisting   of    sensors   and    other   essential    components,   with    a   capability    of communication with other sensor nodes/systems and/or sub-systems to share data and display relevant information. One of the key aspects of sensor system/solution is that it needs to have a measurement and control capability and requires sensor(s) and controller(s) along with their associated circuits design. You should follow the following specifications to design, develop and build the system and its associated circuits. You are then required to conduct essential testing to demonstrate the system’s working within the classroom during one of the lab sessions.

Practical sensor based embedded solution design, testing and reporting

You should create three sensor-based embedded nodes (each node should have one sensor) to share    and    communicate    information   with    each    other    and    if    required    with    other systems/subsystems. In terms of practical design, you are free to choose more than three nodes if  needed  in order to  present a specific functionality, operation  or  measurement  output. To implement each of the nodes, you can select any type of microcontroller(s). Examples include Arduino, ESP32 or Raspberry pi, however, the use of Arduino and/or ESP32 is recommended. You are also required to select other components such as wireless transceivers, sensors of choice as well as a display mechanism. The information exchanged and transmitted between the nodes should be displayed on the output display device (a hardware or a software-based user interface such  as  on  the  screen  or  cloud   platform).  This  output  component  will   provide  insightful information about the system’s capability and functionality  (as  outputs) while the  system  is transmitting/exchanging data between nodes. To provide more guidance, the following should be considered when designing and implementing your solution.

a) Design and development phase: You should provide a detailed design and development phase discussion in your report. Your discussion should include the selection and design of at least three sensor-based nodes acting as senders and receivers at any given time. Note: it is possible that the sender involved in one data sharing event or session could be a receiver in the other event or session.  Each of your sensor’s  nodes must be  measuring a quantity such as temperature, humidity, moisture, pollutants, gases, noise, obstacle, pressure, vibration, or any other physical quantity. It is up to you to choose what quantities you want to measure, which will then dictate the selection of sensors. In the context of sensors, you should provide an appropriately reasoned selection of sensors and an explanation of what they measure in the respective context (10 marks). Also  note that  each  node  must  have  a  microcontroller  along  with  transmission  and reception capability. There must be a valid reason and justification of microcontroller(s) and wireless  modules  selection.  You  should  also  achieve  bidirectional  communication  between various nodes (15 marks). Each node should also be able to facilitate information output using a microcontroller and output component (hardware or software). The output information must be meaningful data, and you should also discuss the reason for the selection of an output method (10 marks).

b) Testing and demonstration phase: You  are  required  to  implement  the  design   using appropriate microcontroller(s). You are free to use any hardware/microcontroller preferred by yourself. You should implement sensor-based nodes (with three sensors as specified above in ‘a’) with a sender and receiver configuration. However, a sender can be a receiver when required.

Therefore,a microprocessor to send and receive commands and data is essential on each node. In the context of system operation, marks will be awarded on the basis of correct assembly of the overall system with the  right  use  of components (10  marks),  successful  connection and operation of the overall system and bidirectional communication between the nodes. You should thus achieve a bidirectional communication capability as per system requirements (10 marks). Your system should correctly show interaction between components, requests made and data exchange between the sender and the receiver, and vice versa, demonstrating the system has been fully tested. You thus need to run and fully test the system before your demonstration to ensure the system works as  intended (15 marks).  Finally, you  may choose to  display sensor data/outputs either on the receiving node, on a separate display node or even on the software interface. In this context successful and meaningful display of sensor data on the receiving node or software-based user-interface (UI)/dashboard, will demonstrate the measurements are taken correctly and at appropriate intervals. Any errors in the data displayed will result in deduction of marks,as it may represent data collection/interfacing issues within your system (5 marks).

c) Writing phase: You are to write a structured report on the developed solution that should contain all the  necessary sections as described  in the  useful  hints section  of this  brief. As  a minimum, your report should be structured (5 marks) and should include an Introduction and overview  of  the   system,  specification  of  the   system  including  all  the   components   used, schematics/photos/figures (15 marks) as well as conclusions and recommendations (5 marks).

4. Useful hints for report structure

Your report should be based on the marking scheme defined above in section 3. You should thus include all the relevant sections and sub-sections within the report. Failing to do so will result in deduction of marks.

The aim of this individual project activity is to enable students to apply their knowledge and understanding of sensors in the context of IoT applications. It will also help students to apply their understanding of sensors to design a solution for various problems to fulfil the learning outcomes. Report writing will help them to understand how to report design and implementation activities.

5. Performance descriptors