RTC (Real Time Clock) BASED ALARM
SYSTEM USING ARDUINO NANO
Submitted By : Mukul Soni (21EEAEC021)
Shantanu Singh Hada (21EEAEC029)
Payal (22EEAEC201)
Submitted To : Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering,
Engineering, Engineering College, Ajmer
CONTENTS
➢ ALARM SYSTEM AND USE OF REAL TIME CLOCK
➢ PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND HARDWARE DESIGN
➢ CIRCUIT DESIGN OF RTC BASED ALARM SYSTEM USING ARDUINO NANO
➢ FINAL PROJECT DEMONSTRATION
➢ ALARM FUNCTIONALITY IN PROJECT
➢ APPLICATIONS
➢ CHALLENGES AND SCOPE OF IMPOROVEMENTS
➢ CONCLUSION
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ALARM SYSTEM AND USE OF
USE OF REAL TIME CLOCK
CLOCK (RTC)
An alarm system is an electronic device designed to alert users to
specific conditions or events, such as a set time or unauthorized
access. It typically uses sensors, timers, or real-time clocks to monitor ARDUINO NANO
situations and triggers outputs like buzzers or lights to notify or warn
users when certain conditions are met.
DS1307 RTC MODULE
A Real-Time Clock (RTC) is used to keep accurate time and date in
electronic systems. Unlike regular timers, an RTC continues to keep
time even when the main device is powered off, thanks to its built-in
battery. It is highly reliable and consumes very low power, making it
ideal for applications like alarm systems, clocks, and scheduling tasks
where precise timekeeping is essential for correct operation and
triggering events.
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Project Objectives Hardware Design
➢ To design an alarm system that operates based on ➢ Microcontroller:Arduino Nano: Core controller for
real-time clock input. handling RTC input, time comparison, and alarm
➢ To utilize Arduino Nano for controlling and triggering.
➢ RTC Module:DS3231 or DS1307: Real-time clock
processing alarm logic.To learn how to interface
module for accurate timekeeping with battery
RTC modules like DS3231 with Arduino.
backup.
➢ To display current time and alarm status on an ➢ Output Device:Buzzer: To generate sound when
alarm is triggered.
LCD or serial monitor.
➢ Display (optional but useful):16x2 LCD with I2C
➢ To enable alarm triggering at a user-defined time
module or OLED display: To show current
using a buzzer. time and alarm time.
➢ To implement a user interface for setting or ➢ Input (optional for setting alarm manually):Push
Buttons: For setting alarm time.
resetting the alarm (optional with buttons
➢ Power Supply:USB power or external 5V supply to
or serial input). Arduino Nano. preencoded.png
Circuit Design of RTC based Alarm System using Arduino Nano
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FINAL PROJECT DEMONSTRATION
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ALARM FUNCTIONALITY IN PROJECT
A Real Time Clock (RTC) based alarm system using an Arduino Nano utilizes
an RTC module (like DS3231) to maintain accurate time. The Arduino
continuously reads the current time from the RTC. When the set alarm time
matches the current time, the Arduino triggers an action, such as sounding
a buzzer or turning on an LED. The Arduino reads the current time from the
RTC module and compares it with the preset alarm time by checking if the
hour and minute match. If both match exactly, it triggers the alarm. This
logic runs repeatedly in the loop to continuously monitor and activate the
alarm at the right moment.
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APPLICATIONS
1. Smart Home Automation
Schedule lights, fans, or appliances to turn on/off at specific
times.Energy-saving routines based on occupancy or time-of-day.
2. School or Office Bell System
Automatically ring bells or sirens for class periods, breaks, or shift
changes.
Easy adjustment for different daily schedules.
3. Automated Medication Reminder
Alerts for elderly or chronically ill patients to take medicines at specific
times.
Can include audio, visual, or vibrating alerts.
4. Prayer Time Notifier
Set alarms for daily prayer times (e.g., in mosques or homes).
Can be customized according to geographic location.
5. Irrigation System Controller
Automatically activate water pumps at set times for garden or farmland
irrigation.
Helps conserve water and reduce manual effort.
6. Industrial Machine Operation Scheduler
Turn machines on/off based on pre-set shift schedules.
Avoids energy waste and improves productivity. preencoded.png
CHALLENGES
1.Power Failures and RTC Drift
1. Problem: RTC modules (especially cheaper ones like DS1307) can lose track of time without a battery or suffer time drift.
2. Impact: Alarms may go off at incorrect times.
3. Improvement: Use high-precision RTC modules like DS3231, which are temperature-compensated and retain time during power cut
2.Limited Pin Availability
1. Problem: Arduino Nano has limited GPIOs; adding displays, buttons, buzzers, or sensors can quickly consume available pins.
2. Improvement: Use I2C-based components or multiplexing techniques to save pins.
3.Lack of Real-Time Feedback
1. Problem: Without an LCD or serial monitor, the system gives no indication of current time or next alarm.
2. Improvement: Add a 16x2 LCD, OLED, or even a Bluetooth module for smartphone feedback.
4.Hard-Coded Alarm Times
1. Problem: Alarms are often hardcoded into the firmware.
2. Improvement: Use EEPROM storage, buttons, or external interfaces (e.g., keypad, web UI) to make alarm times configurable at run
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Conclusion
The Real-Time Clock-based Alarm System using Arduino Nano offers a reliable, cost-effective,
and customizable solution for time-based automation across various applications. By
integrating a precise RTC module, the system ensures accurate timekeeping even during
power interruptions. Despite challenges like limited pin availability and basic user interfaces,
the system's functionality can be significantly enhanced through modular improvements. This
project demonstrates the practical utility of microcontroller-based time management systems
and opens the door for scalable innovations in smart automation, personal scheduling, and
industrial control systems.
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THANK
YOU
