DEVELOPMENT OF INFRARED-BASED LOW COST BIDIRECTIONAL COUNTER

Abstract

The aim of this research was the development of low cost infrared-based bidirectional counting system that could be deployed to take the count of people entering/exiting a given space. People counting system in crowded places is a practical application that can be approached via varieties of ways, which vary in the level of complexity. The control circuit of the developed device was built around AT89C52 microcontroller, JK flipflop and operational amplifier as comparator. The sensor network is made of two pairs of infrared transmitter and receiver circuit. Light emitting diode was used as the transmitter while a phototransistor is utilized as the receiver. Provision was made for visual display of the count through the use of seven-segment display module. As counting is not usually limited to the entry/exit point of a place, the developed bidirectional counter could as well be deployed in a wide range of applications that provide information for management of the volume and flow into a location. This paper describes the relevance of this design in meeting the expectations for safety and security in the society.