KENYA MEDICAL TRAINING COLLEGE

KILIFI CAMPUS

PROJECT TITLE: PRECISE TEMPERATURE HUMIDITY CONTROLLER FOR

BABY INCUBATOR

PRESENTED BY: SANTA BAHATI KENGA

COLLEGE NUMBER: D/UPMET/23012/660

SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL ENGINEERING IN PARTIAL

FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF DIPLOMA IN

MEDICAL ENGINEERING

2025

1
DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this project report is my original work and has not been presented in any
other institution. Information from other sources has been duly acknowledged.

Name:
Sign..............................
Date..............................

2
CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that the project titled precise temperature humidity controller for baby
incubator" submitted by Santa Bahati Kenga, a final year student of medical engineering at
KMTC Kilifi campus, has been carried out under my supervision. The project is submitted in
partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of diploma in medical
engineering.
Name:
Sign..............................
Date..............................

Mr. Namu
Sign...............................
Date...............................

3
DEDICATION

I dedicate this project to God Almighty my creator, my strong pillar, my source of inspiration,
wisdom, knowledge and understanding. He has been the source of my strength throughout this
program and on His wings only have I soared. I also dedicate this work to my relatives and
college mates who have encouraged me all the way and whose encouragement has made sure
that I give it all it takes to finish that which I have started.

4
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I express my special thanks to our supervisor Mr. Namu for his time and efforts he provided
throughout the year. Your useful advice and suggestions were really helpful to me during the
project’s completion. In this aspect, I am sincerely grateful to you.

CONTENTS

5
PROJECT TITLE: PRECISE TEMPERATURE HUMIDITY CONTROLLER FOR

BABY INCUBATOR.....................................................................................................................1

DECLARATION.........................................................................................................................2

Certification.................................................................................................................................3

DEDICATION.............................................................................................................................4

acknowledgement........................................................................................................................5

LIST OF FIGURES...................................................................................................................11

TABLES....................................................................................................................................12

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS....................................................................................................13

ABSTRACT..............................................................................................................................14

CHAPTER ONE:...........................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................15

1.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION....................................................................................15

1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT..................................................................................................16

1.3 OBJECTIVES......................................................................................................................17

1.3.1 BROAD OBJECTIVE......................................................................................................17

1.3.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES.................................................................................................17

6
 1.4 JUSTIFICATION OF STUDY............................................................................................17

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY....................................................................................18

1.6 LIMITATION OF STUDY.................................................................................................19

1.7 ASSUMPTIONS MADE.....................................................................................................19

CHAPTER TWO:..........................................................................................................................20

LITERATURE REVIEW..........................................................................................................20

2.1 Neonatal Incubators and Their Importance.........................................................................20

2.2 Temperature and Humidity Control in Incubators...............................................................21

2.3 Microcontroller-Based Monitoring Systems in Incubators.................................................22

2.4 Challenges in Current Incubator Technology......................................................................23

2.5 Conclusion...........................................................................................................................24

CHAPTER THREE.......................................................................................................................25

METHODOLOGY....................................................................................................................25

3.1 BLOCK DIAGRAM............................................................................................................25

3.1.0 Power supply....................................................................................................................26

3.1.2 Temperature and humidity sensor circuit.........................................................................26

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3.1.3 microcontroller circuit......................................................................................................26

3.1.4 SWITCHING CIRCUIT...................................................................................................26

3.1 5 HEATER...........................................................................................................................26

3. 1.6 HUMIDIFIER.................................................................................................................26

3.1.7 LCD DISPLAY................................................................................................................27

3.1.8 AUDIO ALARM..............................................................................................................27

3.2 Power supply.......................................................................................................................27

3.2.1 TRANSFORMER.............................................................................................................27

Figure 2 transformer..................................................................................................................27

3.2.2RECTIFICATION.............................................................................................................29

Figure 3 rectifier circuit.............................................................................................................29

SMOOTHING...........................................................................................................................30

3.2.3 VOLTAGE REGULATOR..............................................................................................31

7805 voltage regulator IC is used because our voltage is a positive one and that it can handle

up to 1 A....................................................................................................................................31

3.3 Temperature and humidity sensor circuit............................................................................31

3.4 MICROCONTROLLER......................................................................................................33
8
 Peripheral Features:............................................................................................................33

Analog Features:..................................................................................................................34

Pin Description of PIC16F877A:........................................................................................34

3.5 LCD DISPLAY...................................................................................................................35

3.6 AUDIO ALARM AND SWITCHING CIRCUIT...............................................................36

Cut Off State (Open Switch)......................................................................................................37

3.7 SWITCHING CIRCUIT......................................................................................................39

3.8 OUTPUTS...........................................................................................................................41

3.9 CIRCUIT DIAGRAM.........................................................................................................42

3.10 CIRCUIT OPERATION....................................................................................................43

3.11 PROTOTYPE CONSTRUCTION PROCEDURE............................................................44

3.12 PROGRAMMING PROCEDURE....................................................................................44

CHAPTER FOUR.........................................................................................................................45

4.1 TEST RESULTS.................................................................................................................45

CHAPTER FIVE...........................................................................................................................47

5.1 DISCUSSIONS AND INTEPRETATIONS.......................................................................47

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CHAPTER SIX..............................................................................................................................48

6.1 CONCLUSION....................................................................................................................48

6.2 RECOMmENDATION.......................................................................................................49

6.3 COSTING............................................................................................................................50

ITEM.............................................................................................................................................50

APPENDICES...........................................................................................................................51

REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................55

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 Block diagram.................................................................................................................15

Figure 2 transformer......................................................................................................................17

Figure 3 rectifier circuit.................................................................................................................19

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Figure 4 smoothing circuit.............................................................................................................19

Figure 5 7805 regulator.................................................................................................................21

Figure 6 DH22 sensor....................................................................................................................22

Figure 7 PIC16F877......................................................................................................................24

Figure 8 LCD.................................................................................................................................26

Figure 9 transistor switch...............................................................................................................28

Figure 10 transistor switch analogy...............................................................................................28

Figure 11 audio alarm....................................................................................................................29

Figure 12 switching circuit............................................................................................................30

Figure 13 the entire circuit diagram...............................................................................................32

TABLES

Table 1 temperature results............................................................................................................35

Table 2 humidity results................................................................................................................35

Table 3 costing...............................................................................................................................39

11
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

DC direct current

AC alternating current

LCD liquid crystal display

NICU neonatal intensive care units

LIST OF SYMBOLS

12
 TRANSFORMER.

CAPACITOR.

RESISTOR.

DIODE

ABSTRACT

Infant incubators play a critical role in neonatal care units, providing a controlled and stable
environment essential for the survival and development of premature or critically ill newborns.
The failure of an incubator can have severe consequences, leading to life-threatening
complications. Temperature regulation is particularly vital, as newborns, especially preterm
infants, have limited ability to regulate their body temperature. Any failure in the incubator’s
heating system may result in hypothermia, which can cause metabolic instability, poor
oxygenation, and increased risks of infection. Conversely, overheating can lead to hyperthermia,
dehydration, and potential organ damage.
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Beyond temperature control, humidity regulation is another crucial function of infant incubators.
Proper humidity levels help prevent dehydration, maintain skin integrity, and support lung
development in premature infants. A failure in humidity control can cause electrolyte
imbalances, increased risk of infections, and respiratory complications. Additionally, newborns
in incubators often require a controlled oxygen supply. Any instability in the incubator’s
environmental conditions can exacerbate respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), a common
condition among preterm babies.

Given the high dependency on incubators for neonatal survival, it is essential to have a system
that continuously monitors and regulates key parameters. This project aims to develop an
automated monitoring system for temperature and humidity control within an infant incubator.
The system will use a DH22 integrated sensor to measure temperature and humidity levels,
ensuring real-time tracking. A PIC microcontroller-based circuit will process the sensor data and
activate a switching circuit to power the heater or humidifier as needed. Additionally, an alarm
system will be incorporated to alert healthcare providers if any parameter goes out of the safe
range.

This automated solution ensures that the incubator maintains an optimal environment, reducing
the risk of neonatal complications and improving survival rates. By enhancing reliability,
minimizing human intervention, and ensuring immediate response to temperature and humidity
fluctuations, this project contributes to better neonatal care and reduced infant mortality
rates.

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 CHAPTER ONE:

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The background information provides context and foundational details of birth rate and the rate

of preterm births that demand the need for infant incubators. This helps the reader to understand

the project’s relevance. The global average birth rate is approximately 18.6 births per 1,000

people as of 2021, according to World Bank data (Smith et al., 2024). The global average

preterm birth rate is estimated to be around 10.6%. A newborn must make many physical

adjustments to life outside the mother's body. Leaving the uterus means that a baby can no longer

depend on the mother's blood supply and placenta for important body functions. Before birth, the

baby depends on functions from the mother for survival. These include breathing, eating,
15
elimination of waste, and immune protection. When a baby leaves the womb, its body systems

ought to change. The lungs must breathe air, the cardiac and pulmonary circulation changes and

the digestive system must begin to process food and excrete waste among other functions

(Pettersen, 2015). In some cases, a newborn has trouble making the transition outside the womb.

For example babies born prematurely may need additional time to develop their lungs and other

vital organs.

In Kenya, 193,000 births are preterm each year and 13,300 children under five die due to direct

preterm complications (Alipour, 2022). This demands neonatal intensive care services. The

newborns with these challenges are put in infant incubators. An incubator is an apparatus used to

maintain environmental conditions suitable for a neonate. It is used in preterm births or for some

ill full-term babies. A stable infant incubator is critical to provide a controlled and stable

environment for premature or ill newborns. However, in some cases the infant incubators do fail.

1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT

Preterm birth is a significant global health issue and can have various causes and implications.

Preterm birth rates vary across countries and regions. Preterm babies are at a higher risk of

various health complications due to their underdeveloped organ systems. These complications

may include respiratory distress syndrome, jaundice, infections, feeding difficulties, neurological

problems, and long-term developmental challenges. Preterm babies also often require specialized

care in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The infant mortality rate as a result of preterm

birth is high in Kenya, at 54.7 deaths per 1,000 live births. Therefore, the neonatal units become

important to attend such cases. In these areas newborns are closely monitored. Incubators are the

16
most vital equipment in these units. Stability of infant incubator is critical for survival of the

newborn. The failure of an infant incubator can have serious implications for the health and well-

being of the newborns being cared for. The failure of an infant incubator can have serious and

potentially life-threatening impacts on a newborn, especially for premature or critically ill infants

who rely on incubators to maintain a stable, supportive environment .Newborns can quickly

become hypothermic, which can lead to poor oxygenation, increased metabolism, and metabolic

acidosis. If an incubator malfunctions by overheating, the infant risks hyperthermia, which can

cause dehydration, respiratory distress, and even seizures. Another problem is dehydration and

Skin Damage increasing the risk of infection.

1.3 OBJECTIVES

1.3.1 BROAD OBJECTIVE

 To design, construct and test precise temperature humidity controller for baby incubator.

1.3.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

a) To use a DH22 integrated sensor for incubator temperature and humidity reading.

b) To design a switching circuit to power the incubator heater and humidifier on

receiving a voltage signal from the microcontroller.

c) To use a PIC microcontroller based circuit to monitor the whole system.

1.4 JUSTIFICATION OF STUDY

The improper functioning of an infant incubator can have serious and potentially life-threatening

consequences, especially for premature or critically ill infants who rely on the incubator to
17
regulate their environment as it has been explained in the problem statement. One of the most

immediate impacts is temperature instability. Premature infants, in particular, lack the ability to

regulate their own body heat, and a sudden loss of the controlled warmth in an incubator can lead

to hypothermia. This condition places stress on an infant’s organs, increasing metabolic demand

and risking complications like metabolic acidosis. Conversely, if the incubator overheats, it can

cause hyperthermia, which can lead to dehydration, respiratory distress, and even seizures in

severe cases. Incubators humidity is essential for preventing dehydration and supporting skin

integrity in preterm infants. A humidity malfunction can result in dehydration, which can cause

electrolyte imbalances and damage delicate skin, increasing infection risks. When incubator fails,

restoring is a challenge to most because many are irreparable due to the technology used and the

in availability of most components locally and therefore prolonging down time. Other incubators

are older version ones which do not have display and failure warning alarm. A better local

developed system is therefore important. This project is developed to monitor the important

incubator parameters (temperature and humidity) and displays the levels. When the temperature

falls low, it turns on the heater. When humidity goes low, it turns on the humidifier. When these

goes out of range, it sounds alarm. This will enable timely restoration if it fails.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The premature and critically ill newborns, who depend on a controlled environment for survival

and healthy development will benefit from this project.

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Parents and families will also benefit, gaining peace of mind knowing their baby is safe and

receiving necessary support.

Healthcare professionals rely on incubator stability to provide effective care, reducing

emergency interventions and allowing them to focus on other critical aspects of neonatal care.

This study is important as it ensures that premature and critically ill newborns receive the best

possible care in a stable and controlled environment, improving their chances of survival and

healthy development. Parents and families gain reassurance, knowing their baby is safe and well-

monitored. Additionally, healthcare professionals benefit by having reliable incubators, reducing

emergency interventions and allowing them to focus on other vital neonatal care aspects.

Furthermore, the study contributes to medical advancements by improving incubator technology,

ultimately enhancing neonatal healthcare outcomes and easing the burden on healthcare

facilities.

1.6 LIMITATION OF STUDY

The project monitors and controls the incubator temperature and humidity but does not hint of

the cause of failure should the humidity and temperature go out of range. This is left to the

discretion of the technician to decide how to sort out the fault.

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1.7 ASSUMPTIONS MADE

It is assumed that all infants require the same temperature and humidity conditions. Also the

success of the project is based on assumption that when alarm is raised, there will be timely

response to restore it.

CHAPTER TWO:

LITERATURE REVIEW

This chapter presents an overview of previous research on neonatal incubators, their significance
in neonatal care, the importance of temperature and humidity control, the role of microcontroller-
based systems, and the challenges faced with existing incubator technology. The literature
reviewed provides a foundation for understanding the need for a locally developed, cost-
effective, and efficient infant incubator with an automated monitoring and control system.

2.1 NEONATAL INCUBATORS AND THEIR IMPORTANCE

A neonatal incubator is an essential medical device used in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs)
to provide premature and critically ill newborns with a controlled environment necessary for
survival. These devices regulate temperature, humidity, and oxygen levels, helping to mimic the
20
conditions of the womb (Morgan et al., 2022). Premature infants are particularly vulnerable to
environmental changes due to their underdeveloped physiological systems. Studies show that
approximately 10.6% of all births worldwide are preterm, and these infants require specialized
care to ensure survival (Swamy, 2008).

Incubators provide warmth, which is crucial since premature babies lack sufficient body fat to
maintain their body temperature. Without proper thermal regulation, newborns are at high risk of
hypothermia, leading to increased metabolic demand, respiratory distress, and severe health
complications. According to Alipour et al. (2022), inadequate neonatal care is a significant
contributor to neonatal morbidity and mortality. Therefore, ensuring stable incubator conditions
can significantly improve infant survival rates.

Beyond temperature control, incubators also help regulate humidity, which is essential for
preventing dehydration and protecting the delicate skin of premature infants. Proper humidity
levels reduce the risk of infections and improve overall neonatal outcomes (Smith-Hunter et al.,
2024). Despite these benefits, the effectiveness of incubators depends on their ability to maintain
consistent environmental conditions. Malfunctions, fluctuations in temperature and humidity, or
a lack of proper monitoring systems can lead to adverse health effects for newborns.

2.2 TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY CONTROL IN INCUBATORS

Temperature and humidity control are among the most critical aspects of neonatal incubator
functionality. Maintaining an optimal temperature range (typically 35-37°C) ensures the
newborn’s body does not experience excessive heat loss or overheating (Alipour et al., 2022).
Humidity levels, generally maintained at 40-60%, prevent excessive water loss from the infant’s
skin and respiratory tract, reducing the risk of dehydration (Swamy, 2008).

Studies have shown that manual monitoring and adjustments in traditional incubators often lead
to inconsistent environmental conditions, putting premature infants at risk (Morgan et al., 2022).

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Many conventional incubators rely on manual adjustments, requiring healthcare personnel to
frequently check temperature and humidity levels. This can result in human error, delays in
response, and fluctuations that negatively affect the infant’s stability (Smith-Hunter et al., 2024).

Technological advancements have led to the development of automated systems that use sensors
and microcontrollers to regulate incubator conditions. According to IEEE Conference
Publications (2021, 2017), IoT-based temperature and humidity monitoring systems significantly
improve incubator performance by continuously tracking environmental parameters and making
real-time adjustments. Such automated systems reduce the need for manual intervention and
improve the reliability of neonatal care.

However, despite these advancements, many healthcare facilities in low-income countries still
rely on outdated incubators with limited or no digital monitoring capabilities (Pettersen, 2015).
The high cost of modern incubators and the lack of locally available spare parts pose significant
challenges. In Kenya, many hospitals struggle with incubator shortages, and existing units often
suffer from frequent breakdowns due to inadequate maintenance and a lack of technical expertise
(Alipour et al., 2022). This highlights the need for affordable, locally developed incubators that
integrate modern sensor-based temperature and humidity control systems.

2.3 MICROCONTROLLER-BASED MONITORING SYSTEMS IN INCUBATORS

Microcontroller-based systems have revolutionized various medical devices, including neonatal

incubators. A microcontroller is a compact integrated circuit that automates processes by
receiving inputs from sensors and triggering appropriate outputs (Agarwal & Lang, 2005). In the
case of incubators, microcontrollers receive temperature and humidity readings from sensors and
activate heating elements or humidifiers as needed to maintain optimal conditions (Horowitz &
Hill, 2015).

Several studies have explored the use of microcontroller-based incubators to enhance neonatal
care. Research by Stanford University Online (n.d.) indicates that microcontroller-based systems
can significantly improve incubator performance by automating environmental adjustments and
22
providing real-time monitoring through digital displays. These systems also incorporate alarm
mechanisms that notify healthcare providers of any deviations from the optimal range, ensuring
prompt intervention (IEEE Conference Publication, 2017).

The use of DH22 integrated sensors in microcontroller-based incubators has proven effective in
maintaining stable temperature and humidity levels. These sensors provide precise readings and
communicate with the microcontroller to regulate heating and humidification processes (IEEE
Conference Publication, 2021). Additionally, IoT-based systems allow remote monitoring,
enabling healthcare professionals to track incubator conditions in real-time, even from outside
the NICU (Stanford University Online, n.d.).

Despite these advancements, high-end microcontroller-based incubators remain expensive and

are often unavailable in resource-limited settings. This study aims to develop a cost-effective,
locally assembled incubator monitoring system that integrates microcontroller technology,
improving neonatal care accessibility and reliability.

2.4 CHALLENGES IN CURRENT INCUBATOR TECHNOLOGY

While modern incubators offer improved neonatal care, several challenges persist. One of the
primary issues is the high cost of advanced incubators, making them inaccessible to many
healthcare facilities in developing regions (Smith-Hunter et al., 2024). The maintenance of these
devices also presents difficulties due to the lack of locally available spare parts and technical
expertise (Pettersen, 2015).

Another challenge is the frequent breakdown of incubators, which can have severe consequences
for neonatal health. Many existing incubators do not have built-in alarm systems to notify
healthcare providers of temperature or humidity fluctuations, leading to delays in intervention
(Morgan et al., 2022). Additionally, some older models rely on manual adjustments, increasing
the risk of human error (Alipour et al., 2022).

23
Furthermore, the rapid pace of technological advancement often leads to the discontinuation of
older incubator models, making it difficult to find compatible replacement parts (Swamy, 2008).
This results in prolonged downtime for incubators, further compromising neonatal care.

To address these challenges, this study proposes the development of a locally assembled
incubator system equipped with microcontroller-based automation, real-time monitoring, and
alarm notifications. By using readily available components and integrating cost-effective
technology, this project aims to improve incubator reliability and accessibility in healthcare
facilities.

2.5 CONCLUSION

The literature reviewed highlights the critical role of neonatal incubators in ensuring the survival
of premature and critically ill newborns. Temperature and humidity control are essential for
preventing complications such as hypothermia, dehydration, and infections. While modern
microcontroller-based systems offer significant improvements in incubator functionality, their
high cost and maintenance challenges limit accessibility in many healthcare settings.

This study seeks to bridge the gap by designing a cost-effective incubator monitoring system that
incorporates digital sensors, microcontrollers, and automated control mechanisms. By enhancing
incubator stability and ensuring timely interventions through alarm notifications, this project
aims to improve neonatal care outcomes, particularly in resource-limited environments.

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 CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

3.1 BLOCK DIAGRAM

Power supply

Temperature

and humidity LCD display

sensor circuit
Switching Heater
MICROCONTROLL
circuit
Humidifier
ER
AUDIO ALARM
25
Figure 1 Block diagram

3.1.0 Power supply

The power supply is used to ensure the circuit is supplied with a stable 5V DC

3.1.2 Temperature and humidity sensor circuit

This converts the temperature and humidity to serial digital data.

3.1.3 microcontroller circuit

This reads the sensor signals and displays the readings in numerical form on the LCD. It also

manages the audio alarm.

3.1.4 SWITCHING CIRCUIT

This powers the humidifier and heater on receiving a voltage signal from the microcontroller.

3.1 5 HEATER

This introduces heat when powered.

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3. 1.6 HUMIDIFIER

This raises humidity when powered.

3.1.7 LCD DISPLAY

This gives out the readings of the temperature, wind speed and humidity level in alphanumeric

form.

3.1.8 AUDIO ALARM

This when powered generates audible sound.

3.2 POWER SUPPLY

3.2.1 TRANSFORMER

A transformer has a primary coil to which input is given and a secondary coil from which the

output is collected. Both of these coils are wound on a core material. Usually an insulator forms

the Core of the transformer.

27
FIGURE 2 TRANSFORMER

Two coil windings are electrically isolated from each other but are magnetically linked through

the common core allowing electrical power to be transferred from one coil to the other. When an

electric current passed through the primary winding, a magnetic field is developed which induces

a voltage into the secondary winding.

The purpose of the transformer is to step down voltage from 240 volts ac to 12 volts ac.

Laminated core transformer is the one used because it is designed to work at a low frequency.

Since the electronic circuit consumes a maximum of 700mA, the current rating of the

transformer should slightly higher than the required output in order to increase the life of the

transformer. Therefore, the transformer selected for this work is 240 volts to 12 volts, 1000mA

laminated core transformer.

To get the input current, the transformer equation can be used.

Vp / Vs = Is / Ip

Vp=240V

Vs= 12V

Is= 1A

Therefore,

240 / 12 = 1 / Ip = 20

Ip which is the input current to the transformer can be calculated as follows.

28
Ip = 1 / 20

Ip = 0.05 A

The power rating of the transformer can be calculated as follows.

240V * 0.05A = 12 VA

3.2.2RECTIFICATION

Full wave four diode bridge rectifier is used here because of availability of the diodes locally.

FIGURE 3 RECTIFIER CIRCUIT

Each diode is supposed to handle the transformer maximum output current and voltage. The

diode current is therefore 1000mA and a peak inverse voltage of 12 volts.

1N5408 is used because it can handle a current of 3000mA and peak inverse voltage of 1000

volts.

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SMOOTHING

Figure 4 smoothing circuit

C= (2 *1)Vs/µF

C = smoothing capacitance in micro farads( µF)

Io = output current from the supply in amps (A)

Vs = supply voltage in volts (V), this is the peak value of the unsmoothed DC

f = frequency of the AC supply in hertz (Hz).

Io= 1000mA= 1A

Vs= 12 V

F= 50

Therefore,
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C = (3 * 1) / (12 * 50)

C = 0.005F

3.2.3 VOLTAGE REGULATOR

7805 voltage regulator IC is used because our voltage is a positive one and that it can handle up

to 1 A.

Figure 5 7805 regulator

3.3 TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY SENSOR CIRCUIT

DH 22 humidity sensor was considered because of its accuracy and dual purpose application in

temperature and humidity reading. This reduces bulkiness.

31
The DHT22 is a low-cost digital temperature and humidity sensor with a single wire digital

interface. It uses a capacitive humidity sensor and a thermistor to measure the surrounding air

and spits out a digital signal on the data pin (no analog input pins needed).

The sensor is calibrated and doesn’t require extra components so you can get the right to

measuring relative humidity and temperature.

It is quite simple to use but requires careful timing to grab data. You can only get new data from

it once every 2 seconds.

The AM2302 uses the simplified single-bus technology for communication, in which only one

data line is applied for data exchange and data control in the system. In applications, an external

pull-up resistor, about 5.1kΩ, is usually required. When the bus is idle, its status will switch to

HIGH. The SDA is used for the data communication and synchronization between the

microprocessor and the AM2302. It adopts a single-bus data format, 40 bits of data in one

transmission, high bit first out. The corresponding timing diagram is shown below.

32
Figure 6 DH22 sensor

3.4 MICROCONTROLLER

PIC 16F877 microcontroller is used here due to its high number of pins.

The PIC16F877 microcontroller is part of the PIC (Peripheral Interface Controller) family of

microcontrollers manufactured by Microchip Technology. The PIC16F877 is a popular and

versatile microcontroller that has found wide use in various embedded systems and projects.

Core Features:

 High-performance RISC CPU

 Up to 8K x 14 words of FLASH program memory
 35 Instructions (fixed length encoding-14-bit)
 368×8 static RAM based data memory

33
  Up to 256 x 8 bytes of EEPROM data memory
 Interrupt capability (up to 14 sources)
 Three addressing modes (direct, indirect, relative)
 Power-on reset (POR)
 Harvard architecture memory
 Power saving SLEEP mode
 Wide operating voltage range: 2.0V to 5.5V
 High sink / source current: 25mA
 Accumulator based machine

Peripheral Features:

 3 Timer/counters (programmable pre-scalars)

– Timer0, Timer2 are 8-bit timer/counter with 8-bit pre-scalar

– Timer1 is 16-bit, can be incremented during sleep via external crystal/clock

 Two capture, compare, PWM modules

– Input capture function records the Timer1 count on a pin transition

– A PWM function output is a square wave with a programmable period and duty cycle.

 10-bit 8 channel analog-to-digital converter

 USART with 9-bit address detection
 Synchronous serial port with master mode and I2C Master/Slave
 8-bit parallel slave port

Analog Features:

 10-bit, up to 8-channel Analog-to-Digital Converter (A/D)

34
  Brown-out Reset (BOR)
 Analog Comparator module (Programmable input multiplexing from device inputs and
comparator outputs are externally accessible)

Pin Description of PIC16F877A:

Figure 7 PIC16F877

3.5 LCD DISPLAY

16 X 2 character LCD is used here due to its high number of characters that it can display.

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen is an electronic display module and find a wide range of

applications. A 16x2 LCD display is very basic module and is very commonly used in various

devices and circuits. These modules are preferred over seven segments and other multi segment

35
LEDs. The reasons being: LCDs are economical; easily programmable; have no limitation of

displaying special & even custom characters (unlike in seven segments), animations and so on.

Standard HD44780 LCDs are useful for creating standalone projects.

 16 characters wide, 2 rows

 White text on blue background
 Connection port is 0.1" pitch, single row for easy breadboarding and wiring
 Pins are documented on the back of the LCD to assist in wiring it up
 Single LED backlight included can be dimmed easily with a resistor or PWM and uses
much less power than LCD with EL (electroluminescent) backlights
 Can be fully controlled with only 6 digital lines! (Any analog/digital pins can be used)
 Built in character set supports English/Japanese text, see the HD44780 datasheet for the
full character set
 Up to 8 extra characters can be created for custom glyphs or 'foreign' language support
 Comes with necessary contrast potentiometer and strip of header

36
Figure 8 LCD

3.6 AUDIO ALARM AND SWITCHING CIRCUIT

A transistor can be used as a solid state switch. If the transistor is operated in the saturation

region then it acts as closed switch and when it is operated in the cut off region then it behaves as

an open switch.

37
The transistor operates as a Single Pole Single Throw (SPST) solid state switch. When a zero

input signal applied to the base of the transistor, it acts as an open switch. If a positive signal

applied at the input terminal then it acts like a closed switch.

When the transistor operating as switch, in the cut off region the current through the transistor is

zero and voltage across it is maximum, and in the saturation region the transistor current is

maximum and voltage across is zero. Therefore, both the on – state and off – state power loss is

zero in the transistor switch.

CUT OFF STATE (OPEN SWITCH)

When transistor operates in the cut off region shows the following characteristics −

 The input is grounded i.e. at zero potential.

 The VBE is less that cut – in voltage 0.7 V.
 Both emitter – base junction and collector – base junction are reverse biased.
 The transistor is fully – off acting as open switch.
 The collector current IC = 0 A and output voltage Vout = VCC.

38
Figure 9 transistor switch

Figure 10 transistor switch analogy

Since the buzzer is rated 5-12 volts, and a current of 50mA, the switching device should be rated

at least higher than 12 volts and 50mA. Therefore, BC 337 n-p-n transistor is used here. This is

rated 40 volts Vceo and a collector current of 500mA. It is described below.

39
Figure 11 audio alarm

The base current of BC337 should not exceed 1.2 mA. The output of the flip flop is a maximum

of 5 volts. To offer this protection, R7 is used. Therefore,

R = 5V / 0.0012A

R= 4 K

Self oscillating piezzo buzzer is selected since it small in size and therefore minimizes space

therefore reduce bulkiness.

40
3.7 SWITCHING CIRCUIT

In our case a transistor switch is considered. This is because it is easier to switch with compared

to other switching devices. Since the load operated is rated 240 volts ac, relay is used alongside

the transistor. The circuit is illustrated below.

Figure 12 switching circuit

A 12 volts relay with normally open contacts is used. The relay coil has an impedance of 200

ohms. Therefore when switched with 12 volts,

Q1 collector current (Ic) = 12/200= 0.06A=60mA.

Therefore Q1 should withstand a collector current of 60 mA and Vceo of 12 volts.

Therefore, the most ideal transistor for this is BC 337. BC337 can handle a collector current of

500mA and Vceo of 40 volts.

41
The base current of BC337 should not exceed 1.2 mA. The output of the microcontroller is a

maximum of 5 volts. To offer this protection, R7 is used. Therefore,

R7 = 5 / 0.0012=4167 

Two similar circuits are used; one for the heater and the other for humidifier.

3.8 OUTPUTS

Each of the relay output is rated 10A at 240V ac. The maximum output power can be calculated

as follows.

Power (P) = current (I) * voltage (V)

Power (P) = 10A * 240V

Power (P) = 2400 watts

Any of each of the outputs can be used as long as it is 240V ac ant its power is not more than

2400 watts

42
3.9 CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

Figure 13 the entire circuit diagram

43
3.10 CIRCUIT OPERATION

The transformer is used to step down 240V ac to 12 ac. The bridge rectifier converts the 12 V ac

to 12 volts DC. The DC ripples are then filtered by the 5000uF smoothing capacitor. The 7805

regulator ensures a stable 5 volts supplied to the circuit.

The DH22 temperature and humidity sensor reads the temperature and humidity and converts

them to serial data. This is transmitted to the microcontroller upon request from the

microcontroller.

The LCD display displays the actual temperature and humidity. When the temperature falls

below 340C, the microcontroller pin 25 goes high turning on the heater through the transistor and

relay. When the humidity falls below 40, the microcontroller pin 26 goes high turning on the

humidifier through the transistor and relay.

When the temperature or humidity falls far out of the right range, the microcontroller pin 16 goes

high turning on the buzzer through the transistor wired as a switch.

3.12 PROGRAMMING PROCEDURE

The mikrobasic pro for PIC IDE is installed in a computer. This is the code writing integrated

development environment (IDE).

The code is written on the IDE.

The code is compiled by the IDE to generate the equivalent machine code.

The microcontroller chip is then inserted into the PIC-KIT3 hardware programmer.

44
The hex file is loaded to the chip in the programmer.

The chip is then removed from the programmer and inserted into the circuit.

45
 CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 PROTOTYPE CONSTRUCTION PROCEDURE

The components were mounted on a 13 CM X 7 CM strip board by the use of a solder wire. The

project was then tested for a long time for endurance before presentation. And any problem seen

was rectified.

The appropriate circuit parameters were considered when purchasing the casing:

1) The size of the strip board.

2) The tallest component in the circuit which is transformer.
3) Cost of the casing materials.
4) The total surface area of the components to be mounted on the casing like the switches
and display among others.
The strip board was mounted on the casing base and the transformer separate from the circuit

board but still on the base. The appropriate holes for power cables and the display were drilled as

designed.

4.2 TEST RESULTS

TEMPERATURE RESULTS

CONDITION RESULTS
Temperature above 380C Alarm sounded

Temperature below 340C Heater relay was energized

Table 1 temperature results

HUMIDITY RESULTS

EXPECTED RESULTS ACTUAL RESULTS

Humidity is above 80% Alarm sounded
46
Humidity is below 40% Humidifier relay was energized

Table 2 humidity results

RESULTS

HUMIDITY (ACTUAL 2 4 6 8 10

VALUE)

EXPECTED RESULT 1 3 5 7 8

TEMP(LCD) DEGREE 0 25 50 75 100

EXPECTED RESULT 0 20 40 60 95

Table showing The results of temperature and humidity.

The Bar graph below shows the result of humidity.

Figure 14 : The result of Humidity

47
The Bar graph showing the result of temperature

Figure 15 : The result of temperature

48
 CHAPTER FIVE

5.0 DISCUSSION AND INTERPRETATION

This project aimed to design and implement a temperature and humidity monitoring system for
an infant incubator using a PIC microcontroller-based circuit. The system incorporated a DH22
integrated sensor for temperature and humidity readings, a switching circuit to control the
incubator’s heater and humidifier, and a microcontroller to process sensor data and activate the
required components. The following section discusses and interprets the findings in relation to
the specific objectives outlined.

OBJECTIVE 1: INCORPORATING DH22 INTEGRATED SENSOR FOR TEMPERATURE

AND HUMIDITY READING

The DH22 sensor was used to measure the temperature and humidity levels inside the incubator.
The accuracy of the sensor was tested by varying environmental conditions:

 When humidity was increased using breath from the body, the LCD readings reflected the
change, showing an increase in humidity levels.
 When temperature was increased using an external heat source (a candle), the LCD
displayed a corresponding rise in temperature readings.

These results indicate that the sensor successfully detected changes in environmental conditions.
However, it was observed that the accuracy of the sensor readings was not fully attained. This
could be attributed to sensor calibration errors, external interference, or limitations of the DH22
sensor itself. Future improvements may involve using a higher-precision sensor or implementing
a calibration algorithm to improve accuracy.

OBJECTIVE 2: DESIGNING A SWITCHING CIRCUIT TO CONTROL THE HEATER AND

HUMIDIFIER

A switching circuit was developed using a transistor and a relay switch to control the incubator’s
heater and humidifier. The relay mechanism was tested as follows:

 When the microcontroller sent a voltage signal, the relay was energized, allowing 240V
AC output to be supplied to the heater or humidifier.
 The heater activated when the temperature dropped below a set threshold, and the
humidifier turned on when humidity fell below a certain level.

49
The switching mechanism functioned as expected, successfully controlling both components.
However, response time and relay durability are areas that require further assessment. A solid-
state relay (SSR) may provide faster switching speeds and longer operational life compared to
mechanical relays.

OBJECTIVE 3: IMPLEMENTING A PIC MICROCONTROLLER-BASED CIRCUIT

The PIC microcontroller was programmed to:

 Continuously monitor the sensor readings.

 Generate output signals based on temperature and humidity thresholds.
 Trigger the switching circuit to activate the heater or humidifier when necessary.

The microcontroller successfully performed all tasks as expected, confirming that the logic and
programming were correctly implemented. However, slight delays in response time were
observed, possibly due to processing time or power supply fluctuations. Future work may
include optimizing the code efficiency and using a more stable power source.

OVERALL ACHIEVEMENTS AND LIMITATIONS

All the specific objectives of the project were achieved, demonstrating the system’s capability to
monitor and regulate an infant incubator’s temperature and humidity levels. However, some
limitations were observed:

 Sensor accuracy was not fully attained, requiring further calibration.

 Relay response time needs improvement for better efficiency.
 Power supply fluctuations may affect system stability.

Despite these limitations, the system successfully demonstrated the ability to maintain a
controlled environment for neonatal care, providing a foundation for and real-world
implementation. further enhancements

50
 CHAPTER SIX

6.1 CONCLUSION

Breath was used to raise the humidity on the sensor. When breath was introduced, the humidity

readings on the LCD increased. When the humidity level went higher than the set value, the

buzzer went on and a bulb used to represent the humidifier went off. When the humidity readings

was reduced, the bulb went on.

Heat was introduced by use of a candle. When temperature level went high, the buzzer went on.

When the temperature was lowered by use of a wet cloth, the bulb used to represent the heater

went on.

This therefore proved success of the project.

51
6.2 RECOMMENDATION

Though the project was tested and worked well, there is room for improvement. The future

design can be incorporated with means of monitoring hygiene. If dirt is detected, it should notify

the medical staff too remotely by SMS.

52
APPENDIX 1

ITEM QUANTITY PRICE PER UNIT TOTAL PRICE

Power cable 1 100 100
Transformer 1 600 600
On/off switch 1 80 80
Capacitors 3 30 90
Diodes 4 30 120
Voltage regulator IC 1 70 70
Resistors 4 20 80
PIC16F73 1 2000 2000
Buzzer 1 250 250
Typing and binding 3100
Transistor 3 50 150
Strip board 1 100 100
Solder wire 5 METRES 60 300
Connector wires 4 meters 60 240
Casing 1 450 450
Connectors 1 100 100
Relay 2 340 680
DH22 sensor 1 1200 1200
TOTAL 9,710

53
APPENDIX 2

6.4 WORK PLAN

OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER JANUARY FEBUARY
2024 2024 2024 2025 2025
PROPOSAL
PRESENTATION
PROJECT
PREPARATION
CONSTRUCTION
OF PROJECT
FINAL
PRESENTATION

APPENDIX 3

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