SeatTrack: IoT Seat Occupancy Tracker

Overview

This project focuses on the implementation of an IoT platform using interconnected ESP8266 microcontrollers. The primary goal is to establish a sensor network capable of detecting chair occupancy in real-time and notifying users via MQTT of any environmental changes. Data collected by the sensors are securely stored online in a database, providing the foundation for real-time visualization and analysis. The platform offers remote configuration options, allowing users to adjust notification delays and control the entire network from any location. Leveraging the ESP-Now communication protocol ensures energy efficiency by employing various sleep modes to optimize sensor performance and minimize power consumption as well as maintenance cost.

Features

• Communication:

  • Sensing Nodes ↔ Bridge Node: ESP-Now
  • Bridge Node ↔ MQTT Client: MQTT
  • Visualization via Node-RED

• Energy Efficiency:

  • Uses ESP-Now for low power consumption.
  • Implements ESP.deepSleep() to extend battery life.
  • Powered by LiFePO4 batteries for compatibility and longevity.

• Flexibility:

  • Easy to use, install, and maintain.
  • Remote configuration of notification delays and network control.
  • Easily add new sensing nodes.

Hardware Components

• Sensing Nodes:

  • ESP8266 microcontroller
  • Push button (simulating a pressure mat)
  • LiFePO4 battery

• Bridge Node:

  • ESP8266 microcontroller
  • USB power connection

• Gateway:

  • Laptop with MQTT client software (Node-RED)

Software Components

• Sensing Nodes:

  • Button press/release event handling.
  • ESP-Now communication.
  • Power management using sleep modes.
  • Libraries: ESP8266 Arduino Core, ESP-Now library.

• Bridge Node:

  • Serial communication with the gateway.
  • ESP-Now communication with sensing nodes.
  • Power management logic.
  • Libraries: ESP8266 Arduino Core, ESP-Now library, JSON library, MQTT messaging library.

• Gateway:

  • MQTT client interaction with the sensor network.
  • Node-RED for visualization.
  • Libraries: MQTT library, Node-RED library (node-red, node-red-dashboard).

Setting Up the System

1. Sensing Nodes:

   • Connect push buttons to ESP8266.
   • Upload sensing node code and configure the environment.
   • Connect batteries.

2. Bridge Node:

   • Upload bridge node code and configure the environment.
   • Connect the bridge node to the laptop via USB.

3. Gateway:

   • Install Node-RED software on the laptop.
   • Optionally, install MQTT client software for enhanced security.

4. Using the System:

   • Monitor chair occupancy via MQTT notifications on Node-RED dashboard.
   • Enable/disable the sensor network and adjust configuration settings from the dashboard.

Testing

• Unit Tests:

  • Verify individual components (sensing nodes, bridge node, gateway).
  • Test button events, ESP-Now communication, and MQTT messaging.

• Integration Tests:

  • Check communication between sensing nodes and bridge.
  • Ensure interaction between bridge and gateway.

• Future Work:

  • Measure battery life and evaluate system reliability under various scenarios.

Reflection

Problems Encountered & Solutions

• Power Consumption:

  • Implemented various sleep modes to conserve battery life.

• Communication Reliability:

  • Fine-tuned ESP-Now parameters and ensured error handling.

Future Development

• Enhanced User Interface:

  • Develop a user-friendly mobile app for easier system control.

• Integration with Other IoT Devices:

  • Explore integration possibilities with other smart devices.

• Expandable Network:

  • Investigate methods to seamlessly add new sensing nodes to the network.

References

• LiFePO4 Battery Information

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.

Contributors

• Oscar BIGNO
• James DUONG
• Romain PERROT

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For more detailed information, visit our project website and watch our video demonstration.

© 2023 by Oscar BIGNO, James DUONG, and Romain PERROT.