LPU-Laguna Journal of Engineering and Computer Studies

Vol. 4 No. 2 October 2019

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Design and Implementation of an Arduino-Based

Security System Using Laser Light
Arianne B. Arjona, Pauline Kaye M. Bautista, Jocelyn E. Edma, Maria Idda Jemima P. Martel,
Erika Dyan N. Octavio, and Neil P. Balba
Lyceum of the Philippines – Laguna

Abstract—A study regarding the design and programmed by the Arduino that when the laser path is
implementation of an Arduino-based security system blocked, it will send a signal to the alarm for it to turn on.
using laser light was made to help users secure their Arduino is an open-source platform used for building
homes due to increasing crimes. This laser security electronic projects. It consists of both a physical
system is activated once the switch is pressed. Then, if programmable circuit board (often referred to as a
something or someone passed through between the microcontroller) and a piece of software, or IDE
laser light and light dependent resistor, the buzzer will (integrated development environment) that runs on a
automatically make a sound. During the test, it shows computer, used to write and upload computer code to the
that the prototype is 80 percent successful. The physical board.
researchers were able to determine and utilize the Problem statement
functionalities of the laser, light dependent resistor, Nowadays, security can be considered as one of the
and the Arduino as the microcontroller. Therefore, the most necessary things because of increasing crimes. There
researchers conclude that this research is a success. are many types of security systems that are currently
using by most people. Closed-circuit television (CCTV),
Keywords—Arduino, light dependent resistor, alarms, etc. but these systems are visible to the naked eyes
microcontroller, prototype, security that will alert intruders to avoid these security systems or
to deactivate them.
INTRODUCTION
Objectives of the study
Background of the study The main objective of this project is to design and
A security system is a device designed to detect implement an Arduino-based security system using laser
intrusion and unauthorized access into a building or an light.
area. There are many examples of a security system, a
sensor is considered as one of the major components used Specific objectives
to create a system for security. In this project, however,  To determine the functionalities of an Arduino,
the proponents used laser as a major component to laser, and light dependent resistor;
provide protection in a certain area. A laser works as a  To utilize the functions of the laser, light
result of resonant effects. dependent resistor, and Arduino; and
It is a coherent and focused beam of photons—  To create a program that will trigger the alarm
coherent, in this context, means that it is all in one once an object blocks the laser path.
wavelength unlike ordinary light which showers in many
wavelengths. With this, a laser can be used as a part of a Scope and limitation
security system connected to an alarm that when an object The Arduino-based security system using laser light
goes between the laser and the light dependent resistor has the following scopes:
(LDR), the alarm will turn on.  This project has the capability to give warning to
A light dependent resistor (LDR) is a component that the people nearby.
has a resistance that changes with the light intensity that  This project is not dependent on the main power
falls on it. This can be used in light sensing circuits, like source of the area.
the laser security system. This component will be  The laser light is hardly seen by the naked eye.

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 LPU-Laguna Journal of Engineering and Computer Studies
Vol. 4 No. 2 October 2019
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Bing, Tun Hung, Gangway, and Tina developed a
The following are the limitations of the design: mobile manipulator which is equipped with cameras at the
 The laser security system works only if the laser arm end for purpose of monitoring and this system can
is obstructed. If the intruder passes without obstructing increase the safety of the user and efficiency of
the laser, it is considered as a failure. monitoring. [4]
 If a certain object crosses the laser path, it will
trigger the alarm and will cause a false alarm. Synthesis
 In order to secure a larger area, we need more In relation to the literature that the researchers
lasers and corresponding LDRs. gathered, there are lots of types of security systems to
 The laser security system has an on/off switch, if the somehow provide safety for users such as lasers, cameras,
owner forgot to turn it on, the intruder can easily pass sensors, etc. The researchers made use of laser which also
through or if the owner forgot to turn off the alarm, it will has lots of applications according to Kant, Sharma, and
cause a false alarm. Singh. The researchers used an ordinary laser that is
 If two or more laser lights are pointed in one directed to the light dependent resistor and when an object
LDR, but only one laser light is blocked, the alarm will passed through between the laser and the light dependent
not turn on. resistor, the buzzer will automatically make a sound. This
laser security system can be placed anywhere, especially
in places that are liable to suffer from intrusions.
Significance of the study
The Arduino-based security system using laser light METHODOLOGY
can give an additional layer of security through a certain
area. Apart from a security system, this project can be IPO chart and discussion
used in other aspects such as safety. For example, for
some machines, once a hand or any body part goes in
between the machine, the laser light will be blocked and it
will cause the machine to stop. This project can also help
other researchers to innovate, develop, and improve
present projects.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Figure 1. IPO chart
Related studies The inputs of the project are the single-pole single-
Kant, Sharma, and Singh stated there are lots of throw (SPST) push button switch and any object such as
applications of Light Amplification by Stimulated plastics, glass, paper, body parts, etc. If the SPST push
Emission of Radiation (LASER) such as optical disk button switch is pressed, the LED 2 will turn on as a sign
drives, laser printers, and barcode scanners; fiber-optic that the LDR is activated and once the laser light is
and free-space optical communication; laser surgery and blocked, the alarm will turn on. LEDs 3 and 4 will turn on
skin treatments; cutting and welding materials; military and blink alternately.
and law enforcement devices for marking targets and
measuring range and speed; and laser lighting displays in Conceptual framework/theoretical framework
entertainment. [1]
Karri and Lim developed a combination of pixel
illumination with its Chroma in YUV color space that will
be a very robust and effective way of false alarms in case
of swaying objects. [2]
Zhao and Yet discussed about the detection based on
an object oriented, statistical multi-feature analysis of
video sequences. [3]

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 LPU-Laguna Journal of Engineering and Computer Studies
Vol. 4 No. 2 October 2019
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Design requirements

Hardware specifications
The proponents prepared a detailed process for the
hardware specifications that discusses the process of laser
security system. Prototype development is composed of
the hardware system that home security system can
operate by using lasers. Arduino Uno was used for the
prototype development in order to process every signal
and condition undergoing in the project. Then, the
Figure 2. Conceptual framework of the system schematic diagram of laser displays what is used.

The switch turns the laser on or off. The laser light is Software specifications
directed to the photodiode where it will be at high The proponents used C language to program the
resistance where very low signal is detected by the Arduino Uno for software design development. The C
Arduino which causes the buzzer to remain in the off language was used to utilize and write the program in the
state, but when there is no light directed to the photodiode microcontroller of the prototype design and the
or it is cut off by something, the photodiode will be at a researchers also used the program to compile and simulate
very low resistance where the Arduino microcontroller the program. The LDR or light dependent resistor
will detect it and activate the buzzer. measures whether there is light present or absent from the
laser. The program was set to detect signal from the light
Block diagram dependent resistor that was to be processed by the
microcontroller in order to send a signal to the buzzer
whether to activate or deactivate. Automatic operation is
dependent on the light dependent resistor.

Flow chart (Pseudo chart)

Figure 3. Block diagram
The program will be simulated with five simple steps.
First, the user will press the tact switch. Second, the LDR
sensor will react if the light is blocked. If yes, the user will
go back to Step 1. If the LDR does not detect a light, it will
go to Step 3 where the buzzer will turn on. In Step 4, if the
user presses the tact switch, it turns off the system, if not, the
buzzer stays on.

Schematic diagram

Figure 4. Schematic diagram

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 LPU-Laguna Journal of Engineering and Computer Studies
Vol. 4 No. 2 October 2019
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digital input and output pins. This microcontroller has its
own programming language and user interface.

Light dependent resistor (LDR)

The LDR has a resistance that vary depending on the
input signal. This component gives analog output from its
analog input.

Laser
A device that emits light through a process of optical
amplification based on the stimulated emission of
electromagnetic radiation.

DATA AND RESULTS

General overview of the program

The proponents mainly used the Arduino as a
microcontroller, the light dependent resistor (LDR) as a
sensor, and the laser that is pointed at the center of the
light dependent resistor. The program made use of
algorithms that served as a main function of the code such
as a loop.

Functions
The goal of the project, Arduino-based security
system using laser light, is to create an exact and precise
Figure 8. Flow chart output. The project can be used in houses or certain areas
Figure 8 illustrates and explains how the system to provide additional security.
works. It also represents the important role of each
progression to execute the system all in all. It is seen that
the user will press the tact switch so that the LDR will
sense if the light is on or off. If the LDR senses that there
is a light, the buzzer turns on. The buzzer makes a sound
if an object passes between the LDR sensor and laser.

Algorithm discussion and illustrations

Step 1: Press the tact switch General interface
Step 2: LDR sensor detects light?
Step 3: If yes, then go back to Step 2
Step 4: If no, buzzer turns on
Step 5: Press the tact switch?
Step 6: If yes, then go back to Step 2
Step 7: If no, buzzer continues with its sound

Standards used

Arduino Uno
The major component used in the system is the
Arduino Uno microcontroller which has both analog and

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 LPU-Laguna Journal of Engineering and Computer Studies
Vol. 4 No. 2 October 2019
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Figure 10. C.1 code

The first part of the code are the components being

assigned to each pin of the Arduino Uno. After that, under
the void setup is the output of the LEDs on the first part
where the LDR is not yet activated. The next part of the
code is the void loop which is assigned to the function of
the project. This part is where the ‘if-else’ used that if the
laser light is blocked, the alarm will turn on and the other
LEDs that were turned off will turn on, else, nothing
happens. The code for the LED that turns on during the
alarm is under the void set ArmedState. Under the void
calibrate is the calibration of the LDR, this is where
sensitivity can be adjusted.

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 LPU-Laguna Journal of Engineering and Computer Studies
Vol. 4 No. 2 October 2019
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on turns on
4 Alarm turns Alarm Successful
on turns on
5 Alarm turns Alarm Successful
on turns on

Table 1. Data and results Data shows that in each item used for blocking, it has
Test Expected Actual Remarks one unsuccessful result due to the quickness of the
Output Output blocking. Despite this, four out of five of the actual output
Paper: is the same as the expected output. In percentage, this
1 Alarm turns Alarm Successful project can be considered as 80 percent successful.
on turns on
2 Alarm turns Alarm Successful Table 2. Data and results
on turns on Test Expected Actual Remarks
3 Alarm turns Alarm is Unsuccessful Output Output
on off 1 Alarm is off Alarm is off Successful
4 Alarm turns Alarm Successful 2 Alarm is off Alarm is off Successful
on turns on 3 Alarm is off Alarm is off Successful
5 Alarm turns Alarm Successful 4 Alarm is off Alarm is off Successful
on turns on 5 Alarm is off Alarm is off Successful
Plastic:
1 Alarm turns Alarm Successful
on turns on Five out five of the actual outputs were the same as
2 Alarm turns Alarm Successful the expected output. This can be considered as a 100
on turns on percent successful.
3 Alarm turns Alarm Successful
on turns on CONCLUSION
4 Alarm turns Alarm is Unsucessful
on off In this project, the proponents were able to determine
5 Alarm turns Alarm Successful and utilize the functionalities of the laser, light dependent
on turns on resistor, and Arduino Uno. The combination of these
Glass: components can create a laser security system. The
1 Alarm turns Alarm is Unuccessful Arduino Uno is where the code is uploaded. The code that
on off the proponents have created contains the functions of each
2 Alarm turns Alarm Successful component that is needed for the project. In understanding
on turns on the functions of the components, the proponents were able
3 Alarm turns Alarm Successful to design and implement an Arduino-based security
on turns on system using laser light.
4 Alarm turns Alarm Successful
on turns on RECOMMENDATIONS
5 Alarm turns Alarm Successful
on turns on The proponents recommend the following based on
Hand: findings:
1 Alarm turns Alarm Successful  A laser security system can enhance the security
on turns on system installed in an area.
2 Alarm turns Alarm is Unsuccessful  This project can also provide safety to other
on off people in terms of other aspects.
3 Alarm turns Alarm Successful The researchers recommend the following for further
improvement of the system:
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Center for Research, Publication, and Intellectual Property
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 LPU-Laguna Journal of Engineering and Computer Studies
Vol. 4 No. 2 October 2019
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 Improve the content of the system by making it
automated.
 Use more efficient LDRs that can handle large
amounts of the intensity of light received.
 It is better to improve the electrical components
for future researchers regarding this topic to increase its
accuracy in detecting motion and also, to widen its range.

REFERENCES
[1] H. Kant, M. Sharma, Y. Singh, “Laser Security
Alarm.” (2015-16).
[2] V. Karri and J. S. D. Lim, “Method and Device to
Communicate via SMS After a Security Intrusion,”
1st International Conference on Sensing Technology,
Palmerstone North, New Zealand, (2005) November
21-23.
[3] Y. Zhao and Z. Yet, “Low cost GSM/GPRS BASED
wireless home security system,” IEEE Trans.
Consumer Electron, vol. 56, no. 4, (2007) January,
pp. 546-567. [3]
[4] Z. Bing, G. Yun Hung, L. Bo, Z. Gangway, and T.
Tina, “Home Video Security Surveillance,” Info-Tech
and Info net, 2001, Proceedings, ICII 2001-Beijing.
2001 International Conference, vol. 3, pp. 202-208.

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