SSIA SUMMIT October 2014

Advanced Bridging Technologies Hold Key to Finally Making Smart Homes a

Reality

Fred Dart – FTDI Chip

Introduction

The employment of technology to monitor and control basic domestic functions automatically is a concept that is far from new.

For well over a decade now the possibility of creating what have become known as ‘smart homes’ has gained a great deal of media attention - promising enhanced comfort, improved safety and higher energy efficiency levels within the places we inhabit.

Introduction ctd.

Until now though actual takeup has been very limited.

Reasons for this include –- High cost of implementation- Different technologies which don’t talk to each

other- Low communication speeds give poor response

times ( X10 for example )- Limited connectivity

Home Automation Summarised

• Typical view of a Home Automation System

System Controller

Sensors Actuators

User Interface- Buttons- Touch Pad- Internet- Smartphone

- Motion- Temperature- Light- Occupancy

- Lamp- Camera

- Blinds

Communications Communications

Wired

Wireless

Powerline

Common Networking Technologies

6LoWPAN

Home Automation in the news

Examples of New Wireless Home Technology

• Philips Hue Lighting

- Zigbee + WiFi

• LiFX Lighting

- 6LoWPAN + WiFi

• Nest Thermostat

Benefits / Problems of New Technology

- Benefits

Finally, low cost wireless communication becomes a possibility.

Mass adoption drives the cost down finally making the possibility of affordable Smart Homes a reality- Issues

A lack of common standards for devices – inability to link devices together

Over reliance of mobile phones as the control point

* Too many different apps with no common look and feel

* Lost mobile phones

* Friends and Family unfriendly

No common approach to security for internet connected devices

Content

• Home Automation Overview (see Home Automation.pptx )– Definition– Technology

• Application Roadmap• Pilot Project - Proof of Concept

– System Concept and Objectives – Hardware and Software

• 2nd Step– Sneak Preview

Alternative System Concept

• Zigbee enabled light bulbs are arranged in a mesh network.• Control, i.e. turning on or off, dimming, can be done via

• FT900 + FT800 platform.• Smart phone.

• Smart phone is connected to the FT900-FT800 platform using Wi-Fi Direct.• GUI on the smart phone and the touch screen display have the same look-and-feel.

FT900

FT800

ZigbeeWi-Fi

SPI

SPI UART

Touch Display

Wi-Fi Direct

RGB Touch

Communications path

Communications path

Objectives

• Proof-of-concept for a home automation smart bridge based on the FT900 + FT800 platform, bridging Wi-Fi to other common wireless technologies such as Zigbee, 6LoWPAN etc…

• Build the required hardware and software blocks which can be subsequently implemented in a home automation smart bridge.

FT900+FT800

Technology Demonstration

• Thank you all for listening..