Content uploaded by Dlnya Abdulahad Aziz
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Dlnya Abdulahad Aziz on Aug 17, 2018
Content may be subject to copyright.
International Journal of Computer Applications (0975 – 8887)
Volume 181 – No. 8, August 2018
43
Design of Smart House System based on Webserver
Architecture Control
Dlnya Abdulahad Aziz
Computer Technical Engineering, AL-KITAB University, Iraq
ABSTRACT
The technological progresses fascinated the universe and gave
a great opportunity to implement these progresses to design
the smart house systems. This paper shows a unique design
and implementation of a smart house system in a low cost.
System automation is considered a great challenge especially
outside the house. The proposed system controls and monitors
house environment via specific webserver with respect to
ESP8266 Node microcontroller anytime and anywhere
remotely. The ESP works as a Wi-Fi station connected to the
network through a router as an access point AP. The
webserver based smart house system works under the
supervision of the Net Pie website that shows the output
results of the employed sensors identified by Temperature,
Humidity, and Air quality. While, theses measurement can be
demonstrated locally on a TFT LCD shield. In addition, the
webserver allows the authorized user to turn house devices
ON and OFF. Moreover, the system employs Arduino GSM
shield to unveil system information intentionally as an SMS
text. Finally, the GSM plays an important role with respect to
the motion sensor and a camera affixed in a specific place in
the house by applying triple control action such that when a
motion is detected, the camera captures the events, the GSM
sends an SMS to specific phone and the alarm system is
turned ON accordingly.
Keywords
ESP8266 MCU systems, Smart House System, Control
System Automation, GSM Based Motion Detector,
Microcontroller Based Control Action.
1. INTRODUCTION
The Smart House is the full controlled automated system
designed efficiently to fit end user requirements. The technical
progress all around the universe assigned the buildings and the
houses to be equipped by Building Management System BMS
that controls and monitors the electrical devices in various
environments based on Internet of Things (IoT) approach. The
electrical devices such as Air conditions, TVs, Ventilations,
House Lights, and Irrigation systems etc., need to be
controlled to guaranty security developments. The term BMS
can be illustrated as the set of services and technologies that
are offered to make the life easier [1]. Most of services like
power systems, temperature – humidity control systems,
lighting control systems, motion detection modules and etc.
are included in BMS in order to enhance living style
throughout the world. Smart house systems allow each device
to be interacted with the sensors in a simple way. Furthermore,
such systems offer entertainment, security, economy, etc. [2].
There exist several smart house systems that employed
Bluetooth based android applications, Ethernet shields, GSM
to control their systems. The most compatible and robust
systems would be those which work under the supervision of
Wi-Fi. The performance capability of the Wi-Fi is considered
intelligent and perfect since the devices can be connected and
coordinated in a simple way to reduce the costs. Smart house
systems consist of monitors, sensors, microcontrollers and
different devices connected with each other via suitable
protocol. The implemented idea helps to control house or
building devices remotely. It is worth mentioning that the
most effectible gadgets in such systems are the sensors and the
display modules that show the information of the proposed
environment by generating the output of the corresponding
sensors. The sensors measure the environmental factors such
as the temperature, humidity, air pressure, wind speed, air
quality, etc. The benefits of the smart house technology are
colossal and can be specified as follows [3, 4]:
1. Energy enhancement: The house lights and the devices
can be controlled and monitored permanently such that
the lights or the devices can be turned OFF depending on
the proposed website. Hence, the electrical energy would
be reserved efficiently.
2. Security enhancement: The system is monitored based on
webpage monitoring system and the house can be
surrounded by cameras to capture the events with respect
to motion sensors. In addition, the smart house system
can contain more features like fingerprints and key cards
that maximize system security for a little bit more.
3. Accessibility: the voice commands can help the
incompetent persons to control house lights and the
devices using their voice.
4. The convenience: The availability of control system
designed to dominate house gadgets and simplify the life
based on this system such that all appliances such as air
conditions, TVs, multimedia players, etc. are controlled
anytime throughout the house via appropriate
measurement.
5. Life time: The efficiency and the life time are expanded
due to the reasons presented above.
In this paper, a robust design of a low cost smart hose system
is presented. The house is supervised using an ESP8266 Node
MCU module that works under the domination of Wi-Fi
connection methodology. In addition, the system can monitor
the temperature, humidity, and the air quality in the house and
can activate house's devices based on Net Pie website. Finally,
the system is integrated by a GSM that triggers a camera
affixed in a specific place to capture an event with respect to
movement detection system.
2. SMART SYSTEM COMPONENTS
The proposed system is constructed of several elements
identified as follows:
2.1 Arduino UNO MCU
Arduino microcontroller is an open source electronic board
manufactured in different modalities such as Arduino mini,
Uno, Mega, Nano …etc. Arduino microcontroller is
considered the most friendly board and easily compatible with
the hardware and software [5]. This board deals with several
sensors as inputs to manage data transfer efficiently. In
addition, it acts well with motors, lights, specific kits, and
some other actuators. The main component in Arduino UNO
board is ATMEGA chip [6], which can be seen affixed on the
International Journal of Computer Applications (0975 – 8887)
Volume 181 – No. 8, August 2018
44
top of the board. This chip holds the programing code that
intentionally activates each part in the board. To be more
specific, Arduino microcontroller with the specification of
each port is shown in Figure 1.
Fig 1: Arduino UNO Microcontroller
2.2 ESP8266 Node MCU
Arduino based ESP8266 Node MCU is a new microcontroller
aspect that is created in corporation with Arduino Company.
This microcontroller works somewhat according to Arduino
microcontroller specifications regardless AVR processors [7]
that lead the entire module to be compiled by Arduino IDE
C++ compiler. The module is considered a complete kit due to
the specification that was added the ESP board to reduce the
individual sectors that needed to be attached to the board in
order to perform specific roles. The new ESP MCU module
was configured with respect to Arduino Uno board manager
and SAM core. The term 'Core' was given to the group of
software units that are needed to compile the Arduino C++
headers by using MCU language. The creativity of ESP8266
module leads to build robust and complete systems due to the
design methodology that developed Arduino core under the
domination of ESP8266 Wi – Fi based on GitHub ESP8266
core webpage. This module is learning software platform that
combines between ESP8266 and NodeMCU firmware. The
MCU module that is shown in Figure 2 works under the
supervision of 802.11n and 802.11b networks. This means
that it can serve as an Access Point AP, Wi – Fi station or
both station and AP at the same time [8].
Fig 2: ESP8266 Node MCU Module
2.3 Temperature – Humidity Sensor
The Temperature – Humidity sensor that is known by DHT11,
reads and measures the temperature and humidity degrees in a
single distinctive model. Temperature (T) and Humidity (H)
Sensor are treated in a complex way with a calibration of
digital signal output. The sensor guarantees extraordinary
reliability and exceptional long term stability due to the
private digital signal acquirement in the sensing technology.
This module contains resistive humidity component and an
NTC temperature component, connected to a high
performance 8-bit microcontroller, offering excellent quality,
fast response, anti-interference ability and cost effectiveness
[9]. DHT sensor measures both (T) and (H) which hands the
readings through ESP8266 module with respect to Net Pie
website. The module is constructed of three terminals
identified by Vcc, Data, and Gnd. The sensor acts well if
linked with the digital pins of a microcontroller. As the
schematic connection demonstrated in Figure 3, VCC pin
must be provided by 5 V from ESP8266 MCU, the data is
chosen to be connected to the digital pin D5 of ESP8266, and
the Gnd terminal of the sensor is connected to the Gnd pin of
ESP8266 board.
Fig 3: Temperature – Humidity (DHT11) Module
2.4 LPG Gas Sensor
The Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is SnO2 based gas
demonstrates slight conductivity in the clean air. The sensor
module shown in Figure 4 states that the conductivity is
directly proportional such that it gets higher in case of higher
gas concentration. The sensitivity of MQ-2 sensor is
considered exceptionally higher with propane, LPG, hydrogen,
methane, and the other steams. Furthermore, the cost
limitations of the module are appropriate for various
applications [10, 11]. The sensor detects the presence of the
flammable gas due to temperature elevation that is realized by
the heating components inside the module. As a working
principle, when gas leak is detected the conductivity of the
sensor rises proportionally with gas concentration. The heater
voltage VH supplies the working temperature to the sensor
while VC discovers the voltage over the load resistanceVRL.
Fig 4: Schematic Gas Sensor Module
The performance of the proposed sensor can be enhanced by
employing an appropriate load resistance RL to satisfy the
following equation:
P
S= Vc2 RS
(RS+ RL)2 (1)
International Journal of Computer Applications (0975 – 8887)
Volume 181 – No. 8, August 2018
45
Where,
P
S: Sensitive power of the body.
Vc: Loop voltage.
RS: Sensing resistance.
RL: Load resistance.
The proposed LPG module can be used perfectly to discover
gas leaks and to realize air quality as follows:
Gas Leak = Concetration Gas Spread 102 2
Air Quality = Gas leak 1023 (3)
Where, the value 1023 represents the maximum range of the
analog read with respect to the mapping condition between the
gas sensor and Node MCU module. The load resistance value
does not make any sense to be conditionally restricted
especially when the output voltage is intended to be computed
with respect to the load resistance RL around the point at the
output and the Gnd terminal as shown in Figure 5. On the
other hand, the value of the load resistance is preferred to be
chosen around 2 – 47 KΩ, meaning that the lower value offers
less sensitivity, the higher value offers less accuracy.
Fig 5: Gas Sensor Interior Construction
Last but not least, the proposed sensor for 1000 ppm – LPG or
butane concentration in the air can be calibrated by specifying
the value of the load resistance RL = 20KΩ [10, 12].
2.5 Motion Sensor Module
Motion sensor detects almost all motions particularly human
motion in or out sensing range. The module was identified by
PIR sensor, which is the abbreviation coming from "Passive
Infrared" or "IR motion". The proposed sensor is considered
inexpensive, easy to implement, small and consumes low
power. Hereby, the sensor can be seen mostly employed in
houses appliances and devices. Basically, PIR module is made
of pyroelectric sensor, which detects the levels of the infrared
radiations. Furthermore, the sensor is manufactured to be
working in two separated halves. This creation methodology
is performed because the sensor intends to detect the
corresponding motion not only infrared radiation levels. It is
worth mentioning that each half can terminate each other such
that if low IR radiation is detected by one half, the output
would flip high or low [13, 14]. The connection method
between PIR sensor and the microcontroller is uncomplicated.
The sensor works depending on the digital pins of the
microcontroller such that the high voltage means (motion is
detected) and the low voltage means (motion is not detected)
with respect to the digital input. As shown in Figure 6, the
sensor needs to be provided by 5V power from Arduino, the
Gnd is connected to the Gnd of Arduino, and the signal
terminal of the PIR is connected to one of the digital pins in
Arduino microcontroller.
Fig 6: PIR Sensor Module
2.6 SIM900 – Arduino GSM Shield
The GSM module is a communication device used to specify
the route of the connection among different locations remotely.
The term GSM is the abbreviation given to the global system
for mobile communications, which is the international station
that manages data transfer processes efficiently. The GSM
unit employed in this work is SIM900 Arduino GSM shield
that practically known as Quad – Band GSM / GPRS unit.
The GSM module shown in Figure 7 offers several services
such as Voice, SMS, Data, and Fax, knowing that each service
is linked with a corresponding frequency specified by 850
MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 1900 MHz respectively [15,
16]. This module needs to be provided by 5 to 9 volt,
classifying the whole unit as the most compatible modems
with Arduino microcontroller. The symbol rate of the modem
is specified by 9600 – 115200 bit per second. Hereby, it is
intended to allocate the range of the communication topology
over 900 MHz based on SMS service that makes data
broadcasting through mobile phones more applicable.
Fig 7: SIM 900 Arduino GSM Module
2.7 TFT Touch Screen LCD Module
The proposed TFT touch screen is designed to be compatible
with Arduino Uno and Mega boards. The shield can be
connected with these boards without wiring or soldering. The
appropriate libraries that work compatibly with this shield are
Adafruit (TFTLCD, TouchScreen, and GFX) which can be
applied easily. The resolution of the proposed LCD screen
shown in Figure 8 is higher than the other black and white
displays. Furthermore, the touch screen resistivity of the
module is considerably sensitive such that the motion of the
finger can be felt anywhere on the screen. The module is 2.4
inch size allows 320×240 pixels resolution with respect to
control each pixel independently. Finally, the shield is
supported by mini SD card that can be used to magnify the
storage.
International Journal of Computer Applications (0975 – 8887)
Volume 181 – No. 8, August 2018
46
Fig 8: TFT Touch Screen LCD Module
For more details, it is intended to demonstrate pin out
connection way as shown in Table 1.
Table 1. TFT LCD Pins Description
Pin Name
Category
LCD_RST
LCD Command Pins
LCD_CS
LCD_RS
LCS_WR
LCD_RD
LCD_D0
LCD Data Pins
LCD_D1
LCD_D2
LCD_D3
LCD_D4
LCD_D5
LCD_D6
LCD_D7
SD_SS
SD Card Data Pins
SD_DI
SD_DO
SD_SCK
GND
Power Pins
5V
3. THE WORKING PRINCIPLE
The system was designed to control each room in the houses
in order to implement low cost smart house system
methodology. The system can be separated in to two parts.
The heart of the system that is constructed of the
microcontrollers identified by Arduino Uno with GSM shield,
ESP8266 Node MCU, router to be used as an access point AP
and TFT LCD shield that is employed locally to display the
information of the system. Whereas, the other part is the
sensors and the devices that can be activated – deactivated
remotely using web based control system identified by NET
Pie. The employed sensors in the system are identified by
Temperature – Humidity sensor DHT11, Motion detector PIR
and gas detector LPG. The devices of the house shown in
Figure 9 are identified by air conditioner, refrigerator, TV, and
house lights knowing that the camera is activated with respect
to PIR and Arduino GSM shield.
Fig 9: Smart House System Components
International Journal of Computer Applications (0975 – 8887)
Volume 181 – No. 8, August 2018
47
Fig 10: Overall System Connection
According to the devices and sensors that are presented before,
the block diagram in Figure 9 shows the illustrative
connection among the devices and the sensors by using the
proposed microcontrollers. It is worth mentioning that the
devices are controlled and the output results of the sensors are
shown based on Net Pie login webpage shown in the
following link:
https://netpie.io/login.
The user needs to be registered in the website using username
and password to complete login processes. The next scene
would be the output result of the sensors and the button based
control action that activates home devices. The principle of
the work starts when the sensors perform their corresponding
jobs such that the Temperature – Humidity degrees are
realized and the LPG sensor detects the quality of the air with
respect to Eq. 2 & 3. As shown above in the schematic
Fritizing software connection for the overall system in Figure
10, the proposed home devices that need to be provided by
220 V AC connected to the relays in order to fit the
compatibility between the microcontroller that deals with only
5 V output voltage and the home devices.
The output of the sensors is demonstrated on Net Pie webpage
as percentage gauges whereas the devices can be controlled
through the buttons in the page that sends the signal through
the internet with respect to the local IP of ESP8266 MCU
module. As mentioned before, the ESP module can work
separately as AP or Wi-Fi station or can work as both of them
at the same time. Hereby, it can be stated based on this work
methodology that the ESP works as Wi-Fi station. That is it
routes the output of the sensors to the website and activates
home devices by sending signal to the relays through the
proposed website. Moreover, the PIR sensor is employed to
protect an object that might be represented by a safe that
contains valuable pieces. Hereby, a camera is affixed
stationary and oriented towards the safe. The motion sensor
PIR is located wisely such that it covers the range of the
motion. A tiny movement would cut the IR radiation and
consequently the PIR will be activated. PIR sensor activation
leads to apply triple impact control action where the fixed
camera captures the event that changed the situation, the GSM
module sends an SMS to a specific phone number declaring
that a motion is detected and an alarm represented by a Buzzer
will be flipped ON for a while as presented in the flowchart in
Figure 11.
Fig 11: Programming Code as Flow Chart
For more clarity, it is intended to demonstrate the overall
schematic connection of this system as the block diagram
shown in Figure 12.
International Journal of Computer Applications (0975 – 8887)
Volume 181 – No. 8, August 2018
48
Fig 12: Smart House System Diagram
4. RESULTS AND SIMULATIONS
The results are realized with a help form Net pie website that
created and managed the system to be shown tidy as shown in
Figure 13. The unveiled results are the output reads of the
sensors as percentage gauges at the left side and the devices
controllers at the right side of the page.
Fig 13: The Results Based on Net Pie Webpage
As mentioned before, the GSM module plays a great role to
monitor system security with respect to motion sensor module.
Since the availability of the network cannot be guaranteed
everywhere, it was decided to modulate the programing code
such that the sensor results can be received as an SMS to the
phone number that requests the information by sending an
SMS included by "weather" to the SIM number in the GSM
module, while, the PIR status is sent automatically as shown
in Figure 14.
Fig 14: SMS Contents in Reality
Finally, the overall output results of the sensors are simulated
and shown sorted in Figure 15.
Fig 15: The Overall Sensors Results
5. CONCLUSIONS
This paper demonstrates a unique and robust design of a low
cost smart house system. The proposed system can work by
the definition of Internet of Things (IoT) that automates
environment devices efficiently. The creativity of the
proposed smart house system allows monitoring and
controlling the house based on webserver through ESP8266
node MCU module. For more clarity, the realized results are
ordered as follows:
1. A novel design is proposed and implemented to control
systems depending on webserver based control
methodology.
2. The realized temperature, humidity and air quality results
are shown as percentage gauge via webserver control site.
3. The system shows the realized results electronically
using the server and locally via the TFT LCD shield.
4. The devices of the house can be turned ON & OFF
anytime and anywhere with respect to network
availability.
5. The GSM shield is employed to show environment
information as an SMS in case of network absence.
6. The camera module is used to record the events that can
occur when a motion is detected in the location that is
covered by PIR radiation range.
7. The proposed smart house system applies triple impact
control action when a motion is detected such that the
GSM sends an SMS to specific phone, the camera
captures the events, and the alarm system is turned ON
for a while.
8. The cost limitation of the design and the implementation
is low due to the absolute dependency on the webserver
control environment and the applicability of the local IP
offered by the ESP8266 module.
6. REFERENCES
[1] Aadel Howedi; Ali Jwaid;: "Design and implementation
prototype of a smart house system at low cost and multi-
functional" Future Technologies Conference (FTC), San
Francisco CA USA, IEEE, pp: 876 - 884, 2016.
[2] Andi Adriansyah, Akhmad Wahyu Dan, “Design of
Small Smart Home System Based on Arduino”,
Electrical Power, Electronics, Communications, Controls,
and Informatics Seminar (EECCIS), Malang, Indonesia,
IEEE, pp:121 – 125, 2014.
[3] Adrian Florea, Iosif Băncioiu;: "Future house
automation" 19th International Conference on System
Theory, Control and Computing (ICSTCC), Cheile
Gradistei, Romania, IEEE, pp: 699 - 704, 2015.
[4] Gao Mingming; Shao Liangshan; Hui Xiaowei; Sun
Qingwei;: "The System of Wireless Smart House Based
on GSM and ZigBee" International Conference on
Intelligent Computation Technology and Automation,
International Journal of Computer Applications (0975 – 8887)
Volume 181 – No. 8, August 2018
49
Changsha China, IEEE, pp: 1017 - 1020, Volume: 3,
2010.
[5] Souveer Gunputh, Anshu Prakash Murdan, Vishwamitra
Oree;: "Design and Implementation of a Low-Cost
Arduino-Based Smart Home System" 9th IEEE
International Conference on Communication Software
and Networks, Guangzhou, China, IEEE, pp: 1491 –
1495, 2017.
[6] Yusuf Abdullahi Badamasi;: "The working principle of
an Arduino" 11th International Conference on
Electronics, Computer and Computation (ICECCO),
Abuja, Nigeria, IEEE, pp: 1 – 4, 2014.
[7] Rampeesa Vijay, Thotakura Sainag, Vamsee Krishna A,:
"Smart Home Wireless Automation Technology using
Arduino based on IOT" IJECT Journal, Vol. 8, Issue 4,
Oct - Dec 2017.
[8] Laurentius Kuncoro Probo Saputra, Yuan Lukito,:
"Implementation of air conditioning control system using
REST protocol based on NodeMCU ESP8266"
International Conference, Smart Cities, Automation &
Intelligent Computing Systems (ICON-SONICS),
Yogyakarta, Indonesia, IEEE, pp. 126 – 130, 2017.
[9] Pringgo W. Laksono, Wakhid A. Jauhari, Irwan Iftadi,:
"A system based on fuzzy logic approach to control
humidity and temperature in fungus cultivation"
International Conference, Electric Vehicular Technology
and Industrial, Mechanical, Electrical and Chemical
Engineering (ICEVT & IMECE), Surakarta, Indonesia,
IEEE, pp.344 – 347, 2015.
[10] H. Abdul Hadi Nograles, Christopher Paolo D. Agbay,
Ian Steven L. Flores, A. Linsangan Manuel, John
Bethany C. Salonga,: "Low cost internet based wireless
sensor network for air pollution monitoring using Zigbee
module" Fourth International Conference on Digital
Information and Communication Technology and its
Applications (DICTAP), Bangkok, Thailand, IEEE, pp.
310 – 314, 2014.
[11] T. Machappa, M. Sasikala, M. V. N. Ambika Prasad,:
"Design of Gas Sensor Setup and Study of Gas (LPG)
Sensing Behavior of Conducting Polyaniline/Magnesium
Chromate (MgCrO4) Composites" IEEE Sensors Journal,
IEEE, pp. 807 – 813, Vol. 10, Issue. 4, 2010.
[12] Luay Fraiwan, Khaldon Lweesy, Aya Bani-Salma,: "A
Wireless Home Safety Gas Leakage Detection System"
Biomedical Engineering (MECBME), 1st Middle East
Conference, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, IEEE, pp. 11
– 14, 2011.
[13] Suresh S.; J. Bhavya; S. Sakshi; K. Varun; G. Debarshi,:
"Home Monitoring and Security system" International
Conference on ICT in Business Industry & Government
(ICTBIG), Indore India, IEEE, pp: 1 – 5, 2016.
[14] Simarjit Singh Saini; Hemant Bhatia; Vatanjeet Singh;
Ekambir Sidhu,: "Rochelle salt integrated PIR sensor
arduino based intruder detection system (ABIDS)"
International Conference on Control, Computing,
Communication and Materials (ICCCCM), Allahbad
India, IEEE, pp: 1 – 5, 2016.
[15] Hakan Üçgün, Zeynep K. Kaplan,: "Arduino Based
Weather Forecasting Station" Computer Science and
Engineering (UBMK), Antalya Turkey, IEEE, pp. 972 –
977, 2017.
[16] Tigor Hamonangan Nasution; Muhammad Anggia
Muchtar; Ikhsan Siregar; Ulfi Andayani; Esra Christian;
Emerson Pascawira Sinulingga,: "Electrical appliances
control prototype by using GSM module and Arduino"
4th International Conference on Industrial Engineering
and Applications (ICIEA), Nagoya Japan, IEEE, pp: 355
– 358, 2017.
ABOUT AUTHOR
Dlnya Abdulahad Aziz is currently B.Sc. student (Final Year)
in Computer Technical Engineering at ALKITAB University,
Iraq.
Email: dilnea89@gmail.com
IJCATM : www.ijcaonline.org
