Summary of Top 8051, AVR and ARM Microcontroller Based Projects for Electronics Professionals
This article explores microcontroller-based projects using 8051, AVR, and ARM architectures. It details specific applications like an Android-controlled garage door opener using ATmega controllers and motor speed control systems utilizing ARM Cortex processors with PWM techniques. The text also covers solar street light automation and lists various other industrial and home automation projects suitable for electronics professionals seeking low-cost embedded solutions.
Parts used in the ATmega Based Garage Door Opening:
- ATmega Microcontroller
- Bluetooth Modem
- Smartphone or Tablet with Android OS
- Relay Operated Motor
- Lamp (for visualization)
- Buzzer
Parts used in the ARM Cortex (STM 32) Based Motor Speed Control:
- ARM-Cortex Processor
- DC Motor
- Push Buttons
- Motor Driver
Parts used in the ARM Cortex (STM 32) Based Solar Street Light:
- Solar Panels
- Batteries
- Charge Controller Circuit
- LED based Street Lights
Microcontroller, as the name suggests, is a small controller. It is like a single-chip computer, which is embedded into other systems to work as a processing and controlling unit. A Microcontroller communicates with other devices like sensors, switches, keypads, etc. Most of the microcontroller-based projects use 8051 microcontroller, and the microcontroller programming is done by using Keil compiler. For low-cost and low-powered embedded-systems-based applications, these microcontroller-based projects are the best choice.
Microcontrollers are classified into five types based on the instruction bits, memory architecture, architecture of the instruction set, and memory devices: 8051 microcontroller, AVR microcontroller, ARM microcontroller, PIC microcontroller and RENESAS microcontroller. The following are some of the microcontroller-based projects on 8051, AVR, and ARM for electronic professionals.
AVR Microcontroller Based Project
AVR microcontrollers are RISC based controllers, manufactured by Atmel group. They consist of built-in features like timers, analog to digital converters, etc. Different AVR microcontrollers are ATMega8, ATMega32, and ATMega328. ATMega8 is a 28-pin microcontroller with an 8KB of programmable memory and 1536 bytes of data memory. ATMega32 is a 40-pin microcontroller with 32-programmable input or output lines. ATMega328 is a 28-pin microcontroller with a program memory of 32KB and data memory of 3KB.
ATmega Based Garage Door Opening
This electronics kit based project is designed to unlock a garage door by using Android application with a unique password. Opening and closing of garage door involves a human labor, but in this project, automatic mechanism is done by using Android application. An Android application-based mobile is connected to the system through a Bluetooth device, which is attached to the microcontroller and programmed with the unique password for opening and closing of the garage door by its owner.
Remote operation is performed by using any Smartphone, tablet, etc., with an Android OS upon graphical user interface based touch screen operation. A Bluetooth modem is attached to the receiver end of the microcontroller. If the sent data matches with the password stored in the microcontroller, then it performs the mechanical operations to open and close the door through the relay operated motor. This system uses a lamp in place of a motor for visualization purpose. If the password is correct, then the lamp will glow, and if the password entered is wrong, the system generates a buzzer alarm.
In this project, an ATmega microcontroller is used as a main controller and is programmed by Arduino programming language. This microcontroller allows the Bluetooth modem to interface with it. Some more projects related to AVR microcontroller are given below
- Home automation system using ATmega microcontroller
- GPS Based Vehicle Theft Location Intimation Using ATmega8 Controller
- Industrial Temperature Controller Using ATmega16 AVR controller
- ATmega16 Based Security System Using RFID Technology
- ATmega32 Based Bluetooth Controlled Robot with Android Mobile
- Over Speed Detection on Roads using AVR Controller
- Data Acquisition System for Industries using ATmega16 Microcontroller
- ATmega8 Based Symmetrical Fault Detection in Transmission Lines
- Developing of LCR Meter Based on ATmega8 Controller
- Remote Patient Monitoring System Using AVR Microcontroller
ARM Microcontroller Based Projects
ARM microcontrollers are based on advance RISC-based processors. These are 32-bit microcontrollers and can be operated in two modes: thumb mode and normal mode. The ARM microcontroller families include ARM7, ARM9 and Cortex.
ARM Cortex (STM 32) Based Motor Speed Control
This project uses an ARM-cortex processor to control the motor speed. The speed of the DC motor is directly proportional to the voltage applied across the terminals. If the voltage applied across the terminals varies, then the speed of the DC motor also varies. This concept is implemented in the ARM-cortex microcontroller using PWM technique.
Push buttons are used in this project to vary the speed of the motor – either to decrease or increase the speed. The switch pressing depends on the pulse-width modulation technique to vary the voltage to the motor. A motor driver is used in this system for driving the DC motor and to control it in either direction.
When a switch is pressed, the microcontroller receives the signal – and, based on the programming, it sends the PWM signals to the motor driver which further drives the motor in desired speed.
ARM Cortex (STM 32) Based Solar Street Light
This project is designed to control the auto-intensity of LED based street lights using the solar power from photo voltaic panels. Solar panels are used for charging the batteries which converts sunlight into electricity. A charge controller circuit is used to control the charging process of the battery, and it also protects the battery from over-voltage and under-voltage conditions.
For more detail: Top 8051, AVR and ARM Microcontroller Based Projects for Electronics Professionals
- What programming language is used for the ATmega microcontroller in the garage door project?
The ATmega microcontroller is programmed by Arduino programming language. - How does the garage door system verify a user's access?
If the sent data matches with the password stored in the microcontroller, it performs mechanical operations; otherwise, it generates a buzzer alarm. - Which technique is used to vary the voltage to the motor in the ARM-based project?
The pulse-width modulation technique is used to vary the voltage to the motor. - Can remote operation be performed on devices other than smartphones?
Yes, remote operation is performed by using any Smartphone, tablet, etc., with an Android OS. - What is the relationship between voltage and DC motor speed in the described project?
The speed of the DC motor is directly proportional to the voltage applied across the terminals. - How does the solar street light project protect the battery?
A charge controller circuit protects the battery from over-voltage and under-voltage conditions. - What are some examples of other projects listed for AVR microcontrollers?
Examples include Home automation system, GPS Based Vehicle Theft Location Intimation, and Industrial Temperature Controller. - Does the garage door project use a real motor during testing?
No, this system uses a lamp in place of a motor for visualization purpose. - What are the two operating modes of ARM microcontrollers mentioned?
ARM microcontrollers can be operated in thumb mode and normal mode. - Which microcontroller families are included in the ARM category?
The ARM microcontroller families include ARM7, ARM9 and Cortex.
