1. International Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering & Technology (IJECET), ISSN 0976 –
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ELECTRONICS AND
6464(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6472(Online) Volume 4, Issue 5, September – October (2013), © IAEME
COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY (IJECET)
ISSN 0976 – 6464(Print)
ISSN 0976 – 6472(Online)
Volume 4, Issue 5, September – October, 2013, pp. 201-206
© IAEME: www.iaeme.com/ijecet.asp
Journal Impact Factor (2013): 5.8896 (Calculated by GISI)
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IJECET
©IAEME
AUTOMATED CAR PARKING SYSTEM WITH NFC ACCESS
Harsh Kotak1, Prithvish Mamtora2, Dhruv Mehta3, Grishma Vithalani4
1, 2, 3
4
(EXTC, D.J. Sanghvi College, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai, India)
(Biomedical, D.J. Sanghvi College, Vile Parle (W), Mumbai, India)
ABSTRACT
This paper aims to propose a comprehensive concept review at developing an automated
parking system for cars. This proposed system improves the presently used parking system by
enhancing its security features and simplifying the parking process by eliminating the need for
manual intervention. For authentication and owner car identification, the parking system uses Near
Field Communication (NFC) technology. NFC is a set of standards for smart phones and similar
devices to establish radio communication with each other by bringing them into close proximity or
touching them together, usually no more than a couple of inches. NFC Module is widely present in
today’s smart phones and thus can be used to eliminate the need for parking tokens and/or cards. On
the other hand, the automation and space management is managed by the ARM microcontroller by
controlling the mechanical motors in transporting the car to an appropriate parking space.
Keywords: ARM Cortex M3, LCD display, NFC, PN532, Rack and pinion
1.
INTRODUCTION
To understand the need and advantages of using Near Field Communication in the parking
system and also to understand the basic idea of proposed system, let’s take a look at the two things
separately.
1.1 NFC
Near field communication (NFC) is a set of standards for smart phones and similar devices to
establish radio communication with each other by touching them together or bringing them into close
proximity, usually not more than a few inches. Present applications include contactless transactions,
data exchange, and simplified setup of more complex communications such as Wi-Fi or
Bluetooth. Communication is also possible between an NFC device and an unpowered NFC chip,
called a "tag".
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2. International Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering & Technology (IJECET), ISSN 0976 –
6464(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6472(Online) Volume 4, Issue 5, September – October (2013), © IAEME
NFC is a means of sending data over radio waves. In that sense it is similar to Wi-Fi or
Bluetooth, but unlike those protocols (and like RFID); NFC can be used to induce electric currents
within passive components as well as just send data by communicating with active devices.
NFC can work with passive devices that don't require their own power supply i.e. a NFC tag.
NFC's data-transmission frequency is 13.56MHz. NFC can transmit data either at 106, 212 or 424
Kbps (kilobits per second). NFC standard has three modes of operation: the peer-to-peer mode that
lets two smart phones swap data, a read/write mode in which one active device picks up info from a
passive one, and card emulation, in which an NFC device such as a smart phone can be used like a
contactless credit card [2].
1.2 Automated Car Parking System
An Automated Car Parking System is a mechanical system designed to minimize the area
and/or volume required for parking cars. It is like a multi-story parking garage, it provides parking
for cars on multiple levels stacked vertically to maximize the number of parking spaces while
minimizing land usage. This Automated System, however, utilizes a mechanical system to transport
cars to and from parking spaces (rather than the driver) in order to eliminate much of the space
wasted in a multi-story parking garage. It is more similar to an automated storage and retrieval
system for cars.
2.
SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
The parking system is fully automated and can be called as a robotic valet parking
system. The driver drives the car into an entry (transfer) area. The driver and all passengers exit the
car. The driver taps his NFC enabled smart phone at an automated terminal nearby. The NFC Reader
terminal reads UID of the NFC enabled smart phone then sends the commands to microcontroller
and microcontroller assigns an empty parking slot. When driver and passengers have left the entry
area, the mechanical system lifts the car and transports it to a pre-determined parking space in the
system. The rack and pinion mechanism for linear motion is used to transport the car to the parking
slot. Since the structure of the parking garage is circular, linear motion along X-Y direction and
rotational motion in X plane is used to park the car.
Fig 1: Proposed parking System
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3. International Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering & Technology (IJECET), ISSN 0976 –
6464(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6472(Online) Volume 4, Issue 5, September – October (2013), © IAEME
Fig. 1: Rack and pinion arrangement
The driver retrieves a car by again tapping his smart phone into an automated NFC reader
terminal. The system calculates the payment to be collected according to the parking period. The
driver makes the payment. The Parking System then lifts the car from its parking space and delivers
it to an exit area using the same rack and pinion mechanism. Also, the retrieved car has been oriented
according to the exit route to eliminate the need for the driver to back out.
Thus this fully automated Parking System theoretically eliminates the need for parking
attendants by using NFC as means of Authentication and owner car identification.
3.
SYSTEM WORKING
While parking the driver places his car at the starting platform at the entrance of the parking
lot. He then brings his NFC enabled smart phone or a NFC tag near (5cm approx.) the NFC reader
module controller. The NFC reader module is based on PN532 breakout board which consists of
PN532 reader/writer IC. Every tag or smart phone has its own Unique Identity Number (UID) which
is used for authentication.
The NFC breakout board reads the 7 byte identity number from the tag or NFC enabled smart
phone and forwards it to ARM Cortex M3 microcontroller using Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI)
mode. ARM microcontroller compares this UID with other UIDs stored in the memory. If there is no
match the microcontroller understands that there is a new car which needs to be parked and the
microcontroller initiates the parking process else it understands that the car which has already been
parked and needs to retrieved and it initiates the retrieving process [1] [3].
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4. International Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering & Technology (IJECET), ISSN 0976 –
6464(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6472(Online) Volume 4, Issue 5, September – October (2013), © IAEME
Fig 2: Block Diagram of the system
During the parking process the microcontroller first stores the UID in the memory, calculates
the nearest empty slot and waits for the user to press start button. When the start button is pressed the
microcontroller gives commands to the motor driver circuit accordingly and the LCD interfaced with
cortex M3 will display “Parking in Progress”. The motor driver circuit drives the motors according
to the commands received and the car is parked at the nearest empty location assigned by cortex M3.
After the car is parked the LCD will display “Parking Successful”. The microcontroller also stores
the location of parking slot corresponding to the specific UID in the memory.
During the retrieving process the microcontroller compares the UID with the existing UIDs in
it memory. When the match is found the microcontroller pulls out the location of the car
corresponding to the specific UID from its memory. Accordingly it gives command to motor driver
circuit to fetch the car and the LCD will display “Retrieving in progress. The LCD will display “Car
retrieved successfully” after the car is fetched from its parking location and brought back to the
starting platform. The microcontroller will than delete that particular store UID from its database and
will wait for next input from the NFC breakout board.
The whole ARM Cortex M3 programming is done in high level language using Kiel uVision
IDE.
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6464(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6472(Online) Volume 4, Issue 5, September – October (2013), © IAEME
4.
ADVANTAGES
i. Using NFC enabled smart phones eliminates the need for additional parking tokens and/or
cards.
ii. As every NFC tag and NFC enabled smart phone has unique ID so the system cannot be
deceived by a forged ID.
iii. Parking space width and depth (and distances between parking spaces) are drastically reduced
since no allowance need be made for driving the car into the parking space or for the opening
of car doors (for drivers and passengers).
iv. No driving lanes or ramps are needed to drive the car to/from the entrance/exit to a parking
space.
v. The parked cars and their contents are more secure since there is no public access to parked
cars.
vi. Minor parking lot damage such as scrapes and dents are eliminated.
vii. Driving around in search of a parking space is eliminated, thereby reducing time and fuel
consumption and thus the engine emissions.
5.
LIMITATIONS
i. The user needs to carry NFC enabled smart phone otherwise a NFC tag need to provided to
the user which becomes an additional liability to the parking system.
ii. The initial cost of setup is high.
iii. Since there is a single entry and exit point there will be traffic congestion if several cars
arrive simultaneously.
6.
FUTURE SCOPE
While working on the evolution of the system and exploring the ways in which the system
can be designed, we came across few new features that could be added through little alterations in
the system. Following are the things that can be done with few modifications.
i. NFC parking meter can be integrated in the system which can be used to make payments
using NFC enabled smart phone. The fee is charged to a credit or debit card associated with
the mobile phone number.
ii. Multiple entry and exit points can be constructed to reduce the traffic congestion thereby
saving time.
7.
CONCLUSION
Thus we have provided a comprehensive review of our Automated Car Parking System. It
helps us to alleviate the shortcomings of current parking systems. Also using NFC for authentication
makes the system hassle free for the user as he need not take care of additional parking tokens as his
NFC enabled smart phone works like one. And even though the initial cost of setup is high, it is
worth as it provides fully automated system with better space management than conventional
systems.
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