Chapter 02

Materials and methods

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 Chapter 02 : Materials and methods

II. 1. Introduction
The main objective of our work is to monitor the beehive remotely and obtain
information about it in real time hive status especially temperature, humidity and
weight , So we will use LILYGO T-SIM-A7670SA ESP32 module that will
make our task easier and in turn it is equipped with ESP32 chip THE SIM-
A7670SA module , we will also make use of the TTGO T-Call 800L board,
which provides the capability of sending and receiving SMS in our project In
addition to employing a GPS module , Equipped with different sensors for
temperature / humidity and weight. The first criterion for choosing an ESP 32
module is a series of low-cost, low-power systems on microcontrollers.

II. 2. ESP32

II. 2. 1. ESP32 Module Definition

The ESP32 is a low-power, low-cost microcontroller (MCU) manufactured by

Chinese company Espressif Systems. It is often used for the development of
Internet of Things (IoT) projects due to its built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
connectivity capabilities.

The ESP32 features an Xtensa LX6 dual-core processor clocked up to

240MHz, 4MB flash memory, 520KB SRAM, and various peripheral interfaces,
such as GPIO ports, I2C interfaces, SPI and UART. It can be programmed with
various programming languages such as C, C++, MicroPython and Arduino
IDE.

In addition to wireless connectivity, the ESP32 also offers features such as

data security, support for over-the-air (OTA) updates, and support for various

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development platforms. These features make it a popular choice for IoT
projects, surveillance applications, and home automation systems.

II. 2. 2. Why LILYGO T-SIM-A7670SA ESP32 module ?

There are many electronic boards that have microcontroller-based platforms

that can be used to program electronics. All of these tools take complex
programming details and encapsulate them in an easy-to-use layout. In the same
way, The LILYGO T-SIM-A7670SA ESP32 module is a specific version of the
ESP32 microcontroller that includes an integrated SIM-A7670SA module,
which allows for cellular connectivity on the device. This means that the module
can be used for IoT projects that require remote data communication and can
operate even in areas without WiFi coverage. The LILYGO T-SIM-A7670SA is
an ESP32 development board with a SIM-A7670SA chip.

The SIM-A7670SA module is included with the board, which also has various
other features. These include a battery holder for a 18650 battery, a charging
circuit, and a microSD card slot that can be used for data logging.

II. 2. 3. General description

The LILYGO T-SIM-A7670SA ESP32 module model from espressif systems

is an electronic card whose heart is an ESP32 family microcontroller, the ESP32
microcontroller is a high-performance 32-bit microcontroller whose
programming can be done in C/C++ language, Arduino IDE.

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 Figure II. 1 : The LILYGO T-SIM-A7670SA ESP32 module board

1) The LILYGO T-SIM-A7670SA ESP32 board features

 Supply voltage : 3.3V DC or 5V DC.
 ESP32 chip (WROVER-B Module) (240MHz dual-core processor).
 Flash memory : 4MB.
 PSRAM : 8MB.
 SRAM : 520KB.
 Built-in Wi-Fi.
 Built-in Bluetooth.
 USB to serial converter : CP2104 or CH9102 (drivers).
 Built-in SIM-A7670SA module.
 Built-in nano SIM card slot.
 Built-in Li-ion/Li-Po battery charging circuit :
 DW01A battery protection IC.
 CN3065 solar energy charging interface for 4.4-6.8V solar panel.
 Built-in 1x 18650 battery holder.
 Built-in solar panel connector 2p JST-PH.
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  Built-in Micro SD card slot.
 Built-in on/off switch.

2) Simplified diagram of the LILYGO T-SIM-A7670SA ESP32

module board

The microcontroller used on the LILYGO T-SIM-A7670SA ESP32 board

brings together on a chip several complex elements in a small space whose
programming can be done in C language.

Figure II. 2 : Simplified diagram of the LILYGO T-SIM-A7670SA ESP32 module board

3) Pinout of the LILYGO T-SIM-A7670SA ESP32 module board

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 Figure II. 3 : Pinout of the LILYGO T-SIM-A7670SA ESP32 module board

II. 3. The TTGO T-Call 800L

The TTGO T-Call 800L is a development board made for cellular connectivity
and Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The board can connect to cellular
networks to send and receive SMS and make phone calls since it is based on the
ESP32 processor and a SIM800L GSM module. In addition, the board has a
SIM card slot, WiFi, Bluetooth, a 3.7V LiPo battery connector, a USB-C port
for programming, an integrated antenna, and other features. A microSD card slot
is also included for data logging. The TTGO T-Call 800L is a well-liked option
for IoT applications that need cellular connectivity since it can be programmed
using the Arduino IDE or the ESP-IDF.

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 Figure II. 4 : TTGO T-Call 800L board

1) The TTGO T-Call 800L features

 Chipset: ESPRESSIF-ESP32 240MHz Xtensa® single-/dual-core 32-bit
LX6 microprocessor.
 FLASH Memory: QSPI flash 4MB / PSRAM 8MB.
 SRAM: 520 KB SRAM.
 Button: Reset.
 USB to TTL IC: CP2104.
 Modular interface: UAR, SPI, SDIO, I2C, LED PWM, TV PWM, I2S,
IRGPIO, capacitor touch sensor, ADC, DACLNA pre-amplifier.
 On-board clock: 40MHz crystal oscillator .
 Working voltage: 2.7V-3.6V.
 Working current: About 70mA.
 Sleep current: About 300uA.
 SIM card: Only supports Nano SIM card.
 Working temperature range: -40℃ ~ +85℃.
 Size&Weight: 74.78mm*29.01mm*8.06mm(11.77g).
 Quad-band 850/900/1800/1900MHz.

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  Connect onto any global GSM network with any 2G SIM.
 Send and receive SMS messages.
 Send and receive GPRS data (TCP/IP, HTTP, etc.).

2) Simplified diagram of The TTGO T-Call 800L

Figure II. 5 : Simplified diagram of The TTGO T-Call 800L

3) Pinout of The TTGO T-Call 800L

Figure II. 6 : Pinout of The TTGO T-Call 800L

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II. 4. DHT21/AM2301 Temperature and Humidity
The DHT21 is a digital humidity and temperature sensor that uses a capacitive
humidity sensor and a thermistor to measure relative humidity and temperature
respectively. It is part of the DHTxx series of sensors developed by Adafruit and
is also known as the AM2301.
It interfaces using a protocol similar to 1 Wire on a single data wire, a library
for Arduino is available, it is possible to deport the sensor up to 20 m.

The sensor used in our project has three (03) pins :

 VCC (Red) : Module power supply – 5V

 GND (Black) : Ground
 DATA (Yellow) : Data pin

You can see the pinout of this module in the image below.

Figure II. 7 : DHT21/AM2301 Temperature and Humidity

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 1) Wiring with ESP32

Figure II. 8 : Wiring DHT21 sensor with ESP32

2) Specification

 Model : AM2301
 Power supply : 3.3-5V DC
 Output signal : digital signal via single-bus
 Sensing element : Polymer humidity capacitor
 Measuring range : humidity 0-100%RH ; temperature -40~80Celsius
 Accuracy : humidity +-3%RH (Max +-5%RH) ; temperature <+-
1Celsius
 Resolution or sensitivity : humidity 0.1%RH ; temperature 0.1Celsius
 Repeatability : humidity +-1%RH ; temperature +-0.2Celsius
 Humidity hysteresis : +-0.3%RH
 Long-term Stability : +-0.5%RH/year
 Sensing period : Average : 2s
 Dimensions size 59*27*13.5mm
 Weight : 0.015 kg

II. 5. HX711 and 50 KG LOAD CELL (BEEHIVE SCALE)

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II. 5.1 HX711

HX711 is a precision 24-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) designed for

weight scales and industrial control applications. It is often used with load cells
to provide accurate weight measurements. The HX711 chip is capable of reading
signals from load cells with a full-scale range of up to ±20mV and converts the
analog signal to a digital value that can be read by a microcontroller.

Figure II. 9 : HX711

1) Specification
 Two selectable differential input channels.
 On-chip power supply regulator for load-cell and ADC analog power
supply.
 On-chip oscillator requiring no external component with optional
external crystal.
 On-chip power-on-reset.
 Data Accuracy : 24 bit (24 bit analog-to-digital converter chip).
 Refresh Frequency : 10/80 Hz.
 Operation supply voltage range : 4.8 ~ 5.5V.
 Operation supply Current : 1.6mA.
 Operation temperature range : -20 ~ +85℃.
 Demension : Approx. 36mm x 21mm x 4mm / 1.42" x 0.83" x 0.16".
2) HX711 module pinout
HX711 module has 10 pins :
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  VIN : Module power supply – 3.3-5 V
 GND : Ground
 SCK : (Serial Clock) Module and microcontroller synchronization
 OUT : Module digital output
 E+ : Load cell power supply
 E- : Load cell Ground
 A+ : First output of first cell
 A- : Second output of first cell
 B+ : First output of second cell
 B- : Second output of second cell

Figure II. 10 : HX711 module pinout

II. 5.2 50 KG LOAD CELL

A 50 kg load cell is a type of sensor that is designed to measure weights or

loads up to 50 kg. It typically consists of a metal body with strain gauges
attached to it, which detect the deformation of the body when a load is applied.
The strain gauges convert this deformation into an electrical signal, which is
then amplified and processed by an electronic circuit to provide a weight
measurement.

Load cells are used in à wide range of applications, including weighing scales,
industrial automation, and testing equipment. The accuracy of a load cell
depends on its design and calibration, and can vary from a few grams to several
tons.

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 Figure II. 11 : 50 KG LOAD CELL

1) Specification
Accuracy class of FS 0.1%
Output sensitivity (= FS) mV/V 2.0 ± 0.3
Maximum capacity
(Emax) kg 50

Temperature effect on
zero %FS/10°C ≤ ± 0.1

Temperature effect on
Sensitivity %FS/10°C ≤ + 0.1

Minimum dead load of Emax 0%

Safe overload of Emax 150 %
Ultimate overload of Emax 300%
Zero output mV/V ± 0.5
Excitation, recommended
voltage VDC 1.5 ~ 10

Excitation maximum VDC 12

Input resistance (per set) Ω 1000 ± 10
Output resistance (per set) Ω 1000 ± 10
Insulation resistance MΩ ≥2000 (at 50VDC)
Compensated temperature °C 0 ~+ 40
Operating temperature °C 10 ~ + 70
Storage temperature °C -20 ~ + 70
Element material Alloy steel
Creep %FS/5 min ± 0.05
Non-linearity %FS ± 0.3
Repeatability %FS ± 0.1
Hysteresis %FS ± 0.3

Table II. 1 : LOAD CELL Specification

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2) The Load Cell Wiring

Figure II. 12 : The Load Cell Wiring

II. 6. HiveGate
HiveGate is a tunnel from the entrance of the hive to beneath the
cluster ,27cm long and 7cm wide insert, is placed in an existing hive entrance,
And we equipped it with a sonde DS18B20 temperature sensor to monitor the
situation inside the tunnel and warn if there are intruders inside the colony.
HiveGate appears to help bees regulate the temperature and humidity in their
nest more precisely, thus potentially enhancing their health and productivity.

Figure II. 13 : HiveGate

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II. 6. The DS18B20 temperature sensor
The DS18B20 temperature sensor is a very popular digital temperature
sensor. It is capable of measuring temperatures from -55°C to +125°C with an
accuracy of ±0.5°C over a temperature range of -10°C to +85°C.
The DS18B20 sensor uses a 1-wire communication interface which allows
multiple sensors to be connected to a single communication bus. This makes the
DS18B20 sensor very convenient for applications where multiple temperature
sensors are required.
The DS18B20 sensor also has a real-time temperature conversion function,
which means that it is capable of converting the measured temperature into a
numerical value that can be directly used by a microcontroller.

Figure II. 14 : The DS18B20 temperature sensor

1) DS18B20 Sensor Pinout

To use the DS18B20 sensor, it is typically necessary to connect it to a
microcontroller or computer using a 3-wire cable :

 GND : is the ground pin.

 DQ : is a 1-Wire Data Bus that should be connected to a digital pin on the
microcontroller.
 VDD : pin provides power to the sensor, which can range from 3.3V to
5V.
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 Figure II. 15 : DS18B20 Sensor Pinout

2) Specification

 Temperature range : -55°C to +125°C.

 Accuracy : ±0.5°C over a temperature range of -10°C to +85°C.
 1-wire interface : allows multiple sensors to be connected to a single
communication bus.
 Power supply range : 3.3V to 5.5V.
 Output resolution : 9 to 12 bits, user-configurable.
 Conversion time : as low as 93.75ms for 12-bit resolution.
 Operating temperature range : -55°C to +125°C.
 Small form factor : the DS18B20 sensor comes in a small TO-92 package
which makes it easy to integrate into a variety of applications.
 Low power consumption : the DS18B20 sensor consumes very low
power, making it suitable for battery-powered applications.

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II. 7. NEO-6MV2 GPS Module
The NEO-6MV2 is a GPS (Global Positioning System) module and is used
for navigation. The module simply checks its location on earth and provides
output data which is longitude and latitude of its position.It is from a family of
stand-alone GPS receivers featuring the high performance u-blox 6 positioning
engine. These flexible and cost effective receivers offer numerous connectivity
options in a miniature (16 x 12.2 x 2.4 mm) package. The compact architecture,
power and memory options make NEO-6 modules ideal for battery operated
mobile devices with very strict cost and space constraints. Its Innovative design
gives NEO-6MV2 excellent navigation performance even in the most
challenging environments.

Figure II. 16 : NEO-6MV2 GPS Module

1) Specification

 Standalone GPS receiver.

 Anti-jamming technology.
 UART Interface at the output pins (Can use SPI ,I2C and USB by
soldering pins to the chip core).
 Under 1 second time-to-first-fix for hot and aided starts.

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  Receiver type: 50 Channels - GPS L1 frequency - SBAS (WAAS,
EGNOS, MSAS, GAGAN).
 Time-To-First-fix: For Cold Start 32s, For Warm Start 23s, For Hot Start
<1s.
 Maximum navigation update rate: 5Hz.
 Default baud rate: 9600bps.
 EEPROM with battery backup.
 Sensitivity: -160dBm.
 Supply voltage: 3.6V.
 Maximum DC current at any output: 10mA.
 Operation limits: Gravity-4g, Altitude-50000m, Velocity-500m/s.
 Operating temperature range: -40ºC TO 85°C.

2) NEO-6MV2 GPS Module Pinout

The NEO-6M GPS module has four pins : VCC, RX, TX, and GND. The
module communicates with the Arduino via serial communication using the TX
and RX pins, so the wiring couldn’t be simpler :

Table II. 2 : NEO-6MV2 GPS Module pins

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3) Model and Dimensions

Figure II. 17 : Model and Dimensions NEO-6MV2 GPS Module

II. 8. Conclusion

In this chapter we have presented the theoretical part of the different modules
constituting our electronic card which consists of remotely monitoring a bee
hive and protecting it using a LILYGO T-SIM-A7670SA ESP32 module card
and The TTGO T-Call 800L board . We have organized our chapter by
describing the LILYGO T-SIM-A7670SA ESP 32 module , TTGOT-Call 800L
boards and then the different sensors used : temperature/humidity, and
weighing , GPS.

In the next chapter, we will present our simulation results based on the
LILYGO T-SIM-A7670SA ESP 32 module TTGO T-Call 800L boards , and the
experimental part.

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