CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1

Background

Nowadays, sensors are most widely use in control system either in home appliance or industrial processes. The technological drive for smaller devices using low power with greater functionality has created potential in the sensors and safety sectors. A sensor is a device that measures a physical quantity and converts it into a signal which can be read by an observer or by an instrument. Sensors are used in everyday objects such as touchsensitive elevator buttons and lamps which dim or brighten by touching the base. There are also innumerable applications for sensors of which most people are never aware. Applications include cars, machines, aerospace, medicine, manufacturing, robotics and safety system.

Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) is used to detect liquid at different level. The basic level-measurement types point level sensors or multi-point sensors mark a specific level and are used generally as a Light Emitting Diode (LED). Sensors can also be integrated in a single device to give alarm, or to serve as a stepped version of a continuous level. Sensors carry specifications for measuring range, allowable sensor over-range, process operating conditions, mounting style, communication interface, and instrument style. Measuring range and allowable sensor-over range are important parameters to consider when selecting level sensors.

The purpose of the project is to design a water level detector. This detector is a safe option to measure water levels as it does not require climbing on top of the tank and easy to know the level of the water. Light will be transmitted from LED to a receiver (LDR), where it then will turn on or off particular LED and the water level will be display at the LCD. The system consists of low-power component including a microcontroller, sensor and power circuitry.

1.2

Problem Statement

Sensor becomes more significant to human life whether for safety, security, monitoring or to minimize power consumption.

Various type of water level detector system that available in market nowadays, but this system alone with the traditional system can not overcome the intrusion problem. To make this system more efficient, it should be upgraded. This project is designed with the dumb monitoring system to make the users easy to monitor the level of water in the tank. The light detection technique is use to detect the different water level. The project aims is to improve the way how to detect the fluid and find a better solution. Water level detector system is a safe option to monitoring water levels as it does not require for climbing on top of the tank and reaching in to make measurements and easier to monitor the level of the water.

1.3

Objective

The objective of final year project is to produce well-rounded graduates with technical competence, lifetime learning capacity, critical thinking, communication and behavioral skills, business acumen, practical aptitude and solution synthesis ability.

The objectives of project are :

To develop the water monitoring system where the water level automatically detects by the sensor system.

To design sensor system controlled by a microcontroller.

To analyze different water level to see effected towards voltage when LDR get maximum or minimum of light.

1.4

Scope of Work

This project can be divided into two main parts which are hardware and software. The project used AT89S52 microcontroller chip as the main part to control the data. Meanwhile, a sensor circuit was built in order to complete the whole project. The software is developed to control water level detector. The overall concept of this project, a sensor that will be detected the water level, and it will generate a signal to be process by the microcontroller. The microcontroller will process the data signal and display the data on the LCD and LED will be on or off depend on water level.

1.5

Report Outline

Chapter 1 is briefly overview the background of sensor, problem statement, objectives and scope of work for the project.

Chapter 2 discusses thoroughly on the literature study where the main part of water level detector system will be described. The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview the scope of study for this project.

Chapter 3 is methodology section where the methods or steps that have been used to approach to water level detector will be explained thoroughly.

Chapter 4 discusses results and discussion where all the result of the analysis will be shown. Discussion and observation of the outcome of the project in relation to evidences obtained from project and theories will be made in this chapter.

Finally, chapter 5 concludes all the work done and suggestions for possible extensions of the work are made.