RESEARCH

PLAN
 Research Plan

Student Name: Sohaimie S. Noor

Project Title: Design And Development Of Real-Time Monitoring Aerial Drone Weather

Surveillance System Using Esp32 Microcontroller

A. Rationale: Global warming is triggering a rise in previously uncommon extreme weather

events, resulting in unpredictable weather patterns such as temperature fluctuations,

heavy rainfall, floods, storms, droughts, and other phenomena. These changes pose

challenges in predicting mid-latitude weather patterns. The Intergovernmental Panel on

Climate Change emphasizes significant increases in the frequency of unusual extreme

events. Consequently, climate change is exerting a profound impact on both our lives and

the environment.

Monitoring weather pattern changes is crucial for sectors like agriculture,

transportation, and energy, as weather significantly impacts our well-being and safety.

Various industries, including agriculture, infrastructure, and emergency response, depend

on accurate weather predictions. Given the current circumstances, a deeper understanding

of weather patterns is essential for better control and preparedness. Staying updated on

weather forecasts is especially important in areas with outdated or inaccurate information

to ensure people know what to expect for their day.

The study focuses on using drones for precise real-time weather monitoring,

addressing the limitations of traditional methods like weather balloons. Weather balloons
 excel in certain parameters but are less accurate at lower altitudes due to potential

instability and uncontrollable drift caused by high wind speeds.

Drones, with varying heights and battery capacities, offer the advantage of collecting data

at different atmospheric levels, enhancing understanding of local weather patterns.

B. Statement of the Problem: The objective of this study is to assess the accuracy and

effectiveness of the weather monitoring drone, thereby enhancing the quality of weather

information available for announcements and management in a specific area.

Specifically, this study aims to answer the following questions:

1. How well do real-time weather observations in a particular location, based on the

set weather parameters, match the forecasted weather patterns for that area at a

given time, such as:

a. morning;

b. afternoon; and

c. night

2. What is the data generated by the drone in terms of:

a. temperature;

b. humidity;

c. air pressure; and

d. UV index
 3. Is there a significant difference from the data collected in relation to the specified

parameters in terms of the following height and altitude:

a. 10 meters;

b. 15 meters;

c. 20 meters; and

d. 25 meters

C. Methods/Procedures

Research Design

The study, 'Design and Development of a Real-Time Weather

Monitoring Drone Surveillance System Using Esp32 Microcontroller,' employed an

experimental and quantitative research design to extensively investigate the performance of

weather surveillance systems and its development to existing weather monitoring drones.

The researcher conducted tests to rigorously assess the usability, efficacy, and

suitability of the prototype for mechatronics applications. The quantitative approach is

particularly well-suited for the analysis and interpretation of numerical data associated with

variables. By employing this design, the researcher aimed to maintain control over extraneous

variables, ensuring the internal validity of the study. It also provides a systematic and data-

driven framework for collecting and analyzing information, enhancing the reliability and

generalizability of research outcomes.

Data Collection Method

 The data collection method for this study was centered on the

implementation of the innovation of the DJI Mini2 drone for predicting and tracking weather

events.

It implemented the observation of climate data measurements that include temperature,

atmospheric pressure, humidity, and UV parameters based on the sensors that are attached to

the drone. These are recorded over time with an aerial drone surveillance system using

ESP32 and transmitted to the web server. It employed advanced sensor technology, improved

weather monitoring, video and camera capture functions, and user satisfaction, providing

reliability and quality surveillance.

Designing of the applicator

Legend:
 Figure 1: Design Concept

Connecting the Digital Humidity, Atmospheric Pressure, UV Radiation and Temperature

Sensors to the ESP32

 Begin by establishing a connection between the digital humidity and temperature

sensor and the ESP32 to enable real-time data collection of weather conditions.

 These sensors serve as vital components that capture essential climate-related metrics,

contributing to the overall accuracy and comprehensiveness of our weather

surveillance system.

Setting Up ESP32 on Arduino IDE

 Once the physical connection is established, we proceed to program the ESP32

microcontroller, configuring it to communicate effectively with the sensors. This

programming stage enables the ESP32 to receive data from the sensors in real-time,

ensuring a continuous and reliable stream of environmental information.

 Configure and program the ESP32 microcontroller using the Arduino Integrated

Development Environment (IDE) to ensure it's ready for data acquisition and

communication.

Setting Up Web Server

 Create a specific data collection endpoint, configure and secure the web server, and

then use it.

 This server receives and processes data from the device and manages memory while

monitoring incoming data and checking for errors.

 To create a web server, a device can be used such as a phone’s hotspot IP address to

serve as our database.

 The DHT22, BMP180, and SI1145 sensors must be connected to the ESP32

microcontroller using the Arduino IDE to transmit the data in the webserver.

 Sensors must be connected and programmed to receive the collected data.

Calibration of Sensors

 Calibration verifies the accuracy and repeatability of measurements from sensors and

measurement systems. A calibrated sensor is a prerequisite for accurate, reliable, and

repeatable measurement results.

 The calibration starts with the DHT22 temperature sensor. DHT22 is a sensor

commonly used to measure temperature and humidity.

 To test, the sensor is placed in different temperature ranges. It was tested with normal

room temperature, ice, and hot water to record readings and establish a baseline.

 Immerse the sensor in a cup filled with ice, the temperature begins to decrease until it

reaches a constant temperature and is compared to room temperature.

 Place the sensor in a cup of hot water; the temperature begins to increase but does not

reach the boiling point. The constant temperature is compared with a known

temperature
 The next sensor to calibrate is the SI1145, which checks the IR light, visible light, and

UV index.

 The first test was to test the visible light in a dark environment, resulting in light still

passing through even if the area is completely covered.

 Next to be tested is the IR light. It was measured with a flashlight with different

intensities at different distances to see how much light the sensors would receive

remotely in a different area.

 The next sensor is the BMP180, which checks temperature, pressure, atmospheric

pressure, and altitude.

 The atmospheric pressure and the pressure is set by coding.

 The pressure gathered is stable and is in pascal, which is then converted to the

standard atmosphere, which is the atmospheric pressure.

 The testing of the altitude is next to calibrate.

 The altitude stated by the sensor came out as negative at first. The error was checked,

and then the researchers coded the elevation of the area for it to come out as positive.

Connect the Battery to the ESP32

 Power the ESP32 using a suitable battery source to evaluate its performance and

ability to sustain data collection in a real-world aerial drone environment.

 In a controlled real-world environment, deploy the aerial drone equipped with the

ESP32-powered weather surveillance system. During this phase, monitor the system's

performance closely, paying particular attention to power consumption, data

collection accuracy, and system stability.

 Assess the ESP32's ability to sustain real-time data transmission to the Blynk platform

while operating on battery power. This involves validating that the collected weather

data continues to flow smoothly and reliably to the cloud-based interface.

 Ensure that data collected by the ESP32 is securely stored or backed up, even in the

event of a power failure. This safeguards valuable data and minimizes potential

disruptions.

Video and Image Capture

 Connect a phone to the drone's controller to make use of the drone's camera to take

photos and videos of the weather from different angles and perspectives.

 This connection facilitates the operation of the drone's camera and allows for precise

control over its movements and functions.

 Capturing images and videos during specific weather events or phenomena, such as

rain, cloud formations, or temperature changes. These visuals serve as useful

documentation and can help with the analysis of data trends.

Connecting Phone to DJI Fly App

 The DJI Fly is installed to the phone of a researcher to use the camera function and

see the flight process and altitude of the drone.

 The phone must be connected to the controller of the drone to link the phone to the

used drone.

 The app has multiple functions, it can be used to scan and search the surroundings

while flying. It can also be used for taking photos and videos.
 The app is used to use the camera and check the altitude the drone has flown by its

stated altitude in meters. It also has a GPS.

Field Testing

 The drone was tested for its ability to fly with and without an attached

microcontroller.

 The first field tests of the drone's attempt to reach maximum altitude.

 The second field test involves attaching a yarn to the drone and trying to reach a

maximum altitude to calculate the distance the drone can reach by attaching the yarn.

The drone did not reach its maximum altitude due to the windy environment, but it

did fly at a good altitude.

 The third field test involved flying the drone with the microcontroller and expansion

board connected. It is unstable and cannot fly well due to its weight and windy air.

The researchers then made some changes.

 The fourth field test involved flying the drone with the microcontroller connected and

without the expansion board, as it was proposed to no longer use the expansion board.

Data Analysis Procedure

The data analysis process of an aerial drone for weather surveillance can entail

a number of processes in order to effectively evaluate and comprehend the data obtained

from the sensors and camera, managed and controlled using the system’s controller and

the app’s functionalities. As part of the process, information from the drone is initially
gathered and saved in a database which is through our webserver’s assigned IP address.

The data must next be examined in order to comprehend its distribution and patterns.

To do this, graphic organizer and summary data can be produced. The drone’s capabilities

generally in detecting weather conditions, based on our fixed parameters will be one of

our main focuses in the data and its differences in real weather forecasts.

It will also include the factors of the innovated drone’s functionality using more statistical

methods. Inferences will be drawn from the data analysis findings and recommendations

for improving the drone’s capability and functionalities and imply new ways to innovate

it prior to future student researchers. To make the data more comprehensible and useful, a

variety of visualizations, including graphs, charts, and tables, can be used to present it.

In order to further enhance the understanding of the drone based on the user’s

experience in controlling it, instructions will be provided in the drone’s manual to access

the drone. The manual will explain how to use each component of our drone, ensuring

proper use of the drone’s capabilities

Experimental Set-up

The Design And Development Of Real-Time Monitoring Aerial Drone Weather

Surveillance System Using an Esp32 Microcontroller assesses whether the innovative

system can provide real-time weather data connections compared to conventional

methods. The weather data is collected by a web server from the IP address.

The web server receives information from the drone monitoring above by transmitting

the ESP32 measurement data from the sensor. The web server can be accessed through

any device, and the drone can be monitored based on its own app. The camera in the
 drone can be used by connecting on a phone to see the surroundings and capture images

and videos to support our data collection. The drone exceeds traditional weather

monitoring methods in terms of accuracy, efficiency, and reliability for real-time weather

data collection.

Flowchart
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