Design and Construction of a Remote Battery Monitoring and Control Device Using the Internet of Things (IoT)

Abstract

The Internet of Things (IoT) has found numerous applications, one
of which is in the realm of smart power monitoring and control
systems. This work explores the potential of the IoT in designing
and constructing a remote battery monitoring and control device.
The purpose of the device is to monitor the state of charge (SOC)
of the battery and control its charging process remotely,
addressing issues of self-discharging and overcharging of deep
circuits. The device is designed using a PIC16F887
microcontroller and an A6 GSM/GPRS module, serving as the IoT
platform, providing platform-independent monitoring and control
capabilities through web browsing devices such as mobiles and
laptops. The microcontroller is tasked with controlling the
system’s various functions, while the GPRS module allows for
communication with the web server and remote monitoring and
control. To validate the design, a series of tests were conducted.
The power supply test ensured that the voltage regulators 7805
and LM317 were able to produce the required 5V and 4.2V,
respectively, to power the various components of the system. The
GPRS module test confirmed that the module was able to
communicate effectively with the microcontroller. The switching
circuit test verified that the relay actuator pins were connected
properly to power and ground, allowing for proper switching and
control. Finally, the system test was conducted to cross-examine
the entire circuitry for errors, such as short circuits and improper
IC pin connections, before powering up the system. The successful
implementation of this remote battery monitoring and control
device demonstrates the potential of the IoT in creating practical
and efficient solutions for power monitoring and control. This
device can provide valuable insights into battery performance and
usage, enabling remote management of battery charging systems