X10 Over View
X10 protocol has been around for a very long time, and is an industry standard for communication between electronic devices, using radio frequency signals over the existing power line wires (X10 Industry Standard) . Many alternative, even better solutions already exist, but X10 is still the most common and the cheapest.The beauty of X-10 is that you can start with the basics and expand at your own pace by adding equipment without having to backtrack and replace what you've already installed. Re-wiring isn't necessary since you don't have to wire in the first place (X-10 operates via your existing house wiring).
I think you will have better understanding if we break down home automation system into it's components:
X10 Receivers:
The components that Receive the X10 signal over the electric wires in your house, and act according to the command carried with the signal (ON/OFF/DIM..). Therefore, the receiver needs to be connected to the house wiring system, meaning plug the receiver in electrical device or replacing an existing switch with an X-10 receiver. Since we have many devices in single house unit, every receiver has his own unique ADDRESS, that way the receiver knows which signals to react to.
I think you will have better understanding if we break down home automation system into it's components:
X10 Receivers:
The components that Receive the X10 signal over the electric wires in your house, and act according to the command carried with the signal (ON/OFF/DIM..). Therefore, the receiver needs to be connected to the house wiring system, meaning plug the receiver in electrical device or replacing an existing switch with an X-10 receiver. Since we have many devices in single house unit, every receiver has his own unique ADDRESS, that way the receiver knows which signals to react to.
X10 Controllers:
Basicly it is the remote devices that control the devices that were connected to the receivers mentioned below.
Controller can be plug in device or remote control, security touch screen panel, or PC programmable controller. The most popular controllers allow you to ON/OFF/Dim remote devices, set internal timers and allow triggers from motion sensors.
Basicly it is the remote devices that control the devices that were connected to the receivers mentioned below.
Controller can be plug in device or remote control, security touch screen panel, or PC programmable controller. The most popular controllers allow you to ON/OFF/Dim remote devices, set internal timers and allow triggers from motion sensors.
Other devices:
Home automation goes far more then just controllers and receivers, in order to enhance your system and have a better control over devices then just On/Off. Sensors are availble as well, can detect motion/ temperature/ light. Some of those devices are wireless based, and communicate with the controller with radio signals. Others can be plugged-in.
Home automation goes far more then just controllers and receivers, in order to enhance your system and have a better control over devices then just On/Off. Sensors are availble as well, can detect motion/ temperature/ light. Some of those devices are wireless based, and communicate with the controller with radio signals. Others can be plugged-in.
USB-UIRT
Controlling all your IR-Controlled devices can enhance your home automation system big-time.The USB-UIRT is a very useful device, which is actually very similar to "Universal remote control" as you have probably seen before...
USB-UIRT is a device, which connects to your PC via USB (surprisingly..), and has an IR eye for receiving and transmitting IR commands over the air. That way you can learn IR code from a specific remote (say the air-conditioner Temperature down button), store the code, and transmit it upon request in a later time.
CheckOut their website it is quite friendly (UsbUirt). I have purchased mine from EBAY since they don't deliver to Israel. Also check out the frequency range, it changes according to the country the device was purchased (I have bought the 56K enhanced and haven't encountered IR that wasn't recognized by the UIRT).
If you are interested in IR control capabilities, I suggest installing the driver from their site, and use "EventGhost" open source windows automation tool (EventGhost) to configure and learn/transmit IR commands..
Also you'll find "Girder" a very powerful tool which supports USB-UIRT, but this one is not free to use...
As for me, yea I did all the above, but it wasn't enough for me.... I wanted to be able to have control over IR and X10 and some other stuff in the same system. So I've added to my tool (GSH) IR device triggers as well...
If you're following, you probably realize what a creative / crazy programmer can do with those abilities - and yes I'm talking about turning on the aircon in case the motion sensor sent motion notification, and lower the TV volume when I shout "Quiet !!".....