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EE 188

Computer Architecture and

Organization

A project submitted by:

Ambalong, Donna Jane G.

Mayormita, Meilyssa A.

Villaruz, Ace Virgil D.

Submitted to:

Prof. J

October 22, 2012

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INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Water level sensors have a very large range of applications. Not only is the water the main

component that can be measured by a water sensor but many other fluids like fuel, oil, some

chemicals, etc. can also be gauged. There are many different types of available water sensors such

as pressure transducer, bubble liquid level sensor, RADAR water level sensor, sonic ranging sensor,

slope indicator etc. Water level indicators are used in standpipes, boilers, and in household water

tanks.

Many residences including boarding houses are using water storage tanks in order to store

water especially in a place where water supply is scarce or scheduled. With a wireless water level

indicator and controller, many users and consumers can see the actual water level in the tanks and

automatically set the motor or any water source on or off instead of manually setting it.

There is also a buzzer to let the user aware that the tank is either empty or full and a series

of LED indicators to realistically represent the water level inside the tank.

One best way to fabricate such a device is to use an IC in which one can program the output

depending in the input. A PIC microcontroller is the best way to use for it. The water sensors will

sense the water content and then pass it to the microcontroller. The PIC will then command the

motor, buzzer (as signal if either full or empty), and the LCD to display the water level.

Objective of the Study

Not just the wireless water level indicator and controller is aimed to measure the water

content of a storage tank, it is also aimed to do the following specific tasks:

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1. Provide a wireless system in transferring data from the sensors to the PICmicrocontroller.

2. Provide a digital display for the user to literally see the actual water level of the storagetanks,

3. Provide a signalling sound to indicate that the tank is almost empty or when the tank isalready full after the motor is turned on,

4. Automatically turn the motor on when the tank is to be filled with water, and to turn ifoff whenever water supply is not needed, that is, the tank is already full,

5. Create a representation of the water level by using LEDs. Only one LED will light whenthe tank is at the very low state, and all LEDs will light at full water level.

Significance of the Study

In a place where water is not so abundant, many residences prefer to use a storage tank to

store waters whenever there is available supply and then use it when needed. Most of the water

consumers using tanks manually switch the motor on and off depending on the water content.

Often, the water may spill or empty without being noticed by the user. The many advantages of

having an automatic water level indicator and controller include ensuring a constant reserve of

water in storage tanks, saving the energy used by the motor and letting the consumer know the

actual water level inside the storage tanks.

In order to provide solutions to problems regarding water level controlling, a device must

be made to allow the user to monitor the water level inside their water tanks then automatically

turns the motor either on and off depending on the water content. If the water becomes too low,

automatically the motor will turn on until the tanks become full. The motor will again automatically

stop to avoid water spilling.

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Furthermore, to provide ease and simplicity in wiring, a wireless system is preferred to

fabricate. With a wireless water level indicator, a wire is not needed for the relay of the information

from the sensors to the microcontroller. It provides mobility, if for example a tank is decided to

change its location, and avoids problems in wiring especially when the tank is put at the outside of

the house which is the typical case.

METHODOLOGY

Materials needed:

1 PIC16F877A Microcontroller

1 2 x 16 LCD Display

1 HT-12 Encoder-Decoder Pair

1 434 MHz Transmitter-Receiver Pair

9 LED Indicators

9 1k Resistors

1 750-k Resistor

1 51k Resistor

2 Push Button Switches

1 DPST Switch

1 10-k Potentiometer

2 10k Resistors

Printed Circuit Board

2 LM7805 Voltage Regulators

4 100F Electrolytic Capacitors

1 2N2222 NPN Transistor

1 8MHz Crystal Oscillator

Connecting Wires

Circuit Design and Simulation

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Block Diagram:

Transmitter

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Receiver and Controller

Experimental Set-up

The device is tested to determine the range of distance in which the transmitter can still

effectively send signals to the receiver and controller. The miniature tank is to be filled with the

same type of potable water. The test uses three types of cases in transmission; without the presence

of an antenna, with a wire as a very simple antenna, and with a radio antenna. The results are as

follows.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The experimental set-up has shown that at effective distance, the transmitter was able to

send the proper signals to the receiver. Furthermore, the receiver was also able to decode the

signals from the transmitter into the desired output in the LCD displays, buzzer, and the motor

indicator. It has met the desired and expected results defined in the objective that is to create a

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device capable of measuring the actual water level inside the tank and then send it to a nearby

receiver.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The project is very successful in making a wireless water level indicator and controller.

With the use of radio antennas, the range of effective transmission increased. The water sensors are

also effective in measuring the water level in the miniature tank.

Recommendations for future researchers and studies regarding wireless water level

indicator and controller are as follows:

1. The modules used in transmission will receive a fair amount of noise. It is thereforenecessary to include a method in filtering this noise.

2. The water sensors used are very simple and is prone to error at some conditions. Othertypes of more accurate sensors are highly suggested to use.

3. Instead of a LED indicator for the motor, a relay can be used for a use of a high-voltage-driven motor.

REFERENCES

http://www.alexan.com.ph/index.php/wireless-modules/rf-modules

http://www.datasheetarchive.com/A434%20ASK-datasheet.html

http://www.ipic.co.jp/Pdffiles/ht12e.pdf

https://courses.cit.cornell.edu/ee476/FinalProjects/s2008/cl457_yft2/cl457_yft2/datasheets/HT

12D.pdf

http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/appnotes/00587b.pdf

http://www.alexan.com.ph/index.php/wireless-modules/rf-moduleshttp://www.datasheetarchive.com/A434%20ASK-datasheet.htmlhttp://www.ipic.co.jp/Pdffiles/ht12e.pdfhttps://courses.cit.cornell.edu/ee476/FinalProjects/s2008/cl457_yft2/cl457_yft2/datasheets/HT12D.pdfhttps://courses.cit.cornell.edu/ee476/FinalProjects/s2008/cl457_yft2/cl457_yft2/datasheets/HT12D.pdfhttp://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/appnotes/00587b.pdfhttp://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/appnotes/00587b.pdfhttps://courses.cit.cornell.edu/ee476/FinalProjects/s2008/cl457_yft2/cl457_yft2/datasheets/HT12D.pdfhttps://courses.cit.cornell.edu/ee476/FinalProjects/s2008/cl457_yft2/cl457_yft2/datasheets/HT12D.pdfhttp://www.ipic.co.jp/Pdffiles/ht12e.pdfhttp://www.datasheetarchive.com/A434%20ASK-datasheet.htmlhttp://www.alexan.com.ph/index.php/wireless-modules/rf-modules

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