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Project Overview

This project involves the design of a remote power monitoring system for houses powered by solar panels. The system uses a Tiva C series TM4C1294 microcontroller to measure and monitor the power consumption of electricity generated by solar panels and delivered to remotely located houses. The system gathers real-time data on current and voltage using a sensor circuit and an ADS1234 ADC for precise data acquisition. The collected data is uploaded to a custom-built cloud server via a GSM SIM800 module using 2G technology. The cloud platform provides real-time tracking, monitoring, and analysis of the power usage patterns, with additional features for device management and firmware updates.

Technical Description

Hardware Arrangement: Single-Board System with Communication Module

1. Digital Control System (Tiva C Series TM4C1294 Microcontroller):

  • Microcontroller (TM4C1294): The Tiva C Series TM4C1294 is an ARM Cortex-M4-based microcontroller, responsible for controlling and managing the data collection from the solar panel power monitoring sensors. It is equipped with integrated Ethernet and high-performance peripherals, making it suitable for real-time data processing and communication.
  • Current and Voltage Sensing Circuit: The system uses current and voltage sensors to monitor the power output of the solar panels. The sensors measure the current flowing through the system and the voltage generated by the panels.
  • ADS1234 ADC: An ADS1234 ADC (Analog-to-Digital Converter) is used to convert the analog signals from the current and voltage sensors into digital values. This high-precision ADC ensures accurate power consumption data is captured, which is essential for analyzing solar panel efficiency and user consumption.

2. GSM SIM800 Communication Module (2G Technology)

  • Data Transmission: The GSM SIM800 module enables data transmission over a 2G cellular network, making it suitable for remotely located houses where internet access may be limited. The SIM800 module collects the real-time power consumption data from the microcontroller and uploads it to the custom-designed cloud platform.
  • Reliable Connectivity:By using GSM technology, the system can transmit data over long distances to the cloud, ensuring real-time monitoring and control of the power usage patterns.

3. Cloud Platform

  • Custom-Built Cloud Server: A key feature of this project is the custom cloud platform designed in-house, without relying on any third-party software. This platform stores and processes the power consumption data from the remote solar panel monitoring systems.
  • High-End GUI:The cloud platform is equipped with an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) that allows operators and users to monitor power usage patterns, manage users, and access device-specific data.
  • User, Device, and Login Management: The platform includes comprehensive management features for users and devices. Operators can add or remove users, assign devices to specific locations, and manage login credentials securely.
  • Device Failure and Tampering Alerts: The system automatically generates alerts for device failures or tampering attempts, ensuring that any technical issues or security breaches are promptly addressed.
  • Remote Firmware Updates: The cloud platform supports remote firmware updates, allowing system administrators to push updates to the remotely located microcontroller systems, enhancing functionality and security without needing physical access.

Design Approach

1. Hardware

  • The TM4C1294 microcontroller serves as the core processing unit, interfacing with the ADS1234 ADC to capture real-time current and voltage data from the solar panel system, which is then processed to calculate power consumption.
  • The GSM SIM800 module enables remote communication over a 2G network, sending processed data to the custom cloud server for storage and analysis.

2. Sensor and Data Acquisition

  • The system uses current and voltage sensors to monitor energy output from the solar panels in real-time. These sensors measure electrical parameters, and the ADS1234 ADC converts analog signals into precise digital readings for processing by the microcontroller.

3. Cloud Platform and Data Management

  • The cloud platform offers a robust infrastructure for real-time data collection, analysis, and monitoring. Users can access power consumption data, track historical usage, and analyze trends.
  • The platform’s GUI provides intuitive insights into power usage, generating reports and graphical representations for enhanced decision-making.

This comprehensive solution integrates efficient hardware, real-time data acquisition, and a cloud platform with advanced data management to optimize solar panel power consumption and monitoring.

Key Features of the Cloud Platform

  • Real-Time Monitoring: Continuously monitors power consumption data from remote locations, providing real-time insights into usage patterns of connected houses.
  • User and Device Management: Administrators can manage user profiles, assign devices to users, and remotely control device operations.
  • Alerts and Notifications: Automated alerts are triggered in case of device failures or suspected tampering, enabling prompt corrective actions.
  • Remote Firmware Updates: Supports over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates for connected microcontroller units, ensuring up-to-date and secure systems without manual intervention.
  • Data Analytics and Reports: Generates detailed reports on energy consumption trends, offering insights into solar panel efficiency and user power usage behavior.

Technology Used

1. Tiva C Series TM4C1294 Microcontroller

  • The TM4C1294 microcontroller provides real-time processing power and interfaces with sensors and communication modules to manage data acquisition and transmission effectively.

2. ADS1234 ADC

  • The ADS1234 ADC delivers high-precision analog-to-digital conversion, ensuring accurate voltage and current readings from the solar panel system.

3. GSM SIM800 (2G Technology)

  • The GSM SIM800 module enables long-range data communication over cellular networks, making it ideal for remote areas with limited internet connectivity.

4. Custom Cloud Platform

  • The custom cloud platform is designed in-house with advanced features like user and device management, real-time monitoring, alerts, and firmware update capabilities.

By integrating these technologies, the system offers a comprehensive solution for monitoring the power consumption of solar-powered homes. It enables real-time data collection, analysis, and management via a custom-built cloud platform, ensuring optimal performance, device security, and continuous improvement through remote updates. This solar power monitoring system enhances the efficiency and reliability of energy distribution while providing actionable insights into power usage patterns.

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