Design and Construction of a Multichannel Microcontroller Based Seismograph for Field and laboratory Use

International Journal of Applied Physics

© 2019 by SSRG - IJAP Journal

Volume 6 Issue 2

Year of Publication : 2019

Authors : Obianwu, I.V, Akpabio, I.O, Adeniran.A.O, Akanpo, A.O , Umoren, E.B.

10.14445/23500301/IJAP-V6I2P110

How to Cite?

Obianwu, I.V, Akpabio, I.O, Adeniran.A.O, Akanpo, A.O , Umoren, E.B., "Design and Construction of a Multichannel Microcontroller Based Seismograph for Field and laboratory Use," SSRG International Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 6,  no. 2, pp. 68-72, 2019. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23500301/IJAP-V6I2P110

Abstract:

The recent integration of technology requires today’s geosciences students to develop solid geotechnical skills. Advances in analog to digital technology and the availability of low cost integrated circuits, microprocessors, microcontrollers and high capacity Laptops enable easy and inexpensive construction of a multi-channel seismic data collection system that can be used to teach students the fundamentals of seismology and also for the collection of natural and artificial seismic data acquisition. In this research the step by step of design, construction, programming and coding of the real time, smart multichannel microcontroller based seismograph was constructed and the analysis was done to ascertain the functionality of the system for field and classroom work. The system comprises of over six different units such as the pre-amplification unit, filtering unit, amplification unit and the Analog to Digital conversion as well the sensing unit. ATmega 8 was used as the microcontroller unit and was programmed using C-language, the filtering section was made up of four different filters (Low Pass, High Pass, Band Pass and All Pass) this is to allow the system to be able to sense and read any frequency no matter how small and each filter units are referred to as channel. Relay was used to select the channel after receiving instruction from the GUI. Graphical User Interface (GUI) software was written using a simple VisualBasic.Net system, it sends and receive signal in real-time which is displayed in waveform on the screen of a computer. The system shows a perfect accuracy and precision in measurement and expected conformity with the existing seismograph. The achievability of this purpose would increase the practical knowledge of students undergoing courses such as geophysics, geology and civil-engineering, us reduce foreign exchange also save life’s and properties of Nigerians and will be a source of income to the Department of Physics and University of Uyo in general if it could be invested on for mass production.

Keywords:

Seismograph, ATmega, GUI, multi-channel and Interface.

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