Project Overview
The project aimed to design a smart scale system for monitoring Southern Ground Hornbills near the Kruger National Park.
The system was designed to accurately record the weight, time, temperature, and identity of individual birds without disturbing their natural behavior.
Objectives
- Develop an automated weighing system for adult Southern Ground Hornbills.
- Design the system to be implemented on existing artificial nest boxes.
- Enable remote data collection and visualization.
- Ensure robustness for long-term operation in harsh environmental conditions.
Project Details
I was responsible for the Microcontroller, sensing and data processing module.
My tasks included:
- Selecting and programming the microcontroller.
- Implementing accurate ADC readings and data filtering.
- Integrating temperature sensors and RFID detection.
- Developing data storage and wireless communication capabilities.
Outcomes and Results
- Successfully implemented ADC readings with less than 1% error.
- Designed and tested various data filtering algorithms.
- Integrated temperature sensors for accurate temperature monitoring.
- Implemented WiFi connectivity for remote data access.
- Developed a system for storing data on an SD card.
The microcontroller subsystem met most of its requirements, providing accurate weight and temperature measurements, data processing, and wireless communication.
However, the RFID detection system did not meet the required specifications and needs further development.
Project Document
For more detailed information, you can view the full project document here: