Developing an IPS for visually impaired persons with the described components will be a project creation for indoor navigation in real time. The device will use Bluetooth beacons for positioning in indoor environments and integrate an indoor navigation guide into a smartphone app. A detailed design regarding the project is given below that includes description of the components, system architecture, and code.
Overview of Project
Objective: The aim is to design an indoor positioning system that navigates visually impaired persons using Bluetooth beacons, Bluetooth Low Energy Communications, and a smartphone application in real time.
Components Used:
Blues' Kit:
Swan v3
Notecarrier AL
Notecard Cellular NBGL
Notecard WiFi v1
Nordic Semiconductor's nRF52840 DK
Seeed Studio's Kit:
XIAO ESP32S3 Sense
Grove Shield for Xiao
System Architecture
1. Bluetooth Beacons Setup:
Swan v3: It acts as a Bluetooth beacon in emitting signals to varied locations in the indoor space.
Notecard Cellular NBGL and WiFi v1: Provides connectivity options with various remote communications and data transmissions.
2. Indoor Positioning:
nRF52840 DK: Reads the signals from the Bluetooth beacons to deduce the device's position.
3. Data Transmission and Processing:
Notecarrier AL: Interfaces the Swan v3 and Notecard modules for processing and sending of data.
4. Navigation Guidance:
XIAO ESP32S3 Sense with Grove Shield: This will provide the user interface-an accessible app for real-time navigation.
Hardware Setup
Bluetooth Beacons Configuration:
Strategically place Swan v3 modules around the indoor environment.
Each Swan v3 beacon will broadcast for unique identifiers to be picked up both by the nRF52840 DK and the XIAO ESP32S3 Sense.
Communication Modules:
Notecard Cellular NBGL and Notecard WiFi v1 are wired up for cellular and WiFi connectivity.
The data processing will be done by the Notecarrier AL interfaced with the following modules. Microcontroller and Sensor Integration
Read Bluetooth signals from the beacons using the nRF52840 DK.
The user input and navigation feedback shall be handled using the XIAO ESP32S3 Sense interfaced with the Grove Shield.
Navigation App Features:
Real-time Navigation: It will provide turn-by-turn directions using beacon signals.
Points of Interest: Emphasize the points of interest falling in near vicinity.
Route Optimization: Suggest the best routes according to current location and destination.
Implementation:
Application Development Develop the application on a BLE-supportive framework: Flutter or React Native. Integrate with the backend for data processing of Notecard modules and provide navigation feedback. Testing and Deployment Testing: Get the reception of beacon signals and positioning accuracy using the nRF52840 DK. Validate data transmission through Notecard modules. The XIAO ESP32S3 Sense will be used to verify the accuracy of the navigation feedback. Deployment: Deploy the target indoor space with the beacons.
Ensure that the application is integrated with a backend and does navigation assistance in real-time. Conclusion This project is an integration of several components, all of which contribute to a functional indoor positioning system. The integration of Bluetooth beacons with microcontrollers and communications modules will empower visually impaired people with the confidence to navigate through complex indoor spaces with full confidence.
Created September 4, 2024
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