Department of Information Science and Engineering

Internet of Things
18CS81

Simulation Project Report

On
“Air Pollution Monitoring System”

NAME USN
Shreya Rajesh 1BY20IS158
Srikar G S S 1BY20IS166
Teja Kiran S Rayudu 1BY20IS181
Umme Hani 1BY20IS185

Semester : 8th sem C Sec

Under the guidance of : Mrs. Vinutha K

 CONTENTS OF THE REPORT

Sl no. Chapter Page no.

1 Introduction 1
2 Problem Statement 1
3 Components Description 1-2
4 Simulation tool used 3
5 Project Modules 3
6 Implementation Code 4
7 Output 5
8 Conclusion 6
 1. INTRODUCTION
Air pollution poses significant health and environmental risks worldwide. Monitoring air quality is
crucial for assessing the level of pollution and implementing measures to mitigate its adverse effects.
Traditional air quality monitoring systems are often expensive and require sophisticated equipment.
The aim of this project is to develop a low-cost air pollution monitoring system using Arduino Uno
and readily available components.

The "Air Pollution Monitoring System" project aims to develop a cost-effective and efficient system
for monitoring air pollution levels. The system utilizes Arduino Uno microcontroller along with
various components such as MQ-2 Gas Sensor, Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), LEDs, resistors,
breadboard, and connecting wires. The system is designed to measure the concentration of harmful
gasses present in the air and display the results in real-time on an LCD screen. Additionally, LEDs are
employed to provide visual indicators of air quality, making it easier for users to interpret the data.
The project utilizes Tinkercad as the simulation tool for designing and testing the system.

2. PROBLEM STATEMENT
Air pollution poses significant health risks to individuals and has adverse effects on the environment.
However, traditional air quality monitoring systems are often expensive, making it challenging for
individuals and communities to access real-time air quality data. There is a need for a cost-effective
and user-friendly solution that enables individuals to monitor air quality in their immediate
surroundings.

The problem addressed by this project is the lack of accessible and affordable air quality monitoring
systems. The project aims to develop a simple yet effective solution using Arduino and readily
available components to empower individuals to monitor air quality in real-time and take necessary
actions to safeguard their health and the environment.

3. COMPONENTS DESCRIPTION
The components used in this project are as follows:

1. Arduino Uno
2. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)
3. MQ-2 Gas Sensor
4. Red and Green LEDs

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 5. Resistors
6. Breadboard
7. Connecting wires

Arduino Uno: It is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega328P. It serves as the brain of the
air quality monitoring system, responsible for reading sensor data, processing it, and controlling the
output devices such as LEDs and LCD.

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD): An LCD is a type of flat panel display that utilizes the light
modulating properties of liquid crystals. In this project, the LCD is used to display real-time air quality
readings, providing users with visual feedback on the current air quality conditions.

MQ-2 Gas Sensor: The MQ-2 Gas Sensor is a module that detects various gases such as LPG,
propane, hydrogen, and methane. It operates on the principle of resistance change based on gas
concentration, providing analog output proportional to the gas concentration in the air.

Red and Green LEDs: Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are semiconductor devices that emit light when
current passes through them. In this project, red and green LEDs are used as visual indicators of air
quality. The red LED indicates poor air quality, while the green LED indicates good air quality based
on predefined thresholds.

Resistors: Resistors are passive electronic components that limit the flow of electric current in a
circuit. In this project, resistors are used to limit the current passing through the LEDs, protecting them
from damage and ensuring proper operation.

Breadboard: A breadboard is a construction base for prototyping electronic circuits without the need
for soldering. It allows easy insertion and connection of electronic components, making it ideal for
experimenting and testing circuits.

Connecting wires: Connecting wires are used to establish electrical connections between various
components in the circuit. They facilitate the flow of electric current between the Arduino, sensors,
LEDs, and other components, enabling the proper functioning.

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4. SIMULATION TOOL USED- TINKERCAD
Tinkercad, launched by Autodesk in 2011, is a user-friendly web platform for 3D modeling, catering
to beginners and experts alike. Its intuitive interface allows easy creation of intricate designs through
drag-and-drop functionality, fostering hands-on learning. Tinkercad serves as a virtual environment
for simulating the implementation of an air monitoring system using components such as Arduino
Uno, LiquidCrystal Display (LCD), MQ-2 Gas Sensor, LEDs, resistors, breadboard, and connecting
wires. Users can replicate the hardware setup by dragging and dropping components onto the
workspace and connecting them accordingly, simulating physical connections on a virtual breadboard.

Through Tinkercad's integrated code editor, users can translate the provided Arduino sketch into code,
initializing hardware components and setting up pins as input or output. They can then simulate the
functionality of the system, including reading analog values from the MQ-2 sensor, calculating
particulate matter concentration, displaying results on the virtual LCD screen, and controlling LEDs
to indicate air quality status based on predefined thresholds. Overall, Tinkercad provides a
comprehensive platform for designing, simulating, and testing the functionality of the air monitoring
system in a virtual environment.

5. PROJECT MODULES
1. Hardware Setup: The MQ-2 Gas Sensor is connected to the Arduino Uno analog pin A0 to measure
the concentration of particulate matter in the air. The Red and Green LEDs are connected to digital
pins to indicate air quality status, while a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is used to display the current
air quality reading.

2. Arduino Sketch: The Arduino sketch initializes the hardware components and sets up the necessary
pins as input or output. It continuously reads the analog value from the MQ-2 sensor, converts it to
parts per million (PPM), and displays it on the LCD screen. If the PPM exceeds a predefined threshold
(Max), the Red LED is turned on, indicating poor air quality, and an alert message is displayed on the
LCD. Otherwise, the Green LED is turned on, indicating safe air quality.

3. Data Logging (Optional): Optionally, data logging functionality can be added to the system to record
air quality readings over time. This data can be stored in an external memory device or transmitted
wirelessly for further analysis.

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6. IMPLEMENTATION CODE

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7. OUTPUT
Circuit Connection:

The MQ-2 Gas Sensor is connected with analog pin A0 of the Arduino UNO board along with the
LCD display connection, which has been demonstrated in the above figure.

Sensor detection with safe air quality:

Sensor detection with poor air quality:

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8. CONCLUSION
This project illustrates how Arduino technology can be harnessed to construct an affordable and
effective air quality monitoring system. These systems hold immense potential to improve public
health efforts by enhancing awareness regarding air pollution and facilitating proactive measures to
mitigate its impact. It is universally acknowledged that a healthy environment is paramount for our
well-being. Through the integration of technology, we present a pollution detection system,
underscoring the pervasive influence of technology across diverse domains. Our system, which
employs gas sensors and an LCD display interface, offers an accessible solution at a minimal cost.
Furthermore, its design allows for future enhancements and upgrades, showcasing its adaptability and
scalability. The successful implementation of our air pollution monitoring system underscores its
potential for further refinement and expanded utilization through ongoing technological
advancements.