Home automation devices have become more widely available and enable the user to control various devices around their home to improve convenience, efficiency and energy usage. Devices, for example, that can dim lights or change the settings on an air conditioning system remotely can be integrated into a system that can be controlled through a smart phone app. Home automation systems can also include sensors that are activated when the owner is not home to detect the presence of intruders and automatically take action such as informing a security company or calling the police.
Home automation systems can be designed and structured in various different ways so that the devices are controlled by a pre-defined algorithm or to suit the requirements of the owner on an ad hoc basis. Appliances and sensors can also interact with each other to make decisions about their operations. Home automation design requires the home owner to make various decisions that will impact how cost-effective and functional their smart home will be.
The most important decision that needs to be made in home automation design is to decide on the communication protocol that enables the user to send and receive messages from and to their automated devices. There are various providers of automation systems and there are many communication options to choose from some of which will be dependents on the specific automation system chosen, the size of the house and the user’s preferences. If the user wants to be able to control automated devices through the internet, for example, they will need to add an Ethernet or WiFi interface to the automation network. Alternately, if the user only wants localized control through their smart phones they could use a Bluetooth interface to connect to their automation system. The choice of communication method is also dependent on the central control unit that coordinates individual room control units and other automated devices and sensors.
Home automation design also needs to consider the depth of automation that a user wants to use ranging from a system that simply controls the lights to one that also includes sensors, the ability to control appliances and other devices and that is integrated into a security system. The user’s requirements will affect the overall design which should be optimized to perform all the tasks required at the lowest cost and with the least complexity so that the system is easy to use.
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