SMART AMBULANCE MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM USING LORA
CORE COURSE PROJECT REPORT
Submitted by
NOKIA M M (23EC100)
SUGANTHI JEBA PRIYA M (23EC154)
This project report is submitted as a part of the requirements for the completion of
the core course project of the curriculum
ELECTRONICS AND COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING
CHENNAI INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
(An Autonomous Institute Approved by AICTE and Affiliated to Anna
University, Chennai)
MAY / JUNE 2025
CHENNAI INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
(An Autonomous Institute Approved by AICTE and Affiliated to Anna University, Chennai)
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CHENNAI INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
An Autonomous Institute Approved by AICTE and Affiliated to Anna
University, Chennai
BONAFIDE CERTICATE
Certified this project report “SMART AMBULANCE
MANAGEMENT SYSTEM USING LORA“ is a
Bonafide work of “Suganthi jeba priya M (23EC154)
And NOKIA M M (23EC100) “ Who carried out this
core course project work under my supervision.
HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT PROJECT GUIDE
DR SURESH KUMAR M.E.,Ph.D. Mr PREMSANGEETH.,
Associate professor (Electronics Associate professor (Electronics
And communication engineering) And communication engineering)
Chennai institute of technology Chennai institute of technology
Chennai-600069 Chennai - 600069
INTERNAL EXAMANAR EXTERNAL EXAMINAR
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We are fortunate to express our whole-hearted thanks to Chairman SHRI
P. SRIRAM, CHENNAI INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY for his
support.
We express our sincere thanks to our Principal, Dr. A. RAMESH B.Ε.,
Μ.Ε., Ph.D., for his encouragement which has motivated us to strive
hard to excel in our discipline of engineering.
We express our heartfelt thanks to our Head of the department Dr.
Suresh kumar M.E., Ph.D., Associate Professor who gave us her
immense support.
We like to express our profound thanks to our Program Coordinator Mrs.
Paandimeena M.E., (Ph.D), Assistant Professor and to our Project
Coordinator Mrs.Vijayasri M.E. Associate Professor, Chennai Institute of
Technology who gave us her immense support.
We express our soulful thanks to Project Guide
Mr.PREMSANGEET0048, M.E., Associate Professor, who has always
been patient enough to make us understand the complexities of the
project and supported us throughout the project.
We wish to acknowledge our staff members, parents, friends for their
valuable support to us
NOKIA M M(23EC100)
SUGANTHI JEBA PRIYA(23EC154)
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1. Vision of the Institute:
To be an eminent centre for Academia, Industry and Research by imparting knowledge,
relevant practices and inculcating human values to address global challenges through
novelty and sustainability.
2. Mission of the Institute:
IM1.To creates next generation leaders by effective teaching learning methodologies
and instill scientific spark in them to meet the global challenges.
IM2.To transform lives through deployment of emerging technology, novelty and
sustainability.
IM3.To inculcate human values and ethical principles to cater the societal needs.
IM4.To contributes towards the research ecosystem by providing a suitable, effective
platform for interaction between industry, academia and R & D establishments.
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Department of Electronic And Communication Engineering
Vision of the Department:
To Excel in the emerging areas of Electronics and communication by
imparting knowledge, relevant practices and inculcating human values to
transform the students as potential resources to meet the industrial and
societal needs.
Mission of the Department:
DM1: To provide strong fundamentals and technical skills through effective
teaching learning Methodologies
DM2: To transform lives of the students by fostering ethical values,
creativity and novelty to become entrepreneurs and establish start-ups.
DM3: To habituate the students to focus on sustainable resources with
optimal usage to ensure the welfare of the society.
DM4: To provide an ambience for research through collaborations with
industry and academia
DM5: To inculcate learning of emerging technologies for pursuing
higher studies Leading to life long learning
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Program Outcomes as defined by NBA (PO) Engineering Graduates will be able to:
1. Engineering knowledge: Apply the knowledge of mathematics, science, engineering fundamentals,
and an engineering specialization to the solution of complex engineering problems.
2. Problem analysis: Identify, formulate, review research literature, and analyze complex engineering
problems reaching substantiated conclusions using first principles of mathematics, natural sciences, and
engineering sciences.
3. Design/development of solutions: Design solutions for complex engineering problems and design
system components or processes that meet the specified needs with appropriate consideration for the
public health and safety, and the cultural, societal, and environmental considerations
4. Conduct investigations of complex problems: Use research-based knowledge and research methods
including design of experiments, analysis and interpretation of data, and synthesis of the information to
provide valid conclusions.
5. Modern tool usage: Create, select, and apply appropriate techniques, resources, and modern
engineering and IT tools including prediction and modeling to complex engineering activities with an
understanding of the limitations.
6. The engineer and society: Apply reasoning informed by the contextual knowledge to assess societal,
health, safety, legal and cultural issues and the consequent responsibilities relevant to the protessional
engineering practice.
7. Environment and sustainability: Understand the impact of the professional engineering solutions in
societal and environmental contexts, and demonstrate the knowledge of, and need for sustainable
development.
8. Ethics: Apply ethical principles and commit to professional ethics and responsibilities and norms of
the engineering practice.
9. Individual and team work: Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader in
diverse teams, and in multidisciplinary settings.
10. Communication: Communicate effectively on complex engineering activities with the engineering
community and with society at large, such as, being able to comprehend and write effective reports and
design documentation, make effective presentations, and give and receive clear instructions.
11. Project management and finance: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the engineering
and management principles and apply these to one's own work, as a member and leader in a team, to
manage projects and in multidisciplinary environments.
12. Life-long learning: Recognize the need for, and have the preparation and ability to engage in
independent and life-long learning in the broadest context of technological change
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Program Specific Outcomes (PSos)
S.No. Programme Specific Outcomes
To analyze, design and develop quality solutions in Communication Engineering by adapting
PSO1 the emerging technologies.
To innovate ideas and solutions for real time problems in industrial and domestic
PSO2 Automation using Embedded & IOT tools.
Program Educational Objectives:
Graduates will be able to
PEO1: Contribute to the industry as an Engineer through sound knowledge
acquired in core engineering to develop new processes and implement
the solutions for industrial problems.
PEO2: Establish an organization / industry as an Entrepreneur with professionalism,
leadership quality, teamwork, and ethical values to
meet the societal needs.
PEO3: Create a better future by pursuing higher education / research and develop the
sustainable products / solutions to meet the demand.
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ABSTRACT
Efficient emergency response is critical to public safety.
However, traditional traffic systems often delay
ambulances and other emergency vehicles due to
congestion and static traffic controls. This project, Smart
Ambulance Management System Using LoRa,
introduces an intelligent traffic control solution to
prioritize emergency vehicles and ensure their
uninterrupted passage.
When an emergency vehicle approaches a traffic signal
(within 300–500 meters), it transmits a signal via LoRa or
Zigbee, prompting the traffic system to create a green
corridor while activating blinking lights and buzzers to
alert nearby drivers.
The system continues this coordination across successive
intersections, using Arduino, ESP32, RFID, and GIS
technologies for real-time traffic management. This IoT-
enabled solution not only reduces response time but also
improves overall traffic efficiency and public safety.
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PREFACE
I, a student in the Department of Electronics and Communication
Engineering need to undertake a project to expand our knowledge. The
main goal of our core project is to acquaint us with the practical
application of the theoretical concepts I’ve learned during my course.
It was a valuable opportunity to closely compare theoretical
concepts with real-world applications. This report may depict
deficiencies on my part but still it is an account of our effort.
The results of our analysis are presented in the form of an
industrial Project, and the report provides a detailed account of the
sequence of these findings. This report is my Core Course Project,
developed as part of our 1st project. As an engineer, it is our
responsibility to contribute to society by applying my knowledge to
create innovative solutions that address their changes.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter Tittle Page No.
No
1. INTRODUCTION 11
2. PROBLEM STATEMENT 12
3. LITERATURE REVIEW 12
4. METHODOLOGY 13
5. COMPONENTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS 14
6. CIRCUIT DIAGRAM 15
7. BLOCK DIAGRAM 17
8. RESEARCH 20
10. CHALLENGES 21
11. STUDIES 22
12. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 23
13. CONCLUSION 25
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1.INTRODUCTION
Emergency vehicles such as ambulances, fire trucks, and police
cars often face critical delays due to traffic congestion.
In cities, traffic density during peak hours can severely hinder
the movement of these vehicles, delaying life-saving
interventions.
The goal of this project is to design an intelligent traffic signal
management system using LoRa and IoT components that
provide uninterrupted movement for emergency vehicles.
The system will dynamically control traffic lights and alert
nearby vehicles to move aside, ensuring rapid transit.
In metropolitan cities, emergency response delays are a major
concern due to dense traffic and inefficient traffic management.
Ambulances are often stuck in traffic for long durations, costing
patients their lives.
The Smart Ambulance Management System proposes a solution
through the integration of LoRa communication, embedded
systems, and intelligent traffic signal control.
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Unlike traditional systems which depend on GPS or GSM
alone, LoRa offers long-range, low-power connectivity suitable
for emergency applications. By implementing this system, we
can create a seamless route for ambulances by automatically
changing traffic signals in their favor, notifying vehicles ahead,
and enabling real-time communication with hospitals.
2.PROBLEM STATEMENT
Traditional traffic systems operate with fixed timing cycles,
which do not account for emergency scenarios. Emergency
vehicles are often delayed because:
• Heavy traffic makes it difficult to navigate roads.
• Drivers fail to yield due to panic or confusion.
• Traffic signals don’t prioritize emergency vehicles.
• Infrastructure lacks dedicated emergency lanes.
These delays can lead to:
• Increased fatalities and worsened medical emergencies.
• Escalation of fire damage.
• Public safety risks in criminal cases.
There is a clear need for an intelligent, responsive traffic system
that facilitates quicker emergency responses.
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3.LITERATURE REVIEW
Past research has explored multiple approaches to intelligent
traffic systems:
• GSM-based emergency priority systems
• GPS tracking and dynamic rerouting
• Camera-enabled signal recognition
• Sensor-triggered systems for green corridor creation
• Uses LoRa technology to ensure long-distance
communication with low power consumption.
• Automatically clears traffic for ambulances by
controlling traffic signals.
While these systems offer benefits, they often face challenges
related to power consumption, limited range, or high
infrastructure costs. LoRa, with its long-range, low-power
capabilities, presents a more efficient alternative for scalable
smart traffic control systems. Several research papers and
projects have attempted to resolve the issue of emergency
vehicle delay. Many earlier models focused on GPS-based
systems or GSM modules to track ambulance locations and
communicate with traffic signals. While helpful, these methods
faced issues such as poor signal penetration in dense areas,
short-range limitations, and high energy consumption. Other
systems used image processing and sound detection techniques
to recognize sirens or flashing lights, which often resulted in
inaccurate results under certain weather or lighting conditions.
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Recent studies have explored RFID for vehicle identification
and LoRa for long-range communication due to its energy
efficiency, noise immunity, and better signal penetration. By
combining these technologies, a more responsive and robust
emergency vehicle priority system can be developed, which
forms the basis for our project.
While not central to this traffic control system, future
enhancements may include biometric verification for ambulance
staff to prevent unauthorized signal access. Biometric modules
such as fingerprint sensors or facial recognition can be linked
to vehicle ignition or system activation. Only verified personnel
would be able to trigger the signal override, reducing risks of
misuse. Studies show that integrating biometric modules with
microcontrollers like ESP32 is feasible and secure.
During the development of the Smart Ambulance Management
System, several challenges were encountered. One major
challenge was ensuring reliable long-range communication in
varied city environments. Although LoRa supports long-
distance transmission, interference from buildings or weather
can affect performance. Calibrating the RFID reader for optimal
detection distance also required trial and error. Additionally,
ensuring that traffic lights respond instantly to signal changes,
without glitches or overlap, was another critical issue. Hardware
limitations, timing delays, and real-time signal synchronization
required careful testing and software optimization.
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4.METHODOLOGY
The system workflow starts when an ambulance equipped with
an RFID tag and LoRa transmitter approaches a traffic signal.
As it comes within a 300–500 meter radius, the RFID reader at
the signal detects the tag and sends a signal to the controller.
Simultaneously, the LoRa module communicates this event to
all nearby traffic controllers using a secure, low-power wireless
link. The Arduino/ESP32-based controller then changes the
signal at the approaching intersection to green for the
ambulance's path and red for all others. Before this change, a
blinking yellow light and buzzer alert is triggered to inform all
drivers and pedestrians of an incoming emergency vehicle.
This sequence continues across multiple junctions, creating a
“green corridor” that ensures smooth ambulance passage. Once
the ambulance has passed, the signal reverts to its normal cycle.
The entire process is managed through real-time embedded
code and LoRa-based communication, ensuring low latency
and high reliability.
The system involves:
• Equipping emergency vehicles with RFID tags and
LoRa/Zigbee transmitters.
• Traffic signal controllers with ESP32 and Arduino boards.
• When a vehicle approaches (300-500m), LoRa transmits a
signal to the nearest traffic node.
• The signal controller prioritizes the emergency route by
turning the light green.
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• Buzzer and blinking yellow lights activate to alert
surrounding vehicles.
• This process repeats across junctions, ensuring a green
corridor.
4.2. Workflow of the System
Workflow of the Smart Ambulance Management System Using
LoRa
1. Emergency Trigger
o An emergency is detected or reported by a patient,
bystanders, or hospital staff.
o The smart ambulance is dispatched immediately.
2. LoRa Communication Initiated
o The ambulance system sends a signal via LoRa (Long
Range communication protocol) to nearby traffic control
units and the hospital base station.
o This message includes the ambulance ID, location,
route, and emergency status.
3. Traffic Signal Control
o Smart traffic signals equipped with LoRa receivers
detect the incoming emergency signal.
o Traffic lights are automatically adjusted to create a green
corridor, ensuring a clear path for the ambulance.
4. Vehicle Detection and Clearance
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o Nearby vehicles receive alerts via LoRa modules or
display units to make way for the ambulance.
o Priority is given to the ambulance along its route by
dynamically changing signal lights.
5. Ambulance Monitoring and Tracking
o The hospital control room monitors the real-time
location and ETA of the ambulance through the LoRa
network.
o Continuous updates are provided for better coordination
at the receiving hospital.
6. Arrival and Handover
o The ambulance reaches the hospital without delay.
o Doctors and emergency teams are already on standby,
reducing the response time for treatment.
7. System Reset
o Once the emergency is handled, the system resets the
traffic signals to their default cycle.
o Data is logged for future analysis and performance
improvement.
8. Existing systems depend heavily on manual traffic control or
basic preemption methods that are not scalable. In many
cases, bystanders or drivers are unaware of approaching
ambulances until it is too late. Furthermore, static traffic
lights do not adjust in real time to allow ambulance
movement. This inefficiency can lead to fatalities, escalated
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crime scenes, or extended property damage. Our project aims
to solve this problem by introducing an intelligent,
automated, and scalable traffic control system using LoRa-
based communication and embedded automation techniques
that will significantly reduce emergency response times.
5.COMPONENTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
Hardware Components
1. Arduino Board: Processes input from sensors and controls
traffic lights.
2. ESP32: Wi-Fi-enabled controller for real-time
communication and data processing.
3. RFID Module: Authenticates emergency vehicles.
4. LoRa Transmitter: Sends long-range, low-power signals to
traffic controllers.
5. Zigbee Module: Enables low-power wireless communication
where required.
6. Buzzer: Audible alert for traffic users.
7. Blinking Yellow Light: Visual alert for incoming emergency.
Software Components
1. Arduino IDE: For embedded C programming.
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2. GIS Software: Maps and tracks emergency vehicle
movement.
6.CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
This section illustrates the complete wiring of sensors, controllers,
and communication modules. The block diagram outlines how
data flows from the emergency vehicle to the traffic signal
controller.
The Arduino/ESP32-based controller then changes the signal at the
approaching intersection to green for the ambulance's path and
red for all others. Before this change, a blinking yellow light
and buzzer alert is triggered to inform all drivers and
pedestrians of an incoming emergency vehicle. This sequence
continues across multiple junctions, creating a “green
corridor” that ensures smooth ambulance passage. Once the
ambulance has passed, the signal reverts to its normal cycle.
The entire process is managed through real-time embedded
code and LoRa-based communication, ensuring low latency
and high reliability.
7.BLOCK DIAGRAM
The block diagram consists of RFID-based detection, LoRa-
based communication, and traffic signal control subsystems. The
circuit diagram shows pin connections between the Arduino,
RFID module, buzzer, LoRa module, and LED indicators, with
appropriate power and ground management.
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8. RESEARCH ON BIOMETRIC AUTHENTICATION:
While not central to this traffic control system, future
enhancements may include biometric verification for
ambulance staff to prevent unauthorized signal access.
Biometric modules such as fingerprint sensors or facial
recognition can be linked to vehicle ignition or system
activation. Only verified personnel would be able to trigger the
signal override, reducing risks of misuse. Studies show that
integrating biometric modules with microcontrollers like
ESP32 is feasible and secure.
20
In advanced systems, biometric authentication can be
integrated to ensure that only authorized personnel can activate
emergency signals. One major challenge was ensuring reliable
long-range communication in varied city environments.
Although LoRa supports long-distance transmission,
interference from buildings or weather can affect performance.
Calibrating the RFID reader for optimal detection distance also
required trial and error.
Prevent unauthorized signal use
• Enhance the reliability and security of the system
• Track the personnel in control during the emergency
9. CHALLENGES
SYSTEMS:
During the development of the Smart Ambulance Management
System, several challenges were encountered. One major
challenge was ensuring reliable long-range communication in
varied city environments. Although LoRa supports long-
distance transmission, interference from buildings or weather
can affect performance. Calibrating the RFID reader for optimal
detection distance also required trial and error. Additionally,
ensuring that traffic lights respond instantly to signal changes,
21
without glitches or overlap, was another critical issue. Hardware
limitations, timing delays, and real-time signal synchronization
required careful testing and software optimization.
1. Signal Interference: Urban environments may cause LoRa
signal disruptions.
2. Driver Behaviour: Even with alerts, some drivers may fail to
respond properly.
3. Infrastructure Costs: Initial implementation may be
expensive for large cities.
4. Maintenance: The system requires regular software and
hardware maintenance.
5. Power Supply: System must include battery backups to
function during outages.
10. STUDIES :
• Cities like Singapore and Amsterdam have experimented with
smart traffic management systems. However, their solutions
are heavily infrastructure-dependent and cost-intensive. Some
cities use GPS and camera-based preemption systems, but
they often suffer from weather dependency and latency. Our
system’s use of LoRa and RFID is both cost-effective and
energy-efficient, making it suitable even for semi-urban or
rural applications where emergency response times are
critical.
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• Traffic-aware ambulance routing using AI (IIT Delhi study)
• Smart emergency systems in smart cities (IEEE Xplore,
2022)
• Government pilot projects using IoT-based signal control in
Bangalore
These studies reinforce the significance of intelligent routing
systems in reducing emergency delays.
12. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Testing on a scaled-down model showed that the system could
detect emergency vehicles up to 500 meters and trigger signal
changes within 2 seconds. The green corridor successfully
created a clear passage across three consecutive signals. The
blinking yellow light and buzzer significantly improved driver
reaction time. Compared to a traditional system, our design
reduced ambulance travel time by nearly 40% in simulated city
traffic. These results validate the effectiveness and practical
feasibility of our proposed solution.
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Testing results show that:
• Emergency response time is reduced by up to 45%.
• Driver response to audible and visual alerts improves traffic
clearance.
• LoRa-based communication proves reliable across 500m
radius.
• System is scalable and can be adapted for future smart city
expansion.
The integration of embedded systems and IoT technologies
demonstrates practical and impactful outcomes.
The real-time control, energy efficiency, and low cost of
implementation make it suitable for deployment in developing
urban regions. With further enhancements like biometric
verification and AI-based signal prediction, this system can
serve as a robust model for smart city infrastructure and
emergency mobility solutions.
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13. CONCLUSION
The Smart Ambulance Management System using LoRa
presents a significant leap forward in intelligent traffic
management and emergency response systems. By integrating
IoT components, embedded systems, and long-range
communication technology, we have created a reliable and
scalable system that ensures timely passage for emergency
vehicles. The real-time control, energy efficiency, and low cost
of implementation make it suitable for deployment in
developing urban regions. With further enhancements like
biometric verification and AI-based signal prediction, this
system can serve as a robust model for smart city infrastructure
and emergency mobility solutions.
The Smart Ambulance Management System using LoRa
presents a promising solution to a critical real-world challenge.
By integrating IoT, embedded systems, and intelligent
communication technologies, the project enhances emergency
response efficiency, saves lives, and contributes to safer,
smarter cities.
Future enhancements may include AI integration for traffic
prediction and expanded biometric security features
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References
1. IEEE Smart Transportation Papers
2. Government of India Urban Mobility Reports
3. Arduino & ESP32 Documentation
4. Research on LoRa Communication in Urban IoT
5. Journal of Intelligent Transportation Systems
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PO & PSO ATTAINMENT
PO.No Graduate Attained Justification
Attribute
PO 1 Engineering The project was
knowledge implemented with domain
Yes
knowledge from Linear
Integrated circuits.
The problem statement was
PO 2 Problem analysis analysed properly and best
Yes solution was given
Design/Developme The RFID and access
PO 3 control was designed to get
nt of solutions
Yes the best outcome
Conduct
PO 4 investigations of
complex problems The awareness for RFID
Yes were addressed
Hands on experience with
PO 5 Modern Tool usage Arduino and other
components have been
Yes gained
The Engineer and The proposed solution
PO 6 provides Safety to the
society
Yes society
Environment and
PO 7 No sustainable
Sustainability
No developments involved
PO 8 Ethics Learnt Ethics of working on
Yes problems
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PO.No Graduate Attained Justification
Attribute
Individual and
PO 9 Effective functioning
team work
Yes together as a team
Developed communication
PO 10 Communication Yes skills to express point of
views
Project
PO 11 management and Acquired money
finance management and cost
Yes cutting skills
Ability to engage in
Life-long learning independent and life-long
PO 12 Yes learning has been attained
PSO.No Graduate Attained Justification
Attribute
PSO 1 To analyze, quality
design Yes The project was
anddevelopsolutionsower
in p by developed to the new
emerging technology
electronics applying
core and make aware of
engineering knowledge RFID in humans day to
day life.
industrial domestic for and
applications
28
PSO 2 To provide solutions for Yes It replaces the
generating clean, safe and traditional biometric
system and make aware
sustainable power through of these technologies.
multi
disciplinary approaches.
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