Sr Design Project: Mailbox LED Notif w/ PIC Microcontroller

[soccerkingjb]

I am currently working on my senior design project. My idea is to create a system that will detect when a person has mail in their mailbox and notify that person by transmitting a signal to a box in the house that will light an LED. I am planning on using a PARALAX motion sensor in the mailbox and a Cherry position sensor on the outside of the mailbox to detect the position of the flag. My question is on what type of microcontroller to use to do this. I was thinking of using a PIC but have no idea on which microcontroller to get. Any help would e appreciated.

 

[dbougan]

I did the exact same thing for my junior design project. However we used a basic magnetic sensor to detect the flag, an XBEE to communicate wirelessly with another module, and we used IR transmitters/detectors to detect if there was mail. Good luck to you!

To answer your question, choose a chip which will let you program it in your language of choice, and one which has a suitable number or inputs/outputs.

We used the Atmega32. It supports C, had 8 A/D converts (which we used for the 8 IR detectors), and a simple USART which made working with the wireless communicator device easy.

 

[oswaler]

I am excited to hear about your senior design project. It sounds like a practical and useful application of technology. Your idea to use a motion sensor and position sensor to detect when mail is in the mailbox is a creative and effective approach.

In terms of the microcontroller, there are many options available and it ultimately depends on your specific project requirements and budget. However, the PIC microcontroller is a popular and reliable choice for projects like yours. It is known for its low power consumption, wide range of features, and easy programmability.

To determine which specific PIC microcontroller to use, you should consider factors such as the number of inputs and outputs needed, processing speed, memory size, and communication capabilities. It may also be helpful to consult with your project advisor or a knowledgeable electronics engineer for guidance on selecting the best microcontroller for your project.

I wish you the best of luck with your project and look forward to seeing the final results. Keep up the good work!