Microcontroller-based moving message display powered by photovoltaic energy

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to design a textual display system, based on a light emitting diode (LED) dot matrix array powered by solar energy. The paper involves taking the device from an initial concept, through a design phase, to constructing a prototype of the product. The system consists of the display unit, which is powered from a photovoltaic (PV) module and a solar sealed lead acid battery.. The self-contained nature of the intended design will allow the display to be mounted almost anywhere it is needed. Therefore, the main purpose of this paper is to utilize the solar energy and a rechargeable battery to power a universal self-contained characters display unit. This display unit is useful for creating attention-getting messages, location identifiers such as maps and address identification display modules. The implementation of a moving message display panel which displays a text containing 22 characters (i.e., PHOTOVOLTAIC DEPARTMENT), and is powered by a PV module has been achieved. The control of this panel is based on an Atmega 8515 a Microcontroller. The used Atmel Microcontroller is programmed using Assembly language, through using AVR studio software and STK500 kit. The photovoltaic module charges the battery during the day and the battery is continuously feeds the display panel. The system consists of a single PV module that produces 75 watt, a rechargeable battery (12 V, 100 Ah), a charging battery controller with an extra regulator circuit (that can produce 5 V, 1.5 A to feed the display panel and microcontroller) and moving message dot matrix display panel with its rows and columns drivers. (Atmega8515 microcontroller, dot-matrices, rows and columns drivers). The advantages of the designed display system is easy to set up, program and handle, it also allows the outlet to simply and clearly present the scrolled text. Finally, it is found that the designed system is suited to be used for many other applications.