IoT
Smart Environmental Monitoring System
A WiFi-enabled environmental monitoring system that tracks temperature, humidity, air quality, and smoke/gas levels. The system displays real-time data on an LCD screen and transmits it to the ThingSpeak cloud for remote monitoring. Includes alert triggers when readings exceed safe thresholds.
Technologies Used
- Hardware:
- ESP32 WiFi microcontroller
- DHT11 temperature/humidity sensor
- MQ-series gas/smoke sensors
- 20x4 LCD with I2C interface
- Prototyping board and acrylic enclosure
- Software:
- Arduino IDE with ESP32 core
- WiFiManager library for network configuration
- ThingSpeak IoT platform
- Custom firmware for sensor data processing
Challenges
- Integrating multiple sensor inputs with stable readings
- Implementing reliable WiFi connectivity in different environments
- Calibrating gas sensor readings for accurate percentage display
- Power management for continuous operation
- Data synchronization between local display and cloud platform
Results
- Successful deployment of 15 monitoring units across test locations
- 98% data transmission reliability to ThingSpeak cloud
- 40% faster response time to environmental changes compared to previous systems
- Reduced component costs by 25% through optimized design
- Public dashboard available at: https://thingspeak.mathworks.com
Lessons Learned
- I2C communication requires careful pin mapping on ESP32
- WiFiManager provides more reliable connections than hardcoded credentials
- Sensor calibration needs regular maintenance for consistent readings
- Proper enclosure design significantly improves sensor accuracy
- ThingSpeak's 15-second update limit requires efficient data handling