Implementación de un sistema de control digital con microcontrolador en una cabina Climática para la calibración de instrumentos de monitoreo ambiental

Abstract

This undergraduate research project aims to design and implement an automated digital control system for a thermal chamber used in the calibration of environmental monitoring instruments, such as clinical thermometers and thermo-hygrometers. The initiative arises from the need to optimize and modernize the calibration processes carried out at Clinical Solutions S.A.S, where precision, traceability, and environmental stability are essential to ensure the reliability of medical equipment used in healthcare environments. The developed system integrates an open-architecture microcontroller with wireless communication capabilities, digital temperature and relative humidity sensors, heating modules, and a vapor-compression refrigeration system. Through ON/OFF control algorithms with hysteresis, the system automatically regulates specific temperature ranges (18 °C, 25 °C, and 40 °C) and relative humidity levels (20 %, 50 %, and 80 %). Additionally, a Python-based graphical user interface was implemented to enable real-time monitoring, parameter configuration, automatic data logging to spreadsheets, and the integration of an IP camera for photographic evidence capture with timestamping. The applied methodology included the electronic design of the system, embedded firmware development, graphical interface construction, and the execution of experimental tests to validate the system’s stability, precision, and repeatability. The obtained results demonstrate that the chamber maintains environmental conditions within the acceptable margins established by international standards, with adequate stabilization times and consistent performance throughout the tests. This project presents an accessible, replicable, and high-impact technological solution for clinical calibration processes, contributing to the operational improvement of the company and paving the way for future developments in biomedical automation.