The Development of a Solar Powered Flood level detector alert system using an ultrasonic
sensor (HR-SR07) with an SMS-based notification system
Lorenz Peter B. Ares1, Junn Edgar V. Libot2, Emmalinda S. Libron3, Maejelou N. Morales4,
Renz Andrew C. Orpilla5
1. Xavier
University – Ateneo de Cagayan; Lorenzares80@yahoo.com
2. Xavier
University – Ateneo de Cagayan; Junnedgarlibot@gmail.com
3. Xavier
University – Ateneo de Cagayan; Emmalindalibron@gmail.com
4.
Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan; Maejeloumors@gmail.com
5. Xavier
University – Ateneo de Cagayan; Revelesveritas@gmail.com
Abstract:
Typhoon Sendong affected Cagayan de Oro City last 2011. The catastrophic effects of the
typhoon fell under the case of unpreparedness and lack of flood alert warning systems.
Because of this, the researchers have decided to conduct a study that involves the making
of a flood warning alert system that is effective and energy efficient entitled “The
Development of a Solar Powered Flood level detector alert system using an ultrasonic
sensor (HR-SR07) with an SMS-based notification system”. The study aims to create the
said flood alert system, have it be able to transmit information and warning through SMS,
and to determine the net energy gained by the device made. The methods of the study
described an experimental design, and making it constituted six main components; the
Arduino Uno, buzzer, solar panel system, battery, LCD, and the GSM module. Testing the
device can be summarized by its four main functions: solar power usage, flood level
detection, buzzer and SMS alert operation. The data gathered was then treated using
descriptive statistics, and results showed that the objectives of this study were firmly met.
The study recommends to integrate the system into a bigger flood detection system and to
have improved testing for the device to create a flood warning system that the people can
benefit from.
Keywords: Operating system; Flood level detection; Electricity; Circuits; Sensor; Project
NOAH; SMS; System; Device
Geophysical
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
and
Astronomical
Services
Administration (PAGASA), an agency under the
With love and great appreciation, the
Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
researchers would like to extend their heartfelt
The agency established last December 8, 1972,
thanks
contribution,
under the Presidential Decree No. 78 utilizes
participation and assistance of the following, for
scientific breakthroughs and researches to ensure
without which the completion of this study would
the well-being, safety, and economic security of all
not have been possible:
people and for the promotion of national progress.
for
the
significant
Some of PAGASA’s services include 24-hour public
First of all, the researchers thank the
weather forecast, a storm surge warning system, a
Almighty God for His undying love and mercy, for
rainfall warning system, basin flood bulletins,
it is with Him that the authors of this paper were
astronomical services, and public awareness
able to do anything;
campaign on natural disasters [2].
PAGASA scans and records the phenomena
To their family members for their moral
that takes place on the atmosphere to detect
and financial support, and for being their source of
weather patterns and incoming natural hazards
strength and motivation all throughout;
such as typhoons. Typhoon, the name for tropical
cyclones located in the Western North Pacific
And finally, to their Physics 25 professor,
Ocean, is a destructive rapidly rotating storm
Mr. Joseph Agnes, for his expertise, guidance,
system characterized by strong winds and
helpful suggestions and necessary corrections that
thunderstorms that produce heavy rain. Typhoons
have greatly contributed to their work.
are associated with disastrous hazards such as
flooding which is an overflowing of water onto
land that is normally dry which can sometimes
INTRODUCTION
lead to destruction of properties and worse, loss of
The Philippines, being an archipelago
lives [3]. On a yearly basis, an average of eight to
situated near the typhoon belt and the pacific ring
nine tropical storms make landfall in the
of
to
Philippines, with another ten typhoons entering
hydrometeorological hazards and other natural
the Philippine waters. Among the ten deadliest
disasters [1]. In order to provide protection
cyclones that hit the Philippines, eight had the
against natural hazards by implementing various
average death toll of 1,000-2,000 lives, the second
strategies against disasters, these hazards are
deadliest, Thelma, with 5,100, and the deadliest,
fire,
monitored
is
a
by
country
Philippine
vulnerable
Atmospheric,
Yolanda (internationally called Haiyan), with
system and preparedness for effective response,
10,000 [4].
was passed. This act is known as Republic Act
Last
December
16,
2011,
Typhoon
10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction
Sendong, internationally called as Washi, has
and
Management
(PDRRM)
Act.
PAGASA
caused massive destruction in the city of Cagayan
formulated a color-coded warning system that
de Oro despite having the wind speed of 61-121
indicate the rainfall intensity of a typhoon to alert
kph and only reaching Signal No. 2, expected to
the public for possible flooding, preparing them
cause light to moderate damage. According to
for upcoming disasters. Flood warnings are
Director Ramos of the National Disaster Risk
subdivided into three parts: yellow warning, green
Reduction Management Council, the calamity
warning, and red warning in which a yellow
caused an economic loss of about $97.8 million,
warning points out 7.5mm-15mm of rain and
including the destruction of properties and
advises the community to monitor the weather
livelihood, with around 2,500 lives lost, and an
condition, while green warning shows 15mm-
innumerable number of people missing. The
30mm of intense rainfall and instructs those in the
director of the said council stated that the main
locality to be alert for possible evacuation, and
cause of the tragic losses, despite having expected
lastly, a red warning alerts more than 30mm of
light to moderate impact of the typhoon because of
rain and expects the residents to evacuate,
its magnitude, is the typhoon hitting the area in the
especially those in low lying areas [6].
middle of the night, with the population
However, despite the established color-
unprepared, along with the lack of flood warning
coding system, GMA’s resident meteorologist
systems in the city. A similar case mentioned was
Nathaniel Cruz stated that there are shortcomings
Typhoon Pablo, which caused devastation in
about the color-coded flood warning signals
Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley last
because
December 9, 2012, causing an economic loss of
disturbances that only makes it useful for
$1.06 billion, as well as taking 1,901 lives. This was
relatively short periods of time. Cruz (2015)
again brought about by unpreparedness for
further explained his point by making typhoon
disaster risk including the lack of early warning
Ondoy in 2009 an example, wherein there was an
signals for heavy flash floods [5].
occurrence of shifts from yellow to red warnings
of
the
quick-changing
nature
of
On May 27, 2010, an act that provides
in Metro Manila within a span of less than six
development of policies and plans, as well as
hours. With this, he said that the lapses of the
implementation of actions that measure the
warning system in terms of shifting in such a short
pertaining to all aspects of disaster risk reduction
period of time may cause residents to not be able
and management, including the early warning
to prepare and evacuate due to such short notice
issued should also be different in near rivers and
[7].
in the city. However, PAGASA can only cater one
In response to Cruz’s statement, PAGASA
warning per city. Knowing this, there should be an
devised another flood warning alert. This flood
alternative way of alerting the residents of the city
warning relies on the amount of current rainfall
about flood intensity rather than relying mostly on
that occupied a river basin and the forecasted
PAGASA, as PAGASA cannot thoroughly monitor
rainfall by weather prediction models, satellites,
the flood levels in all parts of the city.
and estimates from radar. This flood warning is
The existence of a proper flood monitoring
categorized into 4 parts: flood monitoring, flood
system that can provide correct and timely
alert, flood warning, and severe flooding. The flood
information via communication channels, such as
monitoring alert signifies that 40% of the river
radios and televisions for the residents and
basin has been filled and informs the public that
authorities, can help avoid tragic devastation of
flood is possible, however, the water slowly rises
properties and loss of human lives. Although
and is still below arm level. Flood alert indicates
communication channels are available in most
that 60% of the entire river basin has been
households, there is also a need for a fast,
occupied and notifies the public that the water is
convenient and reliable flood monitoring and
continuously rising but below critical level. Flood
early warning system for residents and authorities
warning indicates that 80% of the river basin has
to be alert when the water level reaches a critical
been loaded up with rainwater and warns the
height. Through this, those in the area will have
public that water level is above critical level.
sufficient time to prepare and evacuate.
Lastly, severe flooding declares that the river has
Short message service (SMS) is a type of
been totally filled with rainwater and that the
service that transmits a text message from one
water level is continuously rising above critical
place to another. The idea of an SMS based
level [8].
warning system was implemented because
The weather condition in all parts of the
mobiles phones have become the most well-
Philippines is constantly monitored by PAGASA.
known and widely used communication device
Nevertheless, in spite of wanting to alert the
amongst people all over the world. The total
entirety of the country about the typhoon’s
population is only 7.2 billion people but the
condition, there are certain times that the
number of active mobile devices currently stands
intensity of rain varies from place-to-place even if
at 7.22 billion which testifies the previous
it is located in the same city. For instance, the
statement. SMS is the most widely used form of
water level near rivers may not be the same as the
communication around the world, making it more
water level in the city, thus, the flood warning
reasonable for gathering information about the
flood level be done through it [9]. A similar study
application. A study in Malaysia proposed that
was conducted at Cavite City with a flood warning
using an application called the Internet of Things
device made from scrap metals. The principle
(IoT) is capable of such extent. The Internet of
behind the study made use of an improvised
Things connects anything and everything to the
sensor with the use of Styrofoam balls, and
internet. The study made use of a water sensor in
wooden sticks directly passing through the siren
order to measure the water level. The data
system. The Styrofoam sensor was placed in every
gathered from that sensor is sent to the android
four inches, with a maximum of twelve inches.
application with the help of IoT. Users could view
With this, whenever the water hits the improvised
the water level and weather condition on a real-
Styrofoam ball, a buzzer will ring. However, the
time basis, the location of the flood warning
greatest flaw in this study was the fact that the
system, and the increasing flood level. With the
buzzer could only be heard 35 meters away from
help of a smartphone, a person could access all the
the device. Thus, improvisations should be made
necessary information with regards to flood and
in the device in order to accommodate higher
weather.
water levels and to be able to transmit the
information on the current water level in a
message to the local residents, even kilometers
particular area, including river and drain that
away [10]. Another similar study was conducted
when the water level increases and reach beyond
in Malaysia. In the paper, a flood warning system
the critical level, and sends information and alerts
was devised with the use of Eagle Layout Editor
the user [12]. It is to alert users by the three
5.4, Visual Basic 6.0, Ubuntu Server Edition, and
different levels that are Standby Level (Green
Oracle VM Virtual Machine 4.0.4. The system was
LED), Evacuate Level (Yellow LED) and Danger
developed in order to specifically monitor the
Level (Red LED), and through the ultrasonic
changes in water level and to alert the person-in-
sensor that it also consists of, with Arduino UNO
charge through short message service or SMS. In
as the system microcontroller and FAVORIOT
addition to that, the device could also monitor the
platform as the receiver of the current water level
real changes in water at a particular time via
to be graph in figures. As an alternative since the
accessing it through a virtual private network
use of IoT is not beneficial to those belonging to
(VPN). However, there is a recommendation in the
indigenous areas without smartphones and those
paper that the invention needs to be powered by
in areas without a free public Wi-Fi connection,
solar energy to reduce power consumption, hence,
GSM module can be integrated with the system,
it would cost less [11].
and the current water level can be sent to the user
A flood warning system could also be
created by integrating it with an android
The
via SMS [13].
system
is
able
to
provide
The flood warning system of this study
sends out a high-frequency vibration, which is
includes the use of a solar panel electricity system,
above the human range of hearing, and deflects
as well as an ultrasonic sensor and Arduino UNO.
back when the vibration hits an object or a surface.
Solar panel electricity system, also known as
The reflected wave is then received by the
photovoltaic (PV), captures the sun’s energy using
receiver. The amount of time lapses between the
cells called photovoltaics cells. These cells do not
sending and the receiving of waves is the basis for
require much direct sunlight to work and can still
measuring the distance between the ultrasonic
generate some electricity on a cloudy day, making
sensor and an object [16]. This tool could be
them efficient. It converts the sunlight into
conjoined with an Arduino UNO. In addition, the
electricity which can be used to run household
Arduino
appliances and lighting with less commercial
microcontroller board based on the Microchip
electricity consumption. Solar panels are also an
ATmega328P microcontroller. It can be powered
eco-friendly system that can be able to cut the
by using a USB cable or by an external 9 volts
carbon footprint since it is green renewable
battery. The microcontroller contains 14 digital
energy and does not release any harmful carbon
pins, 6 analog pins, and is programmable with the
dioxide or other pollutants that may save around
Arduino Integrated Development Environment
1.3 to 1.6 tons of carbon per year [14]. PV cells are
(IDE) through a type B USB cable. Arduino Uno can
made from layers of semiconducting material,
be programmed with the use of Arduino
which is usually silicon. When the sunlight strikes
programming language and IDE. Arduino Uno has
the surface of these cells, it creates an electric field
become popular with the tinkerers. Its capability
across the layers that generate direct current (DC)
and flexibility to be programmed with the use of
energy and then converting it to usable alternating
inputs and outputs, added with its simple and
current (AC) energy with the help of inverter
accessible user experience, shaped it to become
technology. AC energy then flows through the
one of the best microcontroller board in the world
home’s electrical panel and is distributed
[17].
accordingly to produce electricity on household
appliances [15].
UNO
R3
is
an
open-source
It is ascertained that flood is a serious case
that should not be taken lightly. The lack of
An Ultrasonic sensor is a tool that
resources, information, and awareness could cost
measures the distance from the sensor to that of
someone a life. In contrast to that, if the residents
an object. The principle behind this mechanism is
would be informed ahead of time about the water
similar to a bat’s echolocation. The parts of an
level in nearby places, it would enable them to
ultrasonic sensor are divided into two, the
prepare the needed precautionary measures to be
transmitter and the receiver. The transmitter
done, hence, more lives would be saved.
Therefore, there is a need for a flood warning
system that is both effective and efficient.
To Students. The results would be a great
help to those students who will come up with an
idea related to this study. In this way, the
Objectives of the Study
recommendations stated can be enhanced and
This research aims to address the following
developed for the betterment of the device which
objectives:
will have a great impact to the preparedness in
terms of a disaster such as floods.
1. To be able to create a solar-powered flood
detector unit using an Ultrasonic Sensor
(HR-SR07) with an SMS-based notification
and buzzer alert system;
2. To test the accuracy of the detection of
water level by the sensor in terms of its
standard error;
3. To quantify the energy consumption of the
To Community. Like the students, the
community would benefit the flood detector level
system especially those people living in some
areas that are prone to flood. The community will
be informed right away about the status of water
level when there is heavy rain by receiving text
messages from the device to avoid unprepared
calamities for the people to be safe.
microcontroller system per day in terms of
watt-hours (Wh);
4. To determine the measure of energy
production in terms of watt-hours (Wh) of
the solar panel in a day;
5. To determine the net energy gain (NEG) of
the device with regards to its energy
consumption and production;
To Local Government Units and Agencies.
The data would give an idea to the higher officials
about the current status of the flood detecting
system in our country. The established study may
give an insight on how to expand and develop a
flood detector system that can alert the people on
a possible flashflood. This can also be a way for the
local agencies to improve the study for a more
conventional device that can be beneficial to
Significance of the Study
The study is about creating a flood
detector level device using an ultrasonic sensor
that can detect a water level of a specific place that
can send a message to the receiver through SMS.
This will greatly help the people in alerting them
for the possible coming of a flood to reduce the risk
of danger to affected lives. This will also be
efficient to the following list:
everyone especially to the Disaster Risk Reduction
Management project of the government.
Hypotheses
The hypotheses to be tested statistically in
the study are as follows:
H1: The net energy gain of the constructed solarpowered flood detector unit using Ultrasonic
Sensor (HR-SR07) with an SMS-based notification
1.350m and orders the public to evacuate
immediately. These values can be adjusted by the
researchers, but these were specifically chosen for
practical demonstration. The processed data is
then converted into a text message and sent to the
device.
The product is also able to display the
and buzzer alert systems is positive.
Ho: The net energy gain of the constructed solar-
water level alert and the reading from the sensor
powered flood detector unit using Ultrasonic
through its LCD display attached to its topmost
Sensor (HR-SR07) with an SMS-based notification
part. By that, the passersby can be alerted about
and buzzer alert systems is negative.
the water level and the precautionary measures to
be done in order to combat flood.
However, the passersby should not be the
Scope
The research is experimental in nature.
The resulting product of the study is expected to
monitor the flood level in a particular place, and at
the same time, is capable of transmitting a text
message to a chosen device, informing about the
water level of the place. The experiment made use
of an ultrasonic sensor to monitor the flood level
and a programmed Arduino Uno in order to
process the data obtained from the reading of the
ultrasonic sensor. The readings from the sensor is
subdivided into 3 warning signals: warning signal
no. 1, no. 2, and no. 3, arranged in increasing
intensity. On warning signal no. 1, the flood height
is about 0.02m–0.331m high and it notifies the
only person who needs to be alerted about the
status of the flood. Thus, the residents nearby
should also be alerted. With that, a buzzer was
integrated to the design in order to notify the
neighboring people. Whenever the level rises up to
level 3, a 5-second continuous ring in definite
intervals is emitted and could only be stopped
until the flood subsides or lessens to level 2. On
level 2, a 2.5-second continuous ring in definite
intervals is emanated and could only be stopped
until the flood subsides or lessens to level 1. On
level 1, a 1-second continuous ring in definite
intervals is discharged and could be stopped until
the flood subsides.
public to monitor the weather condition. Signal no.
Although the nearby residents would be
2 has a water level of approximately 0.331m–
notified, it is still not enough to ensure the safety
0.839m and it instructs the public to alert for
of
possible evacuation. And lastly, warning signal no.
specification of the product is its ability to
3 signifies that the water level is around 0.839m–
transmit a text message to a particular device
the
entire
community.
Thus,
another
assigned by the product. With this, a person
includes proposal, device making, data gathering,
outside of the buzzer’s sound radius could be
and final paper writing—only lasted for 2 months
informed about the rising flood level. That person
and a half. Thus, the methodologies and
could
construction of the device may or may not be at its
then
disseminate
the
information
throughout the community by any means.
The entire setup could not work without a
constant power source. In order to solve this, a
solar-powered generator was embedded in the
setup. In this way, the device is independent to an
outlet of electricity, which is definitely useful as
floods cause power outbreaks.
Limitation of the Study
The study is limited to the place of Cagayan
de Oro since the data collection is based on the
flood-prone areas of the city. This project only
aims to detect the water level of a specific place
and forecast it through SMS to the authorities in
order for the residents to be warned in advance
and can take appropriate responses to minimize
the impact of the event. The length of the PVC pipe
used in measuring the water level is only
measured to be 1.5 m for practical demonstration.
However, if implemented in the future time, the
length should be higher or lower depending on the
use of the device in different barangays and cities.
Furthermore, if the device detects a rise in water
level, it sends distress warning signals to
appropriate people for them to be alerted which is
also the reason that the sim card within the device
should always have load to be able to send
messages. The span of this research paper—which
best condition due to time constraints. The
experiment was performed under the optimal
condition for the solar panel to work and supply
energy to the device without depending on the
constant source of electricity. The optimal
condition mentioned above is a clear-sunny sky
with a room temperature of 25°C.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This chapter presents the necessary procedures,
Ultrasonic
Sensor
1
research setting, data collection and analysis of
methods employed by the researchers. It aims to
provide a rationale for the application of
procedures used in analyzing information applied
to understand the research problem. This is to
address the stated objectives such as
LCD
Display
1
Pin
headers
2
Breadboar
d
1
1) to
produce a device that is solar powered and can
detect change in water level and transmit this data
via SMS, 2) to determine the precision of data
produced by the device in varying changes of
water levels, 3) to determine the amount of energy
required by the system to fulfil its process, 4) to
determine the amount of energy the solar panel
produces, and 5) to know the performance efficacy
of the device in relation to its power production
and requirement. It also aims to critically evaluate
the validity and reliability of the overall research
study, as well as to confirm or reject the research
aforementioned hypotheses.
MATERIALS
Image
Name
Arduino
UNO
Quan
-tity
1
Purpose
It is the
part of the
system
that sends
the SMS
text
messages.
Male-tomale Car
Jumper
Male-tofemale Car
Jumper
Foam
Board
20
20
1
It checks
the water
level.
It displays
the water
level
readings
from the
sensor.
It
connects
the
system.
It is used
to easily
connect
the
module
and other
parts.
It
connects
the
Arduino
and the
breadboa
rd.
It
connects
the
Arduino
and the
breadboa
rd.
It covers
and
protects the
Arduino
UNO,
battery, and
the sensor.
Wires
Lead
1, 1
mete
r in
lengt
h
1
They are
used to
connect
parts of
the
system.
Research Setting
It is used
for
soldering.
making and the testing of the said system, and the
The making and testing of the flood
detector warning system, as well as the collection
of data, took place in San Juan 1, Lapasan. This is
for the convenience of the researchers. The
collection of data can be done in any other
location, given that the researchers have the
materials needed.
PVC Pipe
Solar Panel
with
Charge
Controller
3.7-Volt
Rechargea
ble Battery
10,400
mAh
Battery
Bank
1
1
1
1
It is the
body of
the
system.
It is used
for
generatin
g power
through
sunlight.
It is where
the power
generated
by the
solar panel
is stored.
It is the
power
source of
the entire
system.
Research Design
An Experimental research design is the
research design used in the study. It is used to test
the hypothesis of the research study by reaching
valid conclusions about relationships between
independent and dependent variables [18]. The
researchers have used the testing approach in
analyzing possible results in accordance with the
hypothesis of the research study.
Research Instrument
The testing approach is the method used
during the entire research procedure. The type of
testing approach that the researchers have
utilized is the proactive approach wherein the
testing design process was initiated in order to
Table 1. Summary of materials used and purpose
All the systems above can be easily found
and are available in local hardware stores.
know the result and fix the defects before the
system was created. The researchers will also use
the following materials during the testing design
process of the Solar Powered flood detector alert
system.
1. Multimeter - This device will be used to
other based on the circuit design shown on “Figure
determine the power output and the amount of
2” below to form the “united system” of the device.
energy utilization of the device.
Eight, the “united system” of the device was then
3. Cellular Phone - This device will act as the
enclosed in a cube compartment to ensure
receiver for the distress signal when a certain
stability for the whole operating system. The
water level is reached. This will serve as a basis
placement of the different components can be
that the SMS alert operation for the device is
seen on “Figure 3” below. Ninth, the PVC pipe was
working
then measured and reduced to 5 ft. Tenth, a tripodlike stand was made for the cut PVC pipe so that
Device Instrumentation
First, the researchers gathered all the
materials needed in the construction of the solar
powered flood level detector alert system. Second,
the researchers tested the components for
the device has the ability to stand on its own,
making the body. Lastly, the enclosed operational
system was then attached to the body to complete
the instrumentation of the Solar Powered Flood
level detector alert system using Ultrasonic Sensor
potential damage using continuity and select
“resistance” test using a multimeter. Third, the
Arduino Uno was then programmed so that it will
have the capacity to perform the following, to read
and interpret the data coming from Ultrasonic
device, to send buzzer operation commands for
any change in water level, to display the data
interpreted on the LCD screen of the device, and to
send data regarding change in water level via SMS.
(HR-SR07).
Fourth, the microcontroller system was made
Figure 1. The circuit connections in the
based on the circuit design shown on “Figure 1”
microcontroller system.
below. Fifth, the microcontroller system was
tested to make sure that the system works in
relation to the codes inputted on the Arduino Uno.
Sixth, the Solar Panel system was made by
connecting the solar panel to the charge controller
with a rechargeable battery for power storage.
Seventh, the solar panel system and the
microcontroller system was connected to each
their book “Probability and Statistical Inference”
that a population should have more than 25-30
samples [19]. These data will then be treated using
descriptive statistics [20]. Second, the power
requirement of the system is determined by
adding
all
components
the
power
namely;
consuming
Arduino Uno,
of
the
Buzzer,
Ultrasonic sensor, and the LCD. Determining the
power of the 4 power consuming components
requires that the component should be newly
Figure 2. The connection of the solar panel system
purchased so that the power requirement of the
component will be easily known. If the component
doesn’t have a labelled power requirement then a
slow-load trial and error can be implemented. A
slow-load trial and error is an operation where a
component is fed with increasing number of loads
in very small increments until it works. Third, the
power production capacity of the solar panel
system is determined by measuring the number of
loads it produces in a span of 3 hours for 3 trials,
and getting the average of these trials. Lastly, the
efficiency of the whole system of the device is
measured by using equation 1 showed below, and
Figure 3. The placement of the components
then tested within a 6-hour period of working
condition with 6 different changes in the water
level. The device is tested 3 times for its efficiency.
Data Gathering Procedure
The researchers will undergo essentially
planned procedures in gathering data for the
research study. First, the precision of the device to
detect change in water level was measured 30
times for each of the 3 water levels. The 30 trials
were based on the notion of Hogg and Tanis in
The data gathered will then be treated with their
different statistical treatment and will be
interpreted to get results.
Statistical Tools
the various actions and functions that the parts of
In analyzing the data, the researchers
utilized the following statistical tools:
the device will do for each of the warning levels.
(SMS) message will be sent to one or more
SMS
Buzzer
notification
action
“The water
3
level is now
continuo
LEVEL 3.
us buzzes
Proceed to
evacuation
immediately.”
2.5 m
LEVEL 2 “The warning
2
to 5 m
system is
continuo
now LEVEL 2. us buzzes
Alert for
possible
evacuation.”
0.5 m
LEVEL 1
“The flood
1
to 2.5
warning
continuo
m
system is
us buzz
now on
LEVEL 1.
Monitor the
weather
conditions.”
0.5 m
NONE
“No water
Silent
(SAFE)
level increase
has been
detected. No
sign of
flooding
across the
immediate
vicinity of the
device.”
Table 2. Table showing the response of the device
designated
and the SMS notification to different water levels
1. Mean – This statistical tool is used to
determine the central value of a discrete
set of numbers.
2. Standard Deviation – This statistical tools
measures the dispersion of a dataset
relative to its mean, and is used for the
determination of the precision of the
measurements
in different fields
of
science.
3. Percent Error – This statistical tool is used
to
measure
of
how
inaccurate
a
measurement is, standardized to how
large the measurement is.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
The device constructed by the researchers
was set-up in such a way that there 3 water level
thresholds which corresponds to 3 warning
system levels. When the ultrasonic sensor detects
that the threshold water level for each warning
level has been achieved, a short message service
numbers
and
a
buzzer
action
corresponding to the warning level will go off,
which is done for alert and notification of the
status of the water level. The table below shows
Water
Level
5m
above
Warning
Level
LEVEL 3
In order to test, the researchers designed
1
WORKING
WORKING
of testing the function was prioritized and as such,
2
WORKING
WORKING
the body was constructed to be only measuring
3
WORKING
WORKING
1.5m. However, longer lengths of the body for the
4
WORKING
WORKING
device are still viable as the researchers need only
5
WORKING
WORKING
the main body of the device where the practicality
5m and
above
to maintain the temperature inside the body.
Table 3. Table showing the functionality of the
Below is the table showing the test for the SMS and
SMS Notification and Buzzer
buzzer functionality at different depths of water
level.
Accuracy of the Water Level
WATER
TRIAL
LEVEL
NO.
0.5 m
1
SMS
BUZZER
FUNCTIONA
FUNCTIONA
LITY
LITY
WORKING
WORKING
and
set up at the top. The sensor consists of two
ultrasonic transducer. A transducer used to
used for receiving such waves. In normal
2
WORKING
WORKING
3
WORKING
WORKING
4
WORKING
WORKING
5
WORKING
WORKING
this is not detected by the receiver despite it being
1
WORKING
WORKING
in close proximity. However, when an object or a
2m
2m to 5m
device, an ultrasonic sensor (HC-SR07) has been
transmit ultrasonic waves and another transducer
below
0.5m to
To calculate the water level inside the
operation, the transmitter sends out pulses of
ultrasonic waves in front of it. Due to the proper of
ultrasonic waves being specifically directional,
surface is in front of the transmitter, the ultrasonic
2
WORKING
WORKING
waves reflect back to the direction of the sensor
3
WORKING
WORKING
which is then received by the receiver. As such, the
4
WORKING
WORKING
time delay of the transmitter sending out the
5
WORKING
WORKING
signal and the receiver receiving the signal is used
1
WORKING
WORKING
to calculate the distance. To calculate the distance
between the object and the ultrasonic sensor, the
2
WORKING
WORKING
3
WORKING
WORKING
4
WORKING
WORKING
5
WORKING
WORKING
formula below is used.
Δt
2
distance = ( ) x C
(1)
where Δt = time delay and C = speed of sound at
20 °C
Calibration is needed for instruments that
researchers had set for 5 trials of measuring the
are out on the field. As such, a test was then done
current and voltage that the system is consuming.
to determine the percent difference of the
The table below shows the measured voltage and
measured distance of the ultrasonic sensor from
current output of the system taken in 5
the actual distance of an object or surface. The
measurements.
table below shows the test that the researchers did
for the calibration for the measurement of the
Item
distance of the device.
Trial No.
Measured
No.
True
Sensor
Standard Standard
of
value
Mean
Dev.
Error
trials
Voltage
Current
1
10
0.30 m
0.302 m
0.00043
0.866
2
10
0.60 m
0.602 m
0.00250
0.498
1
215.5 mA
5.0 V
3
10
0.90 m
0.905 m
0.00219
0.555
2
214.2 mA
5.0 V
4
10
1.20 m
1.210 m
0.01083
0.833
3
214.8 mA
5.0 V
5
10
1.50 m
1.512 m
0.03025
0.800
4
215.2 mA
5.0 V
Table 5. Table showing the total power
5
215.8 mA
5.0 V
consumption of the device.
x̅ = 215.1 mA
x̅ = 5.0 V
Table 4. Table showing the test of accuracy for the
measurements taken by the sensor.
Thus, the average current and voltage reading of
the device for all 5 trials are 215.1 mA and 5.0 V
respectively.
From the table above, the standard error for all of
the measurements done were below 1% and thus,
deemed acceptable according to the standards of
In addition, substituting the measured
values into the equation, we get the power
consumption of the system which is equal to 1.075
watts. Moreover, for the device to monitor the
water level continuously, it must run for 24 hours.
Total Power Consumption of the Device
Thus, the watts-hour or the energy consumption
The total power consumption of the device
can be calculated using the formula for power
consumption, which is described by the formula,
𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = 𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑥 𝐶𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡
(2)
of the system can be calculated by the following
formula,
𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 = 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑥 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒
(3)
where Power is the calculated power of the system
where Voltage is the nominal voltage of the
while Time is the number of hours that the system
system and Current is the measured current
is running. The device was intended to be in
output of the system. The functionality The
operation for 24 hours to enable the monitoring
for a rise in the water level. Thus, the power
measurement is the same. Thus, the measured
consumption of the device in 24 hours is 25.8
daily total average may not be the same every day.
watt-hours.
The
measurement
of
the
energy
production from the solar panel involved the use
Total Power Production of the Solar Panel
of a 10400 mAh (38.5 Wh) battery bank and
measuring its capacity. First, the researchers
The total power production of a solar
drained the battery bank to zero and then
panel can be calculated from the equation 2,
connected it to the solar panel through the solar
however, the amount of sunlight that hits a solar
charge controller. The energy produced then is
panel system is not equal throughout the day and
calculated using by multiplying the capacity of the
as such, trials for manual measurement of its
power bank and its own AC to DC conversion rate
power production should be done in order to have
and the percentage of the battery bank at the end
a more accurate determination of the total power
of the time. This can be illustrated by the formula
production. To do this, the researchers had set-up
below,
the 7W solar panel with a 10400 mAh rated
battery bank. In measuring the energy production,
Eproduction = Eoutput x l x p
(4)
a benchmark time of 9:00 AM, a time after sunrise
Where Eoutput is the rated energy output of the
identified by the researchers to 6:00 PM, a time
battery bank, l is the standard AC to DC conversion
after sunset, has been divided into three ranges of
loss of a battery bank and p is the percentage of the
time, each of which has a 3-hour interval. As such,
battery at the end of the range of time. Using the
the ranges of time for the energy measurement
following formula, the researchers were able to
were determined to be 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM,
determine the daily average energy production of
12:01 PM to 3:00 PM and from 3:01 PM to 6:00 PM.
the solar panel. Below are the results for the
This gave the device a total working hours of about
measurement
~9 hours, not factoring the weather for the day.
The average daily energy production was then
calculated from the data acquired throughout the
week of determination. However, it should be
noted that the daily average energy production
measured for the solar panel is under the
assumption that the weather is fair and the
meteorological conditions during the week-long
of
the
said
value.
Day
Total Energy
The energy production of the solar panel
Produced
in a day under standard conditions was
Day 1 – 02/23/2019
9502 mAh
determined to be 34.96 Wh while the energy
Day 2 – 02/24/2019
9850 mAh
consumption of the device is 25.8 Wh. Thus, the
Day 3 – 02/25/2019
10222 mAh
net energy gain of the system as a whole is +9.16
Day 4 – 02/26/2019
9840 mAh
Wh. Therefore, the net energy gain of the device is
Day 5 – 02/27/2019
9745 mAh
positive, and the null hypothesis is rejected while
Day 6 – 02/28/2019
7820 mAh
the alternative hypothesis is accepted. Moreover,
Day 7 – 03/01/2019
9522 mAh
the positive net energy gain value for the device
x̅ = 9448.712 mAh
means that there will be energy left on the battery
Table 6. Results of the 7-day measurement of the
pack even with the device running for a day. The
daily energy production of the solar panel.
device is self-sustainable as no other external
From the table above, it has been determined that
the daily average energy production of the solar
panel system is 9448.712 mAh or 34.96 Watthours.
energy production is needed for the fulfilment of
its energy requirement. Moreover, the value of the
net energy gain reveals that the solar panel
produces enough energy to sustain the operation
of the system, assuming energy is produced under
standard normal conditions for the solar panel.
Net Energy Gain
The table below summarizes all of the values for
To determine if the device will efficiently
and independently run on the solar energy stored
on the battery bank, a calculation for the net
current, voltage, power and energy used in the
construction of the device and the determination
of the net energy gain.
energy gain (NEG) of the whole device is needed.
The net energy gain of a system is the difference
Current
Voltage
Power
Energy
(in Wh,
for 1
hour)
215.1
mA
2A
5.0 V
5.8
watts
7.4
watts
1.4 A
5.0 V
1.075
Wh
38.5
Wh
(total)
7 Wh
between the energy production and energy
consumption of a system. Furthermore, this is
calculated using the following formula,
Net Energy Gain (NEG) = Ec – Ee
(5)
where Ec is the energy consumable for system
while Ee is the energy expended of the system.
Device
Battery
Bank
(storage)
Solar
Panel
3.7 V
7
watts
Ener
gy (in
Wh,
for 24
hours)
25.8
Wh
N/A
34.96
Wh
Table 7. Current, Voltage, Power and Energy of the
device, battery bank, and the solar panel
RECOMMENDATIONS
In lieu of the study conducted by the
researchers, the following are recommended
for further researchers related to the topic.
First, the researchers recommend that the
solar panel to be used will be larger so that the
product will be able to perform under nonoptimal conditions, and the power production
of the panel should at least be equal to the
power requirement needed by the system for
two (2) days. Second, the battery load capacity
of the system should also be good for at least
one week in a full load. Third, a cooker should
be added to the system so that the system will
be optimal to work for 24/7. Fourth, the
system is recommended to be waterproof
because the electronic components do not
work in water. Fifth, the device is not a standalone system but it is seen as a unit part of the
system and the researchers recommend that a
whole working system will require a number
of devices to be placed in different areas. Sixth,
the system is recommended to have computer
application that can make use of the data
gathered by the device and process it in real
time, preferably the device is recommended to
be integrated to Project NOAH so that a better
warning system will ensue. Lastly, the device
is recommended to undergo other kinds of
testing so that variables can be more
accurately
measure,
like
the
overall
performance of the device or even its
feasibility.
REFERENCES
ech/science/267638/the-color-of-dangerpagasa-s-new-rainfall-and-flood-warning-
[1]
[2]
A country prone to natural disasters,” DW,
[8]
PAGASA, “Flood Warning Icons,” 2018.
2013. [Online]. Available:
[9]
S. Azid, B. Sharma, K. Raghuwaiya, A.
https://www.dw.com/en/philippines-a-
Chand, S. Prasad, and A. Jacquier, “SMS
country-prone-to-natural-disasters/a-
BASED FLOOD MONITORING AND EARLY
17217404.
WARNING SYSTEM,” ARPN J. Eng. Appl. Sci.,
PAGASA, “About PAGASA,” 2012. [Online].
vol. 10, no. 10, pp. 6387–6391, 2015.
Available:
[3]
[5]
hp/12-about-pagasa.
LEVEL INDICATOR,” CAVITE NATIONAL
PAGASA, “About Tropical Cyclones,” 2016.
HIGH SCHOOL, 2013.
[11]
M. S. Baharum, R. A. Awang, and N. H. Baba,
http://bagong.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/informa
“Flood Monitoring System (MyFMS),” Int.
tion/about-tropical-cyclone.
Conf. Syst. Eng. Technol., 2011.
S. Brown, “The Philippines Is the Most
[12]
M. Napiah, I. N., and M. Y. Ahmedy, “Flood
Storm-Exposed Country on Earth,” 2013.
Alerts System with Android Application,”
J. Malig, “‘Sendong’ world’s deadliest storm
6th ICT Int. Student Proj. Conf., 2017.
[13]
M. Abbas, “Flood Monitoring & Detection
https://news.abs-
System Using Internet of Thing (IoT),”
cbn.com/nation/12/19/11/sendong-
2017.
worlds-deadliest-storm-2011.
[14]
R. Milligan, “Solar panels,” 2015. [Online].
G. De la Cruz, “How to use PAGASA’s color-
Available:
coded rainfall advisory,” 2015. [Online].
https://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/re
Available:
newable-energy/electricity/solar-panels.
https://www.rappler.com/move-
[7]
D. B. ALFARO, G. S. SOLIS, and K. R. REYES,
“DESIGN OF AN EARLY WARNING FLOOD
for 2011,” 2011. [Online]. Available:
[6]
[10]
https://www1.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/index.p
[Online]. Available:
[4]
system/story/.
J. Wingard and A. S. Brändlin, “Philippines:
[15]
V. Lebrac, “How do solar panels work?,”
ph/issues/disasters/preparedness/88868
2017. [Online]. Available:
-use-pagasa-color-coded-rainfall.
https://news.energysage.com/solar-
S. Panela, “The color of danger: PAGASA’s
panels-work/.
new rainfall and flood warning system,”
[16]
Sensors Work,” 2018. .
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R. Burnett, “Understanding How Ultrasonic
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[18]
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[19]
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Statistical Inference,” Pearson, 2010.
[20]
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1995.
Appendix A. Documentation for the device construction
Testing the efficiency of solar panel
Creation and preparation of the Arduino
Uno
Preparation of the PVC Pipe for the body
Creating a protective covering for
the system
Appendix B. Arduino Code for the programming of the device
#include <LiquidCrystal.h>
delayMicroseconds(10);
#include <SoftwareSerial.h> //Please replace the
single quote characters ('') with the parenthesis
character (<>)
digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);
#define trigPin 9
d2 = (duration / 2) * 0.000343;
#define echoPin 8
distance = 1.542 - d2;
#define buzzerPin 10
lcd.setCursor(0,0); // Sets the location at which
subsequent text written to the LCD will be
displayed
LiquidCrystal lcd(2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7); // Creates an LCD
object. Parameters: (rs, enable, d4, d5, d6, d7)
SoftwareSerial mySerial(12, 11);
duration = pulseIn(echoPin, HIGH);
lcd.print("Level: ");
float duration, distance;
lcd.print(distance, 3); // Prints string "Distance"
on the LCD
String textMessage;
lcd.print(" m");
int num_secs = 0;
delay(1000);
void setup() {
if (distance > 1.5){
lcd.begin(16,2); // Initializes the interface to the
LCD screen, and specifies the dimensions (width
and height) of the display
lcd.setCursor(0,1);
pinMode(trigPin, OUTPUT);
delay(100);
pinMode(echoPin, INPUT);
tone(buzzerPin, 1000);
lcd.print("LEVEL 3 WARNING");
Serial.begin(9600);
delay(3000);
mySerial.begin(9600);
noTone(buzzerPin);
Serial.println("Initializing...");
delay(300);
delay(5000);
mySerial.println("AT+CMGF=1"); // Configuring
TEXT mode
mySerial.println("AT"); //Once the handshake
test is successful, it will back to OK
updateSerial();
}
mySerial.println("AT+CMGS=\"+639059317848\"
");//change ZZ with country code and
xxxxxxxxxxx with phone number to sms
void loop() {
updateSerial();
digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);
delayMicroseconds(2);
mySerial.print("The water level is now LEVEL 3.
Proceed to evacuation immediately."); //text
content
digitalWrite(trigPin, HIGH);
updateSerial();
updateSerial();
mySerial.write(26);
delay(100);
delay(2000);
mySerial.println("AT+CMGF=1"); // Configuring
TEXT mode
}
updateSerial();
else if (distance == 0.332 || distance <= 0.839){
lcd.setCursor(0,1);
lcd.print("LEVEL 2 WARNING");
mySerial.println("AT+CMGS=\"+639059317848\"
");//change ZZ with country code and
xxxxxxxxxxx with phone number to sms
delay(100);
tone(buzzerPin, 1000);
delay(2000);
updateSerial();
mySerial.print("The flood warning system is now
on LEVEL 1. Monitor the weather conditions.");
//text content
noTone(buzzerPin);
updateSerial();
delay(100);
mySerial.println("AT+CMGF=1"); // Configuring
TEXT mode
updateSerial();
mySerial.write(26);
}
else {
lcd.setCursor(0,1);
mySerial.println("AT+CMGS=\"+639059317848\"
");//change ZZ with country code and
xxxxxxxxxxx with phone number to sms
updateSerial();
mySerial.print("The warning system is now
LEVEL 2. Alert for possible evacuation."); //text
content
lcd.print("
");
}
}
void updateSerial() {
delay(500);
updateSerial();
while (Serial.available())
mySerial.write(26);
{
delay(1000);
}
mySerial.write(Serial.read());//Forward what
Serial received to Software Serial Port
}
else if (distance == 0.9 || distance <= 1.5){
while(mySerial.available())
lcd.setCursor(0,1);
{
lcd.print("LEVEL 1 WARNING");
delay(100);
Serial.write(mySerial.read());//Forward what
Software Serial received to Serial Port
tone(buzzerPin, 1000);
delay(1000);
noTone(buzzerPin);
}
}