Automation and Security
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Build low cost consumer appliances & smart meters with low pin count 8 bit MCUs
In this back-to-the-basics "why-to," Sandhya Mallikarjun presents the case for using low pin count 8 bit MCUs in a wide range of consumer appliances, smart meters and home entertainment systems.
Reduce standby mode energy use
With the number of electrical devices in the home growing at a fast rate, the energy usage of these devices in standby mode becomes a concern.This article proposes a power management solution for the devices, compliant with power efficiency specs.
Beyond-IR: Remote Controls for Home Entertainment
The alternative to infrared remote control technologies is RF-based remote controls. RF-based remote controls overcome three major limitations of infrared technologies: line-of-sight and range; one-way communications; and high power consumption. Let's take a look at each of these limitations.
The power of proximity detection
The ability for an electronic device to sense the closeness of an object can be a powerful tool that can lead to increased power efficiency and customer satisfaction. This application note will discuss some of the benefits of implementing proximity detection as well as some considerations to keep in mind during the design.
Implementing an FPGA-Based Human-Machine Interface for Home Appliances
This article explores the technologies that are necessary to deliver graphical touch interactivity in home appliances, as well as an innovative total solution architecture for delivering low-cost, high-performance HMIs on virtually any home appliance or consumer device.
How to Create a MAXQ-Based "Learning" Remote Control
The clutter of infrared (IR) remote controls for consumer entertainment equipment seems to be a permanent fixture in homes around the world. But with a MAXQ2000 microcontroller and a few inexpensive parts, you can build a remote control that "learns" the codes from the other remotes and plays back the codes on demand.
High-Definition Surveillance Systems Using Low Cost FPGAs
This article describes the architecture of a HD surveillance camera and shows how the entire system is built using a low-cost FPGA.
Implementing a processor-independent, battery-powered wireless mesh network
In this entertaining and informative "how we did it," David Ewing of Synapse Wireless describes the creation of its Python Virtual Machine-based "lean-and-mean" Wireless Mesh Network Protocol software stack from the ground up.
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«March 2010 Automation and Security
About the Digital Home Automation and Security How-To Section
Digital Home DesignLine's Automation and Security section is the design resource for engineers looking to implement home automation and security systems. Topics covered include control network architectures, sensors, actuators, protocol software stacks, MAC and PHY home control ICs, and more.
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