Security Alert System

Mohammed Abrar ul Huq

SECURITY ALERT SYSTEM

1. ABSTRACT Security is a critical component of banks, ATMs, shops, homes. Therefore a need for security system arises which monitors round the clock. The Security Alert System (SAS) is a control and monitoring center. Various sensors connect to the system. If the security system is armed and the sensors detect a problem, they send signals to the system which automatically turns on the buzzer and sends text messages to the configured cell phone numbers, by which the authorities are notified. Security Alert System provides 24-hour monitoring. The system can be accessed from anywhere by sms. When an event happens, multiple recipients are immediately informed. For access to the system, pass codes can be assigned for administrative level and operator level. Digital sensors can be monitored which can consist of smoke/fire detectors, motion detectors, glass break detectors & so on. Analog inputs can be used to monitor camera signals, temperature, and power supply. The Security Alert System (SAS) consists of a Microcontroller which performs processing in accordance with the programmed logic. The logic code for the SAS sytem is that if any sensor is activated, which denotes fault condition, the buzzer should sound and alert sms messages have to be sent and automated calls have to be made. The alarm messages are also stored with date & time stamp in the SD card. The microcontroller communicates with the GSM modem using a serial port. The status LEDs can display the status of the input pins, whether they are high or low. A Real Time Clock (RTC) keeps track of date & time even when system is powered off. The power management unit supplies a constant 3.3V DC to the system. It also charges the Li-ion battery. When the battery is fully charged, the charging discontinues. In case of power failure, the Li-ion battery can be used as a backup supply.

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Security Alert System

Mohammed Abrar ul Huq

2. INTRODUCTION The Security Alert System (SAS) is the control and monitoring center of security. It provides real-time monitoring and the system works effectively throughout its lifetime without the need of restarting. Features: -Microcontroller based processing -GSM modem for SMS messaging -Battery management circuit -Digital Inputs Monitoring -Analog Inputs Monitoring -Buzzer Output -Real Time Clock (RTC) -Watchdog -Alarm history stored in SD Card -Alarm message to multiple recipients with ID, Location, Date & Time stamp -System configurable by SMS -System Arm/Disarm -Phonebook (for each port) -Alarm Message (for each port) -Input Type (Normally Open or Normally Closed)

Fig. 1: Security Alert System (SAS)

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Security Alert System

Mohammed Abrar ul Huq

3. DESIGN & ANALYSIS Digital Sensors can be monitored depending on whether they are Normally Open (NO) or Normally Close (NC) type. NO digital sensors are those in which the NO & C terminals are not connected in normal operation. In case of fault, they connect. NC digital sensors are those in which NC & C terminals are connected in normal operation. In case of faults, the terminals disconnect. Example: An NO glass break sensor when placed on a window and powered on will show no connectivity between the NO & C terminals when everything is normal. If the window glass is being smashed, sensor is activated and the NO & C terminals get connected. An NC smoke detector when powered on and in normal operation shows connectivity between NC & C terminals. If fire/smoke is detected, sensor activates thereby the NC & C terminals are disconnected. Hence, this open & close operation of digital sensors can be used for monitoring.

Fig. 2: Digital Sensor

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Security Alert System

Mohammed Abrar ul Huq

Temperature sensor gives the temperature value in analog format. The analog voltage lies from 0 to 3V DC corresponding to the temperature in degrees. This analog voltage can be calibrated and monitored to know the temperature reading. The power supply input, i.e 230V AC supply can monitored by a power supply sensor which steps down the voltage and converts it to 0-3V DC which corresponds to 0-270V AC. Hence the presence or absence of power and even the fluctuations in power supply can be monitored. Analog Input Operation: Microcontroller receive the analog voltage (0-3V DC) at analog input port and by the process of ADC (Analog to Digital conversion) comprehend this voltage in the range of 0 to 2^n, where n describes the accuracy of the ADC. If it is a 10-bit ADC, the values can range from 0 to 2^10 i.e. 0 to 1024. If it is a 12-bit ADC, the values can range from 0 to 2^12 i.e 0 to 4096. Hence the ADC values correspond to the analog voltage and a conversion factor can be obtained to accurately comprehend them. Digital Input Operation: The digital inputs of the microcontroller can be either 0 or 1 corresponding to low or high. If the voltage between 0-1.5V DC is applied, 0 is detected and if voltage between 1.5-3V DC is applied, 1 is detected. To monitor a digital sensor which can be either Normally Open or Normally Close, the digital inputs are supplied 3.3V through a pull up resistor such that if no inputs are connected, the digital inputs remain high. One end (NO/NC) of the digital sensor is connected to the input port and other end (C) is connected to the ground terminal. If the NO/NC & C are open, then input port remains high, and NO/NC & C are connected, then input pin becomes low. This high and low at input pin is detected by the microcontroller which then sends sms and sounds buzzer by the programmed logic. Digital Output Operation: The digital output port of the microcontroller can be configured as high(3V) or low(0V) . We can define a logic for the port being high or low. Suppose if a sensor is activated, we can make the digital output as high which then sounds the buzzer. The digital output can also be used to drive a relay. When output is high, relay operates and when output is low, relay is back to normal. This switching operation of relay can be used to on/off electric equipments. SMS sending through GSM/GPRS modem: The GSM/GPRS modem is able to send/receive sms, access the GPRS to download/upload data and send/receive email. This is possible by a rich set of API (Application Programming Interface) which is known as the AT command set. The GSM modem has a serial port (USART) by which it can communicate with a PC or microcontroller.

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Security Alert System

Mohammed Abrar ul Huq

4. RESULT The initial testing of Security Alert System (SAS) was performed in lab with the simulated conditions of a closed bank room. 6 digital sensors were connected to the SAS digital input ports which comprised of 3 motion sensors, 1 smoke detector, 1 glass break sensor and 1 vibration sensor. Motion sensors were placed at 3 different locations of the room, glass break sensor at window pane, smoke detector at the ceiling and vibration sensor at the cupboard to simulate a locker. All the sensors were tested individually, not all at once, so that the performance of each of them could be observed. Upon trying to smash the window, glass break sensor activated and the signal was successfully received by the SAS which then started the buzzer and sent sms messages to the phonebook recipients. Upon burning some paper, the smoke detector activated therefore signal was received by the SAS which then sounded buzzer and sent sms messages. When a drilling machine was used to drill through the cupboard, vibration sensor activated and hence buzzer was on & sms messages were sent. Upon walking through the room, the motion sensors were activated and buzzer sounded & sms messages were sent. Also the disconnection of power supply of the SAS was made. But since the system had a backup power supply, it was active and sent the sms of power supply absence. In the event of tamper to the SAS, the system sounded the buzzer and sent the alert sms. An attempt to block the network of GSM modem was made by using a network jammer. The system sounded the buzzer but could not send the alert sms because of the network absence. However the sms was sent when the network resumed.

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Security Alert System

Mohammed Abrar ul Huq

5. CONCLUSION The overall performance of the Security Alert System is good and system is ready to be tested in various places such as homes, banks, ATMs. After a comprehensive testing, the bugs can be known and rectified. A compact, low cost system can be designed which can include more digital input ports for connecting sensors, more analog input ports for monitoring power supply, temperature and more output ports for switching electrical equipments such as buzzer, electronic doors and so on. Features such as a USB port, Ethernet ports can be added to the SAS for communicating in real time with a PC or server.

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