Final Project - approach
approach to development and development cycles covered here
Overview
This page tracks the development cycle and talks about the choices made with reasons for these choices.
| Section | Task | Status | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approach | Networking | Done | Wifi was prefferred over GPRS based on factors like -- running cost (GPRS needs about Rs 2000 per annum) -- capital cost (GPRS module is Rs 500 vs a Wifi Module at Rs 250) -- ease of programming |
| Approach | Data Transmission protocol | Done | MQTT was prefferred over HTTP-GET based on factors like -- packet size ~90% lesser for the day -- Quality Of Service option which ensured similar messages (Ex: Tank empty message after a Tank empty message) is not sent -- Security option built in to ensure prevention of misuse of the devices |
| Input | Tank Capacity | Done | A distance sensor pings the water level inside the tank and calculates volme of water inside tank in litres |
| Input | Flow of Water | Done | A flow sensor measures every 2 seconds the usage of water in the house and posts it online |
| Output | Controlling the pump | Done | The unit measuring the distance to water has a relay connected to it which turns on and turns off the pump as needed to ensure sufficient water at home |
Choices
Technologies- Thingspeak on private server - a HTTP REST client to store sensor data in a database and uses .json file format to send data
- Extracting json data to enable the central processor
- MQTT protocol - a secure protocol of transmitting highly optimised packets of sensor data. It allows one to also address particular nodes. This ability is useful in controlling valves to optimise water use
- Water Inlet Sensor - done
- Tank Level Monitor - done
- Valve control and Motor Control - done
BOM
