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Home Automation - Bringing the Magic Home
You press 1 button and the magic begins; The projector & screen drop into the
room, the movie starts playing, the lights slowly dim and the window coverings
glide silently closed. Automation adds the "WOW!" factor to your home theater.
But automation can extend far beyond the walls of your media room.
It can seamlessly integrate all aspects of your home. Security to lighting to HVAC
and virtually everything else can be made interdependent. When one system
senses or creates a condition that another system can benefit from being aware
of, automation makes it happen.
Some examples:
1) When you arm the security system to leave your house, the lights go to your desired
"away" scene, the music turns off, and the blinds close.
2) You arrive home after work, press your key chain remote and the garage door opens, a
path is illuminated for you from your garage to your kitchen, the alarm is disarmed, your
desired after work music fills your home, and the blinds open on the view side of your home.
After you have been home for 10 minutes, the lights in the garage and the hall are
extinguished. The house is warm & cozy because 1/2 an hour before you arrived the HVAC
system started warming your home for you.
There are many ways to automate your home. Many security systems have automation
facilities built in. These range from simple to quite complex. There are PC-based
automation packages that are very capable and are targeted to a wide range of users, from
those with a little bit of computer knowledge to computer and electrical engineering types.
There are dedicated control systems from various manufacturers. The two industry leaders
in this field are AMX and Crestron. These two firms have a long history of building dedicated
control systems for institutional, commercial and industrial applications, in addition to
residential uses.
AMX and Crestron can be over the head of most do-it-yourself types however. They have
incredible control and integration capabilities for almost any system in a home or business.
That capability leads to greater complexity. They are not just a simple remote control. With
the advent of network based control, these two can even control and monitor different
systems separated by hundreds, or thousands, of miles. This is invaluable for universities
with different campuses, businesses with different branches and homeowners with multiple
residences.
room, the movie starts playing, the lights slowly dim and the window coverings
glide silently closed. Automation adds the "WOW!" factor to your home theater.
But automation can extend far beyond the walls of your media room.
It can seamlessly integrate all aspects of your home. Security to lighting to HVAC
and virtually everything else can be made interdependent. When one system
senses or creates a condition that another system can benefit from being aware
of, automation makes it happen.
Some examples:
1) When you arm the security system to leave your house, the lights go to your desired
"away" scene, the music turns off, and the blinds close.
2) You arrive home after work, press your key chain remote and the garage door opens, a
path is illuminated for you from your garage to your kitchen, the alarm is disarmed, your
desired after work music fills your home, and the blinds open on the view side of your home.
After you have been home for 10 minutes, the lights in the garage and the hall are
extinguished. The house is warm & cozy because 1/2 an hour before you arrived the HVAC
system started warming your home for you.
There are many ways to automate your home. Many security systems have automation
facilities built in. These range from simple to quite complex. There are PC-based
automation packages that are very capable and are targeted to a wide range of users, from
those with a little bit of computer knowledge to computer and electrical engineering types.
There are dedicated control systems from various manufacturers. The two industry leaders
in this field are AMX and Crestron. These two firms have a long history of building dedicated
control systems for institutional, commercial and industrial applications, in addition to
residential uses.
AMX and Crestron can be over the head of most do-it-yourself types however. They have
incredible control and integration capabilities for almost any system in a home or business.
That capability leads to greater complexity. They are not just a simple remote control. With
the advent of network based control, these two can even control and monitor different
systems separated by hundreds, or thousands, of miles. This is invaluable for universities
with different campuses, businesses with different branches and homeowners with multiple
residences.
Click to see a comparison of 5 different lighting control systems; X-10 Pro,
Z-wave, UPB Pulse Worx, Lutron Radio RA, & Lutron Homeworks 4
Z-wave, UPB Pulse Worx, Lutron Radio RA, & Lutron Homeworks 4
If you are a do-it-yourself type, or need to retrofit an automation system in an existing home
without tearing into the walls, you may also try systems from X-10. They use a control
protocol that works over your existing electrical wiring. This type of control is known as
"PLC" for Power Line Carrier. This type of control equipment has improved greatly over the
years and is an option when running new wires is difficult or impossible. If possible use the
X-10PRO.
X-10 has some award winning software to interface their control devices with a PC. It’s very
affordable and simple to use, even for those with little PC experience. You only need the
PC for setup, you don't need to leave the PC running all the time to automate your home. It
is a very quick and easy way to get a powerful automation or surveillance system in your
home with a minimum of fuss.
You can find it here: www.X-10.com/automation
As home automation technology continues it's unstoppable advance, more control systems
are being Ethernet enabled. This has many advantages, one of which is the ability to have
a robust, wireless communication standard. This opens another option for control when
running new wiring is virtually impossible. Having a control system on the LAN is very
helpful in terms of flexibility.
You can learn how to begin the automation process in your home if you have a mind to try
it yourself. There are excellent books available on the subject from sources such as Smart
Home available here:
without tearing into the walls, you may also try systems from X-10. They use a control
protocol that works over your existing electrical wiring. This type of control is known as
"PLC" for Power Line Carrier. This type of control equipment has improved greatly over the
years and is an option when running new wires is difficult or impossible. If possible use the
X-10PRO.
X-10 has some award winning software to interface their control devices with a PC. It’s very
affordable and simple to use, even for those with little PC experience. You only need the
PC for setup, you don't need to leave the PC running all the time to automate your home. It
is a very quick and easy way to get a powerful automation or surveillance system in your
home with a minimum of fuss.
You can find it here: www.X-10.com/automation
As home automation technology continues it's unstoppable advance, more control systems
are being Ethernet enabled. This has many advantages, one of which is the ability to have
a robust, wireless communication standard. This opens another option for control when
running new wiring is virtually impossible. Having a control system on the LAN is very
helpful in terms of flexibility.
You can learn how to begin the automation process in your home if you have a mind to try
it yourself. There are excellent books available on the subject from sources such as Smart
Home available here:
Types of Control Interfaces or "How Automation Systems Talk to Each Things"
IR (Infrared) - The most common on consumer electronics. Almost all remote controls on
consumer electronics equipment is some form of IR to carry the control signal. The remote
control sends out a beam of IR energy, which is slightly lower in the electromagnetic
spectrum than visible light so you can't see it.
This beam is usually at a carrier frequency of around 40KHz, although some equipment,
notably some B&O gear, is at 455KHz. Some Pioneer equipment from the mid 1990's had a
1.2MHz carrier. The control codes are then modulated on the carrier frequency. It is
actually a type of 1-way serial control. The only reason the frequency is important for the
average person engaging in an automation project is to ensure any remote control
equipment used in the project, such as repeaters, smart remotes, and IR emitters, are
compatible with the carrier frequency of the A/V gear used. 99% of the time this will not be
a problem.
Contact Closure (also called Relay or Dry Contact) -
The simplest form of remote control. Typically used to control motorized window coverings,
security systems, motorized lifts for projectors and plasma or other flat panel video
displays. The controlled device senses weather an electrical contact (two wires) has
continuity. If it does, something happens.
There are normally open and normally closed contacts. The nomenclature refers to the
normal state of the contact. A normally open contact normally has no continuity and
triggers an event upon a contact closure. A normally closed contact has continuity and
triggers an event upon sensing no continuity.
Serial Control (RS232, RS422, RS485)
Used most commonly on higher end consumer and professional equipment. It has the
advantage of being secure, reliable and offering possible 2-way communication. It's
disadvantage is expense and requiring a hardwired connection. There are 3 common
types; RS-232, RS-422, & RS-485. It can be 1-way or 2-way. In the 2-way, the controlled
device can sent feedback (such as volume level or state) to the control system or can
initiate events itself. RS-232 is not a balanced protocol and has a relatively short range,
<50 feet, although it has been used successfully over greater distances. RS-422 & 485 are
balanced and can be used over much greater distances, usually 4-5,000 feet, and with
greater reliability.
Balanced communication refers to the configuration of the wiring used to connect the
devices. If the protocol uses a balanced configuration, there will be a positive, negative and
a ground conductor in the wiring. The positive and negative are both referenced to the
ground. If interference gets onto the communication wiring, it will get onto both the positive
and negative conductors equally.
Since the positive and negative wires are 180 degrees out of phase from one another, the
interference will also be 180 degrees out of phase on each conductor. Since equal
electrical signals that are exactly 180 degrees out of phase with each other will cancel each
other out, the interference cancels itself out, leaving only the communication signal. This
allows serial communication over much longer runs with more reliability.
The connectors are usually a DB-9 or RJ-45. Most computers and control systems have
one or more of these types of connectors. Many newer laptops, however, are beginning to
exclude a serial connector from their connector suite. In this case, if a serial connection is
required, a USB to serial adaptor can be purchased.
You can get one here:
Ethernet
No protocol discussion would be complete without mentioning the up & coming standard;
Ethernet. In the very near future all control systems will be IP enabled. Most are migrating
that way now. Crestron and AMX control systems have included this type of functionality for
some time and Lutron has included an Ethernet port on it's latest Homeworks Interactive
processors. The advantages of having your home automation system as part of your home
LAN are almost too numerous to list but include: browser based monitoring and control from
anywhere with an Internet connection, the ability to troubleshoot the system or change the
programming from the LAN or remotely over the Internet, e-mail event notification, etc.
Wireless Mesh Networks
Another, very promising, new communications protocol uses Wireless Mesh Networks.
IR (Infrared) - The most common on consumer electronics. Almost all remote controls on
consumer electronics equipment is some form of IR to carry the control signal. The remote
control sends out a beam of IR energy, which is slightly lower in the electromagnetic
spectrum than visible light so you can't see it.
This beam is usually at a carrier frequency of around 40KHz, although some equipment,
notably some B&O gear, is at 455KHz. Some Pioneer equipment from the mid 1990's had a
1.2MHz carrier. The control codes are then modulated on the carrier frequency. It is
actually a type of 1-way serial control. The only reason the frequency is important for the
average person engaging in an automation project is to ensure any remote control
equipment used in the project, such as repeaters, smart remotes, and IR emitters, are
compatible with the carrier frequency of the A/V gear used. 99% of the time this will not be
a problem.
Contact Closure (also called Relay or Dry Contact) -
The simplest form of remote control. Typically used to control motorized window coverings,
security systems, motorized lifts for projectors and plasma or other flat panel video
displays. The controlled device senses weather an electrical contact (two wires) has
continuity. If it does, something happens.
There are normally open and normally closed contacts. The nomenclature refers to the
normal state of the contact. A normally open contact normally has no continuity and
triggers an event upon a contact closure. A normally closed contact has continuity and
triggers an event upon sensing no continuity.
Serial Control (RS232, RS422, RS485)
Used most commonly on higher end consumer and professional equipment. It has the
advantage of being secure, reliable and offering possible 2-way communication. It's
disadvantage is expense and requiring a hardwired connection. There are 3 common
types; RS-232, RS-422, & RS-485. It can be 1-way or 2-way. In the 2-way, the controlled
device can sent feedback (such as volume level or state) to the control system or can
initiate events itself. RS-232 is not a balanced protocol and has a relatively short range,
<50 feet, although it has been used successfully over greater distances. RS-422 & 485 are
balanced and can be used over much greater distances, usually 4-5,000 feet, and with
greater reliability.
Balanced communication refers to the configuration of the wiring used to connect the
devices. If the protocol uses a balanced configuration, there will be a positive, negative and
a ground conductor in the wiring. The positive and negative are both referenced to the
ground. If interference gets onto the communication wiring, it will get onto both the positive
and negative conductors equally.
Since the positive and negative wires are 180 degrees out of phase from one another, the
interference will also be 180 degrees out of phase on each conductor. Since equal
electrical signals that are exactly 180 degrees out of phase with each other will cancel each
other out, the interference cancels itself out, leaving only the communication signal. This
allows serial communication over much longer runs with more reliability.
The connectors are usually a DB-9 or RJ-45. Most computers and control systems have
one or more of these types of connectors. Many newer laptops, however, are beginning to
exclude a serial connector from their connector suite. In this case, if a serial connection is
required, a USB to serial adaptor can be purchased.
You can get one here:
Ethernet
No protocol discussion would be complete without mentioning the up & coming standard;
Ethernet. In the very near future all control systems will be IP enabled. Most are migrating
that way now. Crestron and AMX control systems have included this type of functionality for
some time and Lutron has included an Ethernet port on it's latest Homeworks Interactive
processors. The advantages of having your home automation system as part of your home
LAN are almost too numerous to list but include: browser based monitoring and control from
anywhere with an Internet connection, the ability to troubleshoot the system or change the
programming from the LAN or remotely over the Internet, e-mail event notification, etc.
Wireless Mesh Networks
Another, very promising, new communications protocol uses Wireless Mesh Networks.
Ways to Create an Automated Home or Home Theater
The simplest and most common way to automate your home theater is to use a "smart" remote
control programmed with one or more "macros". A macro is simply a sequence of commands
initiated from a single button press. Remote controls that allow macro programming will usually
allow delays to be inserted between the commands if necessary.
The delays will give different pieces of theater equipment time to reach the desired state
before the next command is issued. For example, after sending the "power on" command to
the surround receiver, a delay is usually required before it is ready to accept another
command, such as an input command.
Macro programming is a powerful, yet simple way to automate your home and theater. All that
is required is a smart remote capable of being programmed in this way and some patience.
Careful equipment selection is key when using this type of programming. Choose equipment
that has discrete commands for power and input switching. This will make automation easier
and more successful.
control programmed with one or more "macros". A macro is simply a sequence of commands
initiated from a single button press. Remote controls that allow macro programming will usually
allow delays to be inserted between the commands if necessary.
The delays will give different pieces of theater equipment time to reach the desired state
before the next command is issued. For example, after sending the "power on" command to
the surround receiver, a delay is usually required before it is ready to accept another
command, such as an input command.
Macro programming is a powerful, yet simple way to automate your home and theater. All that
is required is a smart remote capable of being programmed in this way and some patience.
Careful equipment selection is key when using this type of programming. Choose equipment
that has discrete commands for power and input switching. This will make automation easier
and more successful.
Highly Recommended Home Automation Resources
Copyright 2004-7 1 touch movie.com
Home theater and Automation Guide
All rights reserved.
Home theater and Automation Guide
All rights reserved.
The Art & Science of Home Automation
1 Touch Movie.com
Home Automation Links
LOOK! For a limited time you can
Insteon controls are just the ticket for that lighting control or home automation project,
and for a limited time, they're even a better value. If you ever plan on such a
project, you should check them out now. Simply replace existing switches and dimmers.
No retrofitting or new wiring is required!
and for a limited time, they're even a better value. If you ever plan on such a
project, you should check them out now. Simply replace existing switches and dimmers.
No retrofitting or new wiring is required!