Smt.

Indira Gandhi College of Engineering

Introduction

The project is aimed at developing and testing the use of mobile phones to remotely control an
appliance control system. The handheld device like smartphone,pda ,tc would then control an
device based on the information given by it. The proposed solution will need to be easy to use,
simple, secure, robust and be useful on most mobile phones.

Smart home is a home equipped with special facilities to enable occupants to control or program an
array of automated home electronic devices. For example, a homeowner on vacation can arm a
home security system, control temperature gauges, switch appliances on or off, control lighting,
program a home theater or entertainment system, and perform many other tasks. Smart home
became smarter if the controlling can be done from any remote place. Our main focus is to control
the home appliances from remote place.

The motivations behind the goal to remote control of home appliances are simple. It’s not always
feasible to be physically near to the home still sometimes it’s very important to control the
appliances for many purposes. So the remote controlling takes the control of the home beyond the
home and to the hands of the people. If a simple mobile phone takes the added responsibility to
control the smart home then the control is reachable from almost everywhere people travels and
lives on earth. This sort of high end technology is supposed to facilitate the different life easing
utilities to a new age and bringing things out of the box to as near as one’s palm.

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Mobile Telephony:

In telecommunication, telephony encompasses the general use of equipment to provide voice communication

over distances, specifically by connecting telephones to each other. The term mobile telephony is derived

from original telephony to denote the communication that facilitates mobility using wireless technology.

Mobile telephony [1] offers services like voice and data transfer. Data transfer is done using SMS and some

other enhanced data rate services like GPRS and EDGE[1]. The latter two provides internet access facilities

to the mobile phones. Short Message Service (SMS) is a telecommunications protocol that allows the

sending of short (160 characters or less) text messages. It is available on most digital mobile phones and

some personal digital assistants with onboard wireless telecommunications. Devices such as computer and

microcontroller[5] which can connect to mobile phones and PDAs through protocols[6].

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Basic Model

Remote App 1
Mobile

App 2
Serial
communication
with PIC16F877A
App 3
GSM
Modem(mobile)

App 4

Figure 1

AT Commands
AT commands[7] provide the controller with the most flexible way to control and explore the
services and resources of a mobile. AT commands[6] enable one to send and receive SMS from the
controller and also it lets the controller to browse the mobiles resources like memory and phone
book and so on. ‘AT’ stands for ’Attention’ command. GSM mobile phones are equipped with built
in GSM[2] Modems which responds to the commands issued as an SMS by the connected
computer. AT commands create a logical bidirectional communication between computer and
mobile phone.

Format of AT Commands: The commands are similar to any other commands we use in various terminals.
The commands conform to a well defined syntax. To start with, it is not case sensitive. The common prefix
is AT for all the commands. Multiple commands can be specified in a single line starting with only one ’AT’
as the common prefix. The symbols < > and [ ] denotes compulsory and optional settings values respectively.
When the computer issues a command, the effect retains its value until it’s changed explicitly. The
connection test is performed by first sending the command ’AT’ and if the mobile is correctly connected, it
notifies the computer through the message ’OK’. Otherwise it sends an error message. SMS Related AT
Commands: The sequence of commands and responses are given below :

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 +CMGS (Send Message)

 +CMSS (Send Message from Storage)

 +CMGR (Read Message)

 +CMGL (List Messages)

 +CMGW (Write Message to Memory)

 +CNMA (New Message Acknowledgement to Mobile)

 +CMGC (Send Command)

After this the mobile will wait for any incoming SMS and upon receiving directing it towards the
Controller[5] .

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System Flowchart at Controller Side :

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Serial Port
Initialisation

Figure 2

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BLOCK DIAGRAM:

SMS facility

PIC Relay Device 1

1
6 U
F L Relay
GSM 8 N Device 2
modem 7 2
7 8
0 Relay
A
3
Device 3
Relay

Device 4

Figure 3

Working

When we are out of house we can control the devices through mobile from any Remote location on Earth,
by sending SMS from mobile to the GSM[1] modem which is at Home .

From GSM modem the control signal go to the PIC16F877A[5] using AT commands[7], then PIC will
control the relay[3] actions according to the control words

The ULN2803[4] is required for driving the relays. A ULN2803 is an chip with a High Voltage/High
Current Darlington Transistor Array. It allows you to interface TTL signals with higher voltage/current
loads. The chip takes low level signals (TLL, CMOS, PMOS, NMOS - which operate at low voltages and
low currents) and acts as a relay of sorts itself, switching on or off a higher level signal on the opposite side.

The Devices which we want to control is connected to the Relays.

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Components required :

i. PIC164877A

Figure 4

This powerful (200 nanosecond instruction execution) yet easy-to-program (only 35 single word
instructions) CMOS FLASH-based 8-bit microcontroller packs architecture into an 0- or 44-pin
package and is upwards compatible with the PIC16C5X, PIC12CXXX and IC16C7X devices. The
PIC16F877A[5] features 256 bytes of EEPROM data memory, self programming, an ICD, 2
Comparators, 8 channels of 10-bit A/D converter, 2 capture/compare/PWM functions, the
synchronous serial port can be configured as either 3-wire Serial Peripheral Interface or the 2-wire
Inter-Integrated Circuit bus and a Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (USART)[10]. All
of these features make it ideal for more advanced level A/D applications in automotive, industrial,
appliances and consumer applications.

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PIC specifications

 Parameter Name  Value

Program Memory Type  Flash
 Program Memory (KB)  14
 CPU Speed (MIPS)  5
 RAM Bytes  368
 Data EEPROM (bytes)  256
 Digital Communication Peripherals  1-A/E/USART, 1-
MSSP(SPI/I2C)
 Capture/Compare/PWM Peripherals  2 CCP
 Timers  2 x 8-bit, 1 x 16-bit
 ADC  8 ch, 10-bit
 Comparators  2
 Temperature Range (C)  -40 to 125
 Operating Voltage Range (V)  2 to 5.5

ii. ULN2803

The ULN2803 is required for driving the relays. A ULN2803 is an Integrated Circuit (IC) chip with a High
Voltage/High Current Darlington Transistor Array. It allows you to interface TTL signals with higher
voltage/current loads. The chip takes low level signals (TLL, CMOS, PMOS, NMOS - which operate at low
voltages and low currents) and acts as a relay of sorts itself, switching on or off a higher level signal on the
opposite side.

Figure 5

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iii. Relays

A relay[5] is an electrically operated switch. Current flowing through the coil of the relay creates a
magnetic field which attracts a lever and changes the switch contacts. The coil current can be on or off
so relays have two switch positions and most have double throw (changeover) switch contacts as shown
in the diagram.

Relays allow one circuit to switch a second circuit which can be completely separate from the first. For
example a low voltage battery circuit can use a relay to switch a 230V AC mains circuit. There is no
electrical connection inside the relay between the two circuits, the link is magnetic and mechanical.

The coil of a relay passes a relatively large current, typically 30mA for a 12V relay, but it can be as
much as 100mA for relays designed to operate from lower voltages. Most ICs (chips) cannot provide this
current and a transistor is usually used to amplify the small IC current to the larger value required for the
relay coil. The maximum output current for the popular 555 timer IC is 200mA so these devices can
supply relay coils directly without amplification.

Relays[5] are usuallly SPDT[5] or DPDT but they can have many more sets of switch contacts, for
example relays with 4 sets of changeover contacts are readily available. For further information about
switch contacts and the terms used to describe them please see the page on switches.

Most relays are designed for PCB mounting but you can solder wires directly to the pins providing you
take care to avoid melting the plastic case of the relay.

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Advantages & uses

• Cost effective and time efficient .
• Provides better security .
• Easy to construct and install .
• Consumes less energy and is more efficient .
• Has wide range of applications like -

facilitate the different life easing utilities to a new age and

bringing things out of the box to as near as one’s palm.

Helping physically disabled to control device without being

dependent on others.

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Automatic Water Irrigation Pump System

Water level Detector

SMS/Bluetooth facility

PIC
1 U
6 L
F
GSM
8
N Relay Water Pump
Modem 2
7
7 8
0 Relay Light
MAX232 A
Level converter 3

Figure 6

Motor Starter for irrigation in Agricultural Applications encompasses lighting, security, telecommunications,
access and safety, information and entertainment systems and thermal comfort systems. Besides self
monitoring and regulation the Motor Starter for irrigation in Agricultural Applications system will also give
auxiliary control to the user to enable him/her to control any application from a remote place. Such a facility
would require a tool that extends access to Motor Starter for irrigation in Agricultural Applications base
station controller from his/her premises to anywhere the user might be. This is done through a mobile device
making this system truly global.

Commands are sent to Motor Starter for irrigation in Agricultural Applications system through user’s mobile
as data through SMS[7] providing a cost effective, reliable far reaching access to the user. The coded SMS is
sent to the Motor Starter for irrigation in Agricultural Applications base station controller that receives the
messages, decodes the messages, initiates required automation operations and responds to the successful
initiations by a reply to the user.

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Future Enhancements

 Remote systems can be controlled in a more flexible ways by integrating wireless sensors
to the system.

 Develop application interface(software) which is mobile based for the illiterate people to
efficiently use the proposed solution .

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Literature Survey

As published in volume 6,2009 [11]issue of “International science ant information technology journal” by

Malik Sikander and Aliab Khan the proposed solution for appliance control from remote places by using

internet as a medial as internet doesn’t fit for mobile roamers. It doesn’t provide mobility

Internet is a place crowded with various types of traffics, often hostile to each other. Security vulnerability is

the most striking alert point of the Internet. Whenever a web based application goes live, a lot of efforts have

to take place before it can be said to be secured, if at all. When we say remote control, we want to make sure

no malicious party ever gains control and abolishes everything. Also to use web, it requires resources like

flawless internet connections and hosting servers, which may not always fit to the concept of remote

controlling. Moreover the dedicated Hosting service and need for server connected to the system makes it

complex and costlier system compared to aur proposed system.

As mentioned in the article of international journal of smart home [9], volume 2, 2009 the use of AT commands to

retrieve SMS from GSM modem via a PC interface still not feasible because its bulky ,more power consumption and

its not handy and portable. Instead of using a PC, as proposed in our project the PIC controller makes the system handy

and affordable.

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Conclusion

The project is a clear indication of a multi purpose control done via sms reducing the manual efforts and time

required while paying individual attention for controlling each device. For farmers who need to switch on the

water motors at night due to water supply problems with most of the Indian villages this system will surely

be very helpful and reduces the risk of night visit to the farm, saves time and energy of the individual. The

system requires less design and implementation cost. For handicapped people it may be really not

entertaining to involve much in manual work and this system helps them to locate themselves in a place and

operate the lights of their room, switch on the fan etc… Farmers can make use of this system for controlling

motor, sprinklers, tanks and also several other devices necessarily operated in the agricultural lands. This is

clearly presented in our video as how farmers will make use of our system. As our project turned out into a

multipurpose project, we found many device control operations and applications existing out of it.

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Abbreviations

A/D Analog/Didital
AT Attention
CMOS Complementary Metal oxide Semiconductor
DPDT Double Push Double Throw
EDGE Enhanced Data For Global Evolution
EEPROM Electrically Erasable Programmable Read only memory
GPRS Global Packet Radio System
GSM Global System for Mobile Communication
IC Intedrated Circuit
NMOS N-type Metal oxide Semiconductor
PCB Printed Circuit Board
PIC Programmable Interface Controller
PMOS P-type Metal oxide Semiconductor
RF Radio Frequency
SMS short message service
SPDT Single Push Double Throw
TTL Transistor Transistor Logic
USART universal Serial Asynchronous/sunchronous Transmitter and Reciever

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References

[1] GSM Association, Mobile Telephony Services Description, htttp://www.gsmworld.com

[2] MAX232, htttp://www.wikipedia.org/max232

[3] Relays, htttp://www.wikipedia.org/relays

[4] ULN2803, htttp://www.wikipedia.org/uln2803

[5] PIC16F877A, htttp://www.microchip.com/ products/16bit/pic16f877a/

[6] AT Commands Reference, http://nds1.nokia.com/phones/files/guides/Nokia_AThelp.pdf

[7] AT command overview, htttp://www.wikipwdia.org/AT commands

[8] Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, (IEEE), IEEE 802.11, http://www.ieee802.org/11/

[9]International Journal of Smart home,vol.2,no.3

[10] USART, htttp://www.wikipedia.org/usart

[11] International science ant information technology journal, volume 6,2009

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