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bosko
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| Posted: August 05 2008 at 13:41 | IP Logged
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Hi everyone.
I'm a control systems programmer/analyst, and do most of my work with PLCs (programmable logic controllers), and HMIs (human machine interface). I only stumbled upon home automation, and powerhome in my search for a friend's new house. I have a few questions before I decide what to do. I want to be able to make my own GUI using Visual Studio (VB or C#). Activehome has an SDK for their software but they only support x10. I would like to be able to communicate with a variety of devices including switches and motion sensors (x10), and audio/video equipment. Is there any hardware (controllers) that can be programmed with ladder logic or any other IEEE standard language? What do you
recommend?
Thank you!
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TonyNo
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| Posted: August 05 2008 at 20:07 | IP Logged
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Welcome, bosko!
I'm not aware of anything that programs in ladder or IEC/IEEE. Most stand-alone controllers use BASIC-type languages. I have come across a few people that actually use PLCs. 
You could build on PH if you don't have a problem with a PC being the controller, and you could definitely build your GUI to talk to it. At that point, the only limit is your (or your friend's) wallet and/or amount of free time. 
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TonyNo
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| Posted: August 05 2008 at 20:24 | IP Logged
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I take that back! The ADI Ocelot uses ladder.
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bosko
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| Posted: August 06 2008 at 08:27 | IP Logged
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Thanks for your answers. Can you explain how I can build my own interface with PH?
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TonyNo
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| Posted: August 06 2008 at 17:54 | IP Logged
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Quote:
| I want to be able to make my own GUI using Visual Studio (VB or C#) |
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You can talk to PH locally via Windows Messages, or remotely via TCP/IP or UDP sockets, or just create a custom plugin for your communication.
Did you have anything already in mind since you mentioned VB/C#?
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bosko
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| Posted: August 07 2008 at 10:16 | IP Logged
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well.. I don't know exactly, but maybe if there was an SDK, or an activeX control that I could sent x10 or insteon commands through. that would probably what I'm looking for. I want to write my own interface, and have my own logic for control rather than having to use macros, etc, that are available in PH.
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grif091
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| Posted: August 07 2008 at 10:46 | IP Logged
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I'm happy with my PowerHome but much of what is good about it you want to use your own home grown interface. You might look at Simplehomenet's EZSrve which has an XML TCP/IP interface for doing many things, including sending and receiving Insteon and X10 commands. With the TCP/IP interface, you can write in the language of your choice so long as it supports TCP/IP. I would recommend use of PowerHome for all the link management. There is link management in EZSrve, which is being functionally expanded, but for now PowerHome link management is better.
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Lee G
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bosko
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| Posted: August 07 2008 at 12:28 | IP Logged
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you lost me at "link management" :) I guess I have some reading up to do. The way I see it is:
1) you have some inputs (motion, weather, etc.)
2) and then you have outputs (light on, dimmer, contact closures for solenoid valves, etc.
3) you process the inputs through logic based on user settings, and then turn on/off appropriate outputs.
how does "link management" pertain to this?
thanks
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TonyNo
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| Posted: August 07 2008 at 13:53 | IP Logged
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If you will not be using macros and such, then it seems PH would be overkill. You just need X10/Insteon/UPB ActiveX controls or something. There are people who use PH just for link management, so, your use would not be that unusual.
Links are what newer devices use to control other devices (similar to X10 scenes).
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grif091
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| Posted: August 07 2008 at 14:37 | IP Logged
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The Insteon protocol is much more reliable than X10. One of the things Insteon does to achieve this reliability is to send commands from/to related devices which are ACKed and retried if not successful. To accomplish this Insteon devices are linked together. Every Insteon device has a factory assigned address (xx.yy.zz) unlike X10 where a House and Unit code is assigned by the user. Using an example where Insteon switch A is controlling a plugin Lamplinc B. Switch A is considered a "controller" and plugin Lamplinc B is considered a "responder". Using either a Set button technique where buttons on each Insteon device are used, or software, such as PowerHome, a link is established between the controller switch A and responder Lamplinc B. When switch A turns on/off Lamplinc B, a Group command is sent from switch A to Lamplinc B. These Group commands are ACKed by the responder and retried if not successful. Switch A could be linked to multiple responders, which is referred to as a Scene or Group of devices. A particular Scene can have multiple controllers as well.
For a simple installation with a few devices, using the Set button technique is fine. I have over 50 Insteon devices making link management a major effort, almost impossible without some form of software assist. Go to Smarthome and pick any of the Insteon devices (a Switchlinc is a place to begin as well as a plugin LampLinc) and read the Quick Start Guide and the User’s Guide to get a more complete view of device links. Home Automation, either self written or purchased, can be used to control the Insteon and X10 devices. Insteon supports Direct commands which do not require the complex links between devices but these commands are not ACKed (much like most X10) and may not be as reliable.
This barely scratches the surface regarding links and scenes. You should become familiar with the idea of Groups, Scenes, Links, etc as you decide the types of Insteon devices you will install and how to use them.
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Lee G
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Topic: completely new to powerhome
