🚗 SmartPark - Intelligent Parking Management System

📝 Project Overview

SmartPark is an advanced IoT-based parking management system that leverages edge computing principles to provide real-time parking space monitoring and management. Developed using Arduino technology, the system offers an efficient solution for modern parking facilities.

Key Features

• Real-time parking spot occupancy detection
• Multi-floor parking management
• Visual status indicators for different types of parking spots
• Web-based monitoring dashboard
• MQTT-based communication architecture
• Fault-tolerant design

🔧 Components and Hardware

Core Components

1. Arduino Portenta H7

   • Main controller for each floor and entrance
   • Features:
     • Dual-core processor (Cortex-M7 and M4)
     • Built-in WiFi module
     • Real-time operating system support
     • Multiple I/O interfaces

2. VL53L0X Time-of-Flight Sensor

   • Used for vehicle detection
   • Specifications:
     • Operating range: up to 2m
     • Accuracy: ±3%
     • Response time: 23ms
     • I2C interface
     • Low power consumption

3. TCA9548A I2C Multiplexer

   • Manages multiple ToF sensors
   • Features:
     • 8 bidirectional switches
     • 8 configurable addresses
     • Hot-swappable I2C connections
     • Low standby current

4. RGB LEDs

   • Status indicators for parking spots
   • Specifications:
     • Common cathode configuration
     • Operating voltage: 3.3V
     • Color states:
       • 🟢 Green: Regular spots
       • 🟡 Yellow: Handicap spots
       • 🟣 Violet: E-charge stations
       • 🔴 Red: Occupied (any type)

5. OLED Display

   • Entrance information display
   • Specifications:
     • Resolution: 128x64 pixels
     • I2C interface
     • Screen size: 0.96 inches
     • High contrast ratio

Additional Hardware

• Power Supply: 5V DC power supply for each floor controller
• Connection Cables:
  • I2C cables for sensors
  • Power distribution cables
  • LED connection wires
• Mounting Hardware:
  • Sensor mounting brackets
  • LED holders
  • Controller enclosures
• Network Infrastructure:
  • WiFi access points
  • Network switches
  • Ethernet cables (optional)

🏗 System Architecture

Hardware Components Organization

• Floor Level:

  • 3x ToF sensors per floor
  • 3x RGB LEDs per floor
  • 1x Arduino Portenta H7
  • 1x I2C multiplexer
  • Power distribution system

• Entrance Level:

  • 1x Arduino Portenta H7
  • 1x OLED display
  • Network connection components

Software Architecture

The system consists of three main components:

1. Floor Controllers

   • Monitor parking spot sensors
   • Manage LED status indicators
   • Publish status updates via MQTT
   • Handle fault detection and recovery

2. Entrance Display Controller

   • Subscribes to floor status updates
   • Manages OLED display
   • Provides real-time availability information

3. Web Application Interface

   • Real-time monitoring dashboard
   • WebSocket-based MQTT communication
   • Visual representation of parking status

🛠 Technical Implementation

Communication Protocol

• MQTT broker: test.mosquitto.org:1883
• Topics structure: parking/floorX (where X is the floor number)
• Message format: comma-separated values representing stall states
• Update frequency: 2.5 seconds

Sensor Implementation

• Detection range: 10mm - 50mm
• I2C communication with multiplexer
• Continuous monitoring with error checking

Fault Tolerance

• Watchdog timer implementation (5000ms timeout)
• Automatic system recovery
• Independent floor operation
• Graceful degradation support

🚀 Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Arduino IDE with Portenta H7 board support
• Required Libraries:
  • MQTT Client
  • Adafruit_VL53L0X
  • Adafruit_SSD1306
  • mbed RTOS

Installation

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/cricci3/SmartPark

2. Install required libraries through Arduino Library Manager

3. Configure network settings:

   • Update WiFi credentials
   • Set MQTT broker address if needed

4. Upload the code:

   • Floor controller code to floor Arduinos
   • Display controller code to entrance Arduino
   • Deploy web application

📊 System Status and Monitoring

The system provides multiple ways to monitor parking status:

1. Physical Indicators

   • LED status lights at each parking spot
   • OLED display at entrance showing availability

2. Web Dashboard

   • Real-time status updates
   • Floor-wise availability view
   • Spot type differentiation

📄 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

✍️ Authors

• Giacomo Bersani
• Alessandro Cassani
• Damiano Ficara
• Claudio Ricci