SSIA SUMMIT October 2014
Advanced Bridging Technologies Hold Key to Finally Making Smart Homes a
Reality
Fred Dart – FTDI Chip
Introduction
The employment of technology to monitor and control basic domestic functions automatically is a concept that is far from new.
For well over a decade now the possibility of creating what have become known as ‘smart homes’ has gained a great deal of media attention - promising enhanced comfort, improved safety and higher energy efficiency levels within the places we inhabit.
Introduction ctd.
Until now though actual takeup has been very limited.
Reasons for this include –- High cost of implementation- Different technologies which don’t talk to each
other- Low communication speeds give poor response
times ( X10 for example )- Limited connectivity
Home Automation Summarised
• Typical view of a Home Automation System
System Controller
Sensors Actuators
User Interface- Buttons- Touch Pad- Internet- Smartphone
- Motion- Temperature- Light- Occupancy
- Lamp- Camera
- Blinds
Communications Communications
Wired
Wireless
Powerline
Common Networking Technologies
6LoWPAN
Home Automation in the news
Examples of New Wireless Home Technology
• Philips Hue Lighting
- Zigbee + WiFi
• LiFX Lighting
- 6LoWPAN + WiFi
• Nest Thermostat
Benefits / Problems of New Technology
- Benefits
Finally, low cost wireless communication becomes a possibility.
Mass adoption drives the cost down finally making the possibility of affordable Smart Homes a reality- Issues
A lack of common standards for devices – inability to link devices together
Over reliance of mobile phones as the control point
* Too many different apps with no common look and feel
* Lost mobile phones
* Friends and Family unfriendly
No common approach to security for internet connected devices
Content
• Home Automation Overview (see Home Automation.pptx )– Definition– Technology
• Application Roadmap• Pilot Project - Proof of Concept
– System Concept and Objectives – Hardware and Software
• 2nd Step– Sneak Preview
Alternative System Concept
• Zigbee enabled light bulbs are arranged in a mesh network.• Control, i.e. turning on or off, dimming, can be done via
• FT900 + FT800 platform.• Smart phone.
• Smart phone is connected to the FT900-FT800 platform using Wi-Fi Direct.• GUI on the smart phone and the touch screen display have the same look-and-feel.
FT900
FT800
ZigbeeWi-Fi
SPI
SPI UART
Touch Display
Wi-Fi Direct
RGB Touch
Communications path
Communications path
Objectives
• Proof-of-concept for a home automation smart bridge based on the FT900 + FT800 platform, bridging Wi-Fi to other common wireless technologies such as Zigbee, 6LoWPAN etc…
• Build the required hardware and software blocks which can be subsequently implemented in a home automation smart bridge.
FT900+FT800
Technology Demonstration
• Thank you all for listening..