CE 2: Landslide Detecting System Using Lasers Project Report

This report details a student's Competency Demonstration Report (CE 2) focusing on the development of a Landslide Detecting System using Lasers. The project aimed to create a system to monitor slope movements and predict landslides, particularly relevant for Malaysia. The student, acting as team leader, developed the conceptual and electrical design, using an Arduino Uno microcontroller and Keyes KY-008 infrared lasers. The report outlines the project's objectives, background, the student's responsibilities, and the engineering knowledge applied, including the electrical design and laser wavelength calculations. Key issues, such as laser transmission, were addressed with calculated solutions. The project's success was attributed to effective team management and innovative approaches to monitoring surface movements. The project's outcome was a functional system designed to provide early warnings for potential landslides, contributing to societal preparedness and minimizing the impact of natural disasters.

COMPETENCY
DEMONSTRATION REPORT
Career Episode 2

CE 2.1 Project Information
Name of the project: Developing Landslide Detecting System using Lasers
Location of the project: [PLEASE FILL]
Project Duration: [PLEASE FILL]
Organization: [PLEASE FILL]
Role and Designation during the time: Team Leader
CE 2.2 Project Background
CE 2.2.1 Characteristics of the project
Landslide is very concerning topic for the Malaysian society and its government as it
cause mass destruction to the properties and the human lives and has been affecting the
economic life of the Malaysia. I took a stand and presented a model that can be helpful in
monitoring the small movements on the slopes through the application of the beam receiver and
laser beam. I found the opportunity that the lasers can be utilized for this purpose and the socio
economic impact because of the landslides can be minimized. The proposed prototype will be
helpful as an efficient monitoring technique that can be helpful in detecting the rate of the
direction, size and movement of the landslide. I developed a system that can be an effective
solution for detecting the landslide.

CE 2.2.2 Objectives developed for the project
I was leading the team and thus, it was my responsibility to set achievable goals
considering the efficient and effective output from the developed system:
 To use the laser system technique in the process of landslide monitoring
 To calculate the system’s efficiency in manner to predict the probability of occurrence of the
landslide.
 To estimate the feasibility of the proposed solution within the Malaysia environment
 To manage the project constraints and keep them as per planning
 To deliver a successful project without any conflicts and efficient outcome
CE 2.2.3 My area of work
I produced the idea of developing this project in front of my team and thus, I had
developed the conceptual and system design of the entire system considering a pathway for the
development and growth of the project. I intended to develop a system for monitoring the slope
of the potential for the landslide occurring. I uses the theoretical point of view that the main
reason behind the landslides are the small movements occurring on the slopes and these small
movements can push a large movement causing landslides. Thus, I used the laser beams to track
down the movement of the small slopes. I divided the system designs in two parts mechanical
and electrical design. I solely developed the electrical design and assigned the mechanical design
to other team members.

CE 2.2.4 Project Group
CE 2.2.5 My responsibilities throughout the project
I was primarily responsible for managing the team members and the schedule, budget,
and activities of the project considering the accomplishment of the objectives and goals of the
project. I had to propose a sophisticated model of the conceptual design and contribute in the
system designing. I had to select the efficient and effective components for the accurate output
and so I used the Aduino Uno microcontroller as it was best compatible with the lasers we were
using for the development of the project. Specifications:
Microcontroller ATmega32P
Input Voltage (recommended) 7-12V
Operating Voltage 5V
Input Voltage (limit) 6-20V

PWM Digital I/O Pins 6
Digital I/O Pins 14 (of which 6 provide PWM output)
DC Current per I/O Pin 20 mA
Analog Input Pins 6
Flash Memory 32 KB (ATmega328P)
of which 0.5 KB used by bootloader
SRAM 2 KB (ATmega328P)
DC Current for 3.3V Pin 50 mA
EEPROM 1 KB (ATmega328P)
Length 68.6 mm
Weight -
Clock Speed 16 MHz
Width 53.4 mm
Following is the visual demonstration:
Figure 2: Andruino Mega Board

CE 2.3 Distinctive Activity
CE 2.3.1 Comprehending the theory of the project
I developed a system comprised of the lasers that is helpful in identifying the
small movements in the slopes and tracking the sliding. I had also embedded an alarm system
that will be triggered if the collected sloping value below the average set value and the
responsible individuals will be alarmed about the situation. The emphasis was provided on the
external surface structure rather than focusing on the soil. The laser transmitter will be emitting
the lasers for a particular interval of the time and thereafter, the receiver will be receiving the
laser beam within that specified particular time. The system will be able to calculate certain
mathematical values in average form and thus, the prediction could be made for the occurance of
land sliding.
CE 2.3.2 Engineering knowledge and skills applied in the project
I estimated the following process flow for the development of the project:

Figure 1: Process flow
I developed a concise and effective electrical design for the project using fritzing and
visual demonstration of the electrical circuit can be presented as:

Figure 2: Electrical design
I established the electrical connection of the laser receiver or laser detector in manner to
detect the transmitted signal from the lasers. The LDR will be helpful in calculating the received
signal and the graph of light level with the resistance can be proposed as:
Figure 3: relation between the resistance and light level

Laser transmitter KEYES KY – 008 had been utilized for performing the transmission of the
radiation beam.
CE 2.3.3 Accomplishment and task performed
I managed the entire team and took the responsibility for allowing thee team members to
accomplish their roles with complete responsibility of accomplishing the goals and objectives of
the project. I proposed the models for the execution of the project including the conceptual and
system design considering the delivery of the project in an efficient and effective manner. I get to
understand many beneficial approaches while accomplishing the project objectives that
highlighted the importance of the proper management strategies and how these practices could
be beneficial in leading the project towards success. I utilized my leadership and management
styles for leading the project and managing all the tasks considerable throughout the project.
CE 2.3.4 Identified issues and their solutions
2.3.4.1 Issues
I identified the transmission of the laser was the considerable issue in the successful
development of the project. I used the infrared laser Keyes KY-008 with operating voltage of 5V
and the laser beam of having wave length 650nm in this project. Following is color of the beam
appearing during the transmission as demonstrated in the figure below at 650nm:
2.3.4.2 Solutions
I used the following formula for the determination and conversion of the wavelength and
determining then frequency:

1) Convert the wavelength from nm to m:
650.0 nm = 650.0 x 10¯9 m = 6.500 x 10¯7 m
2) Determine the frequency:
λν = c
(6.500 x 10¯7 m) (x) = 3.00 x 108 m/s
x = 4.615 x 1014 s¯1
3) Energy:
E = hν:
x = (6.626 x 10¯34 J s) (4.615 x 1014 s¯1)
x = 3.0579 x 10¯19 J
4) Energy for one mole of photons:
(3.0579 x 10¯19 J) (6.022 x 1023 mol¯1)
184.15 kJ/mol
CE 2.3.5 Plan to produce creative and innovative work
We had gone through many scholar articles and research papers for the collection of the
necessary data and information for the execution of the project. I collected all the necessary data
and information and implemented innovation through analysing the sliding rate of the external
surface rather than the soil structure and sliding. I developed a successful project that can be

helpful in detecting and informing the city about certain slippage and leakage in the structure of
the ground.
CE 2.3.6 Collaborative work
This project would not be completed without the contribution off my teammates as equal
efforts were driven by the entire team in accomplishing the objectives and scope of this project. I
leaded the team towards accomplishing the activities and jobs those were necessary and crucial
for the successful delivery of the project. I divided the project into segments and assigned proper
and eligible roles and responsibilities to my team members. I utilized the experience of my
supervisor in the same field and gathered necessary information that helped in the successful
accomplishment of the objectives and goals of this project.
CE 2.4 Project Review
CE 2.4.1 Project Overview
Natural events are the phenomenon those cannot be restricted from happening and it
should be accepted in the present time. I accepted the truth, however; the calamities brought by
the landslide is still a problem for the Malaysia and its economic environment. I was focused
towards developing a system that can be helpful in detecting the vibration and sliding effects and
alarming the cities that can alternatively result in minimizing the impact of the landslides and
keeping the society balanced. I delivered the project within the expected time and budget.
CE 2.4.2 My contribution to work
I managed the leadership in the project and tried to keep the team focused towards the
objectives and goals of the project. I analysed the present situation and determined that the

project needs a sophisticated and simple design that can detect the landslides before it occurs. I
contributed in the development of the society that can bring positive outcomes through being
prepared for the natural calamities occurring in the present time in Malaysia.