Design and Implementation of a Wireless Wind Gauge with GUI
Keywords:
Wireless Wind Gauge, Wind Speed, Wind Direction, Sensor Calibration, Microcontroller, Wireless CommunicationAbstract
Most weather stations available where available in Nigerian schools require that data is read manually and everyday requiring much human effort, this research addresses the need to access environmental data remotely from the weather station without a break. The system incorporates A set of BGT FSI wind speed and wind direction modules, two Arduino Uno microcontrollers, two Zigbee radios, a solar panel, and deep cycle batteries. The development process begins with the integration of the sensor modules with Arduino Uno microcontrollers to capture wind speed and direction data accurately. Simulation using Proteus 8.15 was employed to validate the system's functionality and assess its performance under various environmental conditions. Calibration procedures are implemented to ensure precise measurement accuracy. Furthermore, the wireless communication aspect is realized through Zigbee radios, facilitating seamless data transmission over extended distances. To ensure autonomy and sustainability, a solar panel coupled with deep cycle batteries is incorporated to power the system, making it suitable for deployment in off-grid locations. An accuracy of ±(0.3+0.03V) m/s for wind speed and ±30 for wind direction was obtained due to the quality of the sensors used. The implementation of a MATLAB standalone GUI facilitated user-friendly interaction with the wind gauge system, allowing users to visualize and analyze real-time wind data efficiently.