Hardware Design and Implementation of Automated Rotary Car Parking System on FPGA

Abstract

This paper presents the design and implementation of an advanced hardware system for a fully automated rotary car parking solution deployed on a programmable chip. Developed in collaboration with the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Tripoli, this system utilizes a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) to manage and automate the mechanical operations of a rotary parking structure, including vehicle entry, exit, and movement control. The research presents an advanced FPGA-based rotary car parking system that automates vehicle management through real-time control and safety protocols. This system stands out due to its comprehensive integration of mechanical operations, safety features, and adaptability to various configurations, making it a significant advancement over traditional microcontroller and PLC systems. The main contributions of this research compared to other FPGA designs: Utilizes FPGA for immediate control of vehicle entry, exit, and movement, enhancing operational efficiency. And implements safety measures, including weight compliance monitoring and password protection for vehicle retrieval, which are not universally present in other designs. Also, it incorporates temperature sensors for fire safety, activating suppression systems in case of high temperatures, a feature not commonly found in similar systems. Directional sensors provide precise vehicle location tracking, improving overall safety and efficiency during parking operations. The system's design allows for scalability in urban environments, accommodating various parking configurations, unlike many existing systems that are limited in flexibility. Experimental evaluations demonstrate superior performance in managing parking operations compared to traditional systems, emphasizing its practical application in dense urban settings. While the proposed system excels in automation and safety, some alternative designs focus more on user interaction and IoT integration, which may appeal to different user needs and preferences.