Iot-Homeautomation-Ebook.Pdf

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Iot-Homeautomation-Ebook.Pdf 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Welcome from the Editor 3 Deborah S. Ray A Timeline of Home Automation 5 Infographic Introduction to Home Automation 7 Paul Golata Architectures and Protocols for Home Automation Systems: Part 1 of 2 9 Phil Hipol Hardware Selections for Home Automation Systems: Part 2 of 2 13 Phil Hipol 15 Demystifying Digital Assistants Alex Misiti How IoT Short-Range Connectivity Stacks Up in Home Automation 19 Carolyn Mathas LEDs and Wireless Tech Combine to Build Intelligent Lighting 23 Bill Schweber Home Automation: Engineering a Home with Eyes, Ears, and Plenty of Smarts 27 Paul Golata What IoT Developers Can Learn from Smart Locks 33 Stephen Evanczuk Mouser and Mouser Electronics are registered trademarks of Mouser Electronics, Inc. Other products, logos, and company names mentioned herein 1 may be trademarks of their respective owners. Reference designs, conceptual illustrations, and other graphics included herein are for informational 2 purposes only. Copyright © 2018 Mouser Electronics, Inc. – A TTI and Berkshire Hathaway company. WELCOME FROM THE EDITOR “When wireless is perfectly Empowering Innovation Together applied, the whole Earth Jack Johnston, Director will be converted into a Marketing Communication huge brain….” –Nikola Tesla, Colliers Executive Editor interview, 1926 Deborah S. Ray It’s hard to imagine that a technological advancement that’s only come of age Contributing Authors in the past decade was predicted nearly Stephen Evanczuk a century ago. Then again, futurist and Paul Golata electrical engineer Nikola Tesla was Phil Hipol right about a lot of things. Steven Keeping In the decades since Tesla made this Carolyn Mathas remark, a number of technological Alex Misiti advancements have brought us closer to realizing his vision. Industry 2.0 Technical Contributor brought us advances in machinery, appliances, electronic devices, and Paul Golata more, followed by Industry 3.0, which brought information technology to the Editorial Contributors forefront by connecting companies, LaKayla Garrett resources, and people via the Internet. Ryan Stacy Before we even have a chance to catch our breath from the whirlwind of recent Design & Production advances, Industry 4.0 has already Hannah Baker begun and has claimed its own identity: how a physical device connected words, to convert the whole Earth To combine the cyber systems of the to the Internet could do real-world into a huge brain. recent revolution with the physical tasks. With Special Thanks systems that came before it. And Mouser Electronics is proud to Kevin Hess therein lies the concept of the Internet The past decade has brought a introduce All Things IoT as part of Sr. VP, Marketing of Things (IoT). plethora of advances in both the our Empowering Innovation Together physical and cyber systems that series. In this first of three eBooks, Russell Rasor The first IoT object came nearly 30 make the IoT possible, including in we explore the engineering behind years ago, in 1990: A toaster connected wireless communications, sensors, the IoT that is automating our homes, VP, Supplier Marketing to the Internet via TCP/IP that could processing, security, and power. The changing the way we live, and turn the power to ON and darken applications for the IoT are limitless, empowering people along the way. Jennifer Krajcirovic and today’s engineers, we are indeed bread to various shades of “toasted” with home automation, industrial, Director, Creative Design on the cusp of new awe-inspiring according to how long the power and infrastructure at the core. The “And some of these awe-inspiring developments. remained on. The Internet-connected IoT has the potential to turn physical developments are not so very far off.” Raymond Yin toaster could be operated from any objects into interconnected systems Director, Technical Content computer in the world with a single that sense, collect, store, and Yes again, Mr. Tesla. With your vision, Deborah S. Ray typed command, which demonstrated process data…or, to use Tesla’s a century of technological advances, Executive Editor 3 4 5 6 rampant growth should take place. will contain configurations, allowing as engineers does not. Complex INTRODUCTION TO HOME AUTOMATION As more devices connect, the IoT for the seamless incorporation and problems are waiting for solutions. and its power will grow exponentially. processing of information from The critical thinking of design By Paul Golata, Mouser Electronics More connected devices and unanticipated nodes and devices. engineers is essential to spark the nodes will mean that more data Ongoing reductions in physical size creative solutions necessary to There are times when we endeavor to accomplish what may appear to will be available. With the growth and power consumption will ensure harness the power of collaborative be too bold. One such example that is difficult to articulate is the area of of artificial intelligence (AI), what is that devices that are still not yet under human capital, which will enable new the Internet of Things (IoT). The IoT is burgeoning, undergoing rapid and “smart” today will become childlike consideration can eventually board IoT possibilities that spill over into our ongoing development. Our efforts, however, are not final in nature, and we in nature in a short time. Pre-built the IoT domain. homes in the present and future. intelligence within networks will bring them to you—the design engineer, our partner and colleague. empower them to manage their own While our homes become more intelligence, and these networks and more automated, our process There are times when we endeavor Mouser Electronics believes in the to accomplish what may appear to future of IoT and home automation. be too bold. One such example that Select household devices will benefit is difficult to articulate is the area of from their coordinated utility to the Internet of Things (IoT). The IoT assist homeowners in managing is burgeoning, undergoing rapid and their scarce resources of time, ongoing development. Our efforts, energy, and money—ultimately to however, are not final in nature, and achieve higher levels of personal we bring them to you—the design productivity, efficiency, cost savings, engineer, our partner and colleague. value, comfort, convenience, and effectiveness. Our goal is to express to design engineers how IoT has made its way Underpinning today’s home into our most intimate of places—our automation systems are electronic homes. The home is the place where components and solutions that we we relax, work, live, eat, sleep, and as homeowners are increasingly enjoy life. Whether you are a new incorporating into all the things design engineer or an experienced that we utilize daily within our veteran of numerous designs, our home. Networking these electronics hope is to inform you of how IoT together—through the employment of has and is transforming the home sensors, faster and farther-reaching by bringing forward automation connectivity devices, microprocessors technology, capabilities, and and microcontrollers, interface application advancements. products, software, along with mechanical and optical, supportive, Home automation is the result of dependent physical platforms— the human action of arranging and allows for the power of the Internet empowering household items to work to expand into new domains. This primarily by themselves, practically endeavor is enabling design independent of direct human engineers to make home automation involvement. In this environment, a that focuses on helping people obtain human voluntarily yields control to goods and services that fulfill and preset devices and systems that enrich their lives. he or she establishes, which are synergistically assembled to form So! What will IoT and home a relatively autonomous command automation offer us in the near platform from which connected future? Well, simply stated, much, devices may act without the presence much more! Over the next 5, 10, of human thought or guidance. and 20 years, in great expectation, 7 8 ARCHITECTURES AND PROTOCOLS FOR HOME AUTOMATION SYSTEMS: PART 1 OF 2 By Phil Hipol for Mouser Electronics IO Moue New wireless technologies are making home automation affordable and simple. Home Computer eote ser Whether you’re an engineer or tinkerer, understanding the architectures, protocols, & Internet and products will help ensure the best combination of technologies for your needs. OOM Sart Home automation systems can make life easier for to the home computer network to enable remote IO Moue evice Master homeowners by automating several functions access by input modules to sensors and to control Controer with so-called “smart” electronic devices, which are smart devices and appliances from outside of the Sart commonly used for security, climate control, lighting, lawn home. Sart Sensor evice irrigation, audiovisual systems, and appliances. These smart devices can also save a homeowner money through • One or more local controllers that communicate a reduction in home operating costs, and thereby pay for in a wired or wireless mode with nearby smart themselves in just a few months after their initial installation. devices and sensors and wirelessly pass data and OOM OOM Sart oca oca commands to and from the master controller. Each Sart Sensor Controer Controer local controller acts as a miniature hub for nearby Sensor New wireless technologies, combined with a growing smart devices and sensors, which may remain in number of voice, face, and touch recognition systems, certain rooms, areas, or floors of a house. are resulting in an ever-broadening array of new smart products and applications. While these technologies Sart Sart • One or more input modules that consist of Sart Sensor evice Sart make home automation affordable and easy to install, use, evice switches, touchpads, or microphones for use in a evice and upgrade, the rapid evolution of these technologies home automation system. Smartphones now contain makes it complicated for a typical homeowner to make applications capable of communicating directly with knowledgeable decisions and select the appropriate the master controller through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or Figure 1: A typical home automation system block diagram.
Recommended publications
  • Internet of Things Network Study
    Internet of Things Network Study By Masters in Embedded and Cyber-Physical Systems Research Advisor Dan Cregg Team members Ta-Yu Chiu Neha Sadhvi Yidi Fan Ricky Yang Contents 1.Thesis Statement 3 2. Introduction 3 3. Objectives 3 4. Equipment and Devices 3 5. Network Protocols in Study 4 6. Testing Environment 6 7. Number of devices under Test 6 8. Network Layer Frequency 6 9. Physical Layer Frequency 6 10. Test Setup 7 11. Results 8 12. Constraints 13 13. Conclusion 14 14. References 14 15. Acknowledgements 15 16. Contacts 15 1.Thesis Statement As the use of smart embedded devices grows in our daily life, current networking technologies are expected to be strained beyond their original intent. Consumers face unacceptable performance as nodes are increased and network bandwidth is consumed in physically constraining environments. Various network types and use cases, thus, are explored to determine current failure points in common IoT home smart devices. 2. Introduction At the time of this report, there has been an unprecedented uptake in the use of ‘smart’ devices in the home. The introduction of voice recognition platforms such as Google Home and Amazon Alexa has fueled the use of small, inexpensive, connected sensing and control devices. Controls for Heating and Air Conditioning have been popular, as well as various sensors for doors, windows, etc.. Perhaps the most pervasive has been the acceptance of these types of systems for lighting control. Due to the sheer number of nodes available in a home, lighting nodes to be controlled is very large. This research will focus on various types of network technologies with the goal of physically simulating small to large sets of devices to determine acceptable response time.
    [Show full text]
  • Woo Project Overview
    WoO Approach General Overview WF-IoT 2014 Mihaela Brut, Patrick Gatellier Thales Services, France Ilyoung Chong, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, Korea 6th Of March 2014 2 / 01: Scientific and Business Context Scientific and Business Context 3 / Context – IoT and WoT gather more and more devices IoT boom: u Since 2007: more devices than people are connected to Internet (Cisco IoT IBSG, 2011) u In 2020: 50 billions devices will be connected to Internet (Ericson, 2010) u In 2020: the global M2M business (large industry, solution providers, connectivity providers) will reach 260 milliards Euros (Machina Research, 2012); u By 2020: IoT will add $1,9 trillion to the global economy (Gartner, 2013) => huge business application development (WoT & Future Internet boom) People connected to Internet resulted in Web 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 … applications What can we imagine about the future of the connected devices? 4 / Context – status of IoT and WoT business Huge deployment of smart devices and sensors, resulting in huge amount of data collected, not exploited in real-time, nor outside a closed system: u Smart metering => filtered data is selected for billing purposes, and various statistic analysis are accomplished £ If a third party (e.g. insurance company) is interested in specific data, no legal framework and no technical support u Smart homes: each equipment is able to switch in secure mode, and to send information or alarm messages, eventually to receive remote control commands £ France: government investment in “sensing” the elder people homes
    [Show full text]
  • Hypermedia Apis for Sensor Data: a Pragmatic Approach to the Web of Things
    Hypermedia APIs for Sensor Data: A pragmatic approach to the Web of Things The MIT Faculty has made this article openly available. Please share how this access benefits you. Your story matters. Citation Russell, Spencer, and Joseph Paradiso. “Hypermedia APIs for Sensor Data: A Pragmatic Approach to the Web of Things.” Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Mobile and Ubiquitous Systems: Computing, Networking and Services (2014). As Published http://dx.doi.org/10.4108/icst.mobiquitous.2014.258072 Publisher European Union Digital Library/ICST Version Author's final manuscript Citable link http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/103763 Terms of Use Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike Detailed Terms http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/ Hypermedia APIs for Sensor Data A pragmatic approach to the Web of Things Spencer Russell Joseph A. Paradiso [email protected] [email protected] Responsive Environments Group MIT Media Lab Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA, USA ABSTRACT dards and protocols such as AllJoyn1 and MQTT2, other As our world becomes more instrumented, sensors are ap- projects [20] seek to use existing application-level Web stan- pearing in our homes, cars, and on our bodies [12]. These dards such as HTTP to provide an interface that is more sensors are connected to a diverse set of systems and pro- familiar to developers, and also that can take advantage of tocols driven by cost, power, bandwidth, and more. De- tooling and infrastructure already in place for the World spite this heterogeneous infrastructure, we need to be able Wide Web. These efforts are often dubbed the Web of to build applications that use that data, and the most value Things, which reflects the relationships to existing Web stan- comes from integrating these disparate sources together.
    [Show full text]
  • Security Evaluation of the Z-Wave Wireless Protocol
    Security Evaluation of the Z-Wave Wireless Protocol Behrang Fouladi Sahand Ghanoun SensePost UK Ltd. [email protected] [email protected] Abstract — The Z-Wave wireless communication protocol has ZigBee protocol with regards to home automation. This is been widely used in home automation and wireless sensors partly due to interoperability of devices and shorter time to networks. Z-Wave is based on a proprietary design and a sole market on the vendor side. Another benefit is that it is less chip vendor. There have been a number of academic and subjected to signal interference compared to the ZigBee practical security researches on home automation systems based protocol, which operates on the widely populated 2.4 GHz on ZigBee and X10 protocols, however, no public vulnerability research on Z-Wave could be found prior to this work. band shared by both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi devices. The In this paper, we analyze the Z-Wave protocol stack layers and protocol specification and software development kit (SDK) [4] design a radio packet capture device and related software named are not open and only available to the device manufacturers Z-Force to intercept Z-Wave communications. This device (OEMs) who have signed an NDA with Sigma Designs. The enables us to decode different layers of the Z-Wave protocol and SDK costs between 1500 to 3500 US dollars and the NDA study the implementation of encryption and data origin prevents OEMs from disclosing the content of the SDK authentication in the application layer. We then present the publically. The aim of this research is to build a low cost Z- details of a vulnerability discovered using Z-Force tool in AES Wave packet capture and injection tool which facilitates the encrypted Z-Wave door locks that can be remotely exploited to security testing of home automation systems as well as aides unlock doors without the knowledge of the encryption keys.
    [Show full text]
  • Simon XT User Manual
    Simon XT User Manual P/N 466-2266 • REV F • OCT13 Copyright © 2012 UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc. Interlogix is part of UTC Climate Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corporation. All rights reserved. Disclaimer The information in this document is subject to change without notice. UTC Fire & Security, assumes no responsibility for inaccuracies or omissions and specifically disclaims any liabilities, losses, or risks, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use or application of any of the contents of this document. For the latest documentation, contact your local supplier or visit us online at http://www.utcfireandsecurity.com/. This publication may contain examples of screen captures and reports used in daily operations. Examples may include fictitious names of individuals and companies. Any similarity to names and addresses of actual businesses or persons is entirely coincidental. Trademarks and Simon and Simon XT are trademarks of UTC Fire & Security. patents Other trade names used in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the manufacturers or vendors of the respective products. Manufacturer UTC Fire & Security Americas Corporation, Inc. 1275 Red Fox Rd., Arden Hills, MN 55112-6943, USA Software license Important: This end-user license agreement (“Agreement”) is a legal agreement between UTC FIRE & agreement SECURITY and You. Read the follow ing terms and conditions carefully before installing or using this Software. This agreement provides a license from UTC FIRE & SECURITY to use the Software. It also contains warranty information, disclaimers, and liability limitations. Installing and/or using the Software confirms Your agreement to be bound by these terms and conditions.
    [Show full text]
  • Required Submission Information for Each Award
    I. Market Overview The network system protocols market closely follows the trends in home and building automation markets. Home and building controls can effectively be performed through wireless and powerline platforms. In addition, several manufacturers produce systems based on proprietary protocols. Any changes in the home or building automations markets have a direct impact on the market demand for these platforms. The residential segment forms a major portion of the application for these platforms, driven by a growing awareness about the benefits rendered through home automation. In 2005, revenues for the North American home automation market were estimated at $1,268.9 million and the market is expected to witness steady growth in the future. As a result of this, the protocols market is also experiencing healthy growth. Another crucial trend in this industry is the developing shift from proprietary platforms to open ones, which offers interoperability and more flexibility to end- users. The industry is also witnessed an increasing interest in wireless solutions, which in turn has driven the markets for radio frequency (RF) platforms. Although wireless solutions have been able to make some headway in the home automation market, some critics remain unconvinced of their effectiveness in terms of reliability. On the other hand, powerline communication offers more reliability and an extended reach. Hence, there is a need for simple and affordable protocol that can offer the benefits of both RF and powerline platforms. Moreover, the use of this open platform is likely to enable end-users to choose from a range of products, which is not feasible when using native or proprietary platforms.
    [Show full text]
  • Getting Started with HCA and X10
    Getting Started with HCA and X10 This Getting Started Guide continues from the previous “Getting Started with HCA – Installation and Introduction” which covers installing HCA and the basic operations available from the ribbon. This guide assumes that you have reviewed that. In this guide these topics are covered. • Connecting an X10 capable interface to HCA • Creating a new design file • Adding X10 devices using the HCA Designer • Controlling devices from the HCA user interface • Scheduling a device to come on at sunset • Responding to a button press on a keypad If you have not already purchased HCA and you are looking to test drive this software, you can download a free 30-day trial of HCA Plus from the HCA support website at www.HomeControlAssistant.com. Connecting the X10 interface to HCA Before HCA can control X10 devices in your home, you must connect an interface to your computer. There are several different interfaces that can send and receive X10 signals. We recommend that you use the Smart Home PowerLinc model 2413. The advantage of that interface is that it can send and receive both the older X10 signals and the newer Insteon signals. That lets you use your existing devices but add newer ones and be able to control both. Instructions for installing the 2413 PowerLinc can be found in the Getting Started with HCA and Insteon guide. You can also use the older CM11 and CM15 interfaces. The CM11 is a serial interface and can be connected to the computer and the communications port it uses is specified in the HCA hardware setup.
    [Show full text]
  • Zigbee, Bluetooth LE, Enocean, Wavenis, Insteon and UWB *Ms
    Proc. of the Intl. Conf. on Recent Trends In Computing and Communication Engineering -- RTCCE 2013 Copyright © Institute of Research Engineers and Doctors. All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-981-07-6184-4 doi:10.3850/ 978-981-07-6184-4_60 A Comparative Study of Wireless Technologies: Zigbee, Bluetooth LE, Enocean, Wavenis, Insteon and UWB *Ms. Harneet kaur, #Ms. Sukesha Sharma Abstract-The major design challenge of home automation is to powered and battery less with low power radio frequency choose best standard for controlling devices in existing home (RF). Radio frequency having a biggest advantage over environments without any changes in infrastructure. In recent infrared (IR) that new devices can easily be added or removed years Zigbee was the promising technology for home from the network. Individual devices forming a network and automation. But, nowadays there are some other standards all are working together in harmony. After forming a network which give their best for controlling home devices. This paper presents an overview of different wireless communication there are certain events that takes place like manual events, standards by comparing their main features in terms of various timed events and triggered events. All devices are connected metrics such as range, frequency band, maximum node count, to common network and controlled by a central regulation security, and cost. and control unit. There are three types of controls systems such as: -Individually control system: Only one appliance or function Keywords: Wireless technologies, Bluetooth LE, Zigbee, is controlled in these systems. For example a remote control Enocean, Insteon, Wavenis, UWB. unit. -Distributed control systems: Controller elements are not in Introduction central location in these systems, they are distributed In today’s life because of huge amount of standards available throughout the network and controlled by one or more in the market choosing the best one is the biggest challenge.
    [Show full text]
  • Home Control Assistant Version 12 Appendixes
    Home Control Assistant Version 12 Appendixes WWW.HCATech.com The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. Advanced Quonset Technology, Inc. provides this information “as is” without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, but not limited to the implied warranty of mechantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Advanced Quonset Technology, Inc. may improve or change the product at any time without further notice; this document does not represent a commitment on the part of Advanced Quonset Technology, Inc. The software described in this document is furnished under a license agreement or nondisclosure agreement. The software may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the licensing agreement. Windows is a registered trademark, and Windows NT is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. All other product names and services identified in this document are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies and are used throughout this document in editorial fashion only and for the benefit of such companies. No such uses, or the use of any trade name, is intended to convey an endorsement or other affiliation with Advanced Quonset Technology, Inc. © 2001-2013 Advanced Quonset Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. November 15, 2013 Appendix 1 HCA versions and Interface Support..........................................................................................................1 Appendix 2 CM11 / CM15 ............................................................................................................................................3
    [Show full text]
  • Smart Homes and the New White Futurism
    Journal of Futures Studies 2021,Vol. 25(4) 45–56 DOI: 10.6531/JFS.202106_25(4).0004 Article Smart Homes and the New White Futurism Adam Richard Rottinghaus1,* 1Assistant Professor of Media, Journalism & Film, Miami University, Williams Hall, 208, 350 Oak Ave., Oxford, OH, 45056, USA Abstract This article explores the consumer technology industry’s discourse about emerging Internet of Things smart home devices and sketches an outline of a “new white futurism.” New white futurism displaces prior consumer fantasies of labor-free living in smart homes and frames emerging smart home devices as tools for data-driven management of work/life balance in contemporary heteronormative, white, middle-class culture. The research draws on existing scholarly literature, archival documents, contemporary marketing discourses, and participant observation at CES in 2014 and 2018. The article concludes that it is crucial to reimagine cultural relationships to emerging technologies through Afro, Indigenous, and queer futuristic thought. Keywords Smart Homes, Emerging Technologies, Internet of Things, Futurism, Labor, Corporate Power This article explores the consumer technology industry’s discourse about emerging smart home devices and begins sketching the outlines of a “new white futurism.” New white futurism is a discourse from companies that promotes emerging smart home technologies as tools for data-driven management of work/life balance in contemporary heteronormative, white, middle-class culture. Since 2008 the consumer technology industry has increasingly focused on the Internet of Things (IoT) and connected smart homes as the dominant retail application. IoT smart home devices have precipitated a shift away from promoting imaginative technological futures that bring about changes in labor or culture in everyday life toward one of logistics and management that reproduce the status quo.
    [Show full text]
  • Better Life with Smart Media & Things
    Better Life with Smart media & things Innopia Technologies Inc. Why Smart Media Gateway for IoT Service? 1 Interactive media consumption with IoT devices 2 More effective information on TV interface 3 Always connected gateway at living room AllSeen Alliance Ecosystem LG AT&T Panasonic Microsoft Vodafone Technicolor Qualcomm Century Link Philips ADT Sony LGU+ Canon Haier Solution Service Operators CE Manufacturer Why Innopia for AllJoyn Solution? Specialty of Embedded Design House SW for Linux & Android experiences with platform various SoC Guaranteed Inter- Make media as one of operability with strong IoT smart home service expertise in HW & SW Innopia Advantages Innopia AllJoyn enabled product roadmap 1. AllJoyn 3. AllJoyn notification, 5. AllJoyn support Wi-Fi notification enabled control panel enabled Smart radar tracer for Smart TV wireless TV the multiple movement enablement stick streaming projector and presence monitoring MP CS CS Dev. Plan. 2. Smart home package 4. Multi-protocol including Wi-Fi power support smart media plug, Wi-Fi LED bulb and GW based on own GW stick based on AllJoyn bridge system AllJoyn framework for for AllJoyn control panel home automation, energy management with media entertainment Now Launching Launching Launching Launching available Q3, 2015 Q3, 2015 Q4, 2015 Q2, 2016 Smart Home Starter Package Wi-Fi Smart LED MagicCast Wi-Fi Smart Light Bulb - AllJoyn Gateway Power Plug Smart Media Service Use Cases 1 Interactive game with LED bulb 2 Home theater experience from media mode Smart Media Service Use Cases
    [Show full text]
  • X10 Debugging Tips
    X10 DEBUGGING TIPS INTRODUCTION Although X10 powerline communications provides many great benefits, one of its biggest downsides is the potential reliability problems. In fact, the most frequent questions we receive from HomeVision users are about X10 problems in their homes. Over the years we’ve learned some good ways to help isolate these problems. We hope that these tips will help if you run into X10 problems, even if you’re using a different home automation system. Problems can generally be grouped into two categories: 1. Major problems: X10 never works 2. Intermittent problems: X10 sometimes works There are many possible things that can cause such X10 problems. We will discuss troubleshooting the major problems, then address the much more common intermittent X10 problems. SOLVING MAJOR X10 PROBLEMS Let’s start with the worst-case scenario: HomeVision is neither sending nor receiving X10 commands. In this situation, the problem lies in one of four places: 1. The HomeVision controller. 2. The X10 powerline interface device. This is usually a TW-523 or PSC05, although there are others. We’ll refer to all of them as “TW-523” in this article. 3. The cable connecting the HomeVision controller to the TW-523. 4. A serious X10 signal degradation problem in your home. So how do we troubleshoot these? Here goes … Check the TW-523 Module LED First, verify that the red LED on the TW-523 module is lit. If not, make sure it’s plugged into a live circuit. If the LED is still not lit, then the TW-523 is defective.
    [Show full text]