Home Automation Basics PDF

Learning Outcomes List common functions of building automation systems (e.g., lifts, fire alarms and ventilation) List common functions of home automation systems (e.g., lighting, appliances, blinds and security) Explain the benefits of using a home automation system over a conventio...

Learning Outcomes List common functions of building automation systems (e.g., lifts, fire alarms and ventilation) List common functions of home automation systems (e.g., lighting, appliances, blinds and security) Explain the benefits of using a home automation system over a conventional system List examples of common home automation standards and products, such as: o KNX (used by Jung, ABB, Schneider, etc.) o LonWorks o C-Bus o Modbus o Z-Wave (used by MK Astral) o ZigBee 2.1.1 Automation Automation is a way to make machines or devices (such as lights and switches) work with little or no direct control by a person. We will learn about two types of automation systems: building automation systems home automation systems Unit 2.1 | Home Automation Basics 82  2.1.2 Building Automation Systems In Singapore, many modern commercial and residential buildings are installed with building automation systems. These buildings have features that make them more comfortable, cost- efficient, and energy-efficient than ordinary buildings. For instance, in a large residential building, a building automation system may have: a control room that allows a person to monitor and detect problems for all the lifts, fire alarms, security cameras, fans and lights in the building without needing to move around from one location to another; a security and privacy system to make sure only residents holding valid access cards can access the lifts and other facilities within the building; a ventilation system to keep the building at a comfortable temperature; and a fire alarm system to alert residents, turn on the emergency lights and disable the lifts when there is a fire anywhere in the building. The building automation system, together with other smaller systems like lighting control, energy control and more, make up an integrated system (Fig. 2.1-1). Each of these smaller systems has specific functions, and they reply on and support one another, under the integrated system. Fig. 2.1-1: Building automation system Unit 2.1 | Home Automation Basics 83  2.1.3 Home Automation Systems A home automation system is a simpler but more customisable automation system found within a residential unit that allows a homeowner to monitor and control the lighting, air conditioning, multimedia, security and other features. It may have: a wired and/or wireless communication network that allows homeowners to control electrical appliances and services using a remote control or even a mobile device such as a smartphone; and sensors and actuators that can intelligently perform tasks without direct control by a person. Fig. 2.1-2 illustrates some examples of sensors and actuators being used in home automation systems. Example 1 Example 2 Example 3 When a heavy downpour Use of an actuator system to An actuator system to water happens and no one is at fill a bowl with pet food. plants automatically every home to close the windows, morning. the weather sensor would sense the rain and close the windows automatically. The windows would then be opened again when the rain stops. Fig. 2.1-2: Examples of sensors and actuators used in home automation systems Unit 2.1 | Home Automation Basics 84 More advanced home automation systems might even provide homeowners with feedback and suggestions by monitoring how home appliances are used and learning from the owners’ habits. For example, in Fig. 2.1-3, a refrigerator may be able to list its contents, suggest menus, recommend other healthy foods, or even order replacements automatically as food is used up. Fig. 2.1-3: Automated refrigerator With the development in artificial intelligence (AI), smart home technology is brought to the next level. AI essentially mimics human intelligence using vast amount of data. It is equipped with learning and decision-making capabilities. Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant are AI-enabled units used as smart voice assistants to control various smart home systems through voice commands. Every time an AI-enabled voice assistant makes a mistake, it will learn from it. The voice assistant takes the data associated with the query, learns from the error, and tries to provide a favourable response. Everything is stored, analysed, and improved over time. The digital voice assistant relies on the data and machine learning to control the smart home features. Unit 2.1 | Home Automation Basics 85  2.1.4 Common Home Automation Functions Some common functions of a home automation system are described in Table 2.1-1. Table 2.1-1: Common functions of a home automation system Function Description Master A switch can be programmed to turn on or turn off all the lights in the home. Control This is called the master control. Examples All the lights can be turned on by pressing the master ON switch when the user comes home. All the lights can also be turned off by pressing the master OFF switch when the user leaves home. Fig. 2.1-4: Master control via mobile phone Light Scene A push button can be programmed to turn on, turn off or adjust the Control brightness of lights in the home. Each collection of light settings is called a light scene. Individual push buttons can be programmed to activate different light scenes (such as “Welcome Scene”, “Dining Scene”, “Movie Scene” and “Reading Scene”). This is called light scene control. Examples When the family is having dinner, pressing the “Dining Scene” push button dims the lighting at the dining table to a suitable level. When the family is watching a movie, pressing the “Movie Scene” push button dims the lighting in the living room. This enhances the mood of the room and saves electrical energy. Fig. 2.1-5: Light scenes Unit 2.1 | Home Automation Basics 86  Function Description Blind/Shutter Window blinds can be connected to a home automation system so that they Control can open and close automatically. This is called blind/shutter control. Examples When a brightness sensor detects very bright sunlight in the living room, the window blinds can be automatically lowered to a certain level so that the room does not become too bright. The user can choose to manually control the window blinds with a remote controller. Fig. 2.1-6: Blind control Security Intruder alarms can be connected to a home automation system so that they Control can be activated automatically. This is called security control. Examples When the family leaves home for a vacation, they can turn on or arm the security system so that the intruder alarm would be activated when a door or window is opened unexpectedly. Security cameras are increasingly popular feature of automated home security control. They help homeowners monitor who enters and exits the home at all times, deterring burglars from breaking into their home. It may send the user an alert via mobile phone or allow him/her to view any area of the home via webcams from anywhere with an internet connection. The video streams from these digital security cameras are often backed up onto cloud servers or high-capacity hard drives, ensuring that the home's activities are accessible for review at any time. Fig. 2.1-7: Security control via mobile phone Unit 2.1 | Home Automation Basics 87  2.1.5 Benefits of Using a Home Automation System Two main features of home automation systems are: remote access, meaning the homeowner can use multiple devices in the home without needing to move around or even be present; and automation, meaning devices can work without direct control by a person. These two features provide many benefits over a conventional home system (Table 2.1-2). Table 2.1-2: Benefits of using a home automation system Benefit Remote Access Automation Convenience Remote access allows users to Automation helps to saves time, as control the lights, blinds, and other users do not need to change their devices throughout the home schedules or remember to perform without the need to move around repeated tasks such as turning off from device to device. the living room lights every night. Security Remote access enables users to Automation means that the system monitor the cameras and motion can automatically sound the alarm sensors in the home, even if they are and start video recording when a not physically at home. door or window is opened unexpectedly, or when the motion sensor detects an intruder. Advanced systems can even: contact the police or a security agency automatically. use key cards, fingerprint, or facial recognition in place of conventional locks, making it harder for someone to break in. Accessibility Remote access boosts accessibility Automation helps users perform for elderly or disabled users, as they repetitive or easy-to-forget tasks. can do things like controlling lights, locking doors, operating the For example, a medication telephone, or using the computer dispensing system can be loaded without needing to move around. with single-dose cups of medication and programmed to sound a Some advanced systems allow these reminder and dispense the right tasks to be performed using voice medication at the right time, thus commands alone, which is a great aiding users to take their help for the visually impaired. medications at pre- scheduled times. Unit 2.1 | Home Automation Basics 88  Benefit Remote Access Automation Efficiency Remote access allows users to turn Automation allows lights to be lights and appliances off from the programmed to turn off office, if one were to leave for work automatically when no one is in a and realise he or she has left the room, or the air conditioner to be set lights and appliances on. to turn on just before the owner arrives home. By switching on devices only when they are needed, these automated tasks help save electricity, water and gas, thereby reducing the strain on natural resources. Resale Value Remote access allows owners who With all these benefits combined, are away to unlock a door to grant homes with automated systems have authorised access to visitors (e.g., the potential to be sold at a higher cleaner). Also, the owners can receive price than conventional homes. video or text alerts anytime when Automating a home can be a someone makes an unauthorised worthwhile investment in increasing attempt to open the door. Hence, its market value and attracting homes with remote access have the possible buyers in the future. potential to be sold at a higher price than conventional homes. Unit 2.1 | Home Automation Basics 89  2.1.6 Common Home Automation Standards and Products People have been interested in home automation for a long time. As a result, there are many home automation standards and products in the market today. Unfortunately, this also means there is no single standard for people to follow. Table 2.1-3 shows four home automation standards that were created between 1979 and 1999, and are still widely used today. They mostly use wired cables to connect devices to one another but some also allow for wireless connections. Table 2.1-3: Home automation standards (1979 – 1999) Standard Created Belgium, 1990 US, 1990 Australia, 1998 US, 1979 Twisted pair, Twisted pair, Twisted pair, Serial cable, radio frequency, power line, IP/ethernet IP/ethernet Medium power line, fibre optic, IP/ethernet IP/ethernet Table 2.1-4 shows two home automation standards that were created in the 2000s. They use only wireless connections, which allow people to set up home automation systems more conveniently without needing to rewire their homes. Table 2.1-4: Home automation standards (2000s) Standard Created Denmark, 1999 Worldwide, 2003 Medium Radio frequency Radio frequency Frequency Around 900 MHz Multiple, most commonly 2.4 GHz Range Up to 100 m Around 10 m to 20 m [1M (or 1 mega) = 1,000,000 and 1G (or 1 giga) = 1,000,000,000] Unit 2.1 | Home Automation Basics 90