This article describes work related to the design of an embedded controller for managing multiple access-controlled compartments, with a focus on scalable I/O handling and industrial network communication.
The system is based on an ATSAMD20 microcontroller, responsible for real-time control, sensor acquisition, and network communication. A key aspect of the design is the use of I/O multiplexing, allowing a large number of inputs to be managed efficiently while keeping the hardware compact and cost-effective.
Each channel is monitored using infrared sensors to detect state changes or object presence. Sensor data is continuously sampled and processed to maintain an up-to-date system state.
Communication with a supervisory system is handled over Ethernet using the Modbus protocol, enabling integration into industrial or automation-oriented infrastructures. The hardware includes support for daisy-chained Ethernet connectivity, simplifying system expansion and reducing cabling complexity.
Overall, the work focuses on combining multiplexed I/O, sensor monitoring, and robust Ethernet communication to build modular and scalable embedded control systems.