DIY Electronic Lock with Arduino and Ethernet Shield

DIY Electronic Lock with Arduino and Ethernet Shield

Internet of things is not a new phenomenon anymore. Even amateurs are trying out Arduino to make some pioneering projects with the help of internet. With so much of buzz around, another innovative IoT project named Nucleus is in news, which is a Smart lock built on Arduino Uno and Ethernet shield. Undoubtedly, different types of electronic locks are flooding the market but they are expensive and use fingerprints, RFID card, Keypad as Key.

Nucleus is not the same and can be easily constructed at home as it is made up of inexpensive I2C EEPROM key. The lock can be retrieved by a Key and through internet based Software interface built in Java. Further, it can be accessed from anywhere in the world via internet.

This DIY kit of Arduino Uno along with AVR Atmega328P Microcontroller, programmed through IDE and provided by Arduino and Codebender are the main component of this project. Since there are many Libraries available online, it is really easy to use it withconvenient interface different sensors and devices to Arduino Uno.

Another prominent constituent of this lock is Ethernet shield, which is built on Winzet W5100 and delivers a network (IP) stack capable of both TCP and UDP. In this project, MEGA Compatible Ethernet shield is used in the Nucleus which is similar to Arduino’s Ethernet Shield. It is basically responsible for connecting Arduino Uno to internet and hence acts as web client when interfaced with Arduino. It is also equipped with SD card slot that stores and retrieve data from Micro SD card.

While IC 24C32 is used as a key, which is a Serial CMOS EEPROM and an 8 Pin DIP IC. For communication with Micro-controller it uses I2C Protocol and L293D is motor driver IC, used for connecting Motor to Arduino Uno. It’s a 16-pin DIP IC and has the proficiency to control two Motors at time. Further, it encompasses internal buffers which protect the circuit from back EMF of motor and avoid power loading. Other equipment used in this project are Geared Motor, Buttons, LED’s, Connecting wires and Breadboard.

Some of the noticeable characteristics of this device includes its capability of being unlocked/locked by Multiple Authorized Keys and Software over Internet, infact owners can add or remove Keys through Software.The Software present logs regarding the access of lock along with the status of Key add request.