Smart Home Automation and Networking

X10 home networks use the electrical wiring of the home for communication. American (110 volts 60Hz 2 phase) and European AC home circuits are supported. Devices communicating using the X10 protocol can then be controlled by your Linux system. This brings sprinklers and timers, thermostats, humitiy sensors, motion sensors, security gates, security cameras, nany cams, lighting (simulated home occupation), home theaters, ... under the control of your Linux computer. Plug-ins also exist to support the MP3 player XMMS to create an MP3 juke box controlled via a remote (RF or IR). Sixteen home codes each supporting 16 devices for a total of 256 devices on a single electrical network can be supported. X10 networks have limited range, are insecure (no encryption) and may be suceptible to electrical noise. The network is required to all be on the same 2 phases of a 3 phase input circuit which enters the house (typical).

Other device networking portocols such as CE Bus (Consumer Electronic Bus) and Echelon LonWorks are not covered here.

X10 devices can transmit (TX), receive (RX) or both (2 way). The X10 devices which receive signals generally turn devices on or off. Some may receive a level accociated with the "on" (dimmer). The two way devices can report their status (on/on level/off).

X10 Devices:

Device	Capabilities	X10 model number
Appliance module	on/off	AM486
Lamp module	on/off/dimable	LM14A
Motion sensor		MS13A
Firecracker	DB9 serial port transmitter	CM17A
PC receiver	Serial port device	MR26A
Computer interface	Two way controller TX/RX	CM11A
Remote	Infrared (IR) and Radio Frequency (RF)

Hardware Links:

• X10.com
• SmartHome.com
• HomeToys.com

• HeyYu - Command line layer. - Two way communication. Can monitor system.
• BottleRocket - Command line - One way communication.
• xTend - Uses HeyYu
• Blue Lava - CGI for web control
• MisterHouse
• wish - Linux /dev support for X10
• Xmms plugins - Make the Xmms MP3 player a juke box controlled by IR or RF X10 remote.

• http://www.x10.crevier.org
• Laser.com/: X-10 vendor
• DanLan.com

• OpenSLP.org - Service Location Protocol
• SCADA:
  • Wikipedia Definition
• BPL: Broadband over Power Lines
  • HomePlug.org: Home Plug Power Alliance - Home networking over AC lines.
  • Current Group - Broadband over powerlines

	"Smart Homes for Dummies" by Danny Briere, Pat Hurley ISBN # 0764525395, John Wiley & Sons
	"Build Your Own Smart Home" by Anthony Velte, Anthony Velte ISBN # 0072230134, McGraw-Hill/Osborne Media
	"Home Automation Handbook" by Brian Feller ISBN # 0071427368, McGraw-Hill/TAB Electronics
	"How To Automate Both New & Existing Homes" by Robert N. Bucceri ISBN # 0970005733, Silent Servant, Inc
	"Latest Technology in Automated Home Control: System Design Manual" by Robert N. Bucceri ISBN # 0970005725, Silent Servant, Inc.
	"Integrating The Smart Home & Its Owner: Books 1 And 2 by Andy Lynn Jackson ISBN # 0974183105, Integratorpro
	"Structured Wiring Design Manual" by Robert N. Bucceri ISBN # 0970005717, Silent Servant, Inc
	"Home Automation and Wiring" by James Gerhart ISBN # 0070246742, McGraw-Hill/TAB Electronics
	"CEBus Demystified: The ANSI/EIA 600 User's Guide" by Grayson Evans ISBN # 0071370064, McGraw-Hill Professional Publishing (March 1, 2001)

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