1. Home Automation Console
Team HAC:
Luci Puryear
Nidhi Singh
Carlos Vasquez
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Mitch Thornton
Sponsors: Extreme Networks

2. Overview Project Description Home Automation Console Considerations
Technologies
Software/Hardware
Accomplishments/Problems
Test Plan
Timeline

3. Home Automation Home automation is a growing field
Many types of automation technologies exist
Most of these technologies are independent of each other

4. Home Automation Console
Integration of different home
automation technologies
Easy to access and use
Ethernet capable
Consumer Advantages

5. How the Console Works

6. Considerations
Environmental
Economic
Human Factors
Safety
Political

7. Technologies
X-10
Infrared
Ethernet

8. What is x10? Power line carrier (PLC) protocol
Allows compatible products to communicate via existing 110V wiring

9. Why x10? Inexpensive: 3 Modules/Controller for $50
Universally available
Flexible: modules exist for a large variety of devices
Easy to install: No additional wiring

10. Alternative: CEBus Noise resistant Higher collision resolution
Consumer
Electronics
Bus
Noise resistant
Higher collision resolution
Faster data transmission
Very expensive
Limited devices

11. How x10 works? Transmitter Receiver 110 V 16.66ms Zero crossing points
Voltage signal
110 V
16.66ms
60 Hz
powerline
1 ms X-10 information window
Zero crossing points

12. X10 Transmission Max. data rate:60 bits/s Binary 1 = 1 ms burst of
3 zero crossing points for
3 phases of AC poweline
Max. data rate:60 bits/s
Binary 1 =
1 ms burst of
120 kHz at zero crossing
point
Binary 0 =
Absence of burst at zero crossing
point

13. Basic X10 Message Consists of 13 bits
Function code
or unit code
Function
bit
Consists of 13 bits
Error detection: Each data bit is actually sent twice, in
complementary form, on alternate half cycles

14. How are devices controlled using x10?
Plug appliance into X10 receiver module
Plug the module into electrical outlet.
Set the house and unit codes..
Plug controller (transmitter) into any other electrical outlet in your house
Set the proper house code.

15. Infrared Technology Infrared transmitter Console Infrared signals
Device
with remote
Infrared signals
Infrared
transmitter

16. Ethernet Program Allow internet remote access to appliances
Client/Server model
Server supports HTML documents
C/C++ and TCP/IP Protocol

17. Command Control Program (CCP)
Home Automation Console
X-10 Controller/
IR Transmitter
X-10 modules/appliances
commands
signals

18. Hardware needed for Implementation
Tuxscreen
X-10 modules and controller
Ethernet card
Infrared Transmitter

19. Tuxscreen Aka Shannon/Philips IS2630 Screen Phone
Intel SA 1100 StrongARM CPU 133Mhz
16MB DRAM
Sharp Color Touchscreen
Infrared Keyboard

20. Tuxscreen Why use the Tuxscreen?
Advantages of having one device dedicated to home automation
Memory Expandable
Inexpensive $99
Mobile

21. Linux vs. Inferno Inferno Linux
Does not support needed applications like a compiler
Difficult to use
small size
Linux
Allows Tuxscreen to run needed program
Easy to use
Popular
small and powerful

22. X-10 and Ethernet Hardware
X-10 modules and controller
TW-523 Controller Two Way Interface Module
3-Pin Grounded Appliance Module
Lamp Module
Ethernet card
Trendnet – TE100-PC16 Fast Ethernet Card

23. Infrared Transmitter
Separate from Tuxscreen and connects to serial port
Allows console to control devices already equipped with IR
Components Used
Holtek HT-12E Encoder IC
Infrared Diode T1 ¾(NM)

24. Cost of Prototype Tuxscreen - $99(provided) X-10 modules(provided)
Light modules(2) - $12.95
Appliance modules(1) - $12.99
X-10 controller – $23.95(provided)
Ethernet Card - $15.00
IR transmitter components - $20.00
Total cost $190.00

25. Testing Plan: Phase I
Basic x-10 commands will be sent to x-10 modules using console. Observations will be recorded using multimeter and oscilloscope
x-10 commands will be sent to modules with an extra appliance plugged into house wiring to ensure that this device not harmed
All common appliances will be plugged in; all x-10 functions and x-10 modules will be tested for functionality

26. Testing Plan: Phase II
Goal: Gauge console's user friendliness and functionality
Tests will be performed by three users of varying computer literacy
Users will be provided a checklist of tasks
Users will judge clarity and understandability
Modifications will be made based on user response

27. Accomplishments Research Hardware Received Website created
Ethernet Program written
Command Control Program
written
Infrared Transmitter
designed

28. Difficulties
Tuxscreen
Command
Control
Program

29. Tuxscreen
Initially serial communication could not be established with the Tuxscreen
Original operating system could not be backed up
Bootloader could not be uploaded

30. Tuxscreen Attempted to upload bootloader in several ways
Unlocked Flash Memory
Tried contacting people
Tuxscreen#, Message Board, Individuals

31. Command Control Program
Object oriented C++ programming
Accepts command inputs from users and sends appropriate signals to the serial port
Confirmed using an oscilloscope that program sends correct binary data to serial port, but controller does not perform the command

32. CCP Pseudocode Example of “turn on module1” command
lampMenu( int &M) { //lamp menu
if(A==1){
if(status==0) //send lamp on command
module.setOn(M);
else
cout << already on << endl; }
else if(A==2) {
if(status==1) //send lamp off command
module.setOff(M);
cout << already off << endl;

34. References http://www.x10.com http://www.x10.org
Sources for images used in the slides:

35. Questions