Real-time temperature anomaly detection in vaccine refrigeration systems using deep learning on a resource-constrained microcontroller

• Published in: Frontiers in artificial intelligence 2024-08, Vol.7, p.1429602
• Main Authors: Harrabi, Mokhtar, Hamdi, Abdelaziz, Ouni, Bouraoui, Bel Hadj Tahar, Jamel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: anomaly detection; Artificial Intelligence; convolutional auto encoder; deep learning; real-time monitoring; refrigeration systems; vaccine
• ISSN: 2624-8212; 2624-8212
• DOI: 10.3389/frai.2024.1429602

Maintaining consistent and accurate temperature is critical for the safe and effective storage of vaccines. Traditional monitoring methods often lack real-time capabilities and may not be sensitive enough to detect subtle anomalies. This paper presents a novel deep learning-based system for real-time temperature fault detection in refrigeration systems used for vaccine storage. Our system utilizes a semi-supervised Convolutional Autoencoder (CAE) model deployed on a resource-constrained ESP32 microcontroller. The CAE is trained on real-world temperature sensor data to capture temporal patterns and reconstruct normal temperature profiles. Deviations from the reconstructed profiles are flagged as potential anomalies, enabling real-time fault detection. Evaluation using real-time data demonstrates an impressive 92% accuracy in identifying temperature faults. The system's low energy consumption (0.05 watts) and memory usage (1.2 MB) make it suitable for deployment in resource-constrained environments. This work paves the way for improved monitoring and fault detection in refrigeration systems, ultimately contributing to the reliable storage of life-saving vaccines.