Room Occupancy Simulator Box

Occupancy Simulator Control Unit

Type: Industry Research Project

Year: 2013

Key Skills: C++; Matlab; Agilent Vee; Micro-controller, Instrumentation

Additional Information: Building Performance Analysis

Objectives:

• To create a device that simulates the heat, humidity, and carbon dioxide generated by an average living person for building science related research.

Summary:
Modified the existing design, purchased the necessary components, assembled, programmed, and tested the system. The system mainly consists of a water reservoir with ultrasonic humidifier, heat lamps, a carbon dioxide dispenser, and a peristaltic pump. All the components are connected to a micro-controller that communicates with a control software on a laptop.

• Reviewed and modified the initial design and purchased the additional components required.
• Planned, assembled and connected all the components into a metal box.
• Programmed the ADAM micro-controller. Communication between the different devices uses the RS 232 and RS-485 protocol.
• Programmed the control software using Agilent Vee.
• Prepared several test plans and created a C# program that communicates with a digital scale to test and debug the system.