GSM Based Lighting Control System Using Microcontroller

EE 199
Research Proposal

Rodelyn B. Cañizares
B.S. Electrical Engineering
1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

Lighting is a major source of electricity consumption.Commercial public sector
buildings and residential houses account for 43% of the electricity used for lighting. There
are common problems that home owners encountered in relation with lighting system. One of
this is due to some negligence like leaving the lights ON results of having greater power
consumption. This additional power consumption that wasted varies directly to our electrical
bills. Another problem is for those busy home owners who will arrive home late at night;
they want to have immediate access to turn on the lights to have preventive measures against
robbery and crimes.
On the other hand Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) technology is
most popular nowadays. Short Messages Services (SMS) using GSM is considered as the
cheapest and reliable means of communication. The Philippines have the largest population
of mobile subscribers who uses text messaging as a means of communication. An average of
20 text messages is being sent daily by a subscriber. Because of this, the Philippines have
been considered as the text capital of the world. On 2007 alone, there are 42.70 million
people who are subscribers of mobile phones. [1]
Mobile devices, such as mobile phones, are becoming multipurpose devices. The
researcher proposes a system that allows the user to control lighting systems remotely using
mobile phones. It provides remote control via Short Messages Services (SMS) using Global
System for Mobile Communication (GSM) technology. This system can be used when the
user is away from the place. The user only needs to use his cell phone in order to monitor and
control the lights in their house. This system is related on the past study which uses personal
computer (PC) that contains the software components through which the lights and
appliances are controlled and home security is monitored [2]. Regarding with this project, the
researcher wants to develop a system that uses a microcontroller instead of PC. Using
microcontroller will result to have a reduced size system and economical to digitally control
even more lights [3].

1.2 Project Objectives

1. Build a control system that used to control lighting system using SMS feature of
GSM technology.

2. To use microcontroller to control the operation of the lighting system and make
the system economical compare with PC interfacing.

3. To develop software program to control the message received.

 1.3 Overview

Switch Light
Mobil
e phone
1

Relay
SMS

Microcontroller
Power supply
Mobil
e phone Searching for
2 SMS Reading Compare
control words
and saving with control

Reset

Figure1-1. The block diagram of the GSM based Switch control

Figure 1-1 shows how the system operates. The system is based on GSM technology
for transmission of SMS from sender to receiver. Mobile phone 2 received the SMS message
sent by mobile phone 1. As the mobile phone 2 is recognized by the microcontroller, then the
received message sends to the microcontroller. The microcontroller read the message and
saves. Searching inside the SMS message for any control words available this is done by
using the appropriate program. The program will manage the SMS data and compares with
available control words. When the program find the control words inside the message, then,
the program will prepare to send the desired signals to the lighting system through relays.
The program automatically deletes the saved message, so as to prepare to receive new SMS
message.
2.0 Review of Related Literature
2.1 Lighting System

Residential houses and offices about 20 to 50 percent of total energy is consumed due
to lighting load. Most importantly, for some buildings over 90 percent of lighting energy
consumed can be an unnecessary expense through over-illumination. The cost of that lighting
can be substantial. A single 100 W light bulb used just 6 hours a day can cost over $25 per
year to use (.12/kWh). Thus lighting represents a critical component of energy use today,
especially in large office buildings where there are many alternatives for energy utilization in
lighting. There are several strategies available to minimize energy requirements in any
building:

• Specification of illumination requirements for each given use area.

• Analysis of lighting quality to ensure that adverse components of lighting (for
example, glare or incorrect color spectrum) are not biasing the design.
• Integration of space planning and interior architecture (including choice of interior
surfaces and room geometries) to lighting design.
• Design of time of day use that does not expend unnecessary energy.
• Selection of fixture and lamp types that reflect best available technology for energy
conservation.
• Training of building occupants to utilize lighting equipment in most efficient manner.
• Maintenance of lighting systems to minimize energy wastage.
• Use of natural light - some big box stores are being built (ca 2006 on) with numerous
plastic bubble skylights, in many cases completely obviating the need for interior
artificial lighting for many hours of the day.

REQUIRED LIGHTING OUTLETS

(a) At least one wall switch-controlled lighting outlet shall be installed in every habitable
room: in bathrooms, hallways, stairways, attached garages, detached garages with electric
power, and at outdoor entrances or exits. The lighting outlet for interior stairways shall have
a wall switch at each floor level where the difference between floor levels is six steps or
more.

(b) At least one wall switch controlled lighting outlet shall be installed in an attic, under-floor
space, utility room, and basement, where these spaces are used for storage or contain
equipment requiring servicing. The switch shall be located at the point of entry to these areas,
and the lighting outlet located at or near the equipment requiring servicing.

HOMEOWNERS GUIDE FOR RESIDENTIAL WIRING

Based on the 2002 National electrical Code

2.1.1 Lighting Switch Control

Once you have formulated a lighting design, it is important to decide how to regulate
the system or control the lighting design to achieve the desired effect. There are many
options, from simple switches to preset multiple-zone/ multiple-scene controllers. Every
room is capable of being viewed and used in numerous ways. A multiple-scene controller
allows the same lights to be illuminated at various levels by a single control unit. Multiple
scene controllers can do this at the push of a button.

2.1.1.1 Momentary Contact Switches

Momentary contact switches (door jam switches) are devices that turn on the light
when the door is opened. It’s the same way the light in your refrigerator operates. When the
door is shut, the light automatically goes out. This works only if the household members
remember to shut the door completely. Bi-fold doors don’t work well with momentary
contact switches because the need to be fully closed to make a good connection.

2.1.1.2 Motion Sensors

Motion sensors turn on the lights as someone enters the room or closet and keeps
them on as long as there movement or for a certain length of time, as preset in the sensor.
Some companies make motion sensors with manual override for clients who plan to spend a
great deal of time in a particular room without moving around. For instance, if there is a safe
in the master-bedroom closet and home owners occasionally review important papers or sort
of jewelry there, an override on the motion sensor in this location would be advisable.

2.1.1.3 Panic Switches

Panic Switches are switches normally located in the master bedroom that turn on
exterior perimeter lights. No home owners want to run to the front door when there is
suspicious noise outside at night- most people don’t even want to get out of bed. This will
also allow the occupants to turn off the outside or entry lights if they are left unintentionally.

2.1.1.4 Sound Actuated Switches

A sound-actuated switches including a microphone coupled via an audio amplifier to

a reset circuit. These devices turn on the lights when a noise is made. When a sound of
sufficient intensity is received by the microphone a reset signal is supplied to the counter
portion of an oscillator and counter circuit. The counter then begins counting oscillations and
produces an "on" control signal until a predetermined count is reached, at which time an
"off" control signal is produced.[5]
2.2 Global system for mobile communication (GSM)

Global system for mobile communication (GSM) is a globally accepted standard for
digital cellular communication. GSM is the name of a standardization group established in
1982 to create a common European mobile telephone standard that would formulate
specifications for a pan-European mobile cellular radio system operating at 900 MHz. It is
estimated that many countries outside of Europe will join the GSM partnership.

2.2.1 The Switching System

The switching system (SS) is responsible for performing call processing and subscriber-
related functions. The switching system includes the following functional units:
2.2.1.1 Home location register (HLR)
The HLR is a database used for storage and management of subscriptions. The HLR is
considered the most important database, as it stores permanent data about subscribers,
including a subscriber's service profile, location information, and activity status. When an
individual buys a subscription from one of the PCS operators, he or she is registered in the
HLR of that operator.
2.2.1.2Mobile services switching center (MSC)
The MSC performs the telephony switching functions of the system. It controls calls to and
from other telephone and data systems. It also performs such functions as toll ticketing,
network interfacing, common channel signaling, and others.
2.2.1.3 Visitor location register (VLR)
The VLR is a database that contains temporary information about subscribers that is needed
by the MSC in order to service visiting subscribers. The VLR is always integrated with the
MSC. When a mobile station roams into a new MSC area, the VLR connected to that MSC
will request data about the mobile station from the HLR. Later, if the mobile station makes a
call, the VLR will have the information needed for call setup without having to interrogate
the HLR each time.
• authentication center (AUC)—A unit called the AUC provides
authentication and encryption parameters that verify the user's identity
and ensure the confidentiality of each call. The AUC protects network
operators from different types of fraud found in today's cellular world.
• equipment identity register (EIR)—The EIR is a database that
contains information about the identity of mobile equipment that
prevents calls from stolen, unauthorized, or defective mobile stations.
The AUC and EIR are implemented as stand-alone nodes or as a
combined AUC/EIR node.
2.3 Microcontroller
Microcontrollers are hidden inside a surprising number of products these days. If your
microwave oven has an LED or LCD screen and a keypad, it contains a microcontroller. All
modern automobiles contain at least one microcontroller, and can have as many as six or
seven: The engine is controlled by a microcontroller, as are the anti-lock brakes, the cruise
control and so on. Any device that has a remote control almost certainly contains a
microcontroller: TVs, VCRs and high-end stereo systems all fall into this category. Nice SLR
and digital cameras, cell phones, camcorders, answering machines, laser printers, telephones
(the ones with caller ID, 20-number memory, etc.), pagers, and feature-laden refrigerators,
dishwashers, washers and dryers (the ones with displays and keypads)... You get the idea.
Basically, any product or device that interacts with its user has a microcontroller buried
inside.

What is a Microcontroller?

A microcontroller is a computer. All computers -- whether we are talking about a personal

desktop computer or a large mainframe computer or a microcontroller -- have several things
in common:

• All computers have a CPU (central processing unit) that executes programs. If you
are sitting at a desktop computer right now reading this article, the CPU in that
machine is executing a program that implements the Web browser that is displaying
this page.
• The CPU loads the program from somewhere. On your desktop machine, the browser
program is loaded from the hard disk.
• The computer has some RAM (random-access memory) where it can store
"variables."
• And the computer has some input and output devices so it can talk to people. On your
desktop machine, the keyboard and mouse are input devices and the monitor and
printer are output devices. A hard disk is an I/O device -- it handles both input and
output.

The desktop computer you are using is a "general purpose computer" that can run any of
thousands of programs. Microcontrollers are "special purpose computers." Microcontrollers
do one thing well. There are a number of other common characteristics that define
microcontrollers. If a computer matches a majority of these characteristics, then you can call
it a "microcontroller":

• Microcontrollers are "embedded" inside some other device (often a consumer

product) so that they can control the features or actions of the product. Another name
for a microcontroller, therefore, is "embedded controller."
• Microcontrollers are dedicated to one task and run one specific program. The
program is stored in ROM (read-only memory) and generally does not change.
• Microcontrollers are often low-power devices. A desktop computer is almost always
plugged into a wall socket and might consume 50 watts of electricity. A battery-
operated microcontroller might consume 50 milliwatts.
 • A microcontroller has a dedicated input device and often (but not always) has a
small LED or LCD display for output. A microcontroller also takes input from the
device it is controlling and controls the device by sending signals to different
components in the device.

For example, the microcontroller inside a TV takes input from the remote control and
displays output on the TV screen. The controller controls the channel selector, the
speaker system and certain adjustments on the picture tube electronics such as tint
and brightness. The engine controller in a car takes input from sensors such as the
oxygen and knock sensors and controls things like fuel mix and spark plug timing. A
microwave oven controller takes input from a keypad, displays output on an LCD
display and controls a relay that turns the microwave generator on and off.

• A microcontroller is often small and low cost. The components are chosen to
minimize size and to be as inexpensive as possible.
• A microcontroller is often, but not always, ruggedized in some way.

The microcontroller controlling a car's engine, for example, has to work in

temperature extremes that a normal computer generally cannot handle. A car's
microcontroller in Alaska has to work fine in -30 degree F (-34 C) weather, while the
same microcontroller in Nevada might be operating at 120 degrees F (49 C). When
you add the heat naturally generated by the engine, the temperature can go as high as
150 or 180 degrees F (65-80 C) in the engine compartment.

On the other hand, a microcontroller embedded inside a VCR hasn't been ruggedized
at all.

The actual processor used to implement a microcontroller can vary widely. For example, the
cell phone shown on Inside a Digital Cell Phone contains a Z-80 processor. The Z-80 is an 8-
bit microprocessor developed in the 1970s and originally used in home computers of the
time. The Garmin GPS shown in How GPS Receivers Work contains a low-power version of
the Intel 80386, I am told. The 80386 was originally used in desktop computers.

In many products, such as microwave ovens, the demand on the CPU is fairly low and price
is an important consideration. In these cases, manufacturers turn to dedicated
microcontroller chips -- chips that were originally designed to be low-cost, small, low-
power, embedded CPUs. The Motorola 6811 and Intel 8051 are both good examples of such
chips. There is also a line of popular controllers called "PIC microcontrollers" created by a
company called Microchip. By today's standards, these CPUs are incredibly minimalistic; but
they are extremely inexpensive when purchased in large quantities and can often meet the
needs of a device's designer with just one chip.

A typical low-end microcontroller chip might have 1,000 bytes of ROM and 20 bytes of
RAM on the chip, along with eight I/0 pins. In large quantities, the cost of these chips can
sometimes be just pennies. You certainly are never going to run Microsoft Word on such a
chip -- Microsoft Word requires perhaps 30 megabytes of RAM and a processor that can run
millions of instructions per second. But then, you don't need Microsoft Word to control a
microwave oven, either. With a microcontroller, you have one specific task you are trying to
accomplish, and low-cost, low-power performance is what is important.

“How Microcontrollers Work” http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/microcontroller.htm

References:

1. The History of Text Messaging.August 31, 2009 by DavidH. http://www.vxcl.org.htm

2. Khiyal, Malik Sikandar Hayat Khiyal.SMS Based Wireless Home Appliance Control
System for Automating Appliances and Security.http://iisit.org/Vol6/IISITv6p887-
894Khiyal592.pdf (2009).
3. Microcontroller. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcontroller. (August 2009).
4. SMS Control Systems.(2006-2008). http://www.smscs.co.za/overview.htm
http://www.emo.org.tr/ekler/8808cfb5939be38_ek.pdf
5.Whitehead,Randall, Residential Lighting: A Practical Guide. Wiley and Sons Inc., 2004.