Home Automation Lightning Motion Sensor and Zigbee Wireless - Essay Example

Home Automation Lightning Motion Sensor and Zigbee Wireless Introduction Presence detectors are sensors designed to minimise the amount of time lights are left on unnecessarily. For instance when a room is vacated or there is adequate natural light, the lights in the building must turn off. Presence detectors monitor the detection zones for occupancy of an object. If the sensor detects a person in the area, the detector will turn room’s lightings automatically. When the room is vacated, the lights will go out after a stipulated time delay. Most presence detectors have an in-built light sensor (lux) that will turn off the lights if there is sufficient natural light. Regulating lights with a presence detector may save up to 65% of the total cost spent on lighting energy (CP Electronics, 2013). How the system works Presence detectors also known as PIR (Passive Infra-Red) work on a principle similar to that applied in motion detectors. These devices log the thermal radiations of their environments or area under detection. When thermal radiation in the area is detected, for example, in the case of a person coming close to the sensor, the detector will convert these vibrations into measurable electrical signals which will then turn on the lights. Presence detectors utilised in controlling lighting assist in the continuous adjustment of the output of faint lighting systems. This functionality facilitates management of energy saves costs over the conventional switching systems. Presence detectors provide an automatic hands-off lighting system that combines user comfort with an optimum energy consumption (Theben, 2011). Belki’s new device called WeMo makes home automation simpler. According to the company manufacturers, the device allows the user to control home-entertainment and other applications using iOS devices. Belki’s WeMo system incorporates a number of devices that are linked to the users Wi-Fi network. The system can then be managed by an iPad app or WeMo iPhone. Unlike other home automation systems, WeMo is entirely modular, and the user can add more nodes to increase its effectiveness (Linked in, 2013). How WeMo works The WeMo Switch and WeMo Motion are the present WeMo devices that exist today. The WeMo Switch is plugged into a wall outlet and serves as a remote-controlled socket that turns connected devices on or off according to the user’s command. The WeMo Motion device is also plugged into a wall socket, and has a 6-foot power cord which links to a motion sensor. Both the WeMo Motion and WeMo Switch are linked to the wireless network of the user, and the WeMo iOS app detects these components automatically. Various home appliances can be connected by plugging them into the WeMo Switch. The appliances connected to the WeMo Switch can then be turned on or off using iOS app available in the system. Therefore, the WeMo Switch allows the user to check if certain household appliances have been turned off in order to avoid the requirement of running an entire home check. The WeMo Switches have power buttons that replace the switch on the wall socket. WeMo Switch Setup The WeMo is not available officially, but its setup is a breeze. Once turned on, the isolated WeMo device creates a wireless network named as WeMo-XXX, where XXX is the device’s ID number. The next step involves connecting the iPad or iPhone to the network, and a free WeMo app is initiated. The WeMo app will then detect the primary Wi-Fi network and pull the required data configuration automatically. The WeMo app will also ask for a Wi-Fi password to ensure the user’s network is secured. The device collects additional configuration information necessary for its operations and then links to the wireless network. In addition to the ability to remotely switch domestic devices on and off, the principal selling point of the WeMo system is its simplicity of deployment. The WeMo Switch will also come at an affordable cost of about $50, according to the company reports (Honeywell, 2013). GJD Manufacturing Limited is another leading industry in the manufacture, design and distribution of external detector appliances such as lighting controllers and CCTV used in intruder surveillance industry. The company’s strong and continuous growth results from a dedicated philosophy to produce consistently reliable devices coupled with a devoted after-sales support team. By working closely and listening to customers, the company has been able to refine and evolve quality systems and products. The company takes pride in developing designs using latest technologies and implementation of state-of-art manufacturing techniques (Nanotech, 2009). Functionality and Features D-LITE Motion Detector This new innovative detector manufactured by GJD is at the front of leading technology. This device is a distinctive security light with a detector installed inside. This unique concept provides one light and detector system which is easy to install and comes with maximum operability. The D-LITE is a stylish, beautifully designed light fitting device with an in-built low power LED illuminator and PIR sensor. The sensor is hidden in the light fitting and cannot be seen by an intruder. When a movement is detected, the LED is activated, and the entire area is illuminated instantly (Fritz, 2013). Features of D-LITE Motion Detector Easy to install and cost effective Adjustable placement of the internal PIR sensor Long life time of more than 10 years Energy efficient Discrete and modern light sensor Sensitive, selectable time on and has a light level settings No maintenance required Introduction to wireless home automation system In the previous years, home automation was faced with challenges such as distance barrier in massive residences and commercial building since the wireless network was limited by the distance the signals could travel. The phase differences of electrical signals required the application of phase couplers to bridge one electrical circuit to the other. Big houses with increased wiring distances exhibited weak signals and intermittent performance. People with large homes and power line wiring problems have sought to wireless automation as the new solution constructing and expanding their home systems. With the application of wireless appliances, problems of electrical wiring become a setback of the past. For example, when the radio frequency (RF) signals are used to transmit signals, the wiring difference experienced by systems is not applied. Moreover, using hybrid systems (involves power line and RF wiring interfaced into each circuit) bridges the various systems together in an effortless manner. Installation of the system is also simplified and involves plugging the right appliance into the right socket outlet (Lord, 2011). ZigBee Wireless Communication Protocol ZigBee is a set of specifications for high level communication protocol utilising low-power, low-cost, and wireless sensor networks built around IEEE 802.15.4 wireless protocol. The technology is meant to be cheaper and simpler than the other wireless personal area networks (WPANs), such as Bluetooth. The technology is directed at radio frequency (RF) applications which require long battery life, a low data rate, and a secured network. Incidentally, the name “ZigBee” comes from the silent, though powerful communication technique used by honeybees when reporting information about sources of food. By waggling about in a zig-zag dance, a bee is capable of sharing critical information, such as distance, location, and direction of a new source of food to the members of the hive (Conlab, 2013). ZigBee Applications The ZigBee protocols are meant for embedded applications that need low power consumption and low data rates. ZigBee principal focus is to implement a general-purpose, self-organising mesh, and inexpensive network that utilized in industrial control, home automation, building automation, and in intruder and smoke warning applications. The resulting network uses reduced power output making individual components run for an extended time utilising the initially installed battery. In industry, the technology is used in automated manufacturing and incorporates small transmitters to facilitate communication between a central computer and the peripheral devices. This new level of communication allows intricate tuned remote monitoring and operations (Emerson, 2013). A significant component of ZigBee Protocol is its ability to support meshed networks. In meshed networks, nodes are linked with other nodes so as to link at least two pathways onto one node. The characteristics of meshed networks provides stability while changing conditions or malfunction at a single node. Unlike Bluetooth which center o connecting large packet user appliances such as phones and laptops, ZigBee is designed to offer efficient network connectivity among small packet devices. Due to its simplified operability as compared to Bluetooth, the pricing for ZigBee devices is exceptionally competitive, with complete nodes available at only a fraction the price of a Bluetooth node (New Circuits, 2013). ZigBee Protocol Features (Geek, 2013) Low duty cycle providing increased battery life The system supports multiple network topologies Low latency Can sustain more than 65000 nodes in a network Clear channel assessment Link quality indication ZigBee Manufacturing Companies CTi is a specialised manufacturing industry in the UK. The company manufactures and designs a broad range of discrete antennas for the GPS, DAB, GSM, Bluetooth, ZigBee, and WiFi markets. The company has two operating divisions that deal with antenna and plastic moulding and is a branch of Armour Automotives Group of companies. Another UK manufacturer of ZigBee is Embers Technology Corporation. The company manufactures a wide range of products using the ZigBee technology. For instance, it manufactures the Telegesis ETRX2 wireless modems using ZigBee technologies. Conclusion Home automation is aimed at making life easier and comfortable. A house with such set ups means the owner does not have to flip to turn on lights when they get into their homes. Everything is the house is automatically implemented. This system takes away the efforts experienced by people when performing daily tasks. The ability to control all home appliances from a single control system makes the household or business chores run smoothly and even save on energy (Montgomery, 2009). References Brandon Lord. (2011). The Importance of Home Automation. Available at: [Accessed on 13 April 2013] Conlab. (2013). ZigBee Wireless Communications Protocol. http://www.ferret.com.au/c/Conlab/Zigbee-wireless-communications-protocol-n701914 Honeywell. (2013). LightSpot- Presence Detector Systems. Available at: [Accessed on 13 April 2013] Linked in. (2013). MicroSearch G3- Human Presence Detection System. Available at: [Accessed on 13 April 2013] Lisa Montgomery. (2009). 10 Key Features in a Home Automation System. Available at: [Accessed on 13 April 2013] Nevado Nanotech Systems. (2009). Human Presence Detection. Available at: [Accessed on 13 April 2013] New Circuits. (2010). ZigBee Protocol. Available at: [Accessed on 13 April 2013] Robert Emerson. (2013). Importance of Home Automation. Available at: [Accessed on 13 April 2013] Ron Fritz. (2013). Introduction to Wireless Home Automation. Available at: [Accessed on 13 April 2013] Theben. (2011). Presence Detectors. Available at: < http://www.theben.de/en/Presence-detector-for-the-energy-efficient-lighting-control> [Accessed on 13 April 2013] Telegesis Limited. (2013). Telegesis Gets into Hot Water. Available at: [Accessed on 13 April 2013] CP Electronics. (2013). Presence Detectors (PIR Sensors and Microwave Sensor). Available at: < http://www.cpelectronics.co.uk/energy-saving-products/presence-detectors-pir-sensors-and-microwave-sensors> [Accessed on 13 April 2013] Wise Geek. (2013). What is ZigBee? Available at: [Accessed on 13 April 2013] Read More