Raspberry Pi Microcomputer Research Articles

BLE-Based Indoor Tracking System with Overlapping-Resistant IoT Solution for Tourism Applications.

In this paper, an overlapping-resistant Internet of Things (IoT) solution for a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)-based indoor tracking system (BLE-ITS) is presented. The BLE-ITS is a promising, inexpensive alternative to the well-known GPS. It can be used in human traffic analysis, such as indoor tourist facilities. Tourists or other customers are tagged by a unique MAC address assigned to a simple and energy-saving BLE beacon emitter. Their location is determined by a distributed and scalable network of popular Raspberry Pi microcomputers equipped with BLE and WiFi/Ethernet modules. Only simple triggered messages in the form of login records (LRs) are sent to a server, where the so-called path vectors (PVs) and interest profile (IPr) are set. The authors implemented the prototype and demonstrated its usefulness in a controlled environment. As it is shown in the paper, the solution is highly overlap-resistant and mitigates the so-called multilocation problem.

Development of a Stereo NDVI Imaging System Using Raspberry Pi

Multispectral imagery for sensing applications are very pricey and sometimes not available. Thispaper shows the development of an imaging system that captures near infrared light and visible lightto produce a Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) image. It utilizes the Raspberry Pimicrocomputer which was capable of performing different image processing techniques to processimages captured by the multi-spectral band digital cameras. The system applied image rectification,and stereo correspondence prior to calculation of the NDVI. Images produced were validated and are70 percent comparable to an existing system.

Hybrid VLC Communications System for Increased Security Based on Raspberry Pi Microcomputer

VLC (Visible Light Communications) technology represents nowadays a new paradigm that could have a significant impact on future wireless communications. Although this technology has many advantages, one of the most common problem generated by the use of optical communication systems (based on the light in the visible spectrum), is the increased degree of disruption of the communication channel under the direct sunlight influence. The purpose of this article is to present the technological developments specific to the VLC/IR-RF (Visible Light Communication / Infrared - Radio-Frequency) hybrid system developed in the framework of a scientific research project started in 2017, which were recorded during the first half of 2019. This system based on multiple sensory devices such as temperature, motion, light intensity, dust, IR and microbolometer sensors will present the ability of intelligent monitoring and control of indoor environments (houses, office buildings, universities, campuses, etc.). From the point of view of the final purpose of the project, this will result in a hybrid bidirectional optical communication system capable of supporting high transfer rates, increased resistance to the specific sunlight disturbance, and the possibility of transmitting sensory information over long distances. The previous experimentation activities undertaken during the project were based on the use of the Arduino UNO development boards. Currently, it has been chosen to replace them with the development boards based on the ARM Cortex-A53 processor, in order to improve the system’s performance. The Arduino development boards have limited the performance of the communications system from the point of view of the transfer speeds and distances. The new Raspberry Pi development boards, being a complete operating and control system, presents high operational performances that can be used in favor of the final goal of the project.

Fly-by-Pi: Open source closed-loop control for geotechnical centrifuge testing applications

Geotechnical centrifuges are valuable instruments for physical modelling of complex geotechnical problems in a controlled laboratory setting. In comparison to full-scale testing, scaled models are cost effective to construct and instrument and, when tested in a geotechnical centrifuge at increased centrifugal accelerations, are capable of replicating full-scale stress–strain soil behaviour. Centrifuge modellers require specialised hardware and instruments capable of functioning under high accelerations. Such hardware is costly, nearly always purpose built, and often rely on commercial, closed-source data acquisition systems, hardware and control systems.This paper demonstrates a novel and versatile, low cost, open source logger and control system that works in parallel alongside existing centrifuge hardware. This solution, termed Fly-by-Pi, was developed using the Raspberry Pi microcomputer. The system provides closed-loop control of linear actuators with the ability to operate in either cyclic, monotonic, or static load- or displacement-control. The control mechanism can be reprogrammed according to experimental requirements, even during flight in the centrifuge. Three independent experiments are described which included the Fly-by-Pi controller as a key component in their operation. Based on the experience gained during these experiments, the authors encourage wide-spread adoption of open-sourced hardware solutions in extreme testing environments.

Сomparative Analysis of LPWAN technologies

The scope of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies is expanding year by year. One such area is the engineering of systems for collecting and transmitting information from various sensors for further processing and possible control of technological systems. Examples of such systems are "smart city" systems, environmental pollution control systems, natural disasters forecasting systems, soil moisture systems, etc. The technologies and protocols for building such systems must, first and foremost, be characterized by low energy consumption and cover large territorial areas. The technology of this class is commonly known as LPWAN (Low-power Wide-area Network). This paper solves the problem of analyzing the features of LPWAN technologies by the criteria: openness, coverage range, data rate and deployment cost, for further use in the construction of engineering systems for collecting and transmitting information from various sensors for further processing and possible control of technological systems. It is determined that the selected criteria is most consistent with the LoRaWAN protocol. Compared to other standards, LoRaWAN is the most open standard for creating small private networks. If we are building a LoRa specification network and we have a third-party device that responds to it, then the device in our network is quietly activated and can work. LoRa technology uses frequency bands that do not require licensing. A typical LoRaWAN network consists of the following elements: end devices, gateways, network server, application server.Features of Lora modulation used at the physical layer of the LoRaWAN protocol are considered. LoRa is a "chirp spread spectrum (CSS)" modulation . This is a spread spectrum technique that uses broadband linear frequency modulated (chirp) pulses to encode information.The network architecture is also analyzed in terms of the ability to create your own hardware components. It should be noted that LoRaWAN does not allow communication between devices: packets can only be transmitted from the end device to the network server or vice versa. Thus, communication between devices can only be implemented through an intermediate network server.The openness of LoRaWAN enables you to create your own network components, most notably end devices and gateways, using available technical and hardware solutions that provide the necessary parameters. For example, a Raspberry Pi microcomputer (an estimated cost of $ 38) can be used to build a gateway and an Arduino microcontroller ($ 3) to create end nodes with appropriate sensors.

Low‐cost bus seating information technology system

Public transport operators often struggle to provide a reliable and efficient transport service. A lack of comprehensive real-time operational data is often cited as a major cause for this state of things. In this study, the authors report on the design, implementation and testing of an Internet of Things-based system, named Bus Seating Information Technology system, which dynamically determines vehicle occupancy while the bus is in service. It uses an array of sensors for detecting events in the vehicle: infrared sensors ascertain whether passengers are entering or leaving the bus; force-sensitive resistors facilitate seat-occupancy detection; a Global Positioning System shield in conjunction with a Raspberry Pi microcomputer enables real-time tracking of the bus; and a USB camera connected to the same Raspberry Pi assist in cross-checking and validating the preceding information. The data collected is uploaded to an online IoT platform (thinger.io), through 3G or 4G if available, and can be visualised via an android app as well as through a desktop computer user interface. The planned functions of the system were tested in a 20-seater bus. Results showed that the system can track the vehicle location, as well as vehicle occupancy in real-time in most cases.

Implementation and Commercialization of the Results of the “Multidisciplinary Mobile Computer Classroom Based on Raspberry Pi” Project

This paper describes the developed technology for using the Raspberry Pi micro-computer to teach practical skills on computer networks and operating systems. The effectiveness of acquiring skills using the proposed technology is due to the fact that it allows organizing the workshops with personal support with the necessary special tools. The paper presents a largely implemented project on an initiative basis, preceding the work on commercialization of the described results. In the present work a full detailed content of the steps for implementation and subsequent commercialization of the solutions presented in the project is given. There was assembled a prototype of the hardware-software device. There were developed individual training kits for distribution to students in the classroom. To study the disciplines “Computer Networks” and “Operating Systems”, methodological recommendations on the operation and maintenance of the described computer class were prepared; a methodological manual is being prepared for studying these disciplines using these training kits; the guidelines for operation of devices and components were developed. The work also prepared boot files with the predefined working environment for each discipline. These files include the needed operating systems, the needed preinstalled software, a customized user interface, the needed literature, a training manual, and methodological recommendations. In terms of commercialization, the calculations were carried out on the costs of organizing a computer class based on the Raspberry Pi: implementation of the developed technology; the effectiveness of its implementation was evaluated. A commercial plan was drawn up and calculations were made on the current date with the reference mainly to Kazakhstan; the trial design and layout of the packaging case, information stickers and cover (as well as layout) of the training manual were completed; industrial designs were developed in order to prepare the project for commercialization. The results are practically significant, when they were received, widespread methodology and development tools were used, they can be universally used, including in the field of education without any restrictions.

Spatial representations of melanopic light in architecture

Modes of representation are key elements in communicating the properties of natural and built environments. This research proposes a capture and representation method for daylighting dynamics in interior and exterior spaces for the photopic (daytime vision) and melanopic (biological clock) portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The proposed representations of physical ambiences situate quantitative physical information in space and can be displayed as immersive representations for better communication between architects and other stakeholders in the building industry. A digital tool was developed for low-cost, automated surveys using lightweight Raspberry Pi microcomputers and associated Camera Modules (RPiCM). The method allows visualizing the qualitative and quantitative aspects of lighting patterns using High Dynamic Range (HDR) images that generate luminance maps, accurately render human perception and subsequently generate photopic/melanopic dominance maps. The resulting spatial representations become communication tools to identify the photopic/melanopic dominance of architectural components and support design initiatives from architects.

Image-Processing-Based Low-Cost Fault Detection Solution for End-of-Line ECUs in Automotive Manufacturing.

The manufacturing industry is continuously researching and developing strategies and solutions to increase product quality and to decrease production time and costs. The approach is always targeting more automated, traceable, and supervised production, minimizing the impact of the human factor. In the automotive industry, the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufacturing ends with complex testing, the End-of-Line (EoL) products being afterwards sent to client companies. This paper proposes an image-processing-based low-cost fault detection (IP-LC-FD) solution for the EoL ECUs, aiming for high-quality and fast detection. The IP-LC-FD solution approaches the problem of determining, on the manufacturing line, the correct mounting of the pins in the locations of each connector of the ECU module, respectively, other defects as missing or extra pins, damaged clips, or surface cracks. The IP-LC-FD system is a hardware–software structure, based on Raspberry Pi microcomputers, Pi cameras, respectively, Python and OpenCV environments. This paper presents the two main stages of the research, the experimental model, and the prototype. The rapid integration into the production line represented an important goal, meaning the accomplishment of the specific hard acceptance requirements regarding both performance and functionality. The solution was implemented and tested as an experimental model and prototype in a real industrial environment, proving excellent results.

VIDEO DATA QUALITY IMPROVEMENT METHODS AND TOOLS DEVELOPMENT FOR MOBILE VISION SYSTEMS

Subject of study. The article proposes new methods of input and preliminary processing of video data for web- and specialized pi-cameras in monocular and stereo vision systems based on Raspberry Pi microcomputers to improve the quality of work of modern mobile vision systems. This approach is always relevant, since the design of modern vision systems constantly requires new non-trivial hardware, algorithmic and software solutions. Objectives. The goals are to compare quality indicators of the known methods of input and preliminary processing of video data in vision systems and to develop new methods and algorithms providing better speed, the necessary frame resolution and the independence of the frame brightness from changes in scene illumination while reading video data. Methods used. The paper formulates a comprehensive criterion for improving the quality of the Raspberry Pi microcomputer video input and preprocessing video data. Based on the accepted quality indicators (video input speed, resolution, and stability indicators of average brightness of the current frames of the received video stream), video input and preprocessing algorithms that satisfy the specified requirements are synthesized. This allows to find the optimal method for processing video data and to overcome the contradiction of reducing the input speed due to the need of increasing the resolution of video frames for each project. The created universal program for input and preliminary processing of these data allowed to obtain quantitative estimates of the effectiveness of the developed algorithms and formulate recommendations for their further use. All this allows you to significantly increase the efficiency of using Raspberry Pi microcomputers in modern mobile vision systems. The results obtained are the basis for the creation of a universal software product for high-speed input (in real time) and preliminary processing of video data for face detection and recognition systems, as well as stereo vision systems. Conclusions. The conducted experimental studies confirmed the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed methods and algorithms for high-speed input of video data with different values of the resolution of the frame and the ability to adaptively adjust its brightness. Based on the created methods and algorithms, various options for its software implementation are proposed. This allows us to recommend the results for practical use. Prospects for further research include the expansion of the vector of criteria for assessing quality and features for optimizing video data, as well as the creation of new algorithms and various versions of programs based on them.

Greenhouse Monitoring and Automation Using Arduino: a Review on Precision Farming and Internet of Things (IoT)

The 21st century became the beginning of the development of information technology, where one of the revolutions was the presence of the Internet of Things. Internet of Things or abbreviated as IoT is a technology that combines electronic devices, sensors, and the internet to manage data and applications. The Internet of Things can be adopted in agriculture for crop management as a media for monitoring and controlling, especially in greenhouses and is called Precision Farming. The application of precision farming will be more effective in a greenhouse because it is easier to engineer similar environmental conditions. IoT development in greenhouses is using Arduino Microcontroller or Raspberry Pi Microcomputer. These devices are used because the price is low and easy to get on the market and can be designed so that technicians who have limited information technology knowledge can run it. To be able to manage greenhouses with IoT requires sensors as five senses that can detect changes that occur in the greenhouse. By using sensors, the hardware can detect what is happening in the greenhouse and make decisions based on the data acquired. Some sensors that are often used in Precision Farming are temperature and humidity sensors, soil moisture sensors, and light sensors. In the Internet of Things, the data that has been acquired by the hardware will then be transmitted wirelessly. The wireless connections used are Bluetooth, ZigBee Protocol, and Wi-Fi, where Bluetooth and Zigbee connections have a short distance between 10 - 100 meters, while Wi-Fi has a longer distance especially when connected to the Internet. The purpose of this paper is to understand the advantages and challenges of adopting IoT-based Precision Farming for monitoring and automation.

A Low-Cost Wireless Interface Linking a Microcontroller to a Microcomputer Server

The development of a low-cost solution for the connection of wireless sensor nodes to the Internet is presented. The solution has the additional benefit of extremely low power consumption and hence very long battery life and low maintenance cost. The core of the solution is the Atmel ATtiny series of wireless transceivers and the designs of minimised printed circuit boards for three versions of the node are presented. To provide the fixed node at minimum cost, the Raspberry Pi microcomputer was used, attached to the Nordic Semiconductor nRF24L01+ transceiver module. Software to implement the system in each of the nodes was developed from zero-cost sources, the software being tailored for the particular application and devices selected. A World Wide Web interface for the Raspberry Pi was created, having an intuitive display and offering functionalities relevant for general automation tasks, data display and manual control, in conjunction with wirelessly connected clients. The Web interface can serve as the basis for a home automation system, a topic which is becoming more and more important and popular nowadays, but industrial applications are equally feasible.

REALIZATION OF PHOTO BOOTH BY RASPBERRY PI

Urgency of the research. Nowadays, the deployment of platforms, such as Raspberry Pi is applied not only in educational or hobby projects, but it finds application also in industry or various commercial products. Therefore, it is crucial to explore the possibilities of using such systems. Target setting. The research aimed to create a low-cost photo booth that would be comparable or better in parameters to commercial solutions, but at a much lower cost. Actual scientific researches and issues analysis. When designing the system and preparing this paper, we considered both current sources – publications and papers dealing with the current state of development of the photo booth as well as existing solutions, which are available on the market. Uninvestigated parts of general matters defining. The created photo booth solution currently neither have printing applied, nor send the resulting photos to email or cloud automatically. It will be implemented in the next stage of development. The research objective. The purpose of this article is to explain how we can create original photo booth using Raspberry Pi platform. The statement of basic materials. We used single-board microcomputer Raspberry Pi, and in combination with a camera, we made a photo booth. For this system, we created a control program in the Python environment, which is one of the most widespread programming languages and finds application in various areas. Conclusions. Using the Raspberry Pi and the camera, we created a fully functional photo booth qualitatively comparable to commercially available products at a much lower price.

Development of A Prototype of An IoT Based Smart Home with Security System Flutter Mobile

This paper describes the development process of an IoT based Smart Home Security system prototype. The development of the prototype includes research on IoT based security systems and smart home systems. The aim of the study is to demonstrate an IoT smart home system that can benefit the user and at the same time, create a safe environment for the society. The system designed is an IoT based smart home system security equipped with a series of sensors which consist of temperature, light, flood and motion all controlled by an Arduino UNO which acts as a device manager then connected to a Raspberry PI microcomputer. The Raspberry PI acts as the command centre and connects the system to the Internet. The reason why the system uses both Raspberry-PI and Arduino is for simplicity, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The development successfully shows that it is possible to enhance the daily lives by efficiently reducing human contact and increasing security for a home which lead to reduced crime rates. Besides that, the utilization of an open source Flutter mobile application platform is proven to be as good as other paid platforms.

Development of A Prototype of An IoT Based Smart Home with Security System Flutter Mobile

This paper describes the development process of an IoT based Smart Home Security system prototype. The development of the prototype includes research on IoT based security systems and smart home systems. The aim of the study is to demonstrate an IoT smart home system that can benefit the user and at the same time, create a safe environment for the society. The system designed is an IoT based smart home system security equipped with a series of sensors which consist of temperature, light, flood and motion all controlled by an Arduino UNO which acts as a device manager then connected to a Raspberry PI microcomputer. The Raspberry PI acts as the command centre and connects the system to the Internet. The reason why the system uses both Raspberry-PI and Arduino is for simplicity, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The development successfully shows that it is possible to enhance the daily lives by efficiently reducing human contact and increasing security for a home which lead to reduced crime rates. Besides that ,the utilization of an open source Flutter mobile application platform is proven to be as good as other paid platforms

Automatic Navigation of Mobile Robot Based on Wheel’s Encoder and Predefined Map

Recently, the automatic movement of mobile robots has played a very important role in the advancement of technology. Automated mobile robot path determination is one of the most important challenges in the science of technology. This paper proposed a path planning method for wheeled mobile robots based on a real time calculation of a predefined distance on a certain map to enable the mobile robot to navigate at indoor areas according to the calculated distances and angles on the paths. The proposed system uses two wheels’ car as a prototype with two optical encoders to determine the number of wheel’s rotations, in order to calculate the needed distances and angles between two points on the navigation path. The system was controlled by a microcomputer Raspberry Pi, programmed using python programming language. The experimental results show an accurate distances and angles measurement for the navigation under a suitable condition.

Using Raspberry Pi microcomputers to remotely monitor birds and collect environmental data

Technological innovations have expanded our ability to understand ecological systems and conserve biodiversity at a time when many species are at risk from climate change and habitat loss. One technology that is predicted to greatly benefit the field of avian ecology is the microcomputer. Raspberry Pi microcomputers are low-cost alternatives to personal computers and are able to house a variety of environmental sensors. Raspberry Pis have recently been used to monitor the behavior of birds in artificial nest cavities. Here, we deploy and assess the ability of five different Raspberry Pi-based devices to record observational and environmental data at avian feeding stations. From January to March 2018, each device generated digital photographs and recorded related temperature and wind speed measurements every 10 s, for three hours per day, at five locations in Stark County, OH, USA. Among photographs taken, 96% were classified as ‘usable’ and no differences were noted in percent of usable photographs among devices (P = .50). In addition, no differences were noted in the mean number of feeder visits of two common birds species detected by devices and detected by a field observer (P = .39 and 0.60). Collectively, temperature measurements recorded by devices were similar to temperatures reported at the Akron-Canton Airport (P = .88), but wind speeds were 1.78 ± 0.12 m/s lower (P < .001) at field sites. Our results demonstrate the ability of Raspberry Pis to remotely monitor birds and collect site-based environmental data in a cost-effective manner. We provide direction for making economical decisions when selecting cameras and temperature sensors without compromising data quality. While our study focuses on birds, our results are generalizable and could provide direction for remotely monitoring a variety of vertebrate and invertebrate taxa.

Penerapan Teknologi Image Processing untuk Optimalisasi Petik Merah pada Kebun Kopi Rakyat.

Coffee has been cultivated as the secondary produce for decades in Girimarto, Wonogiri, however, the selective picking practice remain alient for local farmers. Selective picking is considered impractical due to time consumption and laborous work that farmers should carry out. The community service project designs and implements image recognition technology to help acquire coffee-cheery ripeness condition. Adopting a geolocation, the appropriate routing strategies, would enable farmers to selectively pick the red cherries in a systematic sequence. The image processing technology was applied by adopting Raspberry Pi microcomputer, IP camera &lt;em&gt;ReoLink&lt;/em&gt; RLC411WS, and OpenCV programming language. The transition to selective picking and the subsequent post-harvest technology would likely produce high-quality green bean coffee. It is expected that the income of smallholder coffee farmers will gradually be increasing.

Automatic Single Droplet Generator with Control over Droplet Size and Detachment Frequency

This paper presents a quite simple, fully automatized single droplet generator, which can be an alternative for more expensive and complicated microfluidic devices. The simple generation nozzle connected to the pressure cells and cheap peristaltic pumps, synchronized via developed software with simple GUI (graphical user interface) implemented into the Raspberry Pi microcomputer allows precise control over the single droplet diameter and detachment frequency. The generator allows the formation of droplets of quite wide range of diameters without the need of orifice diameter replacements. Free control over time available for adsorption of surface active-substances over the surface of immobilized droplet, before its detachment from the orifice, is an advantage of the developed device.

Development of an Automated Analytical System of Low Cost for High-Throughput Infrared Thermometric Titration

Thermometric titration is an enthalpimetric technique of analysis that uses the enthalpy variation of a reaction to determine the equivalence point of a titration for quantification of the analyte. One of the advantages of this technique is that it does not require sample preparation, such as digestion; it only needs to weigh the sample and add auxiliary reagents. Based on this technique, the aim of this work was to develop automated equipment for thermometric titration, using a contactless infrared temperature sensor. The equipment was manufactured using the concept of additive manufacturing. A Raspberry Pi microcomputer was used to interpret the signal from the temperature sensor and to control a micropump used to dispense titrant at a rate selected by the user. Components were designed using computer-aided design (CAD) software and printed on a fused deposition material printer. For evaluation of the equipment, tests were performed using neutralization and precipitation reactions, measuring the total acidity of vinegars and sodium in sauces. The temperature of reaction was plotted in an enthalpogram, from which the endpoint could be determined. Values of agreement between the method proposed and the reference method ranged from 100 to 104% for total acidity of vinegars and from 96 to 105% for the determination of sodium in sauce. The equipment proved to be technically feasible and of low cost, given that it used alternative and biodegradable materials such as polylactic acid.