Week 15: System Integration

Note: My English writing skills are limited. For this documentation, I have used AI assistance for parts of the translation.

Date: May 6 - 13, 2026

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System Diagram

The top lid holds the enclosure (XIAO ESP32C6, DC converter, relay module, atomizer controller) and two fans. Inside the tank, sensors, lighting, humidifier, and heater are connected to the control board. The XIAO ESP32C6 sends data to the NAS via MQTT, and the user controls the system from a web dashboard.

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What I Have Built So Far

Week	Output
Week 06	Test Board (KiCad design — LED + button)
Week 08	Reptile Monitor PCB (XIAO ESP32C6, Grove ×4, SMD assembly)
Week 09	Input device testing (SHT31 ×2, I2C dual sensor)
Week 10	Output device testing (OLED, motor driver, fan ON/OFF)
Week 11	WiFi + MQTT communication, web dashboard
Week 14	Production dashboard (Bootstrap + Chart.js + Flask + SQLite)

The current control board is only a XIAO mount + Grove connection board. Power supply and output terminals are not yet integrated.

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Remaining Work

1. Integration Board and Enclosure

The current board cannot handle AC power input or heater output. I need to add the following components and design a new integrated board.

Component	Purpose
AC 100V input terminal	Connect to mains power
AC-DC converter 5V	Power for microcontroller and sensors
AC-DC converter 12V	Power for fans
AC 100V heater output terminal	ON/OFF control via SSR
Integrated PCB (new design)	Combine all components on one board

Enclosure: I will design and build a box to hold the integrated board, power modules, and Grove relay (for output).

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2. In-Tank Modules

I will 3D print the following modules to place inside the terrarium.

Module	Purpose
Pet bottle mount	Hold the water supply bottle
Water dish	Drinking water for reptiles, helps with humidity
Ultrasonic humidifier mount	Fix the humidifier module in place
Temperature/humidity sensor mount	Fix the SHT31 sensor position
Cable guide	Organize wiring inside the tank

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3. Top Lid (Enclosure Mount)

I will design and build a top lid that attaches to the existing tank frame. All control equipment will be mounted on this lid.

Equipment	Spec
Enclosure box	Integrated board + power modules
Intake fan	12V 4-pin PWM × 1
Exhaust fan	12V 4-pin PWM × 1
Power input	AC 100V connector
Power output	Heater terminal

Design requirements: - Fits the existing tank frame - Can be removed without tools (for maintenance)

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Methods

1. Integration Board

Step	Tool / Method
Schematic & PCB design	KiCad (Schematic Editor → PCB Editor)
G-code generation	pcb2gcode
Board fabrication	CNC milling (same process as Week 08)
Component assembly	Hand soldering with a soldering iron

2. Enclosure

Step	Tool / Method
3D modeling	Fusion 360
Fabrication	3D printer (Bambu Lab)
Material	PETG (heat and humidity resistant)
Assembly	M3 bolts and nuts

3. In-Tank Modules

Step	Tool / Method
3D modeling	Fusion 360
Fabrication	3D printer (Bambu Lab)
Material	PETG (recommended for humid environments)

4. Top Lid

Step	Tool / Method
2D design	JW-CAD
Fabrication	Laser cutter
Material	MDF
Attachment	Fits onto the existing tank frame

5. Firmware

Step	Tool / Method
Development	Arduino IDE
Board	XIAO ESP32C6
Changes	Update pin assignments (D6/D7 for fan PWM, D8/D9 for TACH)

6. System Integration

All parts are assembled and connected step by step. Each module is tested individually before full system testing. Final check: sensor → MQTT → dashboard → output control (end-to-end).

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Schedule

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What I Learned

• Power design is the most important part when integrating individual components into one system.
• An integrated board that handles both AC 100V and low voltage (5V / 12V) needs careful safety design.
• Writing out a clear schedule helped me see the full scope of remaining work and set priorities.