Integrating theConnected Home

In this chapter, you will learn about

• The integration of a home control system to the home data network
• The interfacing the networks
• The home technology in the future

In this chapter, how the computer network (and its PCs) are integrated into the home automation system and then connected to the outside world is the focus. This discussion looks at the methods, connections, and cabling used to connect a data network into the home automation system controller and the related benefits and hazards.

CROSS-REFERENCE

See Chapters 10, 11, and 39 for more information and discussion on the role of a home computer network in an automated home environment.

There are several PC-based home automation controllers that can be used to integrate home control system technology, especially for powerline control (PLC) and Home Phoneline Networking Alliance (HomePNA) systems. However, using a PC as a stand-alone controller integrated into these systems is not what is meant by integrating a home network into the home automation system.

This chapter covers interconnecting the home data network, its computers, and peripheral devices and the whole-house control system to the outside world via the Internet.

Interfaced Is Not Always Integrated

Just because a device provides an interface to another device or a cable connecting to another device, doesn’t mean the devices are integrated. When two devices are connected using common cable or wire, the devices are interfaced. However, to be integrated, the devices must have onboard functions that support a specific communication between the devices using a common coding system or protocol. In a typical home automation system, the home system controller provides integration support, but it can be distributed to local controllers and, in some cases, to specific devices themselves.

A home PC and some specialized software can be used together to control and command a distributed home automation system. On these systems, software running on a PC allows the user to set up zones and areas for controlling audio, video, lighting, and other home systems. The PC communicates to these types of systems typically through a serial, Universal Serial Bus (USB), or IEEE 1394 interface to a signal converter device that provides transceiver services to the distributed controls and modules of the system. For example, a PC running software to control an X-10 lighting control system transmits its signals through either a serial or USB port to an X-10 interface module that transmits and receives signals to and from the electrical wiring of the home.

CROSS-REFERENCE

See Chapter 39 for more information on home system control software.

The home automation control software typically runs on a single PC, which may or may not be connected into the home data network. Even if the PC is connected to the home network, in a peer-to-peer network arrangement that is common to home networks, the control software is not likely to be accessible from other network computers.

Interconnecting the Networks

The first step involved with connecting the data network to the home automation network is of course connecting the cabling or media of each system. After the physical connection is made, the signal format of the two systems must be converted in either direction to allow the systems to communicate. Typically, the home data network is installed on structured Cat 5 or Cat 5e unshielded twisted-pair (UTP) cabling, on one of the wireless media standards (IEEE 802.11a, 802.11b, or 802.11g), and operates on Ethernet protocol. To connect the home automation controller to the home network, the controller must have a compatible jack or transceiver to operate on an Ethernet network.

Not all home automation controllers are designed for, or equipped with, a connection to an Ethernet data network. Some have optional third-party modules that can be installed to provide an Ethernet connection directly to the data network distribution panel. In any case, the arrangement used to connect a home data network to a home automation controller should look something like the configuration shown in Figure 41-1.

Figure 41-1: Connecting the home data network to the home automation controller

Connecting the Links

However, to achieve true integration of a home controller into the home network, the two systems must speak the same language. Just like two people who don’t speak each other’s language will have trouble communicating, integrating an Ethernet data network to a proprietary home automation controller can prove troublesome.

Ethernet to Serial Bridges

In some cases, this may mean that a signal converter or bridge must be used between the two systems, such as an Ethernet to serial bridge, an Ethernet to RS-485 converter, or an Ethernet to PLC module. The bridging device shown in Figure 41-1 is only necessary in cases where the Ethernet/TCP/IP data network link must be converted to an Electronic Industries Alliance/Telecommunications Industry Association (EIA/TIA) 232, 422, or 485 serial format for use by the home automation controller. In cases where the home system controller has an RJ-45 jack and is able to connect directly to the Ethernet/TCP/IP link, an external bridge is not needed.

Newer and developmental home automation systems include microprocessors that are able to control home systems over Ethernet and Internet networks. These systems overcome the limitations that have prevented the easy interface for data networks and home automation systems in the past.

Note

EIA/TIA (RS) 485 is a serial communications standard that like Ethernet requires dedicated media, but unlike Ethernet which uses eight wires, requires only two wires (one wire pair). This standard, with a bandwidth of about 10 megabits per second (Mbps), is also topology free and so can be easily installed in homeruns.

Controller-Attached Network (CAN)

Another interface technology that can be used to integrate a computer network and home automation controllers is the controller-attached network (CAN) protocols. CAN is a serial bus system designed to interconnect smart devices into smart systems and networks.

Interfacing the Networks

Why integrate a data network to the home automation system? Good question. Even though the homeowners may not wish to control or monitor their home automation systems from any networked PC in the home, the capability exists. Having a link to the home automation controller from any networked PC in a home provides the possibility for monitoring, programming, troubleshooting, and controlling the home automation controller and the distributed devices it controls.

In addition, if the Home Automation Telephone Interface (HATi) protocols are in use, a link to the home automation controller can also allow the telephone system to be controlled from a PC, including placing and receiving telephone calls to any line in the home.

The bottom line is that someday everything will be an Ethernet/TCP/IP enabled device. That is where the future is going, just read on.

The Future of the Connected Home

This book has covered all the parts that lay the foundation for a connected home: structured wiring, home networking and of each of the subsystems that can be installed in the home (audio; video; lighting; telecommunications; Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning or HVAC; water management; security; and access control and other automated devices). It has discussed controls for these systems and integrating the systems under a whole-house controller. The benefits behind a connected home exist: the system offers efficiency, convenience, safety, financial savings, and ease of use.

The real advantage of a networked and integrated controlled home is yet to come. When the home is connected to the Internet, the options are endless. This trend has already started with the introduction and rapid adoption of IP-addressable devices.

IP Addressable Devices

With the Ethernet protocol becoming prevalent in the home, new IP-addressable devices are coming on the market. These include digital cameras, digital media servers for both audio and video content, and digital art and picture frames, to name just a few.

CROSS-REFERENCE

Chapter 42 discusses new and emerging IP-addressable devices.

IP-addressable devices have built-in Ethernet network adapter capabilities and can be connected to a TCP/IP network as a fully addressable device. However, a device that is IP-addressable typically cannot be configured across the network and may or may not be Web-enabled.

Web Enabled Products

A Web-enabled product is first and foremost an IP-addressable product that is able to communicate directly over an Internet connection. These devices include extra hardware and software that gives it the capability to transmit and receive Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) messages. HTTP is the primary data transfer protocol of the World Wide Web (WWW) or, as it is better known, the Web.

The primary benefit of a Web-enabled device is that it can be viewed, controlled, or configured over a Web connection. This capability gives not only the installer but also the homeowner the opportunity to connect over the Internet with a device to control its function, settings, and status.

Wireless Extension of Networks

More and more home networks are becoming wireless. New wireless solutions work over existing wiring in the home such as coaxial cable, telephone, and electrical wiring. As the wireless Ethernet standards, 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g, gain acceptance in the home market, more devices are emerging with wireless communication capabilities. In the future, other mediums may be delivering services to the home, such as the electrical powerline coming into a home also carrying broadband data communications services.

Sample Integrated Home Network

Home networks are becoming more prevalent and more and more devices are becoming IP-addressable. The Internet is a necessity in life at home and inter-connectivity of systems and devices in the home is occurring. Figure 41-2 shows a home system that incorporates nearly all of the subsystems discussed in this book.

Figure 41-2: A diagram of a comprehensive integrated home network

Image courtesy of CyberManor.

Review

Two devices that are connected by a cable or wire are interfaced. To be integrated, the devices must share a specific communication method and a common coding system or protocol. Integration may require a signal converter or bridge between the two systems. A bridging device is used in cases where the signal format between the devices is different and the signals must be converted for each device to communicate with the other. An interface technology that can be used to integrate a home computer network with a home automation controller is a CAN.

A link to a home automation controller from a networked PC provides an additional access resource for monitoring, programming, troubleshooting, and controlling the home automation controller and the distributed devices it controls.

The full advantage of a networked and integrated controlled home may still be in the future. Connecting the home to the Internet provides virtually endless options. As IP addressable products, Web-enabled products, and wireless networking products continue to emerge, they add additional functionality and capabilities to home networks and home automation systems.

Questions

1. Two devices that are connected by a cable and are able to communicate are
   1. Interfaced
   2. Interlinked
   3. Integrated
   4. Interoperable
2. Two devices that share a common communications coding scheme or protocol so that one device is able to control the functions of the other are
   1. Interfaced
   2. Interlinked
   3. Integrated
   4. Interoperable
3. What type of device is required to interface an Ethernet device to an EIA/TIA 232 device?
   1. Bridge
   2. PLC module
   3. Network adapter
   4. TCP/IP converter
4. What home system protocol can be used to integrate a computer network with home automation controllers?
   1. CAN
   2. HAN
   3. LAN
   4. WAN
5. What telecommunication protocol allows a PC to control the internal telephone system?
   1. HATi
   2. HAVi
   3. NID
   4. PSTN
6. Which of the following is not an advantage of integrating a home data network into the home automation system?
   1. Emergency backup
   2. Monitoring
   3. Programming
   4. Troubleshooting
7. Home automation devices that have the built-in capability to communicate on a TCP/IP network are called
   1. Ethernet-ready
   2. IP-addressable
   3. IP-compatible
   4. TCP-addressable
8. A home automation device that can be viewed, controlled, or configured through an Internet connection is called
   1. Internet-ready
   2. IP-addressable
   3. Network-capable
   4. Web-enabled

Answers

1. A. All that is required for two devices to be interfaced is the capability to communicate, which is only slightly different than being interlinked.
2. C. Integrated devices have the capability to communicate control data and commands that each device is able to interpret and understand. Interoperable devices also have this same capability using a common protocol.
3. A. An Ethernet to serial bridge converts the communication signal into the formats required by each of the communication protocols in use.
4. A. A controller area network interconnects home system control devices, as opposed to a home area network (HAN), which is a form of a local area network (LAN). A WAN is a wide area network and extends outside the home.
5. A. The Home Automation Telephone interface (HATi) allows a home’s phone system control to be passed to a PC.
6. A. A PC may be configured to automatically provide a backup to a home system controller. However, this is not typically done and is therefore not a likely advantage of the integration.
7. B. IP-addressable devices can be connected into a TCP/IP network.
8. D. Web-enabled means that a device can be accessed through an Internet connection from inside or outside a home.