IOT device for weather morintoring

The weather IoT system that continuously monitors temperature and humidity using a DHT22 sensor transmitting real-time data for easy remote access and monitoring.
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Table of Contents

1. About The Project
   • Built With
2. Getting Started
   • Prerequisites
   • Installation
3. Usage

About The Project

This Weather IoT project is designed to monitor and transmit real-time environmental data—specifically temperature and humidity—using an ESP32 or ESP8266 microcontroller with a DHT22 sensor. The system connects to a WiFi network and uses the MQTT protocol to send sensor data to a cloud-based or local MQTT broker, such as HiveMQ’s public broker.

1. Hardware Components

• ESP32 or ESP8266 Microcontroller: The main controller responsible for reading data from the sensor and handling network communication.
• DHT22 Sensor: A digital sensor that measures temperature and humidity, known for its accuracy and ease of use.
• Wiring and Power: The DHT22 sensor connects to one of the GPIO pins on the ESP board, while the board is powered via USB or battery.

2. Data Collection and Processing

• The ESP32/ESP8266 reads temperature and humidity data from the DHT22 sensor at regular intervals (e.g., every 2 seconds).
• Each data point (temperature and humidity) is packaged into a JSON-formatted message, allowing easy parsing and display on various devices or platforms.

3. Networking and Communication

• WiFi Connection: The ESP connects to a WiFi network, which provides internet access for transmitting data.
• MQTT Protocol: The project uses the MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport) protocol, a lightweight messaging protocol commonly used in IoT due to its low bandwidth requirements.
• MQTT Broker: All data is published to an MQTT broker (e.g., broker.mqttdashboard.com), where it can be accessed in real-time by subscribing devices or applications.

4. Data Publishing and Real-Time Monitoring

• After processing, the ESP publishes the JSON message containing temperature and humidity data to a specified MQTT topic (e.g., wokwi-weather or iot/weather).
• Using an MQTT client (like HiveMQ’s WebSocket client), users can subscribe to the MQTT topic to view real-time data updates in a browser or app. Each time the temperature or humidity changes, a new message is published to the MQTT topic.

5. Applications and Use Cases

• Real-Time Environmental Monitoring: Ideal for tracking temperature and humidity in homes, greenhouses, or storage facilities.
• Remote Weather Stations: The project can serve as a basic weather station that can be monitored remotely, without needing any on-site presence.
• Educational Projects: This setup is also a valuable educational tool, providing hands-on experience with IoT, MQTT, and sensor integration.

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Built With

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Getting Started

Prerequisites

To successfully build and run the IoT Weather Monitoring System, you’ll need the following:

Hardware Requirements

Component	Description
ESP32 or ESP8266	Microcontroller board. Ensure your board is functional and compatible with the Arduino IDE.
DHT22 Sensor	A DHT22 temperature and humidity sensor for environmental data collection.
Wiring and Breadboard	Jumper wires and a breadboard for secure connections between the microcontroller and sensor.
Power Supply	USB cable or battery pack to power the ESP32/ESP8266.
Testing Platform	If you just want to test, you can go to Wokwi. Additionally, you can view this IoT project in This IoT's Wokwi.

Circuit Diagram

Diagram	Description
	The wiring setup for connecting the DHT22 sensor to the ESP32/ESP8266 microcontroller. Click the image for Demo Test Video.

Model Architecture

Architecture	Description
	The overall architecture of the IoT system, showing data flow from the sensor to the MQTT broker.

Software Requirements

Requirement	Description
Arduino IDE	Download and install the Arduino IDE for programming the ESP32 or ESP8266. Ensure the ESP32/ESP8266 board libraries are installed in the Arduino IDE.
Arduino Libraries	PubSubClient library for MQTT communication. DHT Sensor Library for reading data from the DHT22 sensor.
WiFi Network	Access to a 2.4GHz WiFi network (compatible with most ESP boards) with SSID and password available.

MQTT Broker

• MQTT Broker (e.g., HiveMQ’s public broker or Mosquitto)
  • If using the public HiveMQ broker, no additional setup is required.
  • Ensure the MQTT broker is reachable from your network and supports the MQTT protocol on port 1883.

Optional

• MQTT Dashboard or Client
  • HiveMQ’s WebSocket Client or any other MQTT client for subscribing to the topic and viewing real-time data.
• Cloud Integration (optional)
  • If you want to log or analyze data, consider setting up a cloud IoT platform (e.g., AWS IoT or Google Cloud IoT).

Installation

Follow these steps to install and set up the IoT Weather Monitoring System:

1. Hardware Setup

1. Connect the DHT22 Sensor to the ESP32 or ESP8266:

   • Connect the VCC pin of the DHT22 to the 3.3V pin on the ESP board.
   • Connect the GND pin of the DHT22 to the GND pin on the ESP board.
   • Connect the Data pin of the DHT22 to a digital GPIO pin (e.g., GPIO15) on the ESP board.

2. Power the ESP32/ESP8266 using a USB cable connected to your computer or an external power source.

2. Software Setup

1. Download and Install the Arduino IDE:

   • Download Arduino IDE and install it on your computer.
   • Install the ESP32/ESP8266 board libraries via the Arduino Board Manager.

2. Install Required Libraries:

   • Open the Arduino IDE and go to Sketch > Include Library > Manage Libraries.
   • Search for and install the following libraries:
     • PubSubClient (for MQTT communication)
     • DHT Sensor Library (for reading data from the DHT22 sensor)

3. Code Setup

1. Open the Code:
   • Copy the provided code into a new sketch in the Arduino IDE.
2. Update WiFi and MQTT Credentials:
   • Replace SSID and PASSWORD in the code with your WiFi network name and password.
   • Set the mqtt_server to "broker.mqttdashboard.com" (or another MQTT broker if you have one).
3. Verify and Upload Code:
   • Select your ESP32 or ESP8266 board from Tools > Board.
   • Choose the correct Port from Tools > Port.
   • Click on Verify to check for any errors, and then Upload the code to the board.

4. Connect to the MQTT Broker

1. Verify Connection:
   • Open the Serial Monitor in the Arduino IDE to confirm that the ESP has successfully connected to WiFi and the MQTT broker.
   • You should see periodic messages indicating the current temperature and humidity readings being published to the MQTT topic.
2. Monitor Data with MQTT Client:
   • Open an MQTT client, like the HiveMQ WebSocket Client.
   • Connect to the MQTT broker and subscribe to the topic you set (e.g., iot/weather) to view real-time data.

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Usage

The IoT Weather Monitoring System is a powerful yet simple tool for continuously monitoring environmental conditions, providing real-time data that is easily accessible from anywhere. Below are some common use cases and the benefits of using this system:

Real-Time Environmental Monitoring

Use Case	Description
Home Monitoring	Track indoor temperature and humidity to maintain a comfortable living environment, and receive alerts when conditions reach uncomfortable or potentially harmful levels.
Greenhouses and Gardens	Monitor climate conditions in greenhouses to ensure optimal temperature and humidity for plant growth, reducing the risk of plant stress or disease.
Storage Facilities	Maintain the ideal environment for sensitive materials (e.g., electronics, food, documents) by tracking temperature and humidity levels and preventing conditions that could lead to deterioration.

Remote Weather Station

• The system acts as a lightweight, affordable remote weather station, ideal for individuals, hobbyists, or researchers in rural or outdoor areas.
• Weather Data Collection: Collect environmental data over time, gaining insights into local weather patterns without the need for expensive equipment.
• Public Weather Sharing: Share data with local communities or organizations that may benefit from having real-time environmental data, especially in areas without formal weather stations.

Educational and Learning Tool

• Hands-On Learning for IoT Concepts: This project serves as an excellent learning resource for students and beginners, providing experience with microcontrollers, sensors, and MQTT.
• Understanding Cloud and Network Communication: Gain knowledge of cloud-based communication, networking protocols (e.g., MQTT), and data publishing by seeing how sensor data travels from a device to the cloud.

Data Logging and Automation (Advanced Usage)

• Data Analysis: Integrate with cloud platforms like AWS IoT or Google Cloud IoT to log data for long-term analysis, helping identify trends and enabling predictive insights.
• Smart Automation: Set up smart actions based on specific conditions, such as automatically turning on a fan or humidifier if temperature or humidity thresholds are exceeded.

Benefits

• Remote Access: Data is accessible via any internet-connected device, allowing users to stay informed about environmental changes in real-time.
• Low-Cost and Scalable: Compared to commercial weather stations, this project is highly affordable and scalable, with the ability to add additional sensors or functionalities as needed.
• Flexibility: The system can be adapted to various environments and expanded to suit specific needs, making it suitable for both small and large applications.

This IoT Weather Monitoring System is a practical, versatile solution that combines ease of use with powerful capabilities, enabling users to gain valuable environmental insights and take proactive actions based on real-time data.

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