Research Grant Application Form:
Name of the team:
Contact email
bikalpa001@gmail.com
Team Members
Aahana Karki
Apekshya Rimal
Bikalpa Upadhyaya
Prasanna Dwa
Field of study
Electrical and Electronics
Engineering(Communication)
Bachelor/Master
Bachelor
Advisor(Name/Signature)
Brajesh Mishra
Affiliation
Kathmandu University
Telephone
9841263149
Email
brajesh@ku.edu.np
Dean(Name/Signature)
Dr. Bhola Thapa
Telephone
Email
PROPOSAL ON ELECTRONIC MONITORING OF
METEROLOGICAL DATA
Submitted to
Turbine Testing Lab
Submitted by
BIKALPA UPADHYAYA
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT
KATHMANDU UNIVERSITY
April 30, 2013
April 30, 2012
To
Yogesh Koirala
PhD Candidate, Chemical and Biological Engineering
Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, 80401
Dear Sir:
Submitted for your review is a proposal regarding a research project on “Electronic Monitoring
of Meteorological Data”. This document is in response to your call for KU Grant Application.
Within the report, you will find:

Background and Applications

System Overview

Methodology

Component Specifications
Thank you for your interest in my project. I would be happy to provide you additional
information to discuss this issue in greater detail. After you have had a chance to review these
enclosures, please email me to ask for any queries. I would be happy to answer all your
questions.
Sincerely,
Bikalpa Upadhyaya
UNG student
Enclosure: Proposal
TABLE OF CONTENTS
List of Illustrations
Abstract
1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background and Objectives
1.2 Problem
1.3 Purpose
1.4 System Overview
1.5 Methodology
2.0 Discussion
2.1 Literature Review
2.2 Cost Estimation
3.0 Expected Outcomes
Bibliography
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4
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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Figure no.
1
2
3
4
Description
Block Diagram
Temperature Sensor
Anemometer
Solar Cell
Page no.
2
3
3
4
5
Analog to Digital Converter
4
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ABSTRACT
Remote monitoring of meteorological parameters is indispensable in checking the feasibility of
renewable sources to establish renewable sources power plants. Earlier weather monitoring
systems were generally based on mechanical and electromechanical instruments which suffered
from the drawbacks like poor rigidity, need of human intervention and durability.
Our project is on building an electronic instrument that can record digital or analog
measurements over a period of time. The system is designed and developed to measure
temperature, wind velocity and solar voltage variations with the help of temperature sensors,
anemometers and solar sensor respectively. The corresponding results are stored in a secure
digital card (SD card) and then monitored electronically through a central database. This
provides periodic data of wind velocity, solar radiations and temperature.
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background and Objectives
An electronic monitor (also data recorder) is a device that records data in internal memory over
time or in relation to location with a built ininstrument, sensor or via external instruments. They
vary for a range of measurement applications like for measuring meteorological data i.e.
temperature, solar radiations, wind velocity, water level etc.
The recording duration is dependent on the memory capacity of the recorder and the desired
sample rate. To determine the duration divide the memory capacity i.e. the number of samples
the device can record by the sample rate. The advantage of our system is that it can operate
independently.
The main objective of this research project is to design an instrument that can read various types
of electrical signals and store the data in the internal memory. Designing different sub-systems
and assembling them to give an enhanced single system is the main objective of the project. The
major objectives of this project can be summarized as:

To check the scope of renewable resources in remote areas, this will lead in the
development of the community.

To be able to monitor and forecast weather and environmental conditions of rural areas
from a certain location.

Design a system for logging data in a memory card and monitoring it in a central
database.
1.2 Problem
In context of Nepal, the primary or the only source of energy is hydropower. The insufficiency of
energy is itself demonstrated by the popular load shedding going on throughout the country.
Most of the hydropower in Nepal is Run of River (ROR) type. The river doesn’t contain water
throughout the year and therefore there is insufficient energy generated. This invites the load
shedding problem. To solve this on going problem, different renewable sources power plant are
to be established so that the country does not solely depend on hydro.
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1.3 Purpose
The above stated problem can be solved by establishing renewable sources power plants such as
wind and solar. The feasibility of these plants can be studied by observing the data on the
proposed location. The data provides a detailed description of the capacity of power plant that
can be constructed on the proposed location. We intend to make a data recorder that can record
data on various parameters mainly solar and wind. The recorder automatically collects data on
regular intervals and saves them in a memory card which can later be electronically accessed by
a computer. From these data, the feasibility of the proposed power plant can be determined along
with its capacity.
However, the data recorder finds its application in various fields which are stated as follows:
 Unattended recording at weather stations to record parameters like temperature, wind
speed and solar radiation.

Remote collection of recorded data and alarming on unusual parameters are possible with
the help of electronic loggers where these are connected to modems and cellular phones.

In transportation monitoring, troubleshooting, educational science, quality studies, field
studies and general research.
1.4 System Overview
1.4.1 Block Diagram
Analog world(
temperature,pressure
etc)
Transducers
Signal Conditioning
SD card
Microcontroller
Analog to Digital
converter
Central Database
Figure 1: Block Diagram
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1.4.2 Block Diagram Description
The system mainly comprises of sensors, transducers and microcontroller. Meteorological data
like temperature, solar radiation and wind velocity are the parts of analog world. These
mechanical quantities are converted to electrical quantities through transducers. Microcontroller
uses the signal from transducer and helps to format these data in FAT32 and store in SD memory
card. Data can be logged with the help of SD memory card. Moreover, the data can be extracted
from the microcontroller to make a central database through a computer.
ADC helps us to convert analog signals to digital signals. Usually ADC chips are included in
microcontrollers, but in case if ADC chips are not included in microcontrollers, then separate
ADC chip is used for conversion of analog to digital signals.
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1.5 Methodology:
Description
1) Literature
Detailed Description

Survey
Study of previous progress made in the
Schedule
June 10 – July 10
field.

Detailed Study about the sensors and
technologies
2) Market Survey

Detailed Study on availability of
July 10-July 30
components in the market

If not available, study on the best
alternative that can be used
3) Calibration of

Sensors
Calculation of calibration factor for the
August 1-August 10
sensors for the proposed site

Calibration in such a way that it becomes
compatible with the microcontroller
4) Software
Development

Coding of the ADC and SD card interfacing

Simulation of the coded microcontroller in
and
August 11- September
11
Proteus or related software
Programming
5) Hardware

Development
Bread board assembling and testing of the
simulated circuit

Determining if the data is logged or not

Later building a fixed design in PCB or a
September 12- October
12
matrix board
6) Website or
Application

Development of an application or website
to upload the obtained data
Development
4
October 13- November
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2.0 DISCUSSION
2.1 Literature Review
2.1.1 Temperature Sensor
The tentative temperature sensor to be used for the project is LM35 because of the following
features:


Calibrated directly in ° Celsius (Centigrade).
Linear + 10 mV/°C scale factor.

0.5°C accuracy guarantee able (at +25°C).

Rated for full −55° to +150°C range.

Suitable for remote applications.

Low cost due to wafer-level trimming.

Operates from 4 to 30 volts.

Less than 60 μA current drain.

Low self-heating, 0.08°C in still air.

Non linearity only ± ¼ °C typical.
+VSS (4V to 20V)
Output (0 mV + 10.0 mV/Celsius)
LM35
Figure 2: Temperature Sensor
However, changes can be made according to availability and performance of the sensor.
2.1.2 Wind Sensor (Anemometer)
An anemometer is an instrument which measures the speed of the
apparent wind. A common type of anemometer measures the wind
speed by means of a set of three cups which rotate on a vertical
axis. The force of the wind on the cups causes them to rotate at a
speed which isproportional to the speed of the apparent wind. Thus
the greater the wind the faster the cups will rotate.
Figure 3: Anemometer
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2.1.3 Solar Sensor
The solar sensor used in our project is a solar cell to measure the solar radiation from the sun.
A solar cell (also called a photovoltaic cell) is an electrical device that converts the energy
of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect. It is a form of photoelectric cell (in
that its electrical characteristics-- e.g. current, voltage, or resistance vary when light is incident
upon it) which, when exposed to light, can generate and support an electric current without being
attached to any external voltage source.
The solar cell works in three steps:

Photons in sunlight hit the solar panel and are absorbed by semiconducting materials,
such as silicon.

Electrons (negatively charged) are knocked loose from their atoms,
causing an electric potential difference. Current starts flowing
through the material to cancel the potential and this electricity is
captured. Due to the special composition of solar cells, the
electrons are only allowed to move in a single direction.
An array of solar cells converts solar energy into a usable amount
of direct current (DC) electricity.

Figure 4: Solar Cell
2.1.4 Analog to Digital Converter (ADC)
In physical world, parameters such as temperature, pressure, humidity, and velocity are analog
signals. Such physical parameters are converted into electrical signals to process them. Analog to
Digital Conversion is a signal processing method widely used for analog signals. We need an
analog to digital converter to translate the analog signals to digital numbers so that the
microcontroller can read them. An ADC provides an isolated measurement such as
an electronic device that converts an input analog voltage or current to a digital number
proportional to the magnitude of the voltage or current. However, now-a-days microcontrollers
have built in ADCs. So a separate ADC chip may not be required.
Figure 5: Analog to Digital Converter
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2.1.5 Microcontroller
A microcontroller (sometimes abbreviated µC, uC or MCU) is a small computer on a single
integrated circuit containing a processor core, memory, and programmable input/output
peripherals. Microcontrollers are electronic controls with added computer programming.
For our project we have planned to use ATMEGA32.But the microcontroller may be
changed later as per the requirements of the project.
2.2 Cost Estimation:
Total Grant in dollars
Exchange Rate
Total Grant in Nepalese Rupee
400
85
34000
Unit
Unit rate
Total
1)Equipment
Wind Sensor(Anemometer)
1
6000
6000
Temperature Sensor
2
500
1000
Solar Sensor
2
500
1000
Microcontroller
4
550
2200
AVR development board
1
12000
12000
SD card module
1
500
500
Project Board
2
1000
2000
SD card
2
1000
2000
Wire, Clipper, Resistors,
Capacitor, Inductor, Transistors,
Op-amps and Regulators
1
5000
5000
1
1
1000
1300
1000
1300
2)Transportation
3)Miscellaneous and overhead
Total Cost
7
34000
3.0 EXPECTED OUTCOMES
A data recorder shall be constructed which will be capable of storing data of physical parameters
temperature, solar radiation and wind velocity in a SD memory card and ultimately in a
computer. Moreover, the data recorded can be used to create visual aids too that will be very
helpful in calculating the feasibility of power plants in the site.
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Bibliography


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_cell
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analog-to-digital_converter

Muhammad Ali Mazidi and Janice GillispeMazidi, “The 8051 microcontroller
and embedded systems”, Pearson education ltd., India, 2004.
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