Project: Automation of a National Monument
Location: Jabal El Rahme, Ghosta, Lebanon
Challenge
The monument required controlled rotation for visitors. Manual operation was limited and prone to human error. The goal was to implement a robust automated system with secure remote access, accurate monitoring, and fail-safe mechanisms, while allowing both scheduled and on-demand rotations.
Solution
DzinePlus designed and deployed a compact, high-reliability Monument Control System integrating hardware, firmware, and software:
Core Features
- Manual & Automated Rotation:
- Simple physical button for visitors.
- Automatic rotation every 30 minutes with customizable positions.
- Secure manual overrides via web dashboard.
- Secure Web Dashboard:
- Authenticated access to initiate rotations, perform full rotations, and sync time.
- Real-time status monitoring, including rotation state and current facing.
- Accurate rotation logs with timestamps, duration, and trigger type.
- Reliable Timekeeping:
- NTP-based time synchronization over Wi-Fi with Lebanon DST handling.
- RTC (DS3231) fallback storing UTC for autonomous operation.
- Fail-safe logic: schedules are disabled if neither time source is valid.
- Automatic retries for Wi-Fi and time synchronization without blocking operations.
- Hardware & Safety:
- ESP32-based control with relay interface (ON during rotation, OFF afterward).
- Failsafe relay cutoff if rotation exceeds expected duration.
- Multi-layer redundancy ensures safe operation under network or RTC failure.
- Firmware Architecture:
- Non-blocking event loop to handle rotation, web server, and time updates.
- OLED display showing time, rotation status, current facing, and IP.
- Scheduled triggers
- Rotation durations are configurable per target orientation.
- Hardware Enclosure:
- Sleek, high-quality plastic casing designed for durability and weather resistance.
- Integrated OLED screen for real-time feedback without external devices.
- Strategically placed vents for thermal management.
- User-friendly design for easy access to buttons, ports, and maintenance.
Results
- Fully automated monument rotation with both interactive and scheduled operation.
- Reliable remote control and monitoring via the secure dashboard.
- Rotation logs provide detailed tracking for operational and maintenance purposes.
- The system demonstrated robustness in network loss scenarios and time source failures.
Next Steps
DzinePlus is developing Version 2, expanding automation to:
- Integrated lighting and water fountains.
- Sound system control.
- Advanced scheduling and synchronization features for multi-element shows.
Outcome: A scalable, engineer-grade monument automation system, showcasing DzinePlus’s expertise in embedded systems, hardware prototyping, and automation for public installations.
For more information about the monument’s location and community updates, visit the Jabal el Rahme Facebook page
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