Home automation (also called domotics) is a field within building automation, specializing in the specific automation requirements of private homes and in the application of automation techniques for the comfort and security of its residents. Although many techniques used in building automation (such as light and climate control, control of doors and window shutters, security and surveillance systems, etc.) are also used in home automation, additional functions in home automation include the control of multi-media home entertainment systems, automatic plant watering and pet feeding, and automatic scenes for dinners and parties.

The main difference between building automation and home automation is, however, the human interface. In home automation, ergonomics is of particular importance: the control should be largely image-based and self-explanatory.

When home automation is installed during construction of a new home, usually conduits for wires are added before the plastering or drywall is installed. These conduits will carry control wires run to a controller, which will then control the environment.

Effects

In extreme installations, rooms can sense not only the presence of a person but know who that person is and perhaps set appropriate lighting, temperature and music/TV taking into account day of week, time of day and other factors.

Some practical implementations of home automation are for example when an alarm detects a fire or smoke condition, then all lights in the house will blink to alert occupants. If the house is equipped with a home theater, a home automation system can shut down all audio and video components to alert the user to a possible fire or a burglar.

System

The elements of a domotics system are:

• controllers

• sensors

• actuators

Architecture

From the point of view of where the intelligence of the domotic system resides, there are two different architectures:

Centralized Architecture: a centralized controller receives information of multiple sensors and, once processed, generates the opportune orders for the actuators.

Distributed Architecture: all the intelligence of the system is distributed by all the modules that are sensors or actuators. Usually it is typical of the systems of wiring in bus.

Mixed Architecture: systems with decentralized architecture as far as which they have several small devices able to acquire and to process the information of multiple sensors and to transmit them to the rest of devices distributed by the house.

Interconnection

By wire:

1. xDSL

2. optical fibre

3. cable (coaxial and twisted pair - cat5e)

4. powerline

Wireless:

1. radio frequency, including:

   Wi-Fi

   GPRS, 3G/HSDPA and UMTS

   Bluetooth

   DECT

   ZigBee

   EnOcean

2. infrared

HVAC

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) solutions include temperature and humidity control.

Lighting

Lighting control systems involve aspects related to controlling electric lights.

• Extinguished general of all the lights of the house

• Automatisation of switched off / ignition in every point of light

• Regulation of the illumination according to the level of ambient luminosity.

This category also typically includes control of exhaust and ceiling fans.

Audio

This category includes audio switching and distribution. Audio switching determines the selection of an audio source. Audio distribution allows an audio source to be heard in one or more rooms. This feature is often referred to as 'multi-zone' audio.

Video

This includes video switching and distribution, allowing a video source to be viewed on multiple TVs. This feature is often referred to as 'multi-zone' video.

Integration of the door entry system to the telephone, or of the video door entry system to the television set.

Security

Control and integration of security systems.

This category also includes control and distribution of security cameras.

• Detection of possible intrusion.

  • sensors of detection of movement.

  • sensors of magnetic contact of door/window.

  • sensors of crystal breakage.

• Simulation of presence.

• Detection of attempts of fire, flights of gas, water escapes

• Medical alert. Teleassistance.

• Precise and safe closing of blinds.

Intercoms

An intercom system allows communication via a microphone and loud speaker between multiple rooms.

• Ubiquity in the external control as much internal, remote control from the internet, PC, wireless controls controls (p.ej. PDA with WiFi), electrical equipment.

• Transmission of  alarms.

• Intercommunications.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.