The 7 th International Conference on Cyber and IT Service Management (CITSM 2019)

IIUM-Kula Lumpur, Malaysia, October 30-November 1 st, 2019

Application of the Alcohol Sensor MQ-303A To

Detect Alcohol Levels On Car Driver
1st Iwan Fitrianto Rahmad 2nd Erna Budhiarti Nababan 3rd Lili Tanti
Faculty of Engineering and Computer Faculty of Computer Science and Faculty of Engineering and Computer
Science Information Technology Science
Universitas Potensi Utama Universitas Sumatera Utara Universitas Potensi Utama
Medan, Indonesia Medan, Indonesia Medan, Indonesia
iwanfitrah@yahoo.com ernabrn@usu.ac.id lilitanti82@gmail.com

4th Budi Triandi 5th Evri Ekadiansyah 6th Vidi Agung Fragastia
Faculty of Engineering and Computer Faculty of Engineering and Computer Faculty of Engineering and Computer
Science Science Science
Universitas Potensi Utama Universitas Potensi Utama Universitas Potensi Utama
Medan, Indonesia Medan, Indonesia Medan, Indonesia
buditriandi@gmail.com evrie1409@gmail.com vidiagoeng@gmail.com

Abstract— In daily life, humans do all activities that are dense, body, can be done with some medical tests such as blood tests
both heavy and light activities. Of course it will require energy or or urine tests. But with some medical tests that require
energy to carry out all these activities . Energy needed by humans considerable time to obtain measurement results, which
can be obtained through the consumption of food and beverages , ranges from about 2 hours. Because of the right problem as
including food and beverages containing alcohol. Ethanol in described above, the study aims to design a device that can
alcoholic food and beverages human consumption has been detect the large levels of alcohol found in and around the body.
consumed since time immemorial with a variety of different uses . So that the design of this tool can be used as a checking tool
Consumption of large amounts of alcohol will cause someone to be or a safety device on the driver. [2]
drunk or drunk. In some foods and beverages that are on the market,
many contain alcohol, even in small quantities. If alcoholic The idea arose to design an alcohol detector, by detecting
beverages are consumed continuously in excessive amounts, it can the amount of alcohol contained or contaminated in the body
cause acute respiratory failure and death. Because ethanol can of the driver of the car or the surrounding a rea in the cabin of
eliminate awareness, humans who consume it can do bad deeds that the car . So that the design of this tool can be used as a
are not realized. Accidents that occur in driving are part of other checking tool or a safety device on the driver. Testing the
implications of the abuse of alcohol use. Consumption of alcohol alcohol detection device can provide measurement data level
which is too much lowers human performance in driving, so of alcohol in a relatively short time compared to some other
increasing the risk of accident or reduce driver survival chances. medical tests, such as blood tests or urine tests. [2 ]
About 40% of total deaths that occur in traffic are related to alcohol
use. A system for detecting alcohol use is needed by drivers, with the Internet of Things (IOT) is a network of various kinds of
aim of reducing this. This system uses a sensor-based MQ303A sensors or sensing the mutual communication of data or
microcontroller ATmega328 with GSM module SIM800L. This information processing, with communications consisting of
device uses the programming language C and datalog stored on the global positioning system (GPS), laser scanners, infrared
server using internet communication. sensors, radio frequency identification (RFID) or other
systems and the internet. [4]
Keywords— Alcohol Level Detection, Internet of Things,
Microcontroller, MQ303A Sensor IoT is the concept that connects all devices to the internet
network and allows each of these IoT devices to communicate
I. I NTRODUCTION with other IoT devices via the internet. IOT is a giant network
Alcoholic drinks (ethanol) in the present day has become of electronic devices that circuit - all of which collect and
a common thing and accepted on social intercourse. However, share data on how the device may be used and the environment
if you consume excessive amounts of alcoholic beverages , it in which the device is operated. By doing that, each device
can be the main cause of various negative actions or criminal will learn from the experience gained from other devices, like
offenses. This is because when consumed excess an, d a pat humans. IOT trying to expand interdependence in humans, for
cause symptoms of euphoria, which can cause taste pe's not example, air interaction, collaboration and contribute to
afraid and reluctant to drink it. Accidents that occur in driving something. [5]
are part of other implications of the abuse of alcohol use. IoT (Internet of Thing) can be defined by several
consuming too much alcohol decreases human performance in capabilities devices or devices that can communicate with
driving/driving, thus increasing the risk of accidents or each other, connect and exchange data through the internet
reducing the chances of driver's survival. About 40% of total network. IoT is a communication technology that enables
deaths that occur in traffic are related to alcohol use. [1] control, communication, collaboration with various devices -
The use of air food or drink excessive alcohol while hardware, communicating data over the internet network. So
driving, is one of the main causes of accidents when driving it can be concluded that the Internet of Things (IoT) is when
in traffic. Usually to check the levels of alcohol in the human
 The 7 th International Conference on Cyber and IT Service Management (CITSM 2019)
IIUM-Kula Lumpur, Malaysia, October 30-November 1 st, 2019

we connect or connect something (things), which are not

operated by humans, to the internet. [6] Failed To Upload Programs
Specification

But Io T is not just simply related to communication or

controling device at long distance, but how to communicate Program Output Mismatch
Software Hardware
and share data, virtualize the data - data on the real thing in the
form of the Internet, and others. The internet becomes a link Result
between devices automatically. In addition, the presence of
Trial Failure
the user who served as a supervisor and regulator of how the Alcohol Sensor Doesn't Work

operation of the tool with IOT directly. The benefits of using

IoT technology are jobs or activities carried out by humans
Connection Disconnected
that are easy, faster, effective and efficient.

Fig. 1. Cause and Effect Diagram

Formulation of the problem
The formulation of the problem in this study is as follows: In this design , there are problems - problems that are
• How to detect the presence / absence of protocol found. These problems include:
levels in car driving from various sources of food or a. Data accuracy
drink? Problems that must be considered in the design of
• How to provide information to users in the form of alcohol level detection systems using the MQ303A
monitoring the behavior of motorists ? sensor is how accurate the data received with the sample
• How do you analyze the results of the test? .
b. Distance of alcohol sensor range
The second problem in designing an alcohol level
II. RELATED WORK detection system using the MQ303A sensor is
Alcohol is an organic compound that contains a hydroxyl inseparable from the problem of the range of alcohol
functional group and is often consumed in the form of drinks sensors, where the maximum range is 30 cm during
by some people. Based on the Global status report on alcohol testing, depending on how high the alcohol content is
and health 2014, as ma ny as 1,928,000 Indonesian people mixed with air.
experienced health problems due to excessive consumption of c. Data communication
alcohol, and as many as 1,180,900 people in Indonesia Another problem is data communication, because the
experienced alcohol dependence. The danger of consuming
design of an alcohol level detection system uses the
alcohol is included in the top five risk factors for the onset of
MQ303A sensor using software interface .
illness, disability and death worldwide. Alcohol consumption
can increase the risk of various health problems, such as
alcohol dependence, liver cirrhosis, cancer and injuries caused Because found problems - problems that occur at design
by direct or indirect effects of alcohol intoxication. The of this system, then a solution or problem solving is needed,
occurrence of various health problems due to alcohol including:
consumption triggered by the influence of alcohol on the body 1. To increase the alcohol sensor within range, given a
which causes metabolic stress in various systems in the body. container such as a tube with a specified distance (less
However, alcohol in the form of drinks, especially beer and than 20 cm) so that the alcohol received more focused
wine, is a drink that is commonly consumed in western alcohol sensor. This is intended to accrue the capture
countries in daily life until the 19th century. Alcohol has power of alcohol sensors.
various responses in the body that can harm the body, so 2. To overcome this data communication problem , use the
alcohol consumption must be reduced or even stopped [7]. SIM800L GSM Module circuit as an intermediary
This research was conducted to investigate the microcontroller communication with the server via the
enrichment of alcohol from Ciu Bekonang using adsorptive internet , so that the data sent from the two alcohol
distillation method with natural zeolite and silica gel as sensors and the LM35 temperature sensor can be
adsorbents. The result showedthat adsorptive distillation with processed.
natural zeolite and silica gel as adsorbents were able to
increase the percentage of ethanol from Ciu Bekonang.The Broadly speaking, the design of this system consists of
highest result percentage of ethanol with natural zeolite and MQ303A alcohol sensor, temperature sensor LM35 , 16x2
silica gel were 76%and 91.61% respectively. Silica gel as LCD, buzzer, button, minimum ATMEGA328
adsorbent wasmore effective and selective to adsorb water microcontroller system, SIM800L GSM Module and serial
than natural zeolite [8]. communication circuit . The block diagram of the design of
an alcohol level detection system using the MQ303A sensor
is shown in the following figure 2 :
III. RESEARCH METHOD
The problem analysis is carried out using a fishbone
framework. The problems that arise are identified with the
following fishbone diagram :
The 7 th International Conference on Cyber and IT Service Management (CITSM 2019)
IIUM-Kula Lumpur, Malaysia, October 30-November 1 st, 2019

PORT C5 PORT C0 1. Study of literature

BUZZER SENSOR ALKOHOL MQ303A
At this stage a collection of references is needed in the
PORT D5-D7 PORT C1
study. This is done to obtain information and data needed
TOMBOL SENSOR SUHU LM35
for writing this study . References used can be journals,
MINIMUM books, articles, internet sites related to research.
SISTEM
PORT D2 ATMEGA328 2. Data Collection and Data Ana lysis
LED INDIKATOR
At this stage data collection and analysis of data related
PORT B
PORT D0–D1
LCD 16x2
to the design is carried out to produce output data that
MODULE GSM SIM800L can be informed through the work system of the tool.
3. System planning
SERVER REGULATOR
Designing a system in accordance with a predetermined
plan, which includes the design of the initial design
BATERAI / CATUDAYA based on the limitations of research and the mass formula
Fig. 2. Overall Block Diagram of the System described above.
In creating the design of this alcohol content detection,
• ATmega328, the control center of the whole to an outlined the specifications and designs used in the form
circuit. of hardware and software. The minimum hardware that
• MQ303A alcohol sensor. can be used for designing alcohol level detectors
includes;
• The LM35 temperature sensor serves to determine
a. Pentium 4; Processor 3.2 GHz
the temperature conditions when detecting alcohol
b. Hard disk : 40 GB
levels. c. RAM 1024 MB ,
• 16x2 LCD as hardware data display. d. 17 " LCD monitor ,
• Buzzer as a sound indicator. e. Keyboard and Mouse .
• The indicator LED as a sensor data marker is f. The main devices include alcohol sensors, USB
processed by the microcontroller. cable, Minimum System, USB AVR ISP
• Button as input. Downloader .
• Serial communication functions to connect the Software which is used to make alcohol level detectors
microcontroller with the software interface . These include:
• Battery or power as a voltage source. a. Windows 7 operating system .
• The regulator functions to lower the power voltage b. CVAVR function to write code / script that uses C
to 5 volts. language
• SIM800L GSM module as a communication device c. Khazama AVR Programmer function as software
with the internet. interface USB AVR ISP Downloader for
downloader code / script first made on CVAVR to
• Server, data storage .
the microcontroller.
In the section below, explain the research steps, along
with the needs of the tools and materials used in the study, 4. System Implementation
shown in Figure 3 below: In this step, making this system design has been
done and informing the results of the output data
Start
into the working system of the tool. The steps in
designing an alcohol level detector are :
System a. Data collection is obtained from various sources
Indentification
including: reviewing the data alcohol, books
microcontroller, the Internet and other sources as
System Design No appropriate.
b. The minimum system design includes:
Compile and Upload ATMEGA328 microcontroller IC, 1 X-TAL
Programs 11.0592 MHz, 3 paper capacitors namely two 22 pF
and 100 nF, 1 electrolytic capacitor 4.7 μF, 2
System Testing System
resistors which are 100 ohms and 10 Kohm, 1 reset
Yes
Was successful? Improvement button pushbutton .
c. Design USB AVR ISP Downloade r .
d. Designing USB to Serial TTL communication as
Finalize the System
communication between microcontrollers and
computers.
Finish e. Design ala synchronization t includes: script / code
Fig. 3. Design Procedure
in CVAVR , alcohol sensors and minimum systems
5. System Testing
 The 7 th International Conference on Cyber and IT Service Management (CITSM 2019)
IIUM-Kula Lumpur, Malaysia, October 30-November 1 st, 2019

In this step , testing of the tool will be made, whether it in accordance with the actual alcohol content. Can be seen in
is in accordance with the expected system or not and to table 1 below the results of testing the MQ303A alcohol
find out where the error is and fix it. sensor:

6. System Documentation
Validation is done by downloading script / code to the TABLE 1. TESTING OF ALCOHOL DATA BY MQ303A SENSORS
microcontroller using the USB AVR ISP downloader . No. Sample Alcohol Level (%) Accuracy Error
Then the sensor works in accordance with the program Sort Name (%) (%)
that has been downloaded on the microcontroller and the Sample Alcohol MQ303A
results of measuring the alcohol content are displayed on 1 25% Sample 25 23 92 8
the LCD 16x2 or through the interface software. Making 2 20% sample 20 19 95 5
system documentation from the initial stage to testing the 3 10% sample 10 9 90 10
system, then made in the form of a research report. 4 5% sample 5 5 100 0
7. Conclusion 5 Tape - 2% - -
Conclusions can be taken after testing the system as a 6 Durian - 2% - -
whole. Conclusions can be positive or negative. 7 Beer 5 .5 5 90 10
8 Cough 9, 5 9 95 5
Medicine
IV. RESULT AND DISCUSSION Total Accuracy 93.7%
Software interface on this system is a program that is run Rate of Error (Error / ÛSample) 6.3%
to receive alcohol data and temperature data. Display of
results interface software, shown in the image below: From the results of the above tests, it was concluded that
the MQ303A alcohol sensor works well, with an error rate of
6.3%.
To determine the accuracy of the LM35 , a temperature
sensor is tested in detecting the actual temperature . The use
of mercury thermometer as a comparison, whether the
temperature reading is the same or close to the accuracy of
the mercury thermometer. Testing uses 16x2 LCD to display
sensor data in the form of sensor readable temperature. To get
the temperature or the LM35 temperature sensor reading
value that is appropriate / accurate, calibration is needed .
Calibration conducted ter program that reads the temperature
Fig. 4 . Software Interface
of the LM35 temperature sensor according to the
After design the creation of the series has been thermometer Mercury. Testing Temperature sensors are
completed, then the procedure for merging all the series carried out using warm water ranging from 35 ° C - 42 ° C
is done. The following is a picture of the results of this due to the limitations of the thermometer . The temperature
electronic design, shown in the figure below : of the test results can be seen in table 2 below:

TABLE 2. TEMPERATURE TESTING BY LM35 SENSORS

Serial Number Room Temperature (° C) Accuracy Error
Sample (%) (%)
Thermometer LM35
1 37.2 37 99.5 0.5
2 36.8 36 97.8 2.2
3 38.3 38 99.2 0.8
4 37.8 37 97.9 2.1
Fig 5 . Overall of Hardware 5 38.1 37 97.1 2.9
6 37.6 37 98.4 1.6
To find out the accuracy of the MQ303A alcohol sensor 7 37.2 37 99.5 0.5
in detecting large amounts of alcohol in food and drinks, it 8 36.8 36 97.8 2.2
was carried out some testing . As a comparison value from 9 38.3 38 99.2 0.8
the measurement results , several alcoholic samples were 10 37.8 37 97.9 2.1
used with different levels, whether the MQ303A alcohol
sensor value was the same or close to the measured alcohol From the results of the above tests, it is concluded that
content. Tests are carried out using a 16x2 LCD to display the LM35 temperature sensor works well, with an error rate
sensor data in the form of sensor -readable alcohol content. of 1.6%.
To obtain an appropriate / accurate level or value of the
alcohol sensor reading , calibration is required. Calibration
conducted ter program that reads the value or level of alcohol
The 7 th International Conference on Cyber and IT Service Management (CITSM 2019)
IIUM-Kula Lumpur, Malaysia, October 30-November 1 st, 2019

V. CONCLUSION satisfactory results to process alcohol level detection

Based on the results of analysis carried out by the author, data.
this device that has been built is far from perfect . The overall • For further development, the use of computers can be
results of the tests carried out can be summarized as follows: replaced by using a smartphone or device based on the
• The level of accuracy of measurement of alcohol content Android operating system .
on the device is 93.7% with a possible error of 6.3%. REFERENCES
• The accuracy of the measurement of room temperature
[1] Madd. (2018). Statistics. From http://www.madd.org/statistics/
on the device is 98.4% with a possible error of 1.6%.
[2] Laurensius Davin R.P .; Mario Primary; Yudi Jatmika Putra; Rudy
• The device requires time to work, this is due to the Susanto, 2011, "Detection of Alcohol Levels", Journal of Computer
alcohol sensor heating process. Engineering Vol. 19 No. August 2, 2011: 123 – 131
• In the software interface , the program in storing [3] Momoh, JA, 'Smart grid design for efficient and flexible power
detection data so that it can be used for other needs . networks operation and control', Power Systems Conference and
Exposition, IEEE/PES, pp. 1-8, 2009
[4] Fahmizal, 2018, "Definition of Internet of Things (IoT)", Control and
Instrumentation Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Informatics
Engineering, Vocational School, Gadjah Mada University.
VI. SUGGESTION http://otomasi.sv.ugm.ac.id/2018/06/02/pengertian-internet-of-things-
iot/ (accessed 15 December 2018)
a few suggestions are expected to understand the
[5] [6] R. Hafid Hardyanto, 2017, "The Concept of the Internet of Things
principles of a device designed so that is expected to be in Web Based Learning", Journal of Dynamics of Informatics Volume
developed. The suggestions are: 6, No 1, February 2017 ISSN 1978-1660: 87 - 97 ISSN online 2549-
• Use a more accurate and reliable sensor for measuring 8517
deeper alcohol levels for more precise measurement [6] Topaz Kautsar Tritama, "Alcohol Consumption and Its Effects on
results. Health", Medical Journal of Lampung University vol 4. No. 8 (2015)
• Measurement and testing of sensor characteristics need
to be carried out as thoroughly as possible to get