CHAPTER IV

METHODOLOGY

This chapter explains the intended research strategy that the researchers planned in order

to achieve the research objectives.

Research Design

AGILE Methodology

Agile methodology is an interactive and flexible approach to software development that

emphasizes collaboration, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement. It is a set of

principles and values for software development that prioritize delivering working software

frequently, responding to change quickly, and focusing on the needs of the customer. Agile

methodology has become widely adopted in various industries, not just limited to software

development. Its iterative and customer-centric approach enables organization to deliver valuable

products or solutions in a more efficient and adaptive manner.

Agile Methodology

Figure 4. Agile Methodology Diagram

Phase 1: Planning

In the planning phase of the Agile methodology for the SMART AMMONIA MONITORING

AND ODOR CONTROL SYSTEM FOR PIGGERIES USING IoT, several important steps were

identified to establish the project scope and objectives:

 Identify stakeholders, including piggery owners, farm workers, researchers, and future

system users. Gather their requirements through interviews and consultations.

 Identify the hardware and software requirements, including ammonia sensors, ESP32

microcontroller, exhaust fans, misting/deodorizing system, Wi-Fi module, and IoT

dashboard.

 Assess project constraints such as budget, internet connectivity, power availability, and

environmental conditions inside piggery facilities.

 Prepare the project timeline, sprint schedules, and task allocation for the development

team.

Phase 2: Design

In the design phase, the researchers created the system architecture and blueprint of the proposed

project:

 Design the wiring and circuit layout for ammonia sensors, ESP32 controller, relays, fans,

pumps, and odor control devices.

 Develop the user interface for monitoring ammonia concentration, temperature, humidity,

and device status through mobile or web dashboard.

  Plan the communication flow between sensors, controller, cloud database, and user

notifications.

 Design enclosure and placement of sensors for accurate gas detection inside piggery

areas.

Phase 3: Build

During the build phase, the researchers converted the design into a functional prototype system:

 Assemble all hardware components including MQ ammonia sensor, ESP32, relays,

exhaust fan, water pump, and alarm system.

 Develop the program code for sensor reading, threshold detection, and IoT data

transmission.

 Build the dashboard for real-time monitoring and remote access.

 Integrate Wi-Fi communication for sending notifications and storing sensor data online.

 Conduct initial hardware installation and verify circuit connections.

Phase 4: Test

In the testing phase, the developed system was evaluated to ensure functionality and reliability:

 Test the accuracy of ammonia sensor readings in detecting harmful gas concentration.

 Verify automatic activation of alarms, and odor control system when ammonia levels

exceed safe limits.

 Check response time of IoT notifications and dashboard updates.

  Evaluate stability of wireless connectivity and sensor performance in actual piggery

conditions.

Phase 5: Review

In the review phase, the sprint outputs were presented for feedback and refinement:

 Demonstrate the working prototype to advisers, evaluators, and piggery owners.

 Gather feedback regarding usability, monitoring accuracy, and effectiveness of odor

reduction.

 Review whether project objectives were achieved based on testing results.

 Identify recommended improvements for the next sprint cycle.

 Finalize system features before deployment.

Locale of the Study

The Project was conducted at Jhon Rey’s Farm, which was located at Purok 6, Dipangit

Jones, Isabela

Population of the Study

The main respondent of the project was Sir. Jhon Rey Nicolas, The owner of Jhon Rey’s

Farm.
Organizational Chart

Sir. Jhon Rey Nicolas

Farm Owner

Grace Nicolas
Farm Manager

Farm Staff 1 Farm Staff 2

Figure 5. The Organizational Chart of Jhon Rey’s Farm

Requirement Specification

Fishbone Diagram

A fishbone diagram is a visualization tool for categorizing the potential cause of the

problem. This tool is used in order to identify a problem’s root cause. Typically for root cause

analysis, a fish bone diagram combines the practice of brainstorming with a type of mind map

template.

Figure 6. The Fishbone diagram to show cause and effect in order to solve problems of the
project.
Compatibility Checking (hardware / software and other technologies)

The Researcher conducted compatibility checking for hardware and software from the

respondents to make sure that the recommended devices are suitable to be used for the

development of the project.

Existing Need Gap

Hardware

ESP32 -do-

MQ135 -do-

Jump wire -do-

Selector switch -do-

Solid State Relay -do-

Magnetic Contactor -do-

Laptop -do-

No Existing Hardware GL Pipe -do-

Elbow Connector -do-

Tee connector -do-

End Connector -do-

Relay Module -do-

Water Pump -do-

2hp Induction Motor -do-

Industrial wire -do-

Mobile Phone -do-

Software

Firebase -do-

Mobile Application -do-

Arduino IDE -do-

Network

Connectivity Mobile Network -do-

Table 1. The existing specification of the ESP32, the need and gap in for the development of the

project.
Schedule Feasibility

Gantt Chart

Figure 7. The project development timeline

Economic Feasibility

Cost and Benefits Analysis

Cost

Hardware Cost Specification Amount in Php

ESP32 Wi-Fi + Bluetooth, 38 Pins ₱750. 00

MQ135 Ammonia / Air Quality ₱200. 00

Sensor

Jump wire Assorted Set ₱250. 00

Selector switch 3 Position (Manual-OFF- ₱550. 00

Auto)

Solid State Relay 25A, 3–32VDC to 24– ₱450. 00

380VAC

Magnetic Contactor 220VAC Coil, 18A–25A ₱1, 400. 00

Laptop Intel i3/i5 Minimum ₱20, 000. 00

GL Pipe 1/2-inch x 3 meters ₱700. 00

Elbow Connector 1/2 inch ₱140. 00

Tee connector 1/2 inch ₱180. 00

End Connector 1/2 inch ₱80. 00

Relay Module 1 Channel 5V ₱150. 00

Water Pump 100 PSI Three cylinder ₱7 ,500. 00

2hp Induction Motor Single Phase 220VAC ₱8,500. 00

Industrial wire THHN 5.5mm² (20m) ₱1,200. 00

Mobile Phone HONOR X9A ₱16,000. 00

Table 2. The cost of each hardware needed in the development of the system

Software Cost Specification Amount in Php

Arduino Code Compiler Arduino IDE Freeware

Database System Firebase RTDB Freeware

Operating System Windows 11 ₱9, 050. 00

Table 3. The cost of each software needed in the development of the system

Development Cost Salary/month

Computer Programmer (Sch. 1) ₱15, 000. 00 ₱15, 000. 00

Electrician (Sch. 2) ₱10, 500. 00 ₱10, 500. 00

Software Depreciation (Sch. 3) ₱1, 500. 00 ₱1, 500. 00

Hardware Depreciation (Sch. 4) ₱2, 500. 00 ₱2, 500. 00

Electricity (Sch. 5) ₱2, 000. 00 ₱2, 000. 00

Total Hardware Cost ₱58, 050.00

 Total Software Cost ₱9,050.00

Total Development Cost ₱31,500.00

TOTAL PROJECT COST ₱98,600.00

Table 4. The Cost of the development of the system

(Schedule 1)

Programmer’s Salary

(15,000.00/month) * 5months = Php 75, 000.00

(Schedule 2)

Electrician

(10,500.00/month) * 5months = Php 2,100.00

(Schedule 3)

Hardware Description

(Total Hardware Depreciation Cost/ estimated useful life) / 12 months * number of months

developed)

(58,050.00/5) / 12 *5= Php 4,837.5

(Schedule 4)

Software Depreciation

(Total Software Cost / estimated useful life)/ 12months * number of months developed)
(9,050.00/ 5) / 12 * 5 = Php 754.166

(Schedule 5)

Electricity

Prescribe cost/kwh under ISELCO 1 = 10.40 per kilowatt

1 unit

(90 watts/100watts) * 10.40 * 1 unit * 5hrs/day * 4days/weeks*4weeks/months * 5months

Php 374.40

Project Benefits

Tangible Benefits

 Improved productivity

 Reduced labor cost

 Improved animal welfare

Intangible Benefits

 Improved data collection

 Enhanced decision making

 Improved traceability

 Increased sustainability
Functional Decomposition Diagram (FDD)
Figure 8. The functional decomposition of the developed project.
DATA AND PROCESS MODELING

Context Diagram

Context Diagram of the Proposed System

Figure 9. The context diagram of the system and its environment showing entities and

interactions
DATE FLOW DIAGRAM(DFD)

Data Flow Diagram (DFD) it will use by the researchers to graphically show the flow of the

data which was based on the conducted project. It is composed of the four basic symbols shown

below with their respective description.

NAME SYMBOLS DESCRIPTION

EXTERNAL They determine the system boundary that is

ENTITIES external to the developed system. They are

often beyond the are of influence of the

developer.

DATA They are genetic fir physical files, they can

STORE show two or more systems that share data.

PROCESS They show data transformation or change.

They have physical location shown only for

existing physical systems or presented by

physical design.

FLOW They are referenced by a combination id the

LINES identifiers of the developed system where the

data flow connects.

Table 5. The data flow diagram.

 Level 1.0 User

Figure 10. The different process that the User an perform in the system.
Level 1.0 Explosion of process 1.1 – Manage Water Spray

Figure 11. Processes the User use to manage water spray.

 Level 1.0 Explosion of process 1.2 – Manage Sensor Readings

Figure 12. Processes the User use to manage sensor readings and where it stores
Data Output and User Interface

Figure 13. The Sign Up page of the Mobile app.

Figure 14. The Log In page of the Mobile app.

Figure 15. The Main page of the Mobile app.
Data Design.

Entity-Relationship Diagram (ERD) is the graphical representation of the entities and

their relationship to each other, typically used in computing with regard to the organization of

data within the database or information system.

Figure 16. The entity-relationship of the tables to be used in the system.

Data Dictionary

Data dictionary was used to determine which data type will be best suited for the field.

Every field was checked to determine the length of the field to save some computer memory.

Name Length Data Type Description

Login_Form 10 int Primary key

Username 10 varchar Account name

Password 8 varchar Account password

Table 6. User

Name Length Data Type Description

Ammonia_Level 10 float Measured ammonia

concentration

Air_Quality 20 varchar Air quality status

Sensor_Status 15 varchar Sensor operational

status

Date_Time 30 datetime Date and time of

reading

Table 7. Sensor
System Architecture

Network Model

Figure 17. The Network Model Diagram

This above is a Three-tier network architecture with the presentation layer or interface that run

on a client, and a data layer or a data structure that gets stored on a server.
Star Topology

In a star network topology, devices like mobile phones and computers connect to a

central router, acting as a hub for communication. Data from these devices first goes to the

router, then to the Internet Service Provider (ISP) for internet access. The ISP directs the data to

the internet, enabling access to resources like databases. This setup ensures efficient

communication by linking all devices to a central point, enhancing data transfer within the

network.

Figure 18. The Star Topology diagram.

 Development

Software Specification

Software Version

Arduino Programming Language Arduino IDE

Database System Google Firebase

Table 8. Software specification of the project.

Hardware Specification

ESP32 Dual-core 32-bit microcontroller, 240 MHz,

built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, 3.3V operating

voltage

MQ135 Gas detection range: 10–1000 ppm, operating

voltage: 5V DC, detects ammonia and air

quality

Jump wire Male-to-male / male-to-female jumper wires,

20–30 cm length

Selector switch 3-position selector switch (Manual–Off–

Auto), rated 220V AC

Solid State Relay Input: 3–32V DC, Output: 24–380V AC, 25A

capacity

Magnetic Contactor 220V AC coil voltage, 10–18A rated current

Laptop Intel Core i3/i5 processor, 4GB RAM

minimum, Windows 10 or higher

GL Pipe 1/2 inch galvanized iron pipe for water

distribution

Elbow Connector 1/2 inch PVC/GI elbow fitting

Tee connector 1/2 inch PVC/GI tee fitting

End Connector 1/2 inch pipe end cap connector

Relay Module 5V relay module, single-channel, 10A rated

output

Water Pump High-pressure water pump, 220V AC

operation

2hp Induction Motor Single-phase induction motor, 220V AC, 2

horsepower

Industrial wire Copper wire, 2.0–3.5 mm² thickness,

insulated for 220V AC

Table 9. Hardware specification of the project.