Appliance Design - January 2008 - (Page 55)

ELECTRONICS Ethernet connectivity ASSP should support a Apple Computer, the home automation sys- wireless device, such as an iPhone or wirenumber of different power management fea- tem can be accessed in just seconds if it has a less-enabled laptop computer, to access the wireless connection. The convergence of the browser on a home intranet to control any tures, including: iPhone and the embedded web server have of the appliances configured to run from the The ability to independently clock gate on-chip peripherals under software control made home automation easy, practical and home automation web page. It should be noted that this set up does not preclude runrelatively inexpensive to implement. while operating under normal conditions. The key to implementing this easy-to-use ning any of the connected systems in the way A halt instruction mode. home automation approach is developing they were originally designed to be operated. A sleep mode. Home Security. The first To speed development concern likely to arise time and reduce develregarding accessing one’s opment costs, this ASSP Control Points home security system via needs to be supported by Laptops, iPhones, iTouch, the Internet is, of course, a robust suite of support anything with a Browser Internet Wireless or Wired security. If homeowntools — both hardware 802.11 ers can access their secuand software. rity system via the Internet, Zilog’s eZ80AcclaimPlus! Lighting why couldn’t anyone else? Home Ethernet Connectivity Gateway with This concern is easily Flash microcontroller, 802.11 access JDS “Stargate” resolved. Security systems for example, is supported Home Automation HVAC 10/100 Base T Controller are wired from the secuby the company’s Zdots rity company’s monitoring single board computers Zilog Mini RS232 systems into the home via (SBCs). Such SBCs can Web Server AV either a cable modem or provide a quick embedded RS232 DSL connection. A firewall proof of concept, deliver can then easily be built into design flexibility and can Security the embedded web server Digitrax even be used as a drop-in, DCC Model that will recognize only the production-level solution Train Controller homeowner’s personally to speed time to market. Water owned wireless device, and Supporting development Model Train Layout: Lights, Switches, Sound, Train only allow them to access software should include Direction, Speed, Horns the browser. As an alternaa full ANSI C-compiler, a tive, password protection web page-to-C converter, Fig. 1. Diagram of home automation system. can also be programmed web authoring tools and into the system to allow for an integrated developmore secure and flexible ment environment (IDE) access. including an assembler, linkInternet control of the home security sysa home automation web page. This can be er, debugger and simulator. An Ethernet connectivity microcontroller, done easily using a commercially available tem requires a system with either an RS-232 like Zilog’s eZ80AcclaimPlus! device essen- web authoring tool, such as Front Page from or RS-485 interface. The system is then hardtially offers an Internet connection on one end Microsoft. It also requires development tools wired via that interface into the embedded and general purpose controls on the other. capable of implementing web content at the web server in the home network. Hardwiring Embedded in the controller is a miniature integrated development environment level. is required to minimize false alarms. The web server that provides the interface to con- Using these tools, the home application web home security system can then be accessed via nect to any web browser and talk to the home page is programmed into the Flash memory the Internet to provide system status, to arm automation system. It essentially provides the on the embedded web server (The web server or disarm the system, to receive system alerts, bridge between the Internet and whatever will typically require 1 MB of memory for a or to communicate with the security company home automation system.). A wide variety of in case of alarms. appliance to be controlled in the home. Home Entertainment Systems. To conTo date, one of the biggest challenges in home appliances, including lighting, home implementing Ethernet-based home automa- security, entertainment, sprinkler systems and trol the home entertainment system over the tion has been the time it takes to power up a heating/air conditioning can then be easily Internet requires connecting an IR controller to the embedded web server via the server’s personal computer and invoke a web browser. configured to run from this web page. Having embedded this web page in the serial port. The IR controller, which must Because of the process involved, it can take minutes with a PC to call up the appropriate Ethernet connectivity ASSP, the microcon- contain all the codes required to control the browser and access the home automation con- troller is then mounted into the home net- entertainment system, is then mounted so that trols. However, thanks to the introduction of work. Since most home networks include a it is in direct line of sight with those systems. new wireless devices such as the iPhone from wireless access point, one can now use any The web page should be configured in such a www.applianceDESIGN.com applianceDESIGN January 2008 55 http://www.appliancedesign.com

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Appliance Design - January 2008 Contents Editorial Shipments/Forecasts News Watch Makers of Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Turn to Variable-Speed Motors to Improve Energy Efficiency. New Motor Design and Control Scheme Makes Brushless Motors More Economically Feasible for a Wider Range of Applications. External Gas Molding, a Relatively New Technique, Solves Many of the Challenges Associated with the Injection Molding of Large Plastic Parts. Plastic Housings Offer Many Benefits: EMI Protection Isn't One of Them. But, New Materials and Techniques are Solving that Problem. Choosing the Optimal Strategy for Effective EMI Shielding Depends on Both Mechanical and Electrical Requirements Ethernet-Enabled Microcontroller Makes Networking Schemes Easier and More Cost Effective to Implement The Ever-Changing Array of Microcontroller Memory Options Makes it Imperative to Keep Abreast of What's Available to Determine the Optimal Choice for an Application. A Vast Range of Components and Finished Products will be Exhibited at the Country's Preeminent HVAC/R Show, AHR Expo, which is Scheduled for Jan. 22-24 in New York. Advertiser's Index Association Report: PRBA

Appliance Design - January 2008

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