My Final Year Project - Individual Control Home Automation System

INDIVIDUAL CONTROL HOME
AUTOMATION SYSTEM
BY
OLAFUSI MICHAEL OLALEKAN
EEE/04/2995
SUBMITTED TO
THE DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS
ENGINEERING,
FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, AKURE.
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE
AWARD OF BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING.
OCTOBER, 2009

CERTIFICATION
This is to certify that this project, the entire design and construction of the home automation
system was carried out and submitted as true work of OLAFUSI MICHAEL OLALEKAN of
matriculation number EEE/04/2995 under the supervision of Engineer O. E. Bejide of the
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Federal University of Technology,
Akure in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Bachelor of Engineering in
Electrical Electronics Engineering.
_____________________ _____________________
Engineer O. E. Bejide Date
(Project Supervisor)
______________________ ______________________
Dr. A. O. Melodi Date
(Head of Department)
_______________________ _____________________
External Supervisor Date
ii

DEDICATION
To God Almighty for His provision and grace
To my parents for their constant vital support
To my siblings for their care and place
Do I dedicate this report
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I cannot but acknowledge the unquantifiable help God gave me throughout this
project work, always showing up whenever I got to the end of my line and felt like changing
the project to a simpler one. Most remarkable was the breakthrough He gave me when I was
stuck at one PIC C code function for a month!
I am deeply indebted to my parents and siblings for their constant support especially
in circumstances where I find it hard to even convince myself that my request for help is fair
and reasonable. I am equally indebted my very understanding, fatherly and enviable project
supervisor, Engineer O. E. Bejide who is always willing to go above and beyond in
counselling and supervising me.
I could not have been able to understand how to go about the vital aspect of the
project work if not for the supervisory assistance of my friend and colleague, Ayoade
Adewole (really, all aspect of my project work was vital). I must also acknowledge my
colleagues who over the four years we have been together, in ways they themselves do not
understand, have been the vital components of my educational and personal growth which
also greatly rubbed on my successful completion of this project work.
I greatly appreciate the tripartite support and nourishment I enjoyed from the entire
family of the Chapel of Faith, especially through Uncle Victor Omololu, Aunt Patience
Omololu and their ministry. I must also acknowledge the spiritual oversight of the two
chaplains whom I have been under throughout my five year undergraduate study, Rev
Gbenga Olagunju and Rev. Timothy Abi-Abiola.
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ABSTRACT
This project involves the design and construction of an individual control home
automation system using RS232, GSM technology and a microcontroller.
Home automation is the automatic or semi-automatic control and monitoring of
household appliances and residential house features like doors, gate and even the windows.
This project is a demonstration of how to design and build a multi purpose remotely
controlled system that can switch OFF and ON any electrical household appliance (including
the security light), by dialling a phone already interfaced via RS232 to a microcontroller that
controls a relay for the automatic switching on and off of the appliance and the phone will
send a feedback short message service text indicating the new state of the appliance, whether
switched ON or OFF.
The results of this project show that a microcontroller is a very powerful device for
building smart electronic devices that can automatically control electrical appliances, with
little circuitry complexities and components.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROJECT REPORT....................................................................................................................i
CERTIFICATION......................................................................................................................ii
DEDICATION..........................................................................................................................iii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT........................................................................................................iv
ABSTRACT...............................................................................................................................v
TABLE OF CONTENTS..........................................................................................................vi
TABLE OF FIGURES............................................................................................................viii
LIST OF TABLES....................................................................................................................ix
CHAPTER ONE........................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................1
1.1 AUTOMATION ..........................................................................................................2
1.1.1 Office automation...............................................................................................3
1.1.2 Building automation...........................................................................................3
1.1.3 Power automation...............................................................................................4
1.1.4 Home automation................................................................................................4
1.2 PROJECT AIM...........................................................................................................4
1.3 PROJECT OBJECTIVE.............................................................................................5
1.4 PROJECT SCOPE AND LIMITATION.....................................................................5
1.5 PROJECT JUSTIFICATION......................................................................................5
1.6 REPORT LAYOUT.....................................................................................................6
CHAPTER TWO.......................................................................................................................7
LITERATURE REVIEW...........................................................................................................7
2.1 HISTORY OF HOME AUTOMATION.....................................................................7
2.2 HOME AUTOMATION SYSTEMS..........................................................................7
2.3 HOME AUTOMATION STANDARDS....................................................................9
2.3.1 INSTEON standard...........................................................................................10
2.3.2 European Home Systems (EHS) protocol........................................................11
2.3.3 ZigBee standard................................................................................................12
2.3.4 KNX .................................................................................................................13
2.3.5 Z-Wave standard...............................................................................................15
2.3.6 X10 standard.....................................................................................................18
2.3.7 LonWorks .........................................................................................................20
2.3.8 ONE-NET standard...........................................................................................20
2.3.9 Universal Powerline Bus...................................................................................22
2.4 HOME AUTOMATION IMPLEMENTATION PLATFORMS.................................24
2.4.1 Powerline communication..................................................................................24
2.4.2 RS232.................................................................................................................25
2.4.3 Ethernet...............................................................................................................29
2.4.4 Bluetooth.............................................................................................................30
2.4.5 Infrared...............................................................................................................31
2.4.6 GSM....................................................................................................................31
2.4.7 Microcontroller...................................................................................................32
2.3.7.1 Von-Neumann architecture.........................................................................33
2.3.7.2 Harvard architecture...................................................................................33
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CHAPTER THREE..................................................................................................................35
METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................................................35
3.1 PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS......................................................................35
3.1.1 Selection of implementation platform................................................................35
3.1.2 Selection of hardware components.....................................................................36
3.2 SYSTEM DESIGN......................................................................................................36
3.2.1 PIC18F4455.........................................................................................................37
3.2.1.1 Central Processing Unit (CPU)..................................................................38
3.2.1.2 Random Access Memory (RAM)..............................................................39
3.2.1.3 Read Only Memory (ROM).......................................................................39
3.2.1.4 Input and Output ports (I/O)......................................................................39
3.2.2 PIC18F4455 architecture...................................................................................40
3.2.3 PIC18F4455 programming................................................................................43
3.2.4 Nokia 6021.........................................................................................................44
3.2.5 HIN232..............................................................................................................45
3.2.6 Relay..................................................................................................................47
CHAPTER FOUR....................................................................................................................49
DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION......................................................................................49
4.1 BUILDING THE POWER SUPPLY AND INTERFACING THE RELAY.............50
4.2 SERIAL COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE MICROCONTROLLER AND
NOKIA 6021............................................................................................................51
4.3 PROGRAMMING THE MICROCONTROLLER...................................................52
4.4 TESTING THE COMPLETE DESIGN AND CASING...........................................53
CHAPTER FIVE......................................................................................................................57
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION........................................................................57
5.1 CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................57
5.2 RECOMMENDATION..............................................................................................57
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................59
APPENDIX I: Bill of components...........................................................................................61
APPENDIX II: The PIC C code for programming the PIC4455 in CCS C compiler..............62
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TABLE OF FIGURES
Figure 2.1: Straight cable connection between RS232 DB9 DTE and RS232 DB9 DCE.......26
Figure 2.2: Straight cable connection between RS232 DB25 DTE and RS232 DB25 DCE...26
Figure 2.3: Straight cable connection between RS232 DB9 DTE and RS232 DB25 DCE.....27
Figure 2.4: Crossover cable connection between DB9 DTE and DB9 DCE...........................27
Figure 2.5: Crossover cable connection between DB25 DCE and DB25 DCE.......................28
Figure 2.6: Crossover cable connection between DB9 DCE and DB9 DCE...........................28
Figure 3.1: Block diagram of the home automation system....................................................37
Figure 3.2: Interactions between the main microcontroller parts............................................38
Figure 3.3: 40-Pin PIC18F4455 microcontroller.....................................................................40
Figure 3.4: PIC18F4455 block diagram...................................................................................42
Figure 3.5: CCS C compiler IDE interface..............................................................................43
Figure 3.6: MikroElectronika programmer interface...............................................................44
Figure 3.7: Nokia 6021 mobile phone......................................................................................45
Figure 3.8: HIN232 pinout.......................................................................................................46
Figure 4.1: Flow chart of the design........................................................................................49
Figure 4.2: The power supply...................................................................................................50
Figure 4.3: The RS232 to microcontroller portion of the design.............................................52
Figure 4.4: The complete home automation system circuit (controlling lighting fixture).......55
Figure 4.5: The individual control home automation system..................................................56
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LIST OF TABLES
Table 2.1: List of X10 four bit commands...............................................................................19
Table 3.1: HIN232 pin descriptions.........................................................................................46
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Imagine how helpful it will be to be able to switch on your air conditioning
system ten minutes before you get home on a hot afternoon in January. How about
having a security system that will detect smoke, excessive electrical power usage,
burglar attempts and unauthorized movements in your house and alert you? This is
what home automation is about and there is no end to its application. In fact,
sophisticated home automation systems are now being developed that can maintain an
inventory of household items, record their usage through an RFID (Radio Frequency
Identification) tag, and prepare a shopping list or automatically order replacements.
Home automation has made it possible to have what is often referred to as a
'smart home', a home that can detect and identify you, automatically adjust the
lighting to your predefined taste, open doors automatically, play your favourite music,
water your flowers in the morning, switch on the security lights at night and switch
them off in the morning, heat water for bathe and tea, stream to you anywhere in the
world via the internet a live video of what is happening in and around your house. It
makes it possible to link lighting, entertainment, security, telecommunications,
heating, and air conditioning into one centrally controlled system. This allows you to
make your house an active partner in managing your busy life.
Nowadays, you can hardly find a house without a home automation system
which can range from the remote for the television, burglar alarm and hi-tech security
gates, to an automated air conditioning system that maintains the temperature at a
predefined value.
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1.1 AUTOMATION
Automation is the use of control systems and information technology to
control equipment, industrial machinery and processes, reducing the need for human
intervention. In the scope of industrialization, automation is a step beyond
mechanization. Mechanization provided human operators with machinery to assist
them with the physical requirements of work while automation greatly reduces the
need for human sensory and mental requirements as well (Wikipedia, 2009).
Automation plays an increasingly important role in the global economy
and in daily experience. Engineers strive to combine automated devices with
mathematical and organizational tools to create complex systems for a rapidly
expanding range of applications and human activities. Many roles for humans in
industrial processes presently lie beyond the scope of automation. Human-level
pattern recognition, language recognition, and language production ability are well
beyond the capabilities of modern mechanical and computer systems. Tasks requiring
subjective assessment or synthesis of complex sensory data, such as scents and
sounds, as well as high-level tasks such as strategic planning, currently require human
expertise.
Automation has had a notable impact in a wide range of highly visible
industries beyond manufacturing. Once ubiquitous telephone operators have been
replaced largely by automated telephone switchboards and answering machines.
Medical processes such as primary screening in electrocardiograph or radiography
and laboratory analysis of human genes, blood plasmas, cells, and tissues are carried
out at much greater speed and accuracy by automated systems. Automated teller
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machines have reduced the need for bank visits to obtain cash and carry out
transactions. In general, automation has been responsible for the shift in the world
economy from agrarian to industrial in the 19th
century and from industrial to services
in the 20th
century.
1.1.1 Office automation
Office automation refers to the varied computer machinery and software
used to digitally create, collect, store, manipulate, and relay office information needed
for accomplishing basic tasks and goals. Raw data storage, electronic transfer, and the
management of electronic business information comprise the basic activities of an
office automation system, office automation helps in optimizing or automating
existing office procedures.
1.1.2 Building automation
Building automation describes the functionality provided by the control of
a building. The control system is a computerized, intelligent network of electronic
devices, designed to monitor and control the mechanical and lighting systems of a
building. A building automation system is an example of a distributed control system.
The building automation system (BAS) core functionality keeps the building climate
within a specific range, provides lighting based on an occupancy schedule, and
monitors system performance and device failures and provides email and/or text
notifications to building engineering staff. The BAS functionality reduces building
energy and maintenance costs when compared to a non-controlled building.
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1.1.3 Power automation
Power automation is the automated control and monitoring of power
plants, substations and transformers for effectiveness, efficiency and fault detection. It
has made it possible to have a reliable municipal or national electricity system, which
often comprises remote and hard-to-reach transformers and power sub-system units. It
makes it possible to monitor different power units, relay their status and health
information, and even carry out fault detection and correction without human
interference.
Example of power automation system is the Supervisory Control and Data
Acquisition (SCADA) system.
1.1.4 Home automation
Home automation may designate an emerging practice of increased
automation of household appliances and features in residential dwellings, particularly
through electronic means that allow for things impracticable, overly expensive or
simply not possible in recent decades. Home automation includes all that a building
automation provides like climate controls, door and window controls, and in addition
control of multimedia home theatres, pet feeding, plant watering and so on. But there
exists a difference in that home automation emphasizes more on comforts through
ergonomics and ease of operation.
1.2 PROJECT AIM
The aim of this project is to design and construct a home automation
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system that will remotely switch on or off any household appliance connected to it,
using a microcontroller, voice dial on phone, and short message service for feedback.
1.3 PROJECT OBJECTIVE
The objective of this project is to implement a low cost, reliable and
scalable home automation system that can be used to remotely switch on or off any
household appliance, using a microcontroller to achieve hardware simplicity, low cost
short message service (SMS) for feedback and voice dial from any phone to toggle
the switch state.
1.4 PROJECT SCOPE AND LIMITATION
This project work is complete on its own in remotely and automatically
switching on and off of any electrical appliance not limited to household appliances,
and sends a feedback message indicating the new present state of the appliance. It
does not implement control of multiple appliances or automatic detection of faults in
the controlled appliance.
1.5 PROJECT JUSTIFICATION
This project is of contributory knowledge to the development and
implementation of home automation systems in Nigeria using low cost, locally
available components like microcontroller, free voice dial service (popularly referred
to as 'flashing') and very cheap short message service (SMS) text.
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1.6 REPORT LAYOUT
The entire project is composed of five chapters, each covering a section of
the work as summarized below:
• Chapter one gives an introduction to automation as a whole and the
different types of automation.
• Chapter two covers an extensive literature review of previous works on
home automation systems, the different established standards and
protocols, and the platforms over which home automation can be
implemented.
• Chapter three highlights the project methodology, giving reasons for choice
of specific platforms and components, and also, comprehensive details on
both hardware components and communication services used.
• Chapter four is on the project design and implementation with clear
practical details of the project design, construction, testing, microcontroller
coding and debugging. Special emphasis is also made on the flexibility and
scalability of the project work with real life illustration.
• Chapter five is on the conclusion and recommendations based on the
project work with emphasis on the reliability, maintainability and
flexibility of the design. Also, recommendations based on the challenges
encountered and further possible development of the project work are
enumerated.
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CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 HISTORY OF HOME AUTOMATION
Home automation has been around since the world war 1 (1914), in fact,
the television remote (a simple home automation system) was patented in 1893
(Wikipedia, 2009). Since then different home automation systems have evolved with a
sharp rise after the second World War. It's growth has been through various informal
research and designs by technology enthusiasts who want a better way of getting
things done at home without much effort on their part. The systems evolved from one
that can automatically do routine chores like switch on and off security lights, to more
sophisticated ones that can adjust lighting, put the television channel to favourite
station and control doors.
2.2 HOME AUTOMATION SYSTEMS
Home automation systems may designate electronic systems in homes and
residential buildings that make possible the automation of household appliances. The
new stream of home automation systems has developed into a vast one and the current
market is flooded with a flurry of home automation systems and device
manufacturers.
The types of home automation systems based on their control systems are:
1. Individual Control Systems
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These types were the first to hit the market in the early years, here each
device like the heater or the air conditioner will have an independent control
dedicated to it.
2. Distributed Control Systems
The main feature of these type of systems is emergency shut-down. With
this system you can preset or change the control parameters of several
similar devices, for example, the thermostat of several air conditioners and
their ON/OFF timings.
3. Central Control Systems
These are computerized systems programmed to handle all functions of
multiple utilities like air conditioning system, home entertainments, doors,
windows, refrigerators and cooking systems, all at the same time regardless
of whether you are at home or away. You can connect to the control system
through telephone or internet from anywhere in the world.
The types of home automation systems based on the carrier mode are:
1. Powerline carrier Systems
The least expensive type of home automation system operates over the
home's existing wiring, or powerline carrier. These can range from X10-
based lamp timers, to more sophisticated systems that require installation by
a trained professional.
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2. Wireless systems
Also available are wireless home automation systems that utilize radio-
frequency technology. They are often used to operate lights, sometimes in
conjunction with a hardwired lighting control system.
3. Hardwired systems
Wired, or “hardwired” home control systems are the most reliable and
expensive. These systems can operate over high-grade communications
cable such as Category 5 or 5e, or their own proprietary “bus” cable. That is
why it is best to plan for them when a house is being constructed. Hardwired
systems can perform more tasks at a time and do them quickly and reliably,
making them ideal for larger homes. They can also integrate more systems
in the home, effectively tying together indoor and outdoor lighting, audio
and video equipment, security system, even the heating and cooling system
into one control package that will be easy and intuitive to operate.
4. Internet Protocol control system
Internet Protocol (IP) control automation system uses the internet, gives
each device under its control an Internet Protocol address, and creates a
local area network (LAN) in the home. Hence, the home can be interacted
with over the internet with possibility of live video streaming and real-time
control.
2.3 HOME AUTOMATION STANDARDS
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There are many established industry standards for home automation
systems and are implemented over the various carrier modes ranging from powerline
to wireless. The popular and major standards are INSTEON, European Home
Systems (EHS), ZigBee, KNX, Z-Wave, X10, LonWorks, ONE-NET and Univerasl
Powerline Bus (UPB).
2.3.1 INSTEON standard
INSTEON standard is a dual-band mesh topology employing ac-power
lines and a radio frequency (RF) protocol to communicate with and automate home
electronic devices and appliances, which normally work independently. It is a home
automation networking technology invented by SmartLabs Inc. INSTEON was
developed, based on the X10 model, for control and sensing applications in the home
(Wikipedia, 2009).
INSTEON is designed to enable simple devices to be networked together
using the powerline and/or radio frequency (RF). All INSTEON devices are peers,
meaning each device can transmit, receive, and repeat any message of the INSTEON
protocol, without requiring a master controller or complex routing software.
INSTEON is not only an effective system for connecting lighting switches and loads
without extra wiring, but it also forms the basis for a more sophisticated home
automation network.
The following are the possible applications of INSTEON:
• Scene and remote control lighting,
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• Security alarm interfaces and sensors,
• Home sensors (e.g. water, humidity, temperature),
• Access control (e.g. door locks),
• Heating, ventilating and air cooling (HVAC) control,
• Audio-video control, and
• Appliance management.
2.3.2 European Home Systems (EHS) protocol
The European home systems (EHS) protocol was aimed at home
appliances control and communication using power line communication (PLC).
Developed by EHSA (European Home Systems Association) it was merged with two
other protocols to form the KNX protocol, which complies with CENELEC norm EN
50090 standard and had a chance to be a basis for the first open standard for home
and building control (Wikipedia, 2009).
The areas of application of EHS are:
• Heating, ventilating and air cooling (HVAC) control,
• Scene and remote control lighting, and
• Appliance management.
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2.3.3 ZigBee standard
ZigBee is a specification for a suite of high level communication protocols
using small, low-power digital radios based on the IEEE 802.15.4-2003 standard for
wireless personal area networks (WPANs), such as wireless headphones connecting
with cell phones via short-range radio. The technology defined by the ZigBee
specification is intended to be simpler and less expensive than other WPANs such as
Bluetooth. ZigBee is targeted at radio frequency (RF) applications that require a low
data rate, long battery life, and secure networking (Wikipedia, 2009).
ZigBee is a low-cost, low-power, wireless mesh networking standard. The
low cost allows the technology to be widely deployed in wireless control and
monitoring applications, the low power-usage allows longer life with smaller
batteries, and the mesh networking provides high reliability and larger range.
ZigBee operates in the industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) radio
bands; 868 MHz in Europe, 915 MHz in the USA and Australia, and 2.4 GHz in most
jurisdictions worldwide. ZigBee chip vendors typically sell integrated radios and
microcontrollers with between 60K and 128K flash memory, such as the Freescale
MC13213, the Ember EM250 and the Texas Instruments CC2430. Radios are also
available as stand-alone to be used with any processor or microcontroller. Generally,
the chip vendors also offer the ZigBee software stack, although independent ones are
also available. The ZigBee Alliance is a group of companies that maintain and publish
the ZigBee standard.
Typical areas of application of ZigBee are:
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• Home Entertainment and Control — Smart lighting, advanced
temperature control, safety and security, movies and music,
• Home Awareness — Water sensors, power sensors, smoke and fire
detectors, smart appliances and access sensors,
• Mobile Services — m-payment, m-monitoring and control, m-
security and access control, m-healthcare and tele-assist,
• Commercial Building — Energy monitoring, HVAC, lighting,
access control, and
• Industrial Plant — Process control, asset management,
environmental management, energy management, industrial device
control.
2.3.4 KNX
KNX is a standardised (EN 50090,ISO/IEC 14543), OSI-based network
communications protocol for intelligent buildings. KNX is the successor to, and
convergence of, three previous standards: the European Home Systems Protocol
(EHS), BatiBUS, and the European Installation Bus (EIB). The KNX standard is
administered by the Konnex Association (Wikipedia, 2009).
This standard is based on the communication stack of EIB but enlarged
with the physical layers, configuration modes and application experience of BatiBUS
and EHS.
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KNX defines several physical communication media:
• Twisted pair wiring
• Powerline networking
• Radio
• Infrared
• Ethernet (also known as EIBnet/IP or KNXnet/IP)
KNX is designed to be independent of any particular hardware platform. A
KNX Device Network can be controlled by anything from an 8-bit microcontroller to
a PC, according to the needs of a particular implementation. The most common form
of installation is over twisted pair medium.
KNX is approved as an open standard to International standard (ISO/IEC
14543-3) European Standard (CENELEC EN 50090 and CEN EN 13321-1) and
China Guo Biao(GB/Z 20965).
KNX has more than 100 members/manufacturers including ABB, Bosch,
Miele & Cie KG, ON Semiconductor, Schneider Electric Industries S.A., Siemens,
Uponor Corporation and Jung.
There are three categories of KNX device:
1. A-mode or "Automatic mode" devices automatically configure
themselves, and are intended to be sold to and installed by the end user.
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2. E-mode or "Easy mode" devices require basic training to install. Their
behaviour is pre-programmed, but has configuration parameters that need
to be tailored to the user's requirements.
3. S-mode or "System mode" devices are used in the creation of bespoke
building automation systems. S-mode devices have no default behaviour,
and must be programmed and installed by specialist technicians.
2.3.5 Z-Wave standard
The Z-wave is a wireless communications proprietary standard designed
for home automation, specifically to remote control applications in residential and
light commercial environments. This technology, which is developed by Sigma
designs' Zensys, uses a low power RF radio embedded or retrofitted into home
electronics devices and systems, such as lighting, home access control, entertainment
systems and household appliances. The technology has been standardized by the Z-
Wave Alliance, an international consortium of manufacturers that oversees
interoperability between Z-Wave products and enabled devices (Wikipedia, 2009).
Z-Wave is a mesh networking technology where each node or device on
the network is capable of sending and receiving control commands through walls or
floors and around household obstacles or radio dead spots that might occur in the
home. Z-Wave devices can work singly or in groups, and can be programmed into
scenes or events that trigger multiple devices, either automatically or via remote
control.
Z-Wave is a low-power wireless technology designed specifically for
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remote control applications. Unlike Wi-Fi and other IEEE 802.11-based wireless
LAN systems that are designed primarily for high-bandwidth data flow, the Z-Wave
RF system operates in the sub Gigahertz frequency range and is optimized for low-
overhead commands such as on-off (as in a light switch or an appliance) and raise-
lower (as in a thermostat or volume control), with the ability to include device
metadata in the communications. Because Z-Wave operates apart from the 2.4 GHz
frequency of 802.11 based wireless systems, it is largely impervious to interference
from common household wireless electronics, such as Wi-Fi routers, cordless
telephones and Bluetooth devices that work in the same frequency range. This
freedom from household interference allows for a standardized low-bandwidth
control medium that can be reliable alongside common wireless devices. On other
hand, 2.4 GHz frequency usage allows unlicensed devices usage in most countries;
this is convenient to customers and allows wider technology adoption and reduced
deployment costs. This could be not true for other frequencies and could easily turn
into a strong drawback if licensing is required or frequency is occupied. That's one of
reason why competing 2.4 GHz technologies became so popular.
As a result of its low power consumption and low cost of manufacture, Z-
Wave is easily embedded in consumer electronics products, including battery
operated devices such as remote controls, smoke alarms and security sensors. Z-Wave
is currently supported by over 200 manufacturers worldwide and appears in a broad
range of consumer products in the U.S. and Europe.
Some common applications for Z-Wave include:
• Remote Home Control And Management – By adding Z-Wave to
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home electronics such as lighting, climate and security systems, it is
possible to control and monitor these household functions via remote
control, based on manual or automated decisions. The control can be
applied to a single device or group of devices, in a single room or zone or
throughout the entire home. One of the benefits of Z-Wave over power
line communication technologies is the ability to function in older houses
lacking a neutral wire. Z-Wave devices can also be monitored and
controlled from outside of the home by way of a gateway that combines
Z-Wave with broadband Internet access.
• Energy Conservation – Z-Wave is envisioned as a key enabling
technology for energy management in the green home. As an example, Z-
Wave-enabled thermostats are able to raise or lower automatically, based
on commands from Z-Wave enabled daylight sensors. Grouped scene
controls can ensure that unnecessary energy consumption is minimized by
various all-off states for systems throughout the home, such as lighting,
appliances and home entertainment systems.
• Home Safety And Security Systems – Because Z-Wave can
transceive commands based on real time conditions, and is able to control
devices in intelligent groupings, it allows novel extensions of traditional
home security concepts. As an example, the opening of a Z-Wave enabled
door lock can de-activate a security system and turn on lights when
children arrive home from school, and send a notification to a parent's PC
or cell phone via the Internet. Opening a Z-Wave enabled garage door can
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trigger exterior and interior home lights, while a Z-Wave motion detector
can trigger an outdoor security light and a webcam, which would allow
the end user to monitor the home while away.
• Home Entertainment – Z-Wave's ability to command multiple
devices as a unified event makes it well suited for home audio and video
applications. For example, a simple "Play DVD" command on the remote
control could turn on the needed components, set them to the correct
inputs and even lower motorized shades and dim the room lights. Z-
Wave's RF technology is also well suited as an evolution of conventional
Infrared (IR) based remote controls for home electronics, as it is not
constrained by IR's line of sight and distance limitations. In January of
2008, Zensys announced a single-chip solution that pairs Z-Wave with IR
control, positioning the technology as an all encompassing solution for
home remote controls.
2.3.6 X10 standard
X10 is an international and open industry standard for communication
among electronic devices used for home automation. It primarily uses power line
wiring for signalling and control, where the signals involve brief radio frequency
bursts representing digital information. X10 was developed in 1975 by Pico
Electronics of Glenrothes, Scotland, in order to allow remote control of home devices
and appliances. It was the first general purpose home automation network technology
and remains the most widely available. Although a number of higher bandwidth
alternatives exist including KNX, INSTEON, BACnet, and LonWorks, X10 remains
18

popular in the home environment with millions of units in use worldwide, and
inexpensive availability of new components (Wikipedia, 2009).
Packets transmitted using X10 control protocol consist of a four bit house
code followed by one or more four bit unit code, finally followed by a four bit
command.
Table 2.1 : List of X10 four bit commands
Code Function Description
0 0 0 0 All Units Off
Switch off all devices with the house code indicated in the
message
0 0 0 1 All Lights On
Switches on all lighting devices (with the ability to control
brightness)
0 0 1 0 On Switches on a device
0 0 1 1 Off Switches off a device
0 1 0 0 Dim Reduces the light intensity
0 1 0 1 Bright Increases the light intensity
0 1 1 1 Extended Code Extension code
1 0 0 0 Hail Request
Requests a response from the device(s) with the house code
indicated in the message
1 0 0 1
Hail
Acknowledge
Response to the previous command
1 0 1 x Preset Dim Allows the selection of two predefined levels of light intensity
1 1 0 1 Status is On
Response to the Status Request indicating that the device is
switched on
1 1 1 0 Status is Off Response indicating that the device is switched off
1 1 1 1 Status Request Request requiring the status of a device
19

2.3.7 LonWorks
LonWorks is a networking platform specifically created to address the
needs of control applications. The platform is built on a protocol created by Echelon
Corporation for networking devices over media such as twisted pair, power lines,
fibre optics, and radio frequency. It is used for the automation of various functions
within buildings such as lighting and HVAC (Heating, ventilating and air
conditioning).
This technology has its origins with chip designs, power line and twisted
pair, signalling technology, routers, network management software, and other
products from Echelon Corporation. Two physical layer signalling technologies,
twisted pair and power line carrier, are typically included in each of the standards
created around the LonWorks technology. The two-wire layer operates at 78 kbit/s
using differential manchester encoding, while the power line achieves either 5.4 or
3.6 kbit/s, depending on frequency. Additionally, the LonWorks platform uses an
affiliated Internet protocol (IP) tunnelling standard – ANSI/CEA-852 – in use by a
number of manufacturers to connect the devices on previously deployed and new
LonWorks-based networks to IP-aware applications or remote network management
tools. Most LonWorks-based control applications are being implemented with some
sort of IP integration, either at the user interface, application level or in the control
infrastructure. This is accomplished with web services or IP-routing products
available on the market (Wikipedia, 2009).
2.3.8 ONE-NET standard
20

ONE-NET is an open-source standard for wireless network designed for
low-cost, low-power (battery operated) control networks for applications such as
home automation, security and monitoring, device control, and sensor networks.
ONE-NET is not tied to any proprietary hardware or software, and can be
implemented with a variety of low-cost off-the-shelf radio transceivers and
microcontrollers from a number of different manufacturers (Wikipedia, 2009).
ONE-NET uses UHF ISM radio transceivers and currently operates in the
868 MHz and 915 MHz frequencies. The ONE-NET standard allows for
implementation on other frequencies, and some work is being done to implement it in
the 400 MHz and 2.4 GHz frequency ranges. It utilizes Wideband FSK (Frequency-
shift keying) to encode data for transmission and it features a dynamic data rate
protocol with a base data rate of 38.4 kbit/s. The specification allows per-node
dynamic data rate configuration for data rates up to 230 kbit/s.
ONE-NET supports star, peer-to-peer, and mesh networking topologies.
Star network topology can be used for lower complexity and cost of peripherals, and
also simplifies encryption key management. In peer-to-peer mode, a master device
configures and authorizes peer-to-peer transactions. The wireless mesh network mode
allows for repeating to cover larger areas or route around dead areas. Outdoor peer-to-
peer range has been measured to over 500 m, indoor peer-to-peer range has been
demonstrated from 60 m to over 100 m, and mesh mode can extend operational range
to several kilometers. Simple, block, and streaming transactions are supported.
Simple transactions typically use message types as defined by the ONE-NET protocol
to exchange sensor data such as temperature or energy consumption, and control data
21

such as on/off messages. Simple transactions use encryption techniques to avoid
susceptibility to replay attacks. Block transactions can be used to transmit larger
blocks of data than simple messages. Block transactions consist of multiple packets
containing up to 58 bytes per packet. Blocks transactions can transfer up to 65,535
bytes per block. Streaming transactions are similar in format to block transactions but
do not require retransmission of lost data packets.
ONE-NET is optimized for low power consumption such as battery-
powered peripherals. Low-duty-cycle battery-powered ONE-NET devices such as
window sensors, moisture detectors, etc. can achieve a three to five year battery life
with “AA” or "AAA" alkaline cells. Dynamic power adjustment allows signal
strength info to be used to scale back transmit power to conserve battery power. High
data rates and short packet sizes minimize transceiver on time. Further power
efficiency can be gained utilizing deterministic sleep periods for client devices.
2.3.9 Universal Powerline Bus
The Universal Powerline Bus (UPB) is an industry emerging standard for
communication among devices used for home automation. It uses powerline wiring
for signalling and control.
Household electrical wiring is used to send digital data between UPB
devices. While in the X10 protocol this digital data is encoded onto a 120 KHz carrier
which is transmitted as bursts during the relatively quiet zero crossings of the 50 or 60
Hz AC alternating current waveform, the UPB protocol works differently. The UPB
communication method consists of a series of precisely timed electrical pulses (called
22

UPB Pulses) that are superimposed on top of the normal AC power waveform (sine
wave). Receiving UPB devices can easily detect and analyse these UPB Pulses and
pull out the encoded digital information from them. UPB Pulses are generated by
charging a capacitor to a high voltage and then discharging that capacitor’s voltage
into the powerline at a precise time. This quick discharging of the capacitor creates a
large “spike” (or pulse) on the powerline that is easily detectable by receiving UPB
devices wired large distances away on the same powerline.
UPB controllers range from extremely simple plug-in modules to very
sophisticated whole house home automation controllers. The simplest controllers are
plug-in controllers that are recommended for a moderate amount of switches and
devices as it becomes cumbersome to control a wide range of devices. More
sophisticated controllers can control more units and/or incorporate timers that
perform pre-programmed functions at specific times each day. Units are also available
that use passive infrared motion detectors or photocells to turn lights on and off based
on external conditions. Finally, whole house home automation controllers can be fully
programmed. These systems can execute many different timed events, respond to
external sensors, and execute, with the press of a single button, an entire scene,
turning lights on, establishing brightness levels, and so on.
UPB was developed by PCS Powerline Systems of Northridge, California
and released in 1999. Based on the concept of the ubiquitous X10 standard, UPB has
an improved transmission rate and higher reliability. While X10 without specialised
firewalls has a reported reliability of 70-80%, UPB reportedly has a reliability of
more than 99% (Wikipedia, 2009).
23

2.4 HOME AUTOMATION IMPLEMENTATION PLATFORMS
Home automation can be implemented over a number of platforms
namely, Powerline, RS232 serial communication, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Infrared and
GSM. Each platform having its own peculiarity and area of application.
2.4.1 Powerline communication
Powerline communication is a system for carrying data on a conductor
also used for electrical power transmission. Though electrical power is transmitted
over high voltage transmission lines, distributed over medium voltage and used inside
buildings at lower voltages, powerline communication can be applied at each stage.
All powerline communication systems operate by impressing a modulated
carrier signal on the wiring system. Different types of powerline communications use
different frequency bands, depending on the signal transmission characteristics of the
power wiring used. Since the power wiring system was originally intended for
transmission of alternating current (AC) power, in conventional use, the power wire
circuits have only a limited ability to carry higher frequencies. The propagation
problem is a limiting factor for each type of powerline communications. Data rates
over a powerline communications system vary widely. Low-frequency (about 100 –
200 Khz) carriers impressed on high-voltage transmission lines may carry one or two
analog voice circuits, or telemetry and control circuits with an equivalent data rate of
a few hundred bits per second; however, these circuits may be many miles long.
24

2.4.2 RS232
The RS232 stands for recommended standard number 232. The serial ports
on most computers use a subset of the RS232 standard. The full RS232 standard
specifies a 25-pin "D" connector of which 22 pins are used. Most of these pins are not
needed for normal PC communications, and indeed, most new PCs are equipped with
male D type connectors having only 9 pins, trading off compatibility with the standard
against the use of less costly and more compact connectors.
In RS232, the communicating devices are referred to as Data Terminal
Equipment (DTE) and Data Communication Equipment (DCE). The DTE is an end
instrument that converts user information into signals or reconverts received signals
and uses the male connector. The DTE is the functional unit of a data station that
serves as a data source or a data sink and provides for the data communication control
function to be performed in accordance with link protocol. While the DCE is
communication link control device that provides the clock signal and uses the female
connector. The DTE ends the communication line, whereas the DCE provides a path
for communication. In connecting a DTE device to a DCE a straight pin-for-pin
connection is used. However, to connect two DCEs or DTEs the transmit and receive
lines must be crossed. The DTE is usually a computer or a terminal device and the
DCE is usually a modem.
Figures 2.1 – 2.3 shows the straight connections while figures 2.4 – 2.6
illustrate the cross-over cable connections.
25

Figure 2.1 : Straight cable connection between RS232 DB9 DTE and RS232 DB9 DCE
26

Figure 2.4 : Crossover cable connection between DB9 DCE and DB9 DCE
27

28

2.4.3 Ethernet
Ethernet defines a number of wiring and signalling standards for the
physical connection of two or more devices together. Ethernet was originally based on
the idea of computers communicating over a shared coaxial cable acting as a
broadcast transmission medium. The methods used show some similarities to radio
systems, although there are fundamental differences, such as the fact that it is much
easier to detect collisions in a cable broadcast system than a radio broadcast. The
common cable providing the communication channel was likened to the ether and it
was from this reference that the name "Ethernet" was derived (Wikipedia, 2009).
From this early and comparatively simple concept, Ethernet evolved into the complex
networking technology that today underlies most local area networks. The coaxial
cable was replaced with point-to-point links connected by Ethernet hubs and/or
switches to reduce installation costs, increase reliability, and enable point-to-point
management and troubleshooting. StarLAN was the first step in the evolution of
Ethernet from a coaxial cable bus to a hub-managed, twisted-pair network. The
advent of twisted-pair wiring dramatically lowered installation costs relative to
competing technologies, including the older Ethernet technologies. Through the
physical connection, Ethernet stations communicate by sending each other data
packets, blocks of data that are individually sent and delivered.
Despite the significant changes in Ethernet from a thick coaxial cable bus
running at 10 Mbits/s to point-to-point links running at 1 Gbit/s and above, all
generations of Ethernet (excluding early experimental versions) share the same frame
formats (and hence the same interface for higher layers), and can be readily
29

interconnected. And due to the ubiquity of Ethernet, the ever-decreasing cost of the
hardware needed to support it, and the reduced panel space needed by twisted pair
Ethernet, most manufacturers now build the functionality of an Ethernet card directly
into computer and laptop motherboards, eliminating the need for installation of a
separate network card.
2.4.4 Bluetooth
Bluetooth is an open wireless protocol for exchanging data over short
distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks (PANs). It
was originally conceived as a wireless alternative to RS232 data cables. It can connect
several devices, overcoming problems of synchronization. It is a standard and a
communications protocol primarily designed for low power consumption, with a short
range (power-class-dependent: 1 meter, 10 meters, 100 meters) based on low-cost
transceiver microchips in each device. Bluetooth makes it possible for devices to
communicate with each other when they are in range. Because the devices use a radio
(broadcast) communications system, they do not have to be in line of sight of each
other.
Bluetooth uses a radio technology called frequency-hopping spread
spectrum, which chops up the data being sent and transmits chunks of it on up to 79
frequencies. In its basic mode, the modulation is Gaussian frequency-shift keying
(GFSK). It can achieve a gross data rate of 1 Mb/s. Bluetooth provides a way to
connect and exchange information between devices such as mobile phones,
telephones, laptops, personal computers, printers, Global Positioning Systems (GPS)
receivers, digital cameras, and video game consoles through a secure, globally
30

unlicensed Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) 2.4 GHz short-range radio
frequency band. The Bluetooth specifications are developed and licensed by the
Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). The Bluetooth SIG consists of companies in
the areas of telecommunication, computing, networking, and consumer electronics
(Wikipedia, 2009).
2.4.5 Infrared
Infrared (IR) radiation is electromagnetic radiation whose wavelength is
longer than that of visible light (400 – 700 nm), but shorter than that of microwave
radiation . It's wavelength spans between 750nm and 100 µm and is employed in
short-range communication among devices that conform to the standards published
by the Infrared Data Association (IrDA).
Remote controls and IrDA devices use infrared light-emitting diodes
(LEDs) to emit infrared radiation which is focused by a plastic lens into a narrow
beam. The beam is modulated, i.e. switched on and off, to encode the data. The
receiver uses a silicon photodiode to convert the infrared radiation to an electric
current. It responds only to the rapidly pulsing signal created by the transmitter, and
filters out slowly changing infrared radiation from ambient light. Infrared
communications are useful for indoor use in areas of high population density. IR does
not penetrate walls and so does not interfere with other devices in adjoining rooms.
Infrared is the most common way for remote controls to command appliances.
2.4.6 GSM
GSM which stands for Global System for Mobile Communication, is the
31

most popular standard for mobile phone communication in the world. It is used by
over three billion people across more than 212 countries and territories (Wikipedia,
2009).
GSM basically provides voice call and short message service (SMS). It
operates as a cellular network that mobile phones connect to by trying to search for
cells in their immediate vicinity. The modulation used in GSM is Gaussian minimum-
shift keying (GMSK), a kind of continuous-phase frequency shift keying. In GMSK,
the signal to be modulated onto the carrier is first smoothed with a Gaussian low-pass
filter prior to being fed to a frequency modulator, which greatly reduces the
interference to neighbouring channels (adjacent channel interference). GSM networks
operate in the 900 MHz or 1800MHz frequency bands in most countries of the world
except in few countries like USA and Canada where 850 and 1900 MHz bands are
used as the 900 and 1800 MHz bands were already allocated. The GSM technology
uses a 200 Khz radio frequency channels that are time division multiplexed to enable
up to eight users to access each carrier.
2.4.7 Microcontroller
A microcontroller is an inexpensive single-chip computer. Single-chip
computer means that the entire computer system lies within the confines of the
integrated circuit chip (Byte, 2002). The microcontroller on the encapsulated silver of
silicon has features similar to those of our standard personal computer. Its ability to
store and run unique programs makes it extremely versatile, and its ability to perform
maths and logic functions allows it to mimic sophisticated logic and electronic
circuits. Microcontrollers are used in automatically controlled products and devices,
32

such as automobile engine control systems, remote controls, office machines,
appliances, power tools and toys. Hence, microcontrollers due not function in
isolation, they accept input from one or more devices and provide output to other
devices within a given system. In fact, they are responsible for the intelligence in most
smart devices in the consumer market.
The microcontroller has two general architecture types that define its mode
of operation and design.
2.3.7.1 Von-Neumann architecture
This architecture has a single, common memory space where both program
instructions and data are stored. There is a single data bus which fetches both
instructions and data. And each time the CPU fetches a program instruction it may
have to perform one or more read/write operations to data memory space. It must wait
until these subsequent operations are complete before it can fetch and decode the next
program instruction. The advantage to this architecture lies in its simplicity and
economy. On some Von Neumann machines the program can read from and write to
CPU registers, including the program counter. This can be dangerous as you can point
the processor to memory blocks outside program memory space and careless
processor manipulation can cause errors which require a hard reset.
2.3.7.2 Harvard architecture
This architecture implements separate memory areas for program
instructions and data. There are two or more internal data buses which allow
simultaneous access to both instructions and data. The CPU fetches instructions on
33

the program memory bus. If the fetched instruction requires an operation on data
memory, the CPU can fetch the next program instruction while it uses the data bus for
its data operation. This speeds up execution time at the cost of more hardware
complexity. Most modern microcontrollers have the harvard architecture.
34

CHAPTER THREE
METHODOLOGY
In designing a home automation system, one or more suitable platforms are
used in order to build a reliable and flexible system that can be easily operated and
adapted for a new household appliance. Therefore, for the purpose of this project
some specific deliberate choices were made on the type of platforms, hardware
components and mode of operation of the home automation system.
3.1 PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS
Before the actual design of the project work, specific deliberate choices in
selection of appropriate implementation platforms and hardware components were
made. Priority was given to low cost availability, reliability, flexibility and simplicity
in all these selections.
3.1.1 Selection of implementation platform
As already explained in the previous chapter, there are many platforms
over which a home automation system can be implemented. Of the currently available
platforms – Powerline, RS232, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Infrared, GSM and
Microcontroller; RS232, GSM and Microcontroller were found most appropriate due
to their low cost availability, reliability and simplicity when used for an individual
control home automation system which my project work is on. Powerline and
Ethernet is too expensive and complex for this kind of home automation system,
while Bluetooth and Infrared are unreliable.
35

3.1.2 Selection of hardware components
Each platform has a set of hardware components over which it is
implemented. For RS232, there are DB-9 and DB-25 connection cables, but DB-9
cable was found most appropriate because it is cheaper, more readily available, less
bulky and just sufficient for the designed system when compared with DB-25. For
GSM, there are GSM modems and phone brands, but Nokia 6021 was chosen due to
its low cost availability, ability to understand AT commands and availability of its
RS232 DB-9 cable. Finally, for Microcontroller, the popular ones are those produced
by Microchip, ATMEL, Motorola and Texas Instruments, of all these Microchip
manufactured PIC microcontroller was found most suitable due to its low cost
availability, and readily available programmers, compilers and flexibility.
3.2 SYSTEM DESIGN
The designed home automation system uses PIC18F4455 microcontroller,
Nokia 6021 mobile phone, RS232 standard for communication between the
microcontroller and mobile phone, HIN232 for interfacing the microcontroller, a relay
and a driver for interfacing the relay.
As illustrated in the block diagram shown in figure 3.1, when the Nokia
6021 receives the required signal, it communicates via the RS232 and HIN232 to the
PIC18F4455, the PIC18F4455 controls the relay state via a driver and this in turn
determines the state of the connected appliance, whether switched on or off.
36

Figure 3.1 : Block diagram of the home automation system
3.2.1 PIC18F4455
PIC18F4455 is manufactured by Microchip Incorporation based in United
States of America, and is one of their harvard architecture based microcontroller
series called PIC. PIC is generally assumed to mean “programmable interface
controller”. The PIC microcontroller contains a CPU (central processing unit), RAM
(random access memory), ROM (read-only memory), I/O (input/output) lines, serial
37
HIN232
PIC18F4455
SERIAL
RELAY
DRIVER
RS232
HOME
APPLIANCE
AC LINE

and parallel ports, timers and sometimes other built in peripherals such as A/D
(analogue-to-digital) and D/A (digital-to-analogue) converters.
Figure 3.2 shows the interactions (data flow) between the main
microcontroller parts.
Figure 3.2 : Interactions between the main microcontroller parts
3.2.1.1 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The CPU is responsible for all the computing, it fetches, decodes and
executes program instructions and directs the flow of data to and from memory. It
performs the calculations required by program instructions and places the results of
these calculations, if required, into memory space. Most CPUs are synchronous,
meaning that they depend on the cycles of a processor clock, this clock generates a
high-frequency square wave usually driven by a crystal, a RC (resistor capacitor) or
an external source. The clock is sometimes referred to as an oscillator. The clock
speed, or oscillation rate, is measured in megahertz (MHz) which represents one
million cycles/second.
38

3.2.1.2 Random Access Memory (RAM)
The RAM, random access memory, is used to write and read data values as
a program runs. RAM is volatile meaning that if the power supply to the
microcontroller is removed, its contents are lost. All variables used in a program are
allocated from the RAM. The time to retrieve information from RAM does not
depend upon the location of the information because RAM is not sequential, hence the
term random access. Most small PIC microcontrollers provide very little RAM which
forces you to write applications that use RAM wisely. Manipulating large data
structures and using pointers, re-entrant or recursive functions use large amounts of
RAM and are techniques which are generally avoided on microcontrollers
3.2.1.3 Read Only Memory (ROM)
The ROM, read only memory, is non-volatile memory used for program
information and permanent data. The microcontroller uses ROM memory space to store
program instructions it will execute when it is started or reset. Program instructions must be
saved in non-volatile memory so that they are not affected by loss of power, the
microcontroller usually cannot write data to program memory space.
3.2.1.4 Input and Output ports (I/O)
Without some means of getting information and signals in and out, the
microcontroller will have little or no use. Hence, the input and output ports are used to
pass data in and out of the microcontroller in a controlled manner, often according to
a standard protocol. The PIC microcontroller ports are of two types namely, serial and
parallel ports. They can operate in two main modes namely, synchronous and
39

asynchronous modes. The parallel I/O ports require a data line for each bit in a byte,
while the serial I/O uses a single data line for all the bits in the data stream by
transferring the bits in sequence. The synchronous mode involves synchronizing the
data transfer with a clock while the asynchronous mode does not. PIC
microcontrollers most often have parallel I/O capability built in and the serial I/O as a
peripheral feature.
3.2.2 PIC18F4455 architecture
As shown in figure 3.3 is a typical PIC18F4455, a 40-pin high performance
nano watt technology microcontroller, was used in the actual design (Microchip,
2007).
Figure 3.3 : 40-Pin PIC18F4455 microcontroller
The features of PIC18F4455 are:
40

• 24576 Bytes flash program memory,
• Capable of 12288 instruction set,
• 2048 Bytes of Data memory,
• 256 Bytes of Data EEPROM memory,
• 18 interrupt sources,
• USB V.20 compliant,
• 100,000 erase/write cycle,
• Programmable code protection,
• Data retention of over 40 years,
• Self-programmable under software control,
• Enhanced USART module, and
• C compiler optimized architecture.
41

Figure 3.4 : PIC18F4455 block diagram
42

3.2.3 PIC18F4455 programming
Figure 3.4 is a detailed block diagram of the PIC4455. In programming it,
a complier and a programmer were used. There are many available compilers for
PIC18F4455 such as MikroC, Hi-Tech, MikroBasic, MikroPascal, CCS C and
MPLAB, but CCS C (whose interface is shown in figure 3.5) was used. Also, there
are many programmers available but MikroElectronika development board (it's
control interface is shown in figure 3.6) was used.
Figure 3.5 : CCS C compiler IDE interface
The CCS C compiler has an Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
through which programs written can be compiled into Hexadecimal codes. The IDE
interface is shown above.
43

Figure 3.6 : MikroElectronika programmer interface
3.2.4 Nokia 6021
Nokia 6021, shown in figure 3.7, is an EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for
GSM Evolution) enabled mobile phone. It is built on the GSM technology standard
and has both Infrared and Bluetooth transceivers, these features make it suitable for
use in building an home automation system. It can serve as an extremely long range
remote (one that can be controlled from anywhere in the world) via a combination of
two or more of its Infrared or Bluetooth functionality, voice and data call capabilities,
44

short and multimedia message service (SMS/MMS) and wireless application protocol
(WAP). It also has an RS232 data cable called DKU-5 cable with which the phone can
be connected to any RS232 serial communication capable device.
Figure 3.7 : Nokia 6021 mobile phone
In remote communication with the Nokia 6021, Hayes command set (also
known as AT command) is used. This command set is a specific command language
consisting of series of short text strings which combine together to produce complete
commands for operations such as dialling, hanging up, sending/reading text messages,
and changing the parameters of the connection.
3.2.5 HIN232
HIN232, shown in figure 3.8, is an RS232 transmitter/receiver interface
chip, used for making serial communication possible between a device that uses TTL
(transistor-transistor logic) signal levels and another device that uses RS232 signal
levels (Intersil, 2008).
45

Figure 3.8 : HIN232 pinout
It requires a single +5V power supply and feature onboard charge pump
voltage converters which generate +10V and -10V supplies from the 5V supply. Its
drivers feature true TTL input compatibility, slew-rate limited output, and 300Ω
power-off source impedance. The receivers can handle up to +30V, and have a 3kΩ to
7kΩ input impedance, and they feature hysteresis to greatly improve noise rejection.
Table 3.1 : HIN232 pin descriptions
Table 3.1 gives a detailed working description of each pin.
46

3.2.6 Relay
Relay is a small electrical switch consisting of an electromagnet (coil), a
switch and a spring, that opens and closes under the control of another electrical
circuit. The spring holds the switch in one position, until a current is passed through
the coil, the coil generates a magnetic field which moves the switch. Because the relay
is able to control an output circuit of higher power than the input circuit, it is often
used to automatically switch large electrical power devices (Wikipedia, 2009).
There are many types of relay, namely;
• Latching relay – This relay has two relaxed states (bistable) and it is
often referred to as 'impulse', 'keep' or 'stay' relay. When the current is
switched off, the relay remains in its last state. This is possible due to a
solenoid operating a ratchet and cam mechanism, or by having two
opposing coils with an over-center spring or permanent magnet to hold the
armature and contacts in position while the coil is relaxed. Hence, the first
pulse of current to the coil turns the relay on and the second pulse turns it
off.
• Reed relay – This relay has a set of contacts inside a vacuum or inert
gas-filled glass tube, which protects the contacts against atmospheric
corrosion. The contacts are closed by a magnetic field generated when
current passes through a coil around the glass tube. Reed relays are capable
of faster switching speeds than most other relay types, but have a low
switch current and voltage ratings.
47

• Contactor relay – This is a very heavy-duty relay used for switching
electric motors and lighting loads. High current contacts are made with
alloys containing silver. Though there is an unavoidable arcing and the
contacts oxidize, the silver oxide formed is still a good conductor.
Contactor relays are often used for motor starters and they generate a lot of
noise when switching.
• Solid-state relay – This relay type is a solid state electronic
component that provides the same function as the electromagnetic relay. It
is just that it does not have any moving part which increases its long-term
reliability.
48

CHAPTER FOUR
DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION
The design of this project involved coupling several hardware components
and testing at the different stages of the implementation.
Firstly, a flow chart as shown in figure 4.1 was developed for the design
indicating the processes involved.
Figure 4.1 : Flow chart of the design
49
Phone rings
Switch appliance
off
Start
Switch appliance
on
Appliance already
switched on
Send message
Send message
No Yes
Yes

4.1 BUILDING THE POWER SUPPLY AND INTERFACING THE RELAY
In building the power supply, as illustrated in figure 4.2 the following
components were used;
• 220/9V 500mA 50Hz transformer,
• 4700µF, 35V capacitor,
• bridge rectifier, and
• 5V voltage regulator.
Figure 4.2 : The power supply
50
Voltage regulator
Capacitor
Transformer
Bridge rectifier

The primary side of the transformer was connected to a 220V AC mains
while the 9V secondary side was connected to the alternating voltage input pins of the
bridge rectifier. The DC output of the bridge rectifier was sent to the 5V voltage
regulator which supplies the constant 5V voltage supply needed by the PIC4455 and
HIN232.
4.2 SERIAL COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE MICROCONTROLLER
AND NOKIA 6021
In making possible the serial communication between the PIC4455
microcontroller and the Nokia 6021 mobile phone, the voltage level signals from the
RS232 DB-9 data cable of the phone had to be converted to the corresponding
TTL/CMOS voltage level signals that the microcontroller understands. In doing this,
HIN232 which is an RS232 line driver/receiver was used to convert the RS232 signals
to their corresponding TTL/CMOS signals. The microcontroller transmit pin C6 and
receive pin C7 were connected to the TTL/CMOS input and output pins 9 and 10, in
doing this connection it was necessary to connect the transmit pin (C6) of the
microcontroller to the input receive pin of the HIN232 and the receive pin (C7) of the
microcontroller to the output transmit pin of the HIN232. This ensured the cross
connection required for serial communication between two DCEs (Data
Communication Equipment) for both the microcontroller and the Nokia 6021 are
DCEs. For the DB-9 cable, the transmit pin 2 is connected to the RS232 output pin 7
and the receive pin 3 is connected to the RS232 input pin 8.
Finally, the DTR (data terminal ready) pin 4 and RTS (request to send) pin
7 of the DB-9 cable were connected to the +5V terminal while the signal ground pin 5
51

was connected to the ground terminal. The complete connection is shown in figure
4.3.
Figure 4.3 : The RS232 to microcontroller portion of the design
4.3 PROGRAMMING THE MICROCONTROLLER
In programming the microcontroller, CCS C compiler was used to write the
PIC C code that was built into an hexadecimal code to be programmed into the
PIC4455.
The PIC C program code implemented for the PIC4455 microcontroller
was developed stepwise as –
• Include the required header files which are 18f4455.h and string.h
header files.
• Include the required class file which is input.c.
52
HIN232
PIC4455
microcontroller
RS232 DB-9
connector

• Set the communication parameters like the clock rate (20 MHz), the
baud rate (9600 bits/s), the transmit pin (PIN C6) and the receive pin
(PIN C7).
#use rs232(baud=9600, xmit=PIN_C6, rcv=PIN_C7)
• Initialize the PIC4455 ports to be used. Pin C7 was set as an input pin
since it was the receive pin, the port D was initialized to low since D4
pin would be used to control the relay.
• Send the AT commands that will put the phone in text mode
(at+cmgf=1) and notification mode (at+cnmi=2,3,2,2,1). This was
required for the phone to notify the microcontroller of an incoming call.
printf(“at+cmgf=1;+cnmi=2,3,2,2,1r”);
• Put the microcontroller in a waiting mode such that if it detects data on
its receive pin, it will execute the main functional codes that will
compare the incoming data with some predetermined data to determine
if the phone is ringing and the course of action to take before going
back to the waiting mode.
if(kbhit())
{
...
}
4.4 TESTING THE COMPLETE DESIGN AND CASING
53

After the completion of the hardware coupling, several tests were done on
the design. Some observations and corrections were made as follows:
1. The system would not work when the phone is connected after
powering it, even after a reset. This was due to the fact that the signals
sent at first by the system to the phone do not die of the line immediately
and affects subsequent signals sent even after connecting and resetting the
system. This can be prevented by connecting the phone first before
powering the system. Much concern was not given to this shortcoming
because the system was designed to have a permanently connected phone,
making it impossible for this shortcoming to arise.
2. It was also observed that the system would not respond after about
four loop cycles (this corresponds to four concurrent switch toggle). This
was due to buffer overflow on the microcontroller which makes it not
process new data sent it by the phone after those cycles. The attempted
solution was to find a way of flushing the buffer after each cycle, but due
to little help found from books, internet and fellow PIC programmers, it's
solution could not be implemented.
Other than in the above stated situations, the system worked very well and
reliably.
In designing the case for the system, utmost concern was given to guarding
the system from physical strain and stress during carriage and project presentation. A
transparent plastic material was used for the casing as against glass material which
54

may easily break, a paper material which may give in to strain and stress, or even a
metallic material which will make the project work quite uneconomical, clumsy and
heavy. The casing was made in a manner that permits the whole circuit board to be
detached from the system.
The complete home automation system circuit controlling a lighting
fixture, and the designed system are shown in figure 4.4 and 4.5.
Figure 4.4: The complete home automation system circuit (controlling
lighting fixture)
55

Figure 4.5: The individual control home automation system
56

CHAPTER FIVE
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 CONCLUSION
It is evident from this project work that an individual control home
automation system can be cheaply made from low-cost locally available components
and can be used to control multifarious home appliances ranging from the security
lamps, the television to the air conditioning system and even the entire house lighting
system. And better still, the components required are so small and few that they can
be packaged into a small inconspicuous container.
The designed home automation system was tested a number of times and
certified to control different home appliances used in the lighting system, air
conditioning system, heating system, home entertainment system and many more
(this is as long as the maximum power and current rating of the appliance does not
exceed that of the used relay).
Finally, this home automation system can be also implemented over
Bluetooth, Infrared and WAP connectivity without much change to the design and yet
still be able to control a variety of home appliances. Hence, this system is scalable
and flexible.
5.2 RECOMMENDATION
In consonance with the project work and in view of the researched methods
and undertakings in the project design, the following are recommended:
57

• The department should help the students in getting components that
are not locally available.
• Students should be taught how to make embedded systems as the use
of computer software in most project work makes it uneconomical, and
the use of the conventional integrated circuits and logic gates makes the
project work clumsy.
• Finally, this project can be further developed to control more than
one home appliance at once through the use of short message service texts
rather than voice dial though it will be more expensive and will require
more relay circuits, making it a distributed control home automation
system. Also, to cut the cost of mobile phone, the project may be
implemented using standalone GSM modems that only perform
specialised functions like text messaging and/or phone calls. This GSM
modems often are cheaper and more reliable than GSM mobile phones.
58

REFERENCES
Byte Craft (2002). First Steps with Embedded Systems. Byte Craft Limited, Canada.
B & B Electronics (2003) RS-232 connections that work! DTE & DCE FAQ. From
http://www.bb-elec.com Retrieved on 29/03/2003
Collins, T. J. (2008). A project report on the design and construction of a low voltage
power line communication system. Project Report, FUTAAkure.
Intersil (2008). HIN232 datasheet. Intersil Inc, USA.
Martin Bates (2006). Interfacing PIC Microcontrollers Embedded Design by
Interactive Simulation. Newnes, London.
Microchip (2007). PIC 18F2455/2550/4455/4550 Data Sheet. Microchip Technology.
Inc, USA
Nigel Gardner (1998). An Introduction to programming the Microchip PIC in C.
Character Press, UK.
Wikipedia (2009). Automation. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automation.
Retrieved on 7/30/2009
Wikipedia (2009). Bluetooth. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth. Retrieved
on 7/30/2009
Wikipedia (2009). Building Automation. From
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Building_automation. Retrieved on 7/30/2009
Wikipedia (2009). Ethernet. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethernet. Retrieved on
8/3/2009
Wikipedia (2009). European Home Systems Protocol. From
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Home_Systems_Protocol. Retrieved
on 8/3/2009
Wikipedia (2009). GSM. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSM. Retrieved on
8/7/2009
Wikipedia (2009). Home Automation. From
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_automation. Retrieved on 7/6/2009
Wikipedia (2009). INSTEON. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/INSTEON. Retrieved
on 8/3/2009
59

Wikipedia (2009). KNX (standard). From
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KNX_(standard). Retrieved on 8/3/2009
Wikipedia (2009). LonWorks. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LonWorks. Retrieved
on 8/3/2009
Wikipedia (2009). Microcontroller. From
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microcontroller. Retrieved on 8/3/2009
Wikipedia (2009). ONE.NET. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ONE.NET. Retrieved
on 8/3/2009
Wikipedia (2009). RS232. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RS232. Retrieved on
7/21/2009
Wikipedia (2009). X10 (Industry Standard). From
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X10_(industry standard). Retrieved on 8/3/2009
Wikipedia (2009). ZigBee. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZigBee. Retrieved on
8/3/2009
Wikipedia (2009). Z-Wave. From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z-Wave. Retrieved on
8/3/2009
60

APPENDIX I: Bill of components
ITEM SYMBOL VALUE COST (N)
1 B1 Bridge Rectifier 50
2 C1 1.0 µF 10
3 C2 1.0 µF 10
4 C3 1.0 µF 10
5 C4 1.0 µF 10
6 C5 1.0 µF 10
7 C6 4700 µF 10
8 C7 22 pF 10
9 C8 22 pF 10
10 D1 DB-9 RS232 Cable 800
11 F1 Board 100
12 F2 Board 100
13 H1 HIN232 70
14 L1 LED 5
15 NI NOKIA 6021 6500
16 P1 PIC4455 2000
17 R1 10 kΩ 5
18 R2 330 Ω 5
19 R3 200 Ω 5
20 S1 6V 10A Relay 50
21 T1 Transformer 300
22 U1 TIP41C 50
23 U2 TIP41C 50
24 V1 LM7805 50
25 V2 LM7806 50
26 X1 Crystal Oscillator 70
27 Z1 Reset Button 20
TOTAL 10360
61

APPENDIX II: The PIC C code for programming the PIC4455 in CCS C
compiler
#include <18f4455.h>
#use delay(clock=12000000)
#use rs232(baud=9600, xmit=PIN_C6,rcv=PIN_C7)
#fuses HS,NOWRT,NOWDT,NOPUT,NOPROTECT,NOBROWNOUT,NOLVP,NOCPD,NODEBUG
#use fast_io(A)// enhances self i/o settings
#use fast_io(B)
#use fast_io(C)
#include <string.h>// header file
#include <input.c>
int i,u,a,b,counter=1,toggle;
char data[20],data1[20],data2[20],data3[20],test[12],mem[12],req[12];
void main()
{
set_tris_c(128);
set_tris_b(0);
output_b(255);
set_tris_d(0);
output_d(0);
delay_ms(500);
printf("at+cmgf=1;+cnmi=2,3,2,2,1r"); /* This puts the phone in text
mode and enables notification sending */
i=getch(); //
u=getch(); //
gets(data); //
// |-Extract and silent the initial sent instruction
i=getch(); // /
u=getch(); // /
gets(data1);// /
back:
if(kbhit()) //Run the subsequent codes when there is a new data
{
welcome:
if(counter==200) // _ Re-initialise the counter
counter=0; // /
gets(data2);
62

gets(data3);
b=0;
for(a=1;a<=6;a++)
{
req[b]=data3[a];
b++;
}
strncpy(mem,req,4);
strcpy(test,"RING"); /* The control string which the phone sends when
there is a phone call */
if(strncmp(mem,test,4)==0) //check if the notification is for phone
ringing
{
counter++; //Increment the counter
toggle=counter%10;
if(toggle==5)
{
output_high(PIN_D4); //put 5V on the D4 pin
printf("at+cmgs="08064702218"r");
printf("appliance is switched on");
putc(26);
}
if(toggle==0)
{
output_low(PIN_D4); //set pin D4 to 0V
//delay_ms(5);
printf("at+cmgs="08064702218"r");
//delay_ms(50);
printf("appliance is switched off");
putc(26);
//delay_ms(10);
}
}
goto welcome;
}
goto back;
}
63

My Final Year Project - Individual Control Home Automation System

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