If you are not a technical person, perhaps my previous posts do not provide a clear picture of what is this all about.

We all know that we can switch channels and change volume on a tv without a remote control, however we prefer to use a remote control, as it makes things easier. Even more, remotes get more clever and manage several devices with single click – if you want to watch a tv, it will turn on tv set, receiver, external tv decoder with single click. Systems for house automation are something like a huge and smart universal remote control for almost any electric device at your home. Continue reading →

Since 2009 I have two generations of the devices created, and currently working on third.

What can I do with the system:

• Devices use ZigBee for communication, so no changes in a current power line wiring needed.
• Devices can be put behind switches or power sockets (deeper boxes are needed to support an additional device behind a switch mechanics).
• A single device can control from 4 to 8 inputs, where any input can be analog or digital. Analog inputs are used for analog sensors, like temperature, light or any other analog sensor. Digital inputs are used for switches.
• Each device can manage from 2 to 5 power lines using relays.
• Devices do not need a central device and can work independently, so if there is any failure with a central device, end device will still work managing power lines according to configuration stored in a device.
• Flexible configuration – all inputs can manage the same output and act as paired switch, or one switch can manage several power lines.
• Custom devices are created for specific purposes, like heating system management device with built in switches or remote inputs, capable to manage 8 power lines.
• Power lines controled by single device can be extended to virtually any number with custom devices created.
• The central system is storing and visualising information from devices – state of inputs, values of inputs (for analog sensors), state of outputs.
• The central system provides an automation capability using any device data to control any other device. For example, having a temperature less than 19 degrees in any room, and if it is saturday and time is between 9AM and 4PM and external light level is less than selected threshold, a heating system can be turned on. Or another example, having an alarm system armed, system will turn of all lights at a house, and when an alarm system is disarmed, it will turn on a light at entrance if an external light level is less than selected threshold.

Continue reading →

Idea

The main idea is quite simple – each device should be controllable using PC/smartphone. So there comes requirements:

• Communication channel between devices – ZigBee features seemed as perfect fit.
• Some logic processing at the controlling device – microcontroller driven circuit controls, ability to add sensors/switches.
• Central software to manage all this stuff with/without human help.

Continue reading →