A PROPOSAL OF INVENTION AN EMERGENCY SIGNAL TRANSMITTER

FOR COASTAL FISHERMEN USING A MICRO-CONTROLLER CHIP.

By:

Ts. SUHAIMI BIN SHAHAB & NORUL AMIN BIN HAMSAN

DIPLOMA TEKNOLOGI ELEKTRONIK

2023
1 Introduction

Accident cases involving coastal fishermen are frequent due to the use of very
basic boats and equipment. Search and rescue (SAR) operations by the authorities
take a long time as well as high costs because the search area at sea is difficult.
Therefore, a device was designed for the use of coastal fishermen as an emergency
signal transmitter. It is common knowledge that most coastal fishermen use very
minimal communication equipment, namely mobile phones. Mobile phones have a
limited coverage area and are easily damaged when exposed to water.

Thus, this innovative device uses satellites as a medium for transmitting global
positioning system (GPS) signals to determine the current location when an accident
occurs. In addition, the transmission of emergency radio signals uses ultra-high
frequency (UHF), because it can be transmitted over the range of sight. The light for
the beacon is a 12V LED along with a relay.

2 Objectives

Among the objectives to be achieved are:

a. To produce an emergency signal transmitter that can send emergency

signals, accident location and beacon.
b. To create a program that automatically controls all the functionality of
the emergency signal transmitter.
c. To develop an embedded system technology for all controls on the
emergency signal transmitter.

3 Rational

The rationale behind the production of this emergency signal transmitter is;

a. production costs are cheap,

b. accident locations can be track by latitude and longitude,
c. emergency signal is transmitted by satellite,
 d. beacon can be detected by the light emitted, and
e. facilitate the SAR team to organize the movement of relief operations.

4 Project Scope

The product that will be produced is limited to several factors. Among those
factors are;

a. not static if dropped into the sea,

b. battery life does not last long, and
c. need to use specific applications and equipment to locate the location
of the accident.

5 Project Implementation Methodology

In order to launch the process of project development and program

development, the researcher has drawn up several action plans. The action plan has
been translated into an easy-to-understand chart. To facilitate the flow of the work
process, a project execution flow chart has been drawn up. Meanwhile, to make it
easier for researchers to organize and manage time, Gantt charts are used as a
reference. These two charts are very important because they will guide the researcher
to complete the project within the stipulated time.

5.1 Gantt chart

The Gantt chart was created by an American mechanical engineer, Henry L.

Gantt, around 1910-1915. It is a type of bar chart that depicts a project schedule
where there is a dependency relationship between activities and the current schedule
status (Gantt, 1910). For the implementation and development of the emergency
signal transmitter project, it is divided into two phases, namely FYP Phase 1 and FYP
Phase 2. Below is the overall Gantt Chart used to produce the project.
 PROJECT GANTT CHART

Gantt chart of FYP Phase 1.

SEPT 2022 OCT 2022 NOV 2022 DIS 2022 JAN 2023
ACTIVITY
W1 W2 W3 W4 W1 W2 W3 W4 W1 W2 W3 W4 W1 W2 W3 W4 W1 W2 W3 W4

Identify problems and “brainstorming”.

Designing the projects.

Selection and purchase of hardware, equipment

& electronic component.

Design block diagrams, schematic circuits,

build & test the single board computer.

Component assembly, circuit testing and

simulation.

Develop, test and download programs for micro

controller chip & single board computer.

Build project hardware - casing, etc.

Indicator:

Planning
Implementation
 PROJECT GANTT CHART

Gantt chart of FYP Phase 2.

MAC 2020 APR 2020 MEI 2020 JUN 2020 JUL 2020
ACTIVITY
W1 W2 W3 W4 W1 W2 M3 W4 W1 W2 W3 W4 W1 W2 W3 W4 W1 W2 W3 W4

Integration (hardware & program) and

product testing.

Lab test to obtain data – voltage, current,

temperature, etc.

Field test with users – to obtain response

and testimonial.

Product repair or improvement.

Project report writing.

Presentation weeks.

Indication:

Planning
Implementation
5.2 Flowchart

According to Gilbreth & Gilbreth (1921), a flow chart is a type of diagram that
represents the flow or work process. A flowchart can also be defined as a
diagrammatic representation of an algorithm in which a step-by-step approach is used
to complete a task. The steps of each work on the flow chart are shown through
various box diagrams and the work instructions are shown by connecting each box
with arrows. In summary, the flow chart for building an emergency signal transmitter
project is divided into two processes, namely the building process and the process of
developing the program for the microcontroller chip.
6 Project Construction Cost Budget

Estimating is an effort or process to predict the cost value of a project before it

begins where the complete design and project description have not been fully
prepared. References for data and cost information can be obtained from past project
reports.

No Material/Component Price (RM)

1 Micro controller chip – ATmega 328P RM20.00
2 Electronics Components RM10.00
3 Copper Board RM10.00
4 GSM Module – SIM900A RM30.00
5 GSM Module – NEO 6M RM30.00
6 UHF Wireless Radio Transmitter RM30.00
7 Rechargeable Battery – 12VDC, 1500mAH RM80.00
8 Heavy Duty Plastic Casing RM10.00
9 Other needs/equipment RM50.00
10
11
12
13
14
15
TOTAL RM280.00

7. Conclusion

Overall, this device is expected to be affordable by coastal fishermen because

of its low cost and ease of operation. In addition, spare parts are readily available,
inexpensive and easy to maintain. It is hoped that this emergency signal transmitter
device will be made a mandatory equipment for all coastal fishermen by the
authorities so that their lives can be saved as soon as possible in the event of an
accident.
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