Technology, Systems and Implementation of a Smart Home Automation

System: A Review

Suraj Bhatia

1, Jatin Bajaj

1, M. Mani Roja

2

1Students, Department of Electronics and Telecommunication

2Associate Professor, Department of Electronics and Telecommunication

1,2Thadomal Shahani Engineering College, Bandra, Mumbai

surajbhatia.sb@gmail.com, jatinbajaj09@gmail.com

Abstract

The development of smart home automation

system has great potential in today’s age of

technology. According to the Smart Home Energy, a

smart home, or smart house, is a home that

incorporates advanced automation systems to

provide the inhabitants with sophisticated monitoring

and control over the building's functions. Such

systems make use of different types of sensors to

examine the environment and maintain a control over

home appliances using latest communication and

networking methods. The purpose of this paper is to

provide information about the implementation and

design of existing smart home technologies. This

paper also discusses about our wireless, voice

control Smart Home System that allow people control

their home devices by voice command at home.

Keywords: Smart Home, Automation, Wireless

1. Introduction

The development of a smart home system is not

an isolated case; the concept has been existing since

the term "smart house" was first coined by the

American Association of House builders in 1984.

Primarily, the development of a technology within a

society is necessitated by trends within that particular

society. The objective of developing smart home

system technology is to fulfil their promise of vastly

improving the lifestyle of families through socially

appropriate and timely assistance. Sensing,

anticipating and accordingly responding to the

various activities in homes is the basic requirement of

such systems.

A smart home is a space or a room which is

provided with the ability to get accustomed by itself

to certain situations to make the occupants feel

comfortable[1]. Smart homes could be simple remote

control of electrical appliances or more complex

functionalities such as monitoring of the house

interiors using speech recognition, via an iOS or

Android application or recognition of human

gestures. In this paper, we will emphasize on the

design and implementation of a smart home and how

it differs from the existing home automation systems.

The design is based on anXBee module which uses

the IEEE 802.15.4 networking protocol for speedy

point-to-multipoint or peer-to-peer networking[2].

The smart home control system design is based on

wireless sensor network system which allows people

control their home devices by voice command at

home.

2. The Smart Home System

Smart Home is the term commonly used to define

a residence that uses a Home Controller to integrate

the residence's various home automation systems.

The Intelligent Home Controller or simply the Home

Controller is a software or any device that may be

used to control the appliances in a home environment

smartly. The components of a home automation

system can be broken down into several categories as

shown in figure 1[3]:

2.1.Controlled Devices

A controlled device is the one whose operation is

regulated by an external device or mechanism. It can

also be called as a plant or process which is a part of

a much bigger and complex system. Controlled

devices include a tremendous range of equipment that

a home automation system is capable of controlling

which may include audio/video and lighting devices,

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HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning),

security systems.

2.2.Sensing Devices

Computer controlled devices continually monitor the

operating condition of today’s electronic devices.

With the help of sensors, vital information about a

number of conditions can be sent to the controller to

make minor adjustments far more quickly and

accurately than any mechanical system. Physical

factors such as temperature, pressure, speed and

position are converted into either digital or analog

electrical signals by sensors. These signals are

converted into data that can be displayed by the user

or used by a controller program to make informed

decisions based on certain conditions.

2.3.I/0 Interface Devices

The controller and the controlled devices need to

communicate logically; such a link is provided by the

Input/output interface devices in an automation

system. They are the means by which various devices

are made compatible physically and logically with the

structure of the system. Many equipment that are

essentially part of home automation systems come are

based on built-in industry-standard control interface

such as infrared or serial interfaces, or even both.

Most I/O interface devices provide one-way

communications from the controller(s) to the

controlled devices, although there are some types,

such as RS-232 interfaces, which allow two-way

communications.

2.4.Controllers

The element of the system itself or external to the

system which controls the plant or process[4]. This

term is appropriate in describing discrete devices that

control particular pieces of equipment or processes.

Any intelligent device capable of sending commands

that are understood by the controlled devices can be

termed as a Controller. Data which can come from

user input, sensor input, a timer, a control program, or

some combination of these is saved by controller in a

home automation system. To obtain user input, the

system must have one or more user interfaces.

2.5.User Interfaces

Abbreviated UI, it is the junction between the user

and a programming computer; a set of commands or

menus through which communication takes place

between a user and the controller. In an intelligent

home automation system, there are many possible

options for how and from where the automation

system and single devices can be controlled; a user

interface can be a computer-based system at a distant

location, a basic mechanical switch or a loudspeaker

with a microphone to maintain a control over all the

home appliances.

2.6.System Network

The system network of a smart home system

includes all of the controllers, sensors, wires and

cables, RF and IR (infrared) links, adapters,

connectors, junction boxes, dimmers, ballasts and

power supplies that connect the various system

components. Standardizing such forms of hardware,

electronic and communication interfaces which are

needed to construct a home automation system is one

of its basic principle. Some standards use additional

communication and control wiring, some embed

signals in the existing power circuit of the house,

some use radio frequency (RF) signals, some can be

installed wirelessly and some use a combination of

several methods. The Helix, by Resolution Products,

is the first fully wireless system that can be installed

anywhere in the home, and is sold by professional

dealers. This not only ensures a more discreet and

secure system; it also gives dealers the cost effective

and consistent installation process they need to drive

down account creation costs[5].

2.7.Programming Computer

A programming Computer or Programmable

Logic Controller (PLC) is an electronic device

designed to be used in a home automation system to

controls a system or groups of systems through

analog/digital data input/output terminals. Control

over the entire system is maintained by a series of

inherent functions of timing, counting, data

processing, comparing, sorting and transfer as well as

arithmetic and logical operations. Some automation

systems allow the user to program the system with

the system's own user interface(s).

Figure 1. Basic structure of home automation system

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Other systems require the use of a separate

computer (typically a PC) to program the system

controller. However, some systems may may allow

certain functions to be programmed with the its own

user interface(s), but a separate computer is required

to program the more advanced functions or change

certain basic operating parameters according to the

user’s needs.

3. Smart Home Technologies

Designing a home automation system for

monitoring and controlling various devices in remote

locations can be done through a variety of

communication options such as wireless LAN

technologies, dial-up modems, secured radio

networks, satellite communication (SATCOM),

Internet, cellular network and many more. Several

studies on home automation have been done using

different types of control methods.

The paper proposed by Qifan Pu et al, is an

example of a novel gesture recognition home

automation system that leverages wireless signals

(e.g., Wi- Fi) to enable whole-home sensing and

recognition of human gestures, commonly known as

WiSee [6].”Wireless Home Automation System

Using ZigBee” and “Research on home networking

with ZigBee” are ZigBee based research papers, a

standard that defines a set of communication

protocols for low data-rate short-range wireless

networking [7] [8]. An application of Bluetooth

technology in home automation and networking

environment is proposed in [9]. Bluetooth is an ideal

solution for a wireless home network that does not

incur additional costs of wiring. A typical Bluetooth

based home automation system includes a host and

several client modules. Considering the entrance

price of the Bluetooth, it will be more cost effective

to have multiple Device Controllers (DC) connected

to a Bluetooth device. The design and

implementation of a home automation system where

communication technologies GSM (Global System

for Mobile Communication), Internet and speech

recognition have been used. All the above techniques

are merged into a single wireless home automation

system and have been studied by“A GSM, internet

and speech controlled wireless interactive home

automation system”[10]. A low cost Java-Based

Home Automation System has been introduced, but

does not include in-depth details of the type of

peripherals that can be attached to this system [11].

All the appliances and devices in a home

automation system are receivers, and the means by

which they are controlled, such as remote controls or

keypads, are transmitters. If an electrical appliance is

to be used in another room, the transmitter will send a

message in numerical code that includes the

following:

An alert signal to the system that it's issuing

a command.

A distinguished unit number for the device

that should receive the command.

A code with the actual command, such as

"turn on."

All of this is designed to happen within a second,

so on basis of speed of communication between the

controller and the controlled devices, few prominent

technologies are discussed below. The other factors

that make these protocols unique are: degree of

compatibility with various home devices, its

reliability, power consumption, range of applications

and most importantly the cost of installation and

maintaining the entire system.

3.1. X10

X10 is a protocol for communication among

devices used for home automation, developed by Pico

Electronics of Glenrothes, Scotland in 1975. It uses

power line for signalling and control; household

electrical wiring which powers lights and appliances

in a home environment is used to send digital data

between X10 devices. So it was initialized as a power

line-based system, but eventually was made wireless.

Though it is the most known home automation

protocol in the world, it is not known for great speed

or communication between devices.

X10 was also quite popular due to its low pricing

but has received little updates in the 30+ years of its

existence and has hence become obsolete and

replaced by the newer and more versatile wireless

technologies. For a consumer who is unfamiliar with

the home automation systems, it’s probably advisable

to start with some other technology, because X10

devices are more complex to configure and also

performance is sometimes erratic.

3.2. Z-WAVE

Z-Wave is a protocol similar to ZigBee because it

also makes use of RF signals for signalling and

control. It was developed by Zensys, Inc. and

released in 2004. In comparison to ZigBee, Z-Wave

aims to build simpler and less expensive devices. Z-

Wave was designed mainly for control, monitoring

and status reading applications in residential and

industrial environments.

Z-Wave increased the usable range of home

automation by making all devices double as

repeaters. Commercial applications also increased

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due to its increased network reliability. There are two

main types of devices defined in Z-Wave protocol:

Controllers and Slaves. Controllers are able to initiate

transmission as well as hold all the smarts related to

the network routings. Slaves are end devices with

general purpose input-output (GIPO) type

functionality that executes the controller’s

request[12].

3.3. INSTEON

INSTEON is the best-selling, most-reliable home

control and automation technology. It is a dual-mesh

home management network technology using both

the existing wires (power line) in the home and radio-

frequency communication. INSTEON provides a

secure, highly-available, affordable, home control

and sensing to provide automation to lighting,

appliance and home control applications of all types.

Easy to install and setup, INSTEON offers the

flexibility and dependability to make the home

environment more convenient and safe. Additionally,

many INSTEON products that make use of the power

line are compatible with legacy X10 devices without

the need for a bridging product [13].

The INSTEON network is an integrated (RF and

Power line) redundant, non-supervised, peer-to-peer

network. Each device in the network receives

messages simultaneously, independent of whether the

message originated via a wireless or power line

device. An important feature of INSTEON is the

automatic error detection and correction. Every

message is confirmed as it is received and the

message is automatically resent if any errors are

detected.

3.4. ZIGBEE

ZigBee is a protocol for communication amongst

devices used for home automation and uses RF

signals for signalling and control. The key features of

ZigBee are low power, robust, mesh networking and

its interoperability. ZigBee is made to operate on

IEEE 802.15.4 radios. The 802.15.4 radio is a

hardware layer, on which numerous and incompatible

protocol stacks function. Therefore, compatibility

might be an issue with products following this

protocol.

ZigBee technology supports two features sets

(ZigBee Feature Set and ZigBee Pro Feature Set)

which focus on specific markets. The ZigBee Feature

Set targets home and light commercial environments

that are designed for simpler plug and forget

networks. The "ZigBee Pro" feature set includes

those features and enhancements in the ZigBee

Feature Set and adds elements designed for larger,

more complex networks, such as centralized data

collection, network scalability, automated address

management and group addressing[7].

4. Tasks

A home automation system is designed to perform

a magnitude of tasks according to the user’s needs,

making a home environment energy efficient, safe

and comfortable. Nowadays there is virtually no limit

to the tasks such an automation system can be made

to perform. If it possible to execute any task

following the basic principle of a smart home system

with the current state-of-art technology based

mechanical and electronic systems, the only limiting

factor could be the user’s budget.

4.1. HVAC

Required environmental conditions are

maintained by an HVACsystem. They are assigned

by a home automation system to control heating,

ventilation and air conditioning in the desired

area[14].

4.2. Lighting

Household electric lights can be controlled by

lighting control systems. They can be controlled on a

time cycle, or arranged to automatically go out when

a room is unoccupied. It is possible to control lighting

by a wireless control or over the Internet. Natural

lighting (daylight) can be used to control window

shades and curtains automatically to make best use of

the natural light.

4.3. Audio-visual

Audio and video switching and distribution is

included in this category. It facilitates selection and

distribution of multiple audio or video sources to one

or more rooms and can be linked with lighting and

blinds to provide mood settings.

4.4. Security

The integration of household security systems

with a home automation system can provide many

additional services such as remote surveillance of

security cameras over the Internet, or central locking

of all doors and windows[15].

4.5. Intercoms

An intercomsystem allows communication via a

microphone and loudspeaker between multiple

rooms.

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5. Advantages

Smart homes have the ability to make home life

more convenient. Whether a user is at work or on

vacation, a smart home system will send alerts as to

what's going on and security systems can be built in

such a fashion to provide adequate help in case of an

emergency. For example, a resident could be alerted

in the case of a burglary by the alarm and the smart

home system could also be programmed in a way to

dial the police department and execute other safety

measures to protect the resident.

Energy efficiency is one of the major advantages

of the smart home system as compared to the

traditional systems. This is possible by use of Z-

Wave and ZigBee technologies which help in

reducing the functionality of the devices. This is done

by putting the devices to sleep or activating them

when appropriate commands are given. Electricity

bills can be brought down to a much lower level in

small ways like switching off of the lights when a

person may leave a room or adjusting the temperature

of a room based upon the identity or preference set by

the person. Also, it becomes possible to keep a record

of the amount of energy being consumed by the

various devices in the home.

A smart home technology is of great benefit to

elderly or disabled persons living alone. Systems

could be programmed to notify the resident to take

medications on time, alert the hospital in case of an

accident in the house in order to guarantee health and

safety of the resident. The smart home would also

perform tasks such as shutting off the water in case of

overflowing in a tub is detected or turning off the gas

stove if there is no person present in the kitchen for a

long time. Easy-to-control automated systems would

provide similar benefits to those with disabilities or a

limited range of movement accordingly.

6. Our Smart Home System

This smart home control system enables people to

control their home devices wirelessly by voice

commands at home. It is possible to control almost all

the facilities including lights, fans or even

background music. The transmission distance of the

voice is kept short because it is hard to recognize

what a person has said when there is some external

noise interfering with the command signal.

Sometimes, the voice recognition chip will send out

incorrect instructions because of such noise in the

environment. So, a central control unit is placed in

the centre of the room which sends digital signal

wirelessly to the other microcontroller which controls

the home devices.

In this research work, an XBee transceiver

module is used for point to point communication.

The reason for choosing XBee is that it promises

many advantages over existing remote control

solutions, including more efficient communication

and reliability, flexibility, interoperability, and no

line-of-sight barrier. XBee can transmit signals at

most 1000 meters which avoids the distance and

signal interference problem. That means, the

transmission of signal won’t be blocked in a long

distance by a wall.

X-CTU is the program provided by Digi to

initialize and test with XBee communications. Along

with the microcontroller ATmega328, a voice

recognition module is required to be implemented.

The EasyVR Shield - a Voice Recognition

Shield/Module is chosen which is best suited for

ATmega328 and has a high level voice recognition

function. EasyVR Commander records the voice that

someone speaks into the chip and then compares the

voices of the people when they send out executable

commands.

In order to avoid basic communication errors in

the system, an error detector circuit was designed

based on a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control

circuit. In case of damage to the LED bulb or the fan,

there will not be any voltage across the resistor, so

reading the voltage value in analog, the error detector

function could be realized. For the result, all the

devices implemented in the circuits can be controlled

by eleven different commands which will also be

shown on the LCD at the same time to the user. A

+9V battery to provide the power to CPUs and +12V

battery to the whole home device is used [16].

Figure 2. Overview of logical structure

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7. Conclusion

In this paper, an initiative has been taken to

explain the concept of a smart home/home

automation system by considering all the basic

components of the system with the help of a block

diagram. The study of the work done by several other

authors on home automation system has given an idea

of the range of applications that are possible using

various wireless technologies. The voice-controlled

smart home system using an XBee radio module

proposed in this paperis a simulation product for the

future life and the purpose of it is to make people's

lives more convenient. The use of a 12V battery for

powering the entire device makes it safer to use for

people and other devices in the house. Also, the

wireless voice-control system makes it advantageous

for disabled people to control the household devices.

The future work related to this system includes:

With the use of voice, the different home

devices such as lights, fan and music could

be controlled together at the same time. The

upgrade of such a prototype could be to

control bigger home devices such as the TV

or air-conditioning.

Further, the idea of the smart home system

using a smartphone could control the home

electrical device by talking to the cell phone

application.

Integrating a security system by putting a

passive infrared (IR) sensor near the

entrance door and windows to make the user

feel safer.

8. References

[1] Dhiren Tejani, Ali Mohammed A. H. Al-Kuwari,

Energy

Conservation in Smart Home, 5th IEEE

InternationalConference on Digital Ecosystems and

Technologies,Daejeon, Korea, May 2011.

[2]https://www.sparkfun.com/pages/xbee_guide, Date of

Reference:24/09/2014.

[3]http://www.intelligentstructures.com/components.html#t

op,Date of Reference: 24/09/2014.

[4] U.A. Bakshi, V.U. Bakshi, “Principles of Control

Systems”, chapter 1, page 1-2, Technical Publications.

[5]http://resolutionproducts.com/helix, Date of

Reference:24/09/2014

[6] Qifan Pu, Sidhant Gupta, Shyamnath Gollakota, and

Shwetak Patel, “Whole-Home Gesture Recognition Using

Wireless Signals”.

[7]Y.Usha Devi,”Wireless Home Automation System

Using ZigBee”, International Journal of Scientific &

Engineering Research Volume 3, Issue 8, August-2012.

[8]ZHANG Wei-yong,FENG Lin,WEI Zhen-

chun,“Research on home networking with ZigBee”, Journal

of Hefei University of Technology(Natural Science) 2005-

07.

[9] N. Sriskanthan, F. Tan, A. Karande, “Bluetooth based

home automation system”, Microprocessors and

Microsystems 26 (2002), pp. 281–289.

[10] Yuksekkaya, B. ,AnkaraKayalar, A.A., Tosun, M.B.,

Ozcan, M.K., Alkar, A.Z., “A GSM, internet and speech

controlled wireless interactive home automation system”,

Consumer Electronics, IEEE Transactions on (Volume:52

, Issue: 3 )August 2006, pp. 837 – 843.

[11] AL-Rousan, M., Al-Ali, A.R., “Java-based home

automation system”, Consumer Electronics, IEEE

Transactions on (Volume: 50 , Issue: 2 ), May 2004, pp.

498 – 504.

[12] Mikhail Galeev, “Catching the Z-Wave”, Electronic

Engineering Times India, October 2006.

[13] http://www.insteon.com/faq-home.html#02,Date of

Reference: 24/09/2014.

[14]ASHRAE Handbook, “HVAC Systems and

Equipment”, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating

and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc., 2004.

[15] Shmuel Hershkovitz, “Security system entry control”,

US7965171 B2, Jun 21, 2011.

[16] Jiayuan Wang, Sheng Zhang, “Smart Home System-

A wireless, voice-controllable, household system”, Cornell

University, 2012.

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