Design And Construction Of A Home Automation System Using RF Receivers

Abstract

Home automation is a famous and most used technology in the world. The main object of this project is to develop a home automation system with a four button key fob transmitter by using RF (Radio Frequency) technology.

Nowadays, houses are gradually shifting from normal switches to centralized control system, involving a remote control transmitter. This technology is not only easy to use but also helps to prevent missuses of energy. Remote control (key fob) transmitter is small and very light weight, which will work from a decent distance. It helps elderly people to control switches from anywhere up to 75 feet. This four button key fob transmitter is also very productive for commercial uses in Industrial and medical systems.

To accomplish this object, it is designed into two parts. Both the parts have individual toggle type receivers but they work in same frequency. One of these toggle receivers works individually with some of the home appliances but the other one interfaced to an Arduino Uno Rev3 microcontroller to convert the signals from toggle to latching format. Arduino IDE software has been used to compile some programs related to the microcontroller ATmega328.

This project can be upgraded by using GSM modem, which can control home appliances by sending an SMS through a mobile or a computer. Benefit of using this technology is there will not be any range limitation compared to Radio Frequency technology.

CHAPTER ONE

1.0                                INTRODUCTION

1.1                 BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

Home Automation is the housing extension of building automation system. This system is actually automating the residential activity. The trendiness of home automation has increased tremendously in recent years for the reason of higher usability and simplicity by using remote control (key fob), smart phones and tablet connectivity (through Wi-Fi, GSM, Bluetooth, Zig bee etc.). Home automation actually is the termination of the automation system for the maintenance of home appliances.

• Modern home automation system introduced during the world fair of 1934 in Chicago.
• The first ‘wired homes’ built by hobbyists from America. In 1984, the American Association of Householders invented the term of ‘smart house’.
• In 1960s, an American engineer, Jim Sutherland developed ‘ECHO IV’ named a developed home automation system.

The main and very basic need of using home systems like light, fan, air conditioner, air heater by using different switches in different places. Therefore people, especially adult people need to put a lot of afford to switch all those components separately and with enough power to press. Those switches are mostly made very unsafe way and it is also asking more energy to put. These problems could be solved if home automation system would be used.

1.2                                   PROBLEM STATEMENT

In the last decade, all home appliances are manually operated, and this sometimes exposes the user to the risk of electric shock, and which also cause time wastage and also involves labour, but today the story has challenge which brought solutions to these problems by controlling home appliances wirelessly. Here, the project is based on remote control home automation system, which could help to save energy like electricity and lots of physical strength. It could be secure, flexible, help to prevent power and more accurate outcomes. Most of houses in the cities of the developed countries now using remote control, mobile or touch screen based home automation system to prevent energy and ensure adequate safety.

1.3                          AIMS OF THE PROJECT

Aim of this project is to demonstrate an unostentatious Home automation system that apprehends an outlying key fob controller and home appliances.

1.4                             OBJECTIVE OF THE PROJECT

The main objectives of our proposed project are:

• To sense the existing status of the remote devices and obtain information in the display,
• To control the remotely operated devices using control signals,
• To take corrective action automatically as per requirement, and
• To protect the equipments from unwanted operations.

1.5                                 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

To accomplish the project, here first of all, trying to discuss about the research has been done based on Home Automation and all related hardware & Software.

• A Remote Control transmitter has been used to transfer signals.
• Then receivers have been used to receive signals. After receiving the signal, receiver will control to turn on-off some different home appliances after getting the signal from the key fob transmitter (as example, lights, heater, oven etc.).
• Two different rooms and four different parts of a small flat (kitchen area, leaving area, reading area and sitting area) will try to control through a remote control transmitter and receiver.
• Next one of those receivers has been used with an Arduino board, which will be programmed to work as a reset circuit. Then it will connect with the receiver and help to reset some of the home appliances according to our set timer.
• Need to write a programme for the Arduino board to work as a reset circuit and then have to connect it with the receiver board to take the signal from the transmitter.
• Different appliances simplify by different LEDs which will get signal from the key fob transmitter.

1.6                                          LIMITATIONS OF THE PROJECT

The following is a list of limitations for the project.

·        The receiver must reside in a location where the transmitter can site it.

·        The receiver must have a power source (220vac) attached at all times

1.7                                         APPLICATIONS OF THE PROJECT

This project can be used in Industries, This system can be employed in houses, where people often forget to switch off electrical appliances. This system can be used to control AC’s to set the room temperature when we are outside. This work is aimed toward average consumers who wish to control household appliances remotely from their cell phones provided that the appliances are electrically controllable.  Example of feasible appliances and applications under consideration include; enable/disable security systems, fans, lights, kitchen appliances, and adjusting the temperatures settings of a heating/ventilation/air conditioning system.

1.8                                         SIGNIFICANCE OF THE PROJECT

Home Appliance Control using radio frequency can be used to turn ON / OFF the devices and various appliances in our home. It can prove very useful for disabled people. This project can also be used in shop, offices, industry. User has to dial a call to the mobile which is connected to the project. Then user has to press various keys to control the devices. In this work:

• Quick response is achieved.
• Construction is easy.
• Easy to maintain and repair.
• Comparatively the operation cost is less.
• Design is efficient and low cost.
• Power consumption is low.
• Controlling electrical devices wirelessly
• Saves electricity (when we forget to switch off and go out).
• We can control appliances from any place round the globe.
• No coding is required.
• This circuit can be used to wirelessly control different home appliances.
• As it is an RF Communication based system, there is no need for any line of sight communication as in case of IR Communication.
• The RF Transmitter and RF Receiver can work up to 100 meters even when there is an obstruction between them.

1.9                                         METHODOLOGY

To achieve the aim and objectives of this work, the following are the steps involved:

1. Study of the previous work on the project so as to improve it efficiency.
2. Draw a block diagram.

• Test for continuity of components and devices,

1. Design of was carried out.
2. Studying of various component used in circuit.
3. Construct the circuit.

• Finally, the whole device was cased and final test was carried out.

1.10                                      PROJECT WORK ORGANIZATION

The various stages involved in the development of this project have been properly put into five chapters to enhance comprehensive and concise reading. In this project thesis, the project is organized sequentially as follows:

Chapter one of this work is on the introduction to this study. In this chapter, the background, significance, objective limitation and problem of this study were discussed.

Chapter two is on literature review of this study. In this chapter, all the literature pertaining to this work was reviewed.

Chapter three is on design methodology. In this chapter all the method involved during the design and construction were discussed.

Chapter four is on testing analysis. All testing that result accurate functionality was analyzed.

Chapter five is on conclusion, recommendation and references.