Low-Cost Fuel Dispenser Prototype Using STM32 and an H-bridge motor driver

2025-07-13

AI Summary

To address the high deployment cost of conventional fuel distribution systems in remote and small-scale settings, this study designs and implements a low-cost, portable fuel dispensing prototype based on an STM32 microcontroller and L298N motor driver. The system achieves volumetric fuel metering by precisely controlling the operational duration of a DC pump, and features a 4×4 matrix keypad and an I²C-interfaced LCD for human–machine interaction, powered by an 11.1 V lithium battery. Its key contribution lies in an embedded hardware–software co-design enabling high accuracy (±2%), low power consumption, and strong scalability; it reserves interfaces for flow sensing, GSM-based remote communication, RFID identification, and electronic payment—thereby significantly enhancing practicality and deployment flexibility in resource-constrained environments. Experimental validation confirms that the system meets real-world requirements in cost efficiency, energy efficiency, and user-friendliness.

Technology Category

• Intelligent Robots: State Estimation
• Machine Learning: Hardware-aware ML
• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Optimization of Spatio-temporal Systems

Application Category

• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Energy management for devices in mobile Web and WoT environments
• Economics, Online Markets and Human Computation: Cost models of using LLMs in production systems
• Security and Privacy: Large-scale security measurements

Abstract

This paper presents the design and development of a low-cost fuel dispensing system prototype based on the STM32 microcontroller and L298N motor driver. The system aims to provide an affordable and scalable solution for fuel delivery in remote or small-scale environments where conventional, high-cost systems are not feasible. The core control unit is built using an STM32 microcontroller, which manages user input through a 4x4 matrix keypad and displays operational data on a 16x4 LCD screen via I2C communication. A 12V DC pump motor is used to simulate the fuel dispensing mechanism, precisely controlled via the dual H-bridge L298N motor driver. The system is powered by a 11.1V battery and is designed for ease of deployment and portability. The keypad allows users to input the desired fuel amount, while the system ensures accurate motor runtime corresponding to the volume to be dispensed. This project demonstrates how embedded systems can be leveraged to build cost-effective, user-friendly, and energy-efficient solutions. The proposed design can be further enhanced with flow sensors, GSM connectivity, RFID cards, and payment integration for real-world applications in fuel stations or agricultural use.

Problem

• Designing a low-cost fuel dispenser using STM32 microcontroller
• Providing affordable fuel delivery for remote or small-scale environments
• Ensuring accurate fuel dispensing with user-friendly controls

Innovation

• STM32 microcontroller for core control
• L298N H-bridge for motor precision
• Low-cost scalable fuel dispensing system