Smart home - what modern automation systems can do. Components of the controller

It is necessary to place an acoustic system around the house, consisting of highly sensitive microphones and speakers to control smart home systems

Usually, the user gets a system with standard commands, which he can supplement with his own hands through a computer. Any programmed function of the equipment connected to the scenario will be executed by voice command.

The role of arduino in programming

The self-design of the "smart home" system includes the selection of equipment that will meet all the expected requirements. In particular, a controller will be needed that allows you to collect all the management of the house on one device, from which the guide will be conducted.

Among amateurs, arduino controllers are very popular, which are an empty printed circuit board, the peripherals and protection of which from damage depend on the user. You can connect anything - the program is written easily. In general, Arduino has many advantages:

• addition or copying is possible;
• a large amount of available information about the possible use of the controller, circuit options for different results;
• fixed pin layout (this allows manufacturers to safely release new devices to add functions - shields);
• arduino does not need a programmer and extensive knowledge in programming.

The appearance of the main control device for home systems - the arduino controller

This controller can be connected to a computer, it is often used in robotics and when creating stand-alone devices.

Voice Control Features

At the dawn of its development, voice control had certain limits, and it was difficult to imagine its current interface. It felt like something out of a fantasy movie. But now the situation has changed, and the possibility of an alternative control option in addition to existing methods (remotes and digital devices) makes it very attractive to the user.

A kind of guarantee of better interaction between a person and automation will be the recording of several options for one order (“Turn on the light in the bedroom”, “Turn on the light”, and so on), then the system will understand exactly what is required of it.

Such management, even created by oneself, most often includes the following common actions:

• turning on and off household appliances;
• climate control and curtains;
• irrigation program in front of the house;
• listening to news, weather forecasts and other information that the control will be configured to receive and play.

Some programs allow you to enter a distinction for each stage of the scenario: the control can be carried out in one room, and the command will work in another.

You can program with your own hands, as a command, any word. Some developers offer standard options in which smart home management commands are written in plain text. It is very convenient for the average user.

Description of one of the options

Voice control over the smart home system will not be activated until the owner activates it with a specific command or action (voice recognition is also available). Depending on the area on which operation is supposed, for the best functionality the house can be equipped with several controllers subordinate to one device. It is easy to use the "smart" equipment, the program contains several languages ​​that it easily recognizes.

You don't have to shout to control your home systems. Highly sensitive microphones pick up small voices. Depending on the type of microphone and the shape of the room, they need to install 1 microphone on an area of ​​20-30m2

Other purported amenities include instant response to orders, interactive communication that gives the impression that the house is really smart and talks to the owner on its own (although in fact it is a well-recorded live speech). Automation is able to report that the home has forgotten to close the gate, or to inform about a violation of the security of the site.

One of the many advantages is invisibility. All speakers and microphones are located out of sight of the owner (on a cabinet, under a shelf, hidden in pieces of furniture). It is very aesthetically pleasing, as there are no wires.

The equipment is installed in false ceilings or piers at the pre-installation stage; in houses with a fine finish, visual decoration is used for household appliances

A strong security system notifies of unauthorized entry into the premises by means of a message on a smartphone or verbally, and adequately responds in the event of an emergency.

This system can be controlled using a smartphone. "Smart Home" is connected to its operating system, and through it the owner can give the necessary orders to the controller.

A person always strives to improve and modernize his home. It is the development of the “smart home” system that makes it possible to automate all possible processes occurring in it as much as possible. Due to this, the comfort and safety of an apartment or house is achieved. That is, a smart home is a multifunctional complex device of control systems that can work both in autonomous (fully automatic) and manual modes. Recently, this set of devices has become increasingly popular, although it is quite expensive. The heart of any smart home is the so-called controller, which turns this whole complex mechanism into a unique network and it is he who distinguishes it from conventional automation based on electronic devices.

What is a smart home

To date, there are many modifications and configurations of the smart home control system, it depends on:

• What goals does the landlord want to achieve?
• material opportunities;
• The size and functionality of the house.

In any case, the main components of the system are:

1. The controller acts as a guiding and regulating mechanism between the input and output modulators. That is, the main connecting part between the managing person and the desired process;
2. Communication expansion systems, includes all kinds of routers, switches, GPS / GPRS modules;
3. Electrical circuit switching devices with their help turn on or off the desired mechanism or device. These are relays, power supplies, various dimmers;
4. Sensors and sensors, as well as measuring devices of different directions. They can measure movement, temperature, light intensity, humidity, etc.;
5. Elements, due to which, there is a direct control of the entire system or its parts;
6. Mechanisms that execute the signal from the controller, that is, turn the electrical signal into the appropriate one for the selected device. These are ventilation engines, shutters, water supply valves, lighting fixtures, heating elements, etc.

What is a control controller

The heart of this system, the controller not only manages all consumers and devices included in the smart home system, but also sends a report to the owner about the state of a particular device at the moment. It can be programmed to perform various actions at the desired time interval or according to an approved turn-on schedule. The entire smart home system can work offline, that is, without human intervention, communication with it occurs in several ways through:

• Computer network;
• Mobile phone;
• By radio transmitter.

The choice of controller must be made depending on the architecture of the control system. That is, the whole complex can be:

The principle of operation of the controller

The basic principle of operation of the entire smart home system is based on the automation and control of all processes occurring in it. Initially, all control is configured to independently turn on and off certain mechanisms that simplify a person’s life in the house. The smart home controller can perform and control tasks that are included in its program or have previously been set by the user. In this case, feedback is required between the person managing the house and the controller. All systems tied to work with the controller have one or a group of sensors, and therefore the user only has to choose the mode of their operation, or simply disable their automatic operation. But how useful is all the information supplied from the controller, this is already a question. Since some of them may be of no interest to the average layman who does not delve into the details of the system. Therefore, during the setup and installation of the entire smart home system, the owner must decide how automated it will be. Since, for example, not everyone needs to know the water pressure in the cold water line, or the voltage in the network.

Types of system communication

Communication to manage this rather complex system is an important component. There are several basic types of communication:

• Wireless local. This type of communication has a limited range and is made using a radio signal, Wi-Fi, or in extreme cases Bluetooth. Management is carried out from anywhere in the premises or even the local area. However, if the house is multi-storey and is also made of a material that performs a shielding function (sheathed with iron or even consists of concrete slabs with reinforcement), then special devices are installed that amplify the wireless signal, or additional radio points;
• Remote wireless communication. It is possible if the smart home controller is connected to global networks or communication expansion systems that provide constant access to them. These are networks such as GSM / GPRS, any mobile Internet. That is, even if there is no Internet, you can send or receive SMS to your phone about the status of a particular system controlled by the controller. The main communication devices are a phone (smartphone), tablet or laptop.
• Wired local. This is one of the outdated and outdated methods, but still with good reliability. Communication occurs over cable, twisted pair or electrical wiring. Any central or regional smart home controller has such a connection. The expansion of communication and function occurs with the help of a switch, which creates several branches. Control is carried out by pressing the buttons on the control panel, it can be touch or mechanical. But sometimes you can also connect through a computer, but this is not very convenient, mobility in management is lost.
• Wired remote method. This is a rather expensive method, as it involves laying a large amount of cable products. And the farther the control unit is located, the more problematic its connection with the controller. Most often, this method of communication is used not for private, but for state organizations and structures to manage simple processes of buildings and the surrounding area. It is rarely used for home use.

That is, devices due to which direct control takes place most often come in the kit. They are graphical control panels with push-button or touch action, they can also be remote controls tuned to the radio frequency of the transmitter. Control devices such as mobile phones, computers or tablets are, of course, purchased separately. Communication through them and management takes place with the help of a specially designed software control, which provides remote access via the Internet.

Basic configuration options

Constantly striving for perfection and automation, a person invents more and more new mechanisms for this. Also, this desire is aimed at reducing the size of devices without losing their functional features.

For the controller controlling the mechanisms and for the entire smart home system, there are basic requirements:

1. automatism;
2. self-control;
3. precise control, without making mistakes.

The configuration options for any such system depend on many factors, which have already been mentioned above, here are the options for systems that can be connected to the controller:

1. Adjustment and control of lighting both in the room itself and in the adjacent territory, and in places of architectural structures;
2. Climatic installations (air conditioning, ventilation, heating);
3. Closing and blocking doors, gates and windows;
4. Audio systems, and television, home theater;
5. Management of curtains, blinds and sun-protection rolleta;
6. Water supply system;
7. Feeding pets and aquarium fish.

That is, everything lies in the desire of the client and his material capabilities.

Common brands of controllers

The quality of command execution and the functionality of any smart home system directly depends on the controller and its manufacturer.

Aries

This 100 PLC modification smart home controller is the basic solution. A feature of which is the use of the Modbus protocol. It is he who organizes the exchange of information between communication channels. The controller "Aries" is designed for the use and creation of automatic systems for residential buildings and cottages with no more than two storeys, street lighting, floor heating, and alarm devices. The logic controller is connected to the operator panel and the I/O device via the RS-485 interface. Programming takes place by the owner himself, unless, of course, he has such a desire. The menu consists of six informative control blocks, each of which is responsible for a specific segment. There is a function of sending SMS using an element of the GSM controller. Notification occurs in case of emergency situations with power supply or malfunction of the supply circuits of individual key elements of the "smart home" system.

VeraEdge

The model of the Vera family is distinguished by a large margin of user confidence, due to the use of their equipment in this industry for many years. The main advantages of this model are:

• High performance;
• Ergonomics;
• Compactness;
• Reliability.

The developers used here a new platform that gives high performance indicators called SoC, its frequency is 600 MHz, and the RAM is increased to 128 MB. The main innovation is implemented on the Z-Wave Plus chip, which is the fifth generation of these microcircuits. The user can simultaneously control and manage the mechanisms, the number of which has been increased to 200 devices. The VeraEdge controller is equipped with a Wi-Fi communication module. One of the drawbacks that still exists in any system can be considered the lack of an integrated uninterruptible power supply unit, which can be purchased and installed additionally.

Arduino

The Arduino controller offers a rather unusual, but quite logical solution for controlling a smart home. Some craftsmen easily connect and install with their own hands, this is possible due to the ease of working with it. The logic controller has very small dimensions. And also in the kit there are sensors, sensors, as well as all kinds of indicators. The developers almost managed to bring the optimization of the device to perfection. All sensors have a wireless connection and are characterized by minimal errors in operation, and for control there are blocks that have an unusual appearance, with a convenient and unique web page. It is also available as a mobile application.

Siemens

These systems of German quality are used not only for automation of systems in everyday life, but also in production, in industry. The controller of this company is expressed by the LOGO line involved in the creation of a "smart home". This is the traditional two-component model. One of which is made in the form of a keyboard with a display and is an input-output system, and the second allows you to perform manipulations and connect to the controller through a convenient and reliable wired interface. The company also offers independent development of certain operating modes, for which a special Soft Comfort program is attached. When LOGO is used as a central controller, it can be used to create entire algorithms for the operation of circuits. Constantly new introductions and modifications improve the performance of this apparatus.

Pros and cons of controllers

The indisputable advantage of using controllers to control a house or a room is aimed at effectively solving various problems, as well as at reproducing intellectual abilities, it would seem, for the most simple and elementary mechanisms. Homeowners really get rid of many routine activities. However, like every system, there are necessarily drawbacks. They should include:

1. complexity of connection and introduction to work;
2. expensive maintenance and the cost of all elements of the system.

However, development and technology do not stand still, and once every house or summer cottage will be equipped with a “smart home” system, just as a person literally did not know about electricity a century ago, and now it exists in every home.

Consumption ecology. Science and technology: A smart home control system is a complex of hardware and software designed to perform basic functions.

The name "smart home" technology in itself implies intelligent control of the premises. Many devices combined into one system ensure the safety of housing, comfort and saving resources. The system allows you to easily control room temperature, lighting, alarms, security systems, and more.

The smart home control system is a complex of hardware and software designed to perform three main functions.

The first is the control of various equipment in your home from one point. Using your smartphone, computer, tablet and other devices, you can manage all the smart devices that your apartment is equipped with.

For example, you can turn on/off the light in any of the rooms or change its intensity, move or open the curtains, turn the air conditioner on and off, change the temperature, control any functions of household appliances that have this ability, and also issue commands to execute any scenarios. .

It is the execution of scripts that is the second way to control a smart home. A scenario is a set of pre-programmed actions agreed with the user that the smart home system performs on command.

For example, when a user comes home after work and sits down to watch TV, he can send the “Watch Movie” command to the smart home, then the complex will dim the lights, close the blinds and automatically adjust the sound volume. It should be added that commands can be carried out not only using the touch panel, but also using a PC or mobile phone.

The third point is the automatic control of a smart home. In this case, the system itself makes decisions about certain actions, for example, maintaining a constant temperature in the room, focusing on the thermometer readings. Similarly, you can control, for example, an electric sauna or watering plants.

A washing machine with SmartManager will greatly simplify your life - you can start washing your clothes remotely and at any time. A washing machine repairman can handle any technical problems.

There is an opinion that in order to fully extract all the benefits that a smart home can provide, smart building management must be comprehensive. Recently, there has been a desire of customers to fully automate housing engineering systems.

If earlier they basically agreed to install individual systems - only lighting and curtain control systems, only climate control systems, and so on, now they are increasingly installing a full complex. However, the installation of complex automation systems requires the intervention of professionals, which is not always convenient. Moreover, this option of a smart home is quite expensive.

Perhaps it is for this reason that hubs have recently begun to be used to control smart devices in the house. They serve as an excellent starting point to start building a complex intelligent system. In fact, a hub is a central controller that controls many other devices at once, which are bought either immediately or gradually and are capable of performing a wide variety of functions: from lighting control to security.

One of the most popular hubs is called SmartThings Hub. Management is carried out through applications on iOS and Android, as well as through a web interface.

SmartThings offers several products that can be integrated with the hub: leak detector, motion sensor, door sensor, as well as smart sockets, lamps, cameras, thermostats and many more. What's more, it can integrate with devices developed by partner companies, such as Belkin WeMo switches.

Another hub on the smart device market was introduced by Insteon. Control is also carried out using an application for a smartphone or computer.

With it, you can customize the behavior of devices depending on the time of day and receive email alerts (plus push notifications) when an event occurs. Insteon products include thermostats, sockets, switches, door locks, motion sensors, water sensors, wireless cameras and other devices.

Another affordable home automation system is VeraLite. Thanks to the use of the Z-Wave protocol, it can "communicate" even with those products that do not belong to the VeraLite line. VeraLite automatically configures itself when it connects to your home network. Moreover, it can function as a router.

However, such systems have one drawback. You can pair motion sensors with light switches, you can program a thermostat to only heat rooms that are occupied, you can even turn electrical outlets on and off using your smartphone. However, this is only possible if you permanently reside in this house. If you rent an apartment and often move, then transporting equipment and reinstalling it immediately turns into a tedious task.

This creates certain difficulties in the adaptation of smart home technology by young people who travel frequently. This is the problem that IOTAS and its co-founder Sce Pike are trying to solve. IOTAS is partnering with property developers to bring smart technology to every home. Its goal is to ensure that tenants can fully enjoy the possibilities of the Internet of things.

The integrated IOTAS control system can only work with motion sensors, switches and sockets, however, using the company's application, the user gets the opportunity to create their own rules for the operation of apartment equipment. For example, IOTAS can turn off all the lights in the house after 10 pm when you go to wash, or, conversely, blink the lights if you receive an SMS message.

You can “transport” a smart home with you thanks to the cloud service. Moreover, you get access to settings made by other users. The IOTAS hardware is wireless and capable of working with conventional light bulbs and switches.

Pike also says that the company wants to expand the range of available devices: implement smart locks, thermostats, wearables. Complex solutions of this kind will allow customers to feel as free as possible and will be able to satisfy all their little whims. It is not surprising that such giants of the industry as Google are already looking to compete with the company. But maybe that's a good thing, because competition pushes the market forward.

Controlling a smart home through a smartphone can be amazing. Control system developers offer many solutions that are based on different standards, but have problems incompatible with each other and in most cases cause installation and installation difficulties. The practical application of smart technology shows its dullness: after all, it stubbornly follows the established rules and with great difficulty accepts any exceptions to them. Thus, smart home control systems today are intended more for geeks, and not for mass market users.

Every phenomenon has the ability to change. Some start-up companies have recently brought to the market smart home control solutions that not only transcend the boundaries between established standards, but do not forget about user comfort and ease of operation. Now modern approaches such as remote access via the Internet or through a smartphone application have begun to be taken into account. The article on home control systems presents three such solutions: Qivicon and Homee (complete systems for home control), as well as Tado (a narrowly focused solution for controlling home heating). You can’t buy them in Russian online stores yet, but they fully function on the territory of the Russian Federation, unless you have to order them on European resources.

A smart home control system helps to save money almost from the first day, especially if you use it to control the heating of your home, so this fact will serve you at least to be interested in automating the work of equipment in your home.

Qivicon - a system for inexperienced users

Qivicon is Telekom's basic smart home system. The basis for inclusion in the home network is the Home Base device, which costs about 13,000 rubles, which connects to the router and provides communication between smart home components. Configuration and management is carried out via a web interface (browser on a PC) or via a mobile application for a smartphone. Qivicon relies on open source software, that is, it can theoretically be supported by any manufacturer. At the moment, Telekom has 30 partners, including the classic eQ-3 smart home technology, Miele refrigerators, and controllable LED lamps. In the process of use, it quickly became clear that the system was designed for an inexperienced user. The instructions included with each Home Base guide you step by step through the installation and configuration of the components. By the way, they all communicate with each other via radio, and in most cases, it is enough to use double-sided tape for installation. This will please those who rent or do not install any smart appliances permanently.

Qivicon allows you to control and manage all actuators through a smartphone application, even when the owner is away from home.

The importance of linking the system to the cloud

I note that all settings are saved in the cloud, which can confuse especially cautious users. However, if you choose a truly strong password, it will be perfectly safe. In the event of a system failure, automatic daily backups can quickly restore all configurations. And this is really important: during operation, it will take quite a long time until you manage to program suitable scenarios for the most important situations (working days, weekends, holidays, vacations).

One cannot do without one or another fine-tuning tested in practice, otherwise it will be too cold for someone in the bathroom in the morning, and too hot in the evening in the living room. If you lose such an individual space heating plan, you will have to start the setup from scratch. And that's not all: the magnetic contacts that automatically regulate the heating when the windows are open will also have to be reconfigured, as well as the sockets in the living room, which automatically turn off the power supply at night.

The cost of control systems

To enter this world of Qivicon, there are starter packages that include the Home Base module and various actuators. For example, the European energy concern EnBW offers thermostats for heating systems, switchable sockets, etc. Although this is not enough to fully connect the house to the network, it is a good start. Of course, the components can be purchased separately, and if you want to make your whole house smart, then there is nothing else left for you. A wise decision: if components with a special signal standard are included in the package, the operation of the Qivicon Home unit can simply be extended using the dongle supplied with the units.
Difficulties: Apps to control the respective devices are included in the starter package. When purchasing the EnBW package, the EnBW program is included, when purchasing the Telekom kit, the Smart Home application is provided. There is no free download through utility stores, codes are required to activate applications, which are provided only with packages. In other words, the concept of open source software does not apply.
EnBW offers the app for free for a year, after which you have to pay almost €50 per year. Telekom after two years of free subscription requires €30 per year. As a result, all the money saved on energy will go to pay for programs.

Tado - heating control system

Tado has chosen a path that is radically different from Qivicon's solution: instead of controlling individual heaters, the Tado system controls the operation of a central element, i.e. an oil or gas burner or a heat pump. The advantage of this solution is that the control can switch off the burner directly - this avoids heat losses that inevitably occur at high flow temperatures despite the heaters being switched off. The Tado compatibility list includes a huge number of heating systems, more than a hundred manufacturers and types of expanders and controls.

Instructions for all types of heating

It is often not so easy to recognize which heating control is installed in the house (however, if you try, this information can be obtained from the company that services your home). And Tado, in turn, does not have ready-made documentation for any possible combination of devices. If the customer configures a heating system in the web interface for which no instruction has yet been drawn up, it is drawn up by the Tado team. In practice, it took less than eight hours. The finished instructions turned out to be so detailed that even an inexperienced user could easily cope with the installation.

The advanced logic of the Tado system is stored in the cloud. In addition to the set and actual room temperature, the control includes data on the outside temperature (according to the weather service), the weather forecast (especially on the intensity of solar radiation), the location of the residents (it is determined using a smartphone application) and the received information on how much the temperature in the apartment quickly decreases and rises again. But one should not expect too much from the logic of Tado: as soon as all residents are 100 km away from the apartment, the system will lower the temperature to about 16 ° C. After that, it can take more than six hours for the house to warm up to a comfortable level of 21 ° C, and when the system detects the approach to the dwelling, temperature regulation may be delayed. Manual intervention through the application will solve this problem. Unless, of course, the user remembers this in time.
In a well-insulated home, the temperature drops 2.5°C overnight, which is hardly a huge savings potential. Both savings and comfort increase only with a long absence of residents in the winter. In any case, it will take several years to recoup the cost of the €350 system. However, in older buildings without insulation, the system works much more efficiently.

Briefly about installing the Tado management system

The Tado system is not limited to the control of individual heaters. Very detailed instructions are available for connecting Tado components to existing oil, gas or pellet heating systems, or alternatively Tado can provide customers with a technician. The technical part of the Tado components is hidden in very elegant and discreet cases. Even the display is integrated discreetly. Connecting the Tado expander to the heating system is accompanied by very detailed and simple instructions. For example, just three wires are enough for a Wolf gas boiler.

Homee: smart home control without the cloud

Homee, like Qivicon, is a complete home control system. It takes control of individual heaters, switches sockets, monitors doors and windows, moves blinds, and monitors rooms with motion sensors (and the basement and garage with humidity sensors). Everything works via radio and does not require any cable, so the system is perfect for tenants who can take everything with them to their new home when they move. In addition, all configurations are saved locally, and an Internet connection is only required for remote control of the smart home.
Of course, one can argue about the optical representation in the form of multi-colored plastic cubes, but we like it as an alternative to the traditional discreet design of such a technique. However, the very idea of ​​turning competition among standards for the good is undeniably good. Each of the cubes significantly expands the system by one wireless communication protocol: the so-called Brain Cube is a mandatory basis, it is an intermediary between technologies and via WLAN provides a connection to a smartphone or (if you have the necessary remote access) to a router.

System installation from Homee

The solution is installed quite quickly: you need to install the application, insert the Brain Cube, use your mobile phone to enter the displayed wireless network of the Homee system, connect to the system, create an account - you're done! New expansion cubes are simply stacked on top of each other and no special installation steps are required. Connection with actuators distributed throughout the house or apartment is performed without problems. True, mastering the system is not as easy as in the case of Qivicon: here you first need to find in the instructions for the thermostat, motion sensors or switchable sockets how to put the devices into setup mode.

Important: not every product is compatible with Homee, the list of supported ones is on the official website.
The application has not been finalized a bit, as the control does not go quite smoothly as we would like. For example, when creating groups, the added devices are sometimes not displayed at all, sometimes they are displayed with a long delay. But in general, these are shortcomings from which it will be possible to get rid of a software update. With regard to prices, the system adheres to the same framework as competitors. A Brain Cube kit with an expansion cube will cost almost 15,000 rubles, and compatible actuators are in a higher price range than the equipment for Qivicon. However, the higher cost can pay off, because no other system is as reliable in terms of data protection.

The most interesting alternative smart home control systems

HomeMatic. The most inexpensive and voluminous system with its own (and self-developed) wireless communication protocol. Programming and networking components is relatively complex in today's environment.

RWE Smart Home. It is not necessary to be a customer of this energy concern to be able to use the smart home system. Like Qivicon, this system focuses on ease of installation and management at comparable prices.

Netatmo. Not one of the classic home control providers - so far the company has attracted attention with a stylish weather station. New in this offer is a smart thermostat that can be controlled via a smartphone, similar to the Tado system.

Belkin WeMo. A smart home system that communicates with a smartphone via WLAN. It is possible to connect various devices to the network. The main focus of the program is on energy saving and safety.