Project Overview: Study and Modeling of Thermal Dynamics in a Smart Home Prototype

Project Title:
Study and Modeling of Thermal Dynamics in a Smart Home Prototype

Objective:
The primary objective of our project is to develop a dynamic model of temperature variation within a Smart Home prototype. This model will consider both spatial (x, y, z) and temporal (t) variables. The prototype is a scaled-down model designed for laboratory use, allowing students to engage with various concepts including electricity generation, home automation, and control theory.

Key Components:
Heating Source:
An incandescent bulb controlled by an on-off relay simulates a heat source, akin to a radiator.
Temperature Probes:
Five Pt100 sensors are strategically placed to measure temperatures at various points inside and outside the room.
Data Acquisition:
The temperature data is processed through Pt100 transmitter-conditioners and a Texas Instruments C2000 microcontroller, which interfaces with Simulink for real-time data analysis and control.
Group 1's Focus:
Our group has been assigned the task of controlling the system, including both the controller and hardware module. We aim to refine and validate the thermal dynamics model using various methods, compare simulation results with actual test data, and explore advanced control strategies such as Model-Reference Adaptive Control (MRAC) or Model Predictive Control (MPC).

Deliverables:
A Simulink model with accompanying Matlab scripts.
A detailed report analyzing the model, simulation results, and potential areas for improvement.
A 15-minute presentation to discuss our findings and methodologies.
This project will not only contribute to our understanding of thermal dynamics in smart homes but also provide insights into practical control applications in real-world systems.