CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of Study

Wireless device having electronic properties are able to operate electrical device from a distance is considered a remote. The remote control is design to provide convenience to its user, and a means through which direct operation of device is achieved in devices that pose inconvenience (such as digital light processing protector wounded on high ceiling being manipulated from floor level) while operating. Since the beginning of industrial revolution, remote control had taken a new pace from ultrasonic tones to infrared (engineered control system which uses infrared to send a digital code pulse of infrared radiation to control device function including power volume channel, track change, heat fan speed among others) and now, to Bluetooth connectivity, motion sensor enables capabilities and voice control (Warey and Stabe, 2011).

Infrared transmitter (remote controls) emits pulse of invisible infrared light corresponding to the binary code present in the device (a tsop1738 embedded, which receives the infrared transmitted code) in which the user intends to control. The tsop1738 sensor is controlled by Arduino (used for controlling the whole process of the device, after receiving signal from IR remote, it sends signal to the relays which are responsible for switching action of the home appliances through a U relay driver).

The Arduino decodes the received train of pulse from the TSOP1738 sensor into a hex value and compares that decoded value with the predefined hex value of the pressed button. If any match occurs, relative operation is achieved and the corresponding result is displayed on the LCD (liquid crystal display) by using appropriate command (Warey and Stabe, 2011).

1.2       Statement of the Problem

Technology has advanced so much in the last decade or two that it has made life more efficient and comfortable. The comfort of being able to take control of devices from one particular location has become imperative as it saves a lot of time and effort. Therefore there arises a need to do so in a systematic manner which has been implemented with this system. The system proposed is an extended approach to automating a control system. With the advancement and breakthroughs in technology over the years, the application of this system comes in handy when people who forget to do simple things such as turn ON or OFF devices at their home or in their office, they can now do so without them having to go close to the devices or touching them before turning them ON or OFF. Engineering is all about solving problems and making life easy for human beings. This project is centered towards an automated environment. Human beings undergo stress and face challenges when controlling home appliances manually, so using a remote is faster and time management.

1.3       Aim and Objectives

The aim of this project is to construct a home automation using infrared remote control with Arduino which will be achieved by the following objectives:

i.                    To obtain an infrared remote control

ii.                  To test the constructed remote control using the receiver

iii.                To know the maximum distance at which the constructed infrared remote operate effectively.

1.4       Motivation

The dream of an automated world where devices control themselves requiring little or no human effort, stirred the interest towards this project. With automation, life becomes easy and physical and mental efforts are channeled towards a greater course.

1.5       Methodology

This project is divided into two major parts, the software part and the hardware part. The software part involves a program written in C++ language, the program is written such that the remote sends command signal to the Arduino which in turn send related signal to the relays to switch ON or OFF the appliances. The hardware part comprises of the Arduino board, the LCD, IR remote, and some electrical components that help the system to function efficiently.

Figure 1.1 Block Diagram of IR Remote Controlled Home Automation

1.6       Significant of Study

The challenges faced by people especially when you want to switched ON or OFF your home appliances without stress, the system can be easily use to put the appliances ON or OFF at your comfort.

1.7       Limitation

This project has certain limitations which include:

i.        The user can only switch ON and OFF the appliances

ii.      Devices that are not connected to the circuit cannot be controlled using this project.

iii.    Operation of the controlling unit is only possible through a dedicated remote control with the capability of turning some distance away.

1.8       Scope of the Study

This project work is limited to the construction of a home automation using infrared remote control with Arduino.

1.9       Project Outline

This report is outlined in the following format: chapter one contains the general introduction, chapter two; the review of related literature, chapter three; construction, packaging and the operation of principle, chapter four; testing and results, chapter five contains the conclusion and recommendation.

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