embedded software - coursework

Landmine Detection Robot 7058CEM-2425SEPJAN Student ID (1) : 15498782 Student ID (2) : 15249944 Student ID (3) : 15547909

INTRODUCTION

Landmines are designed as area-denial weapons. They are used to create tactical barriers in order to prevent direct attack or to deny access by military and civilians to a defined area. There are two major types of landmines: Anti-Personnel (AP) mines and Anti-Tank (AT) mines. AP mines are usually placed under the earth and close to the surface, while AT mines are usually placed on the surface of the earth. Therefore, landmines can be considered as perfect soldiers that never eat, sleep, miss, fall ill, or disobey. In addition, landmines are long-term killers, and they are active long after a war has ended. Currently, there are more than 100 million unrecovered anti-personnel and anti-tank mines found in more than 50 countries. It is estimated that mines kill or mutilate tens of people every day. In countries where the presence of landmines has become a part of everyday life, the consequences of the landmine problem on humanitarian and environmental levels are very high. On the other hand, recent advances in the development of accurate and reliable sensors for mine detection are promising. Researchers have become interested in the development of unmanned ground vehicles and robotic systems that can carry the sensors with minimal interaction from human operators. This is accomplished by breaking down the overall system into two subsystems: sensor technologies and robotic devices. Sensor devices include a metal detector, ultrasonic range finder, and gas sensor. The structure of the robot, in our case, consists mainly of commercial off-the-shelf parts, which are available at low costs. The rest of the paper is organized as follows. First, some technologies used for mine detection are described. Next, the importance of using autonomous robots in mine detection is discussed. Then, the strategies or steps that researchers follow to detect mines are represented. Following that, some of the current related work in this field is presented. Finally, the conclusion and future work are discussed .

HARDWARE DEVELOPMENT FOR LANDMINE DETECTION ROBOT :

STM32 Nucleo F446RE Microcontroller Board: When integrated with appropriate sensors and actuators, STM32 Nucleo F446RE Microcontroller Board can be used to create an efficient and reliable landmine detection system.
Power supply: Power supply is crucial in landmine detection using robotic vehicles, ensuring sustained operation and uninterrupted functionality during the exploration process. It powers the vehicle's sensors and motors, enabling effective scanning and manoeuvring in potentially hazardous environments.
Metal detectors: Metal detectors are employed in robotic vehicles for landmine detection, leveraging their ability to identify metallic objects underground, ensuring safer navigation and pre-emptive detonation.
Ultrasonic sensors: Aid in landmine detection by measuring the time taken for sound waves to return, enabling a robotic vehicle to identify potential obstacles or irregularities beneath the surface.
Motors Driver : Motors drive the robotic vehicle's movement, enabling efficient exploration of terrain for effective landmine detection and removal.
Buzzer: Buzzer alerts the operator of potential danger by emitting a distinct sound upon detecting a landmine, enabling timely intervention and safe navigation for the robotic vehicle.

SOFTWARE DEVLOPMENT TOOLS:

Visual Studio: It is utilized to program the robotic vehicle's microcontroller for landmine detection, enabling the integration of sensors and actuators for autonomous navigation and hazard identification.
Mbed: It is employed in landmine detection through robotic vehicles to facilitate real-time data processing and efficient control of hardware components, ensuring swift and accurate identification of landmines for enhanced safety.
Platform IO: Platform IO is a free, open-source, cross-platform tool for embedded development, providing easy data exchange between devices and the web, enabling remote monitoring and control.

EMBEDDED CODE IMPLEMENTATION AND ARCHITECTURE.

Embedded Code Implementation

Programming Languages: Most of the time, these are written in C, C++, or even Assembly for low-level hardware interaction.
Microcontroller/Processor Configuration: The code initializes and configures peripherals such as timers, ADCs, communication interfaces (UART, SPI, I2C), and GPIOs.
Driver Development: This includes writing low-level drivers for interfacing with hardware components such as sensors, actuators, and communication modules.
Protocols: The architecture includes support for protocols such as UART, CAN, Ethernet, or wireless standards (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) for data transmission. Error Handling: Moreover, it incorporates mechanisms to handle exceptions and ensure robust operation under varying conditions.
Hardware Layer: This layer comprises the microcontroller or microprocessor, sensors, actuators, power management, and communication modules.
Abstraction Layer: This layer includes device drivers and hardware abstraction layers (HAL) to simplify hardware interaction for the upper layers.
Middleware Layer: This layer provides additional functionalities such as protocol stacks, file systems, or machine learning libraries.
Application Layer: This layer implements the system's specific functions, including sensor data processing, decision-making algorithms, and user interfaces.
RTOS or Scheduler: Manages task execution and resource allocation, ensuring deterministic behaviour and efficient use of system resources.
Communication Interfaces: Facilitates interaction with external systems or devices through wired or wireless communication protocols.
Security Features: Includes encryption, secure boot, and authentication mechanisms to protect data and ensure system integrity.

CHALLENGES

We faced so many challenges during the course of this project. We had big ideas we wanted to implement into this project. For example, we tried implementing a gsm and gps module but unfortunately we weren't able to. This was a fun project to work on and we enjoyed the journey and realized there's still a lot to learn about embedded systems and it's application. However, this project ignited a spark in us to study harder and use the resources provided by our professors to continue to develop ourselves as embedded systems engineers.

FUTURE IMPROVEMENTS

In the future, this project can be used to detect landmines that are hidden beneath the earth's surface. Currently, the project focuses on detecting landmines with a hall-effect sensors and a buzzer for alarm. We made use of the ultrasonic sensor for obstacle avoidance. In the future, we plan to attach an IR camera to capture images of the detected locations. We could make use of a gps module, gsm and wifi module to pinpoint the exact location of the robot. Additionally, manual and autonomous control will be ideal for the project in a real world setting. Efforts will be made to minimize the error rate in marking the detected locations by 10-15 cm. Further modifications will enable the project to mark a safe path for humans to reach the mine and deactivate it, enhancing both safety and efficiency.

CONCLUSION

The solution addresses these challenges by integrating various technologies: wireless communications, cellular technologies, and packet-oriented mobile data services. This enables the landmine monitoring team to maintain full control of the process from a safe distance, particularly in fenced minefields or areas of suspicion. The solution integrates a number of components, including sound trackers, smart cell phones, advanced applications, and RC truck equipment; it performs three major tasks related to metal landmines: a) tracing, b) detecting, c) pinpointing the location coordinates, and d) marking the location .This method, therefore, offers a very effective and scalable solution to the nagging problem of landmine detection in the El Alamein region. By integrating advanced technologies and the use of remote sensing techniques, the solution ensures that landmines can be detected and marked with precision, while at the same time minimizing risks to human life. With the possibility of further development and refinement, this method offers a bright future for landmine detection and clearance in other regions facing similar challenges.

VIDEO LINK

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TXKRbDE1TENTJ3bQ_9St8ZZKsnwYaGuG/view?usp=drivesdk

7058CEM-2425SEPJAN/land-mine-detection--coursework

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