Design of an Automatic Window Using a PIC Microcontroller and Stepper Motor

Abstract

In this paper, the design of an automatic window is presented. The proposed window closes and opens automatically during and after a rainfall. The automatic system was developed with a focus on hospitals in order to allow medical staff and other supporting staff to concentrate on their primary responsibilities of taking care of patients. The system design includes a PIC16F877A microcontroller which gets activated when a moisture detector sensor sends a high logic signal to it. The microcontroller executes its embedded program by activating the stepper motor through a ULN2003 current-dependent integrated circuit (IC) chip resulting in stepwise control of the window. Hence, the window is automatically closed when rainfall is detected but opens and remains open when no rain is detected. We intend to extend our design to automatic opening and closing of the windows at others times in addition to during and after rainfall; for instance, window opening and closing every day at specific times in the morning and evening respectively.