This part of the study discusses all of the instruments; procedures, equipment and testingthat were conducted by the researchers.Research DesignSeen at Figure 4 is the system block diagram. The system’s inputs are the multiple flowmeter sensors attached to each unit accordingly. A flow meter is used to measure the flow ofwater and total water consumption. These flow meters are connected to the microcontroller. Themicrocontroller is to read the measured values from the flow meters, then store these values in adefinite time in which each value correspond to meter readings and will have assigned uniqueserial corresponding to each household in the unit. The microcontroller is interfaced with aGlobal Packet Radio Service (GPRS) used to send the meter readings to the water companywirelessly, and that these meter readings are sent daily. After transmission of data, the storedvalues in the microcontroller will reset to 0 to conserve memory space.
At the receiver end, the meter readings will reach the water company after transmissionvia GPRS. These data will be stored to the company’s database and used for consumer billcomputation and processing. Consumer water bill reports are then sent via SMS to respectivecustomer’s mobile phone. Water bill reports are sent monthly, similar to the standard watercompany billing system on distributing bill reports. In addition, the company’s website isupdated with the latest water bill of each customer. This website also contains the customer’swater consumption records and other relevant information to the service inquired wherein eachcustomer is entitled to a web account.InstrumentFlow Meter Sensor. In measuring the amount of water flowing, a ¾” BSP thread flowsensor will be used.
Datasheet from a semiconductor company Futurlec (n.d.) shows that theflow sensor has an integrated Hall Effect sensor that is used to obtain the digital output of themeasurement. This type of sensor detects the presence of a magnet in which they are activatedwith the presence of magnetic fields (ElectronicsTutorials, n.d).Microcontroller. Two sets of Gizduino (Arduino-based) microcontroller will be used anda GPRS Shield will be utilized with it.
The first will act as the databank and transmitter for theoutput obtained from the flow sensor. The other will be used as the receiver to transfer data to thedatabase and as transmitter for the bill notification system.Database System. MySQL, which is an open source database, will be used in creatingthe database of the system.
The language to be used in the creation and configuration of thedatabase and website will be PHP (Hypertext Preprocessor). A desktop will serve as the servervia the Apache HTTP Server. Globe Telecommunications (GPRS provider) is chosen by theresearchers to serve as the network used in transmitting data via SMS to mobile phones.Battery. In case of power interferences, the microcontroller is backed up by arechargeable battery rated 9V 500mAh. The ampere-hour rating is sufficient enough to providethe rated current for the microcontroller.Sources of DataMonitoring sheets will be used in determining the transmission capability of the system,receiving capability of the system using both single and dual input, and the system’s databaseupdate capability. Each variable will undergo 30 trials which will be recorded to test iftransmission, reception, update, and website access are successful or not.
Thirty trials were set toprovide statistical accuracy and at the same time prevent any chance of possible hardware failuredue to repeated trials.For the accuracy of the meter reading, the measured values of the analog water meter willbe compared to that of the prototype. The measured values from the analog meter and theprototype will undergo comparison for 30 trials.
