Flood Measuring System Essay

This chapter includes a brief overview on experimental research and the process that led to the selection of the research design used in this study. Additional topics addressed in Chapter 3 are: research locale, and instrumentation. Research Design An experimental type of methodology was used to conduct this research. An experimental method of research is a systematic and scientific approach to research in which the researcher manipulates one or more variables, and controls and measures any change in other variables(http://explorable.com/experimental-research.html). The method is appropriate to this study since it aims to overcome the present condition of our country, specifically the areas near Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila during rainy days. The technique that the researchers will use under experimental method is developing a device that monitors the height of the water using sonar sensor and sends it to the server by the means GSM module. Then the data received by the GSM will be sent to the application created for android phones via internet. The purpose of employing the experimental method is to overcome the present condition of the areas near Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila during rainy days. The researcher opted to use this kind of research considering the desire to acquire data from the device that the researchers developed so as to formulate rational and sound conclusions and recommendations for the study. Block Diagram Flood Monitoring Unit Server Android Application Research Locale The researchers will conduct the study to three different areas near Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, these areas are selected to inform the students of the said university if the route they will take is still passable or not. Instrumentation An instrument was developed to monitor the flood in three different areas near Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. This section will discuss the instrument and its development. The first step in developing the instrument was to make a prototype that will monitor the height of the flood on the said areas. It consists of a sonar sensor, Gizduino and GSM module. The sonar sensor is enclosed in a container with a hole at the bottom that will sense the height of the water measured in inches. It detects the height of the flood with respect to the ground as its basis. The maximum flood level itcan detect is six feet which is equivalent to 72 inches and it only reads data in whole number. It is SIM dependent.The GSM module will send the data gathered to the server. Then the server will analyze the data and relays it to android applicationvia internet. The following will be the list of materials to be used in constructing this project. 1. Microcontroller The Gizduino is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega328 and ATmega168. It has 14 digital input/ output pins, 6 analog inputs, a 16 MHz crystal oscillator, a USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP header, and a reset button. It contains everything needed to support the microcontroller; simply connect it to a computer with a USB cable or power it with a AC-to-DC adapter or battery to get started. it is an open source computing platform based on simple input/output (I/O) board and the use of standard programming language; in other words, it is a tool for implementing a program you have designed. Gizduino is programmed using the IDE (Integrated Development Environment). Gizduino is ideal for beginner programmers and hobbyists because of its simplicity compared to other platforms. It is a multiplatform environment; it ca run on Windows, Macintosh, and Linux. It is programmable via USB cable, which makes it more accessible and allows communication with the computer FEATURES & SPECIFICATIONS †¢ Microcontroller: ATmega168 or ATmega328 †¢ User Interface: USB Port, DC Jack, ResetButton, ICSP Port, Shield Connection Port †¢ Debugger Port: ICSP †¢ Power Input: External:8V-12V USB:5V †¢ DC Power Output: 3.3V †¢ PCB Size: 2.7 x 2.1 inch †¢ On-board Crystal: 16MHz and 12MHz 2. Sonar Sensor A US-100 Ultrasonic Sonar isa low cost compact ultrasonic sonar (distance measuring) sensor with up to 3.5-meters range. A host microcontroller circuit determines distance by triggering the US-100 and then measuring the echo time indicated by the pulse width output of the sensor. Temperature compensatured for accurate ranging even on varying ambient temperatures. FEATURES & SPECIFICATIONS †¢ 40KHz Ultrasonic sonar †¢ 2cm – 350cm sensor range (Temperature compensated) †¢ TTL Trigger input †¢ TTL Echo output 3. GSM Module GSM/GPRS module is used to establish communication between a computer and a GSM-GPRS system. Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) is an architecture used for mobile communication in most of the countries. Global Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is an extension of GSM that enables higher data transmission rate. GSM/GPRS module consists of a GSM/GPRS modem assembled together with power supply circuit and communication interfaces (like RS-232, USB, etc) for computer. GSM/GPRS MODEM is a class of wireless MODEM devices that are designed for communication of a computer with the GSM and GPRS network. It requires aSIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card just like mobile phones to activate communication with the network. Also they have IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number similar to mobile phones for their identification. A GSM/GPRS MODEM can perform the following operations: 1. Receive, send or delete SMS messages in a SIM. 2. Read, add, search phonebook entries of the SIM. 3. Make, Receive, or reject a voice call. FEATURES & SPECIFICATIONS †¢ Quad Band GSM/GPRS †¢ Text and PDU Mode †¢ TCP/IP stack †¢ GPRS class 10: max 85.6 kbps downlink †¢ Standard AT Commands (GSM07.07, 07.05, & SIMCOM enhanced AT commands) †¢ Analog audio port †¢ UART (TTL) serial port †¢ Debug Port †¢ RTC backup †¢ Charger interface