What is a Smart Home?

Homes aren't what they used to be. It used to be, if you wanted to change the channel on your television, you got up from your chair and turned the knob. If you wanted your porch light on every night at sundown, you flicked the switch every night yourself. Times have changed, and televisions don't even have channel knobs anymore. The Technology Age has filled our homes with so many devices that can (and must) all be controlled without leaving your chair. The problem is that all of the devices are from different manufactures and all have their own remote control. You end up with a system to be proud of, but embarrassed by the fact that you are the only one who knows which five buttons to press on the five different remotes to watch TV. Beyond televisions and audio/video equipment, there are many other areas that are more commonly automated. Equipment is purchased based on price and functionality, which results in a home filled with a wide range of equipment manufacturers. Not only is there a diversity of equipment, but to compound the problem there is no leading standard for automation control. The automation landscape is really a heterogeneous mess of equipment that, by design, resists almost any effort at unilateral control.

Our system is designed to solve many of todays automation problems. It is a framework that can be leveraged for home automation tasks. It has two primary functions: 1. A full featured automation controller. 2. A multi software remote control system. This feature is optional, but provides a method to control and monitor the system with advanced interface remote controls.

It is designed to give the user the ability to manage all equipment that is capable of being automated from a single controlling source. Disparate equipment from a variety of

manufactures using a variety of automation protocols is all abstracted into a common metaphor that allows it to be controlled easily by a single system. Viewing all of the automation equipment in a consistent and uniform way solves the first and primary problem with home automation.

Now that all of the automation equipment in the home can be treated as similar devices with compatible functions and properties, the entire system can be managed easily from a single automating controller.

http://www.en.loginn.co.il/sh_intro.htm

Smart Home Software and Technology

Smart home technology was developed in 1975, when a company in Scotland developed X10. X10 allows compatible products to talk to each other over the already existing electrical wires of a home. All the appliances and devices are receivers, and the means of controlling the system, such as remote controls or keypads, are transmitters. If you want to turn off a lamp in another room, the transmitter will issue a message in numerical code that includes the following:

An alert to the system that it's issuing a command, An identifying unit number for the device that should receive the command and A code that contains the actual command, such as "turn off."

All of this is designed to happen in less than a second, but X10 does have some limitations. Communicating over electrical lines is not always reliable because the lines get "noisy" from powering other devices. An X10 device could interpret electronic interference as a command and react, or it might not receive the command at all. While X10 devices are still around, other technologies have emerged to compete for your home networking dollar. Instead of going through the power lines, some systems use radio waves to communicate, which is also how WiFi and cell phone signals operate. However, home automation networks don't need all the juice of a WiFi network because automation commands are short messages. The two most prominent radio networks in home automation are ZigBee and Z-Wave. Both of these technologies are mesh networks, meaning there's more than one way for the message to get to its destination. Z-Wave uses a Source Routing Algorithm to determine the fastest route for messages. Each ZWave device is embedded with a code, and when the device is plugged into the system, the network controller recognizes the code, determines its location and adds it to the network. When a command comes through, the controller uses the algorithm to determine how the message should be sent. Because this routing can take up a lot of memory on a network, Z-Wave has developed a hierarchy between devices: Some controllers initiate messages, and some are "slaves," which means they can only carry and respond to messages.

ZigBee's name illustrates the mesh networking concept because messages from the transmitter zigzag like bees, looking for the best path to the receiver. While Z-Wave uses a proprietary technology for operating its system, ZigBee's platform is based on the standard set by the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for wireless personal networks. This means any company can build a ZigBee-compatible product without paying licensing fees for the technology behind it, which may eventually give ZigBee an advantage in the marketplace. Like Z-Wave, ZigBee has fully functional devices (or those that route the message) and reduced function devices (or those that don't). Using a wireless network provides more flexibility for placing devices, but like electrical lines, they might have interference. Insteon offers a way for your home network to communicate over both electrical wires and radio waves, making it a dual mesh network. If the message isn't getting through on one platform, it will try the other. Instead of routing the message, an Insteon device will broadcast the message, and all devices pick up the message and broadcast it until the command is performed. The devices act like peers, as opposed to one serving as an instigator and another as a receptor. This means that the more Insteon devices that are installed on a network, the stronger the message will be.

The green and red dots represent devices that could be connected to your smart home network.

Setting Up a Smart Home

X10, Insteon, ZigBee and Z-Wave just provide the technology for smart home communication. Manufacturers have made alliances with these systems to create the products that use the technology. Here are some examples of smart home products and their functions.

Cameras will track your home's exterior even if it's pitch-black outside. Plug your tabletop lamp into a dimmer instead of the wall socket, and you can brighten and dim at the push of a button.

A video door phone provides more than a doorbell -- you get a picture of who's at the door.

Motion sensors will send an alert when there's motion around your house, and they can even tell the difference between pets and burglars.

Door handles can open with scanned fingerprints or a four-digit code, eliminating the need to fumble for house keys.

Audio systems distribute the music from your stereo to any room with connected speakers.

Channel modulators take any video signal -- from a security camera to your favorite television station -- and make it viewable on every television in the house.

Remote controls, keypads and tabletop controllers are the means of activating the smart home applications. Devices also come with built-in web servers that allow you to access their information online.

Don Farrall/Photodisc/Getty Images This keypad will send a message to your lamp. This keypad will send a message to your lamp.These products are available at home improvement stores, electronics stores, from technicians or online. Before buying, check to see what technology is associated with the product. Products using the same technology should work together despite different manufacturers, but joining up an X10 and a Z-Wave product requires a bridging device. In designing a smart home, you can do as much or as little home automation as you want. You could begin with a lighting starter kit and add on security devices later. If you want to start with a bigger system, it's a good idea to design carefully how the home will work, particularly if rewiring or renovation will be required. In addition, you'll want to place strategically the nodes of the wireless networks so that they have a good routing range. While the networks claim that the products are easy to program and use, about 60 percent of homebuilders who have installed home automation devices hired professional help [source: Regan]. If you're looking for a technician, check if they have CEA-CompTIA certification. This certification is the result of a partnership between the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) and the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), and it represents proficiency in installing, maintaining and troubleshooting any vendor's home networking equipment.

Smart Appliances While most home automation technology is focused on lighting, security and entertainment, smart appliances may be on their way as well. Ideas include:

Trash cans that monitor what you throw away and generate online orders for replacements.

Refrigerators that create dinner recipes based on the ingredients stored inside.

Washers and dryers that send text message alerts when their cycle has ended.

The cost of a smart home varies depending on how smart the home is. One builder estimates that his clients spend between $10,000 and $250,000 for sophisticated systems [source: McKay]. If you build the smart home gradually, starting with a basic lighting system, it might only be a few hundred dollars. A more sophisticated system will be tens of thousands of dollars, and elements of home theater systems raise the cost of a system about 50 percent [source: Gloede].

Smart Home Benefits

Smart homes obviously have the ability to make life easier and more convenient. Who wouldn't love being able to control lighting, entertainment and temperature from their couch? Home networking can also provide peace of mind. Whether you're at work or on vacation, the smart home will alert you to what's going on, and security systems can be built to provide an immense amount of help in an emergency. For example, not only would a resident be woken with notification of a fire alarm, the smart home would also unlock doors, dial the fire department and light the path to safety.

Thomas Jackson/Stone/Getty Images With smart home security, you can check on your little one from anywhere. Here are a few more examples of cool smart home tricks:

Light a path for nighttime bathroom trips Instantly create mood lighting for time with that special someone Program your television so that your children can watch only at certain times Access all your favorite DVDs from any television in the home Have your thermostat start warming the bedroom before you get out of bed so that it's nice and toasty when you get up

Turn on the coffee maker from bed

Smart homes also provide some energy efficiency savings. Because systems like Z-Wave and ZigBee put some devices at a reduced level of functionality, they can go to "sleep" and wake up when commands are given. Electric bills go down when lights are automatically turned off when a person leaves the room, and rooms can be heated or cooled based on who's there at any given moment. One smart homeowner boasted her heating bill was about one-third less than a samesized normal home [source: Kassim]. Some devices can track how much energy each appliance is using and command it to use less. Religious Benefits of Smart Homes For some members of the Jewish faith, installation of a smart home doesnt just make life simpler, it can aid religious practice. Some Orthodox Jews are prohibited to turn lights on or off, or operate any sort of electricity, on the Sabbath. A programmed light system can maintain a home at an adequate state of lighting without requiring any human interaction [source: Forbes]. Smart home technology promises tremendous benefits for an elderly person living alone. Smart homes could notify the resident when it was time to take medicine, alert the hospital if the resident fell and track how much the resident was eating. If the elderly person was a little forgetful, the smart home would perform tasks such as shutting off the water before a tub overflowed or turning off the oven if the cook had wandered away. One builder estimates that this system could cost $20,000, which is less expensive than a full-time nursing home [source: Venkatesh]. It also allows adult children who might live elsewhere to participate in the care of

their aging parent. Easy-to-control automated systems would provide similar benefits to those with disabilities or a limited range of movement. Smart Dog Houses? Pets can benefit from smart technology as well. Here's a sample of automated products for man's best friend:

Devices that stop a dog's barking by emitting ultrasonic tones.

Feeders that give your pet a preset amount of food at three selected times per day.

Pet carriers that automatically heat or cool your pet as the temperature changes.

Smart Home Challenges

A smart home probably sounds like a nightmare to those people not comfortable with computers. Those who routinely fumble around with a remote control just trying to change the television channel might have stopped reading by now. It may be your fear that if you try to turn on the television in your smart home, lights will start flashing, and this does happen occasionally. (Power outages, however, activate backup battery and safe mode, which means you can still perform tasks like unlocking a door manually). One of the challenges of installing a smart home system is balancing the complexity of the system against the usability of the system. When planning the system, it's important to consider a few factors:

How large will the system be? What kinds of components are part of the system? Are they basic, such a light dimmer, or more imposing, like an alarm system or a video camera?

How intuitive will the system be to a non-user? How many people will be required to use the system? Who will know how to operate the system? Who will know how to maintain the system and address failures? How often will people who can only operate the system be left alone in the home?

How easy is it to make changes to the interface? For example, if your house is programmed to wake you up at 7 a.m., how will you let it know that you're away overnight on business or sleeping in on a Saturday?

Image Source Pink/Getty Images Smart homes may be difficult for some people to operate. For these reasons, it may be easier to start with a very basic home network and expand as enhancements are needed or desired. However, there's some concern that with the market so new, technologies are developing all the time, sometimes leaving old versions of products useless. If you invest too soon, you may end up with a model that has impossible-to-find components and spare parts. Like many new technologies, smart homes require a significant investment to keep up. Smart homes also come with some security concerns. Hackers who access the network will have the ability to turn off alarm systems and lights, leaving the home vulnerable to a break-in, or the theft could be more electronic. If music is saved on a hard drive so that it can be played around the house, make sure that sensitive information, such as passwords or identifying numbers, are saved elsewhere. Some smart home devices also raise ethical questions about privacy, or evoke an Orwellian feeling of "Big Brother." It's great to be able to check in on a four-year-old in his room while you're cooking dinner in the kitchen, but how will that child feel when he's constantly monitored through puberty? The information that a smart home collects might start to feel like a weapon to a teenager who gets caught sneaking in after a late-night party. When setting up a smart home, it's a good idea to discuss it with the whole family first.

Of course, there's also the question of whether an individual needs all this technology. Is our society really so lazy that we can't turn flip a light switch? It's an interesting argument, but smart homes are coming. The good news is that with all the time we save from home automation, we'll have time to work on other pursuits. Like developing robot maids.

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/smart-home.htm

Smart Home System Architecture:

The system integrates a computer with smart controllers that control the lighting and other devices at home. The computer software manages the smart-home controllers and is responsible to perform the tasks it had been instructed to do. The smart-home controllers allow control of electric devices such as lights, dimmers and shutters. Infra-red emitters allow the control of almost any IR controlled device such as TV, DVD, VCR, DSS receiver, Tuner and A/C.

Sensors connected to the system provide even more options for the automated home. The system can be controlled locally from home, and remotely from anywhere in the world. Software: The client-server application allow the full control of the system. The server side runs on standard Windows computer. It can run and has access to: Any hardware connected to the computer Any software installed on the computer All network resources Information from the internet

What can be done with the system? The system can control and automate many things at home. For example, it can: Turn lights on and off at pre-defined times Turn on lights at sunset and off at sunrise Have different modes of operation (like 'Vacation' and 'Weekend') Stop the movie when the phone rings Send Email as a response to events (like door opening) Send SMS Dial to predefined numbers Play MP3 files Send infrared (IR) codes to control devices Run a software on the server Display lighting ststus

Control capabilities:

One of the most interesting qualities of the system is the richness of control devices. The system can be controlled by several different sources at the same time. The control is done by the clients that can be located in different places. These clients can be either wired or wireless. Thus the system can be controlled by wall-mount touch screens, wireless windows based PDAs and by any PC that is networked. The system not only controls IR devices. It is also being controlled by IR. This way, any IR remote control can be defined to control and do just any task that the system can do. In addition, any wall-mount push-button can be defined to perform tasks. For example, pressing a button when getting out of home will turn off all lights, turn the shutters down, turn off all A/Cs and all the TVs at home, and arm the alarm system.

Phone Control The system has a unique phone module with the following features: Full integration with the smart home system Control the system from any touch-tone telephone Security features Answering machine pass-through Displaying the caller ID and the caller name on the screen Declaring the caller name over the speaker Keep a log of outgoing calls

How the system controls electric devices? The computer communicates with smart-home controllers that control lights, dimmers and shutters. These controllers are built for heavy load. For example, while a regular home dimmer can stand a load of 300-500 watts, the smart-home dimmers can stand a load of 3000 watts! Using these controllers allows the use of high power lights, while still staying far from the limits.

Reliability and survival: Every controller in the system is independent of the other controllers. Each controller has self power supply, self CPUs, self contactors and even self scenarios. Actually, one controller can run a small smart-home system. In the rare event that of a problem with a controller, the rest of the controllers still continue to work. There's no weak link in the system!

Logging and Tracing The system provides a variety of different logging and tracing features. Each Device has its own private device log. Property Value changes can be logged to the Devices log, or to a user defined log.

Typically logs are used to store the history of Property Value changes on a particular Device. For example, it can be used to keep a file record of all received calls using captured caller ID information. Logs can also be helpful for troubleshooting odd Property Change behavior.

Logging can be configured to output to either a file or to the Device log window (or both). Log files can be setup to roll-over on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis. HouseBot can also purge old log files. User Defined Logs In addition to the supplied Device logs, users can define their own logs. User Defined logs can collect Property Changes from any number of different Devices. This allows a single log file to store an accurate chronological record of many changes in the system. Error Log Since the system is designed to run as a server, it generally does not display pop-up message boxes when it encounters an error. Errors can be reported from Device Plugins, Hardware Interface Plugins, Scripts, or by the HouseBot server itself. Any errors that are reported are automatically sent to the system Error Log. This provides a single place to monitor for system problems. Errors are also logged to the individual Device logs.

System Log The System Log will collect additional detail for any error messages. It is mainly used for collecting tracing data for diagnostic purposes.

The latest developments in 'Smart Homes and more'

The market for so-called 'smart homes' -- domestic houses that use intelligent and automated systems to control household appliances and devices - has been developing fast right across Europe and has now started to take off in the UK. James Hunt casts an eye over this market, and looks in brief at some of the systems and their applications in the domestic and commercial sectors:

Electrical installations in today's homes and commercial buildings have become more sophisticated, in terms of functional diversity, convenience, and in efficient and economical operation. Increases in flexibility, reliability and safety are also required. Such demanding requirements, together with the need for minimum planning and installation cost, cannot be met by conventional electrical installations. Modern building management systems (BMS), such as those applied to modern 'smart' homes (and also commercial buildings), use a variety of technologies to carry out energy management and building control tasks. These control, monitor and optimise building services such as heating, ventilation, lighting and alarm systems as well as domestic Haghill.

appliances, video, TV and even hi-fi. Some simple analogue systems, such as timer-controlled water heaters and thermostatic radiator valves, have been around for years; others are more complex and can enable significant energy savings and the control of fire safety and security systems. Another reason for control in the home is comfort - setting the right lights for mood without getting up. Many of the latest developments have been applied to homes in mainland Europe, especially Germany, Scandinavia and France. Typically, a central control unit runs the whole system, based on information supplied by some of the peripherals and on pre-set instructions for some of the devices. Commands can be sent through a two-wire fieldbus system, power lines, telephone lines or fibre-optic cables. Recent developments have been based on distributed-intelligence microprocessors. Here, 'intelligent' peripheral units manage a variety of local tasks and functions, while the central unit acts as a supervisor. Today, the dominant 'backbone' for such systems is Ethernet-based. For example, Echelon's 'Lonworks' building automation system uses the Ethernet as its backbone, as does the Electrical Installation Bus (EIB), of which more later. In such a system, the backbone remains a constant, while the application layers (such as an EIB device - a fan, for example), vary. A simile is that of a railway line (standard gauge), representing the Ethernet backbone, while the various devices from different manufacturers (the application layers), can be represented by the 'trains' running on the track. Each train from a different operating company might (or might not) have different couplings and systems so that, although they can all run on the track, they might not be able to join together. House builder's customers can now specify an 'smart' home, with control options for a cost typically less than 1% of the sale value, using fieldbus-based control systems typically having a backbone comprising a single twisted pair cable. Once installed, any amount of control can usually be added without any further re-cabling. Control scenarios are also easily changed or extended without complicated and messy refurbishment work. The system commonly controls lighting, heating and motorised shutters or curtains, but it can also interact with smoke and burglar alarms. Any control combination is possible, the only constraint being the cost of commissioning and programming.

Must be simple to use: The development of human machine interfaces (HMI) for smart homes has been a neglected area. Development has tended to concentrate on the underlying technology and the applications. There will always be a few 'techies' but most homeowners will simply want to know what the system will do for them in the easiest possible way. For this reason, the user interface could be critical to success for the full introduction of this technology. The challenge of integrating many applications within a smart house, creating quite complex systems with sometimes hundreds of user controllable parameters is key. Many people are still unable to confidently programme their video / DVD recorder. It must be simple to use. Not just for large and expensive homes: Even in mainland Europe, by far the largest number of applications have been in new and more expensive homes but smaller homes can benefit too, with control of PIRs for fire and security. These devices usually have 'intelligence' already built-in. Indeed, some basic intelligent home control systems can sometimes be obtained for the price of double glazing - typically as little as 2000. Nearer the top end of the market, some companies solved convenience problems where the clients had remote buildings. More recently, some suppliers have moved into scene setting and mood controls. Indeed, ECS (Philips Lighting Controls) has one private customer who has spent 80,000 on this aspect alone! These systems can be readily linked to home entertainment systems - either using one of the established audio/visual protocols (e.g. DMX512) or by using a multifunction infrared 'commander' such as the Philips PRONTO. There is a web site devoted to this try www.pronto.philips.com. People are also beginning to spend thousands on home entertainment systems complete with surround sound. It is a natural move to get the lighting right for the media concerned. New products are in the pipeline that will bring lighting controls to a wider audience - but these must meet price expectations as well as being simple to apply, operate and own.

How the 'smart home' system works: Essentially, the fieldbus system in homes and offices acts as a backbone for the system automatic controller and devices. Sensors send signals over a transmission medium to the devices (such as actuators), which, in the temperature example, might be used to turn on a radiator, or control an entire air-conditioning system. New functions can be added at any time. Sensors and actuators are programmed and linked as the requirements of the system dictates, so that - for example - home owners can alter home equipment settings according to their wishes via a keypad, telephone or PC. The flexible EIB adjusts your home to the needs of the person - no matter what time of the day, season or phase of life. That also goes for the future. System transmission media are typically 24V bus cable, EIB radio frequency, via infrared, and, increasingly today, using the Ethernet. 'Smart home' systems can be built into new homes (in which case it is important to be involved from an early stage), or retro-fitted into older buildings. A convergence: The equipment and technologies involved are converging. CD/CD-ROM/DVD/video are blurring the boundaries between hi-fi systems, TVs and PCs so that linkages are forming naturally. Add in work on Bluetooth and similar initiatives and the possibilities of your washing machine talking to your mobile are very real. Such wireless technology aims to revolutionise the personal connectivity market by providing freedom from wired connections and enabling links between portable computers, mobiles, portable hand-held devices, and connectivity to the Internet. Systems such as Bluetooth work because they have been developed as a cross-industry solution that combines engineering innovation with an understanding of both business and consumer expectations. As demand and improving technologies bring component and installation costs lower, smart home technologies will be increasingly taken up by the average homeowner. They will also be

integrated into new buildings from the start. Many developers are talking to manufacturers. The realities of owning a 'smart home' are, if not commonplace yet in the UK, even so closer than most people realise. To take one example, a typical four bed-roomed detached house has had just such a system installed to offer flexible switching and control for lighting, heating and shutters. Via an input relay device, it also incorporates other manufacturers' control products. All work has been carried out by a normal, competent electrical installer. This example shows just how important it is for electrical contractors to keep a weather eye open for such major opportunities which are now increasing by leaps and bounds as home owners become more aware of the opportunities, and as more devices become available at reasonable prices. EIB Technology One technology that is being increasingly used in the 'smart home' (and elsewhere) is EIB. This technology is a decentralised distributed data bus system for flexible operations management in utility and residential buildings. This technology, which is one of those revolutionising electrical installations, is relatively simple to understand, requiring only a bus line along which all bus devices (sensors and controls) may communicate. The central feature is the embedded control protocol - devices, such as sensors, actuators and smart controllers, can co-operate to perform distributed control application functions. It combines flexible node architecture for devices with strong network management features on standard transmission media plus ensured multi-vendor inter-working - so that devices from many manufacturers will all work on the system. The benefits of EIB are as follows:

Better economy of scale. Minimised installation and maintenance costs. Better security. Lower fire risk.

EIB devices each have their own intelligence, and respond according to their own type, and the

way they are programmed. In an intelligent home, office, or other environment, it may be necessary to have a controller to coordinate, for example, security, lighting, HVAC, and other functions. The system can be linked to manufacturers' own devices in some cases so that, between certain times - and when (for example) a home's security system is switched on, lights in certain parts of the house switch on automatically if specific doors are opened. However, this usually requires more than just the EIB system's group address linkage, but devices and systems can be designed to achieve this type of scenario. Devices can be designed to act as controllers (gateways) for the EIB system - providing many further benefits:

They can operate as an EIB network central controller. Telephone control and monitoring (eg: via a mobile away from the home or office) of EIB device status is possible.

Control is also possible from special human machine interfaces (HMI) or the home PC, using time programs / reminders.

The Internet can also be used - in some cases - to control and monitor devices. Alarm inputs and conditions can provided real integration of alarm and lighting systems where required.

Security is important for any homeowner. The EIB system, with suitable devices, is ideal for reducing burglary risks, as it can check that all windows and doors are closed, then centrally lock the home, exactly like central locking in a car. It can also simulate occupancy whilst the occupants are away.

EIB switches can be used to control 'comfort' actions such as air-conditioning systems and, increasingly, home entertainment systems. Alarms can be dialled-out to programmed telephones if preset levels are exceeded.

Lighting and heating bills can be significantly reduced, because of the individual room control for temperature, plus the ability to compensate room temperature against outside temperature to provide a constant environment. Heating in a room can be turned off if the system detects that a window or door has been opened.

An EIB-related technology is ABB's 'intelligent installation system' called i-bus EIB/KNX. This is

claimed to be the intelligent building installation system that meets the highest standards, being future-oriented. Since the EIBA (European Installation Bus Association) merged with two other European organisations to form the Konnex Association, KNX has become the new standard in building technology. ABB's i-bus EIB/KNX corresponds to both the EIB standard, which is being used all over the world, and the KNX-standard. Highly flexible, the ABB i-bus EIB/KNX provides increased security, economic efficiency, convenience and flexibility, whether in office buildings, industrial plants or residential properties. Functions such as lighting, shutter control and heating can be individually adapted to the requirements of the user. Later changes can be easily implemented. 'From simple to complex', says ABB, 'every application can be covered by i-bus EIB/KNX'. Typical functions for EIB/KNX include: control and data logging, display and operation, heating, lighting, security, shading and ventilation. The Integration of different tasks brings important advantages, particularly doing installation and usage. Go to www.abb.com/global/abbzh/abbzh251.nsf!OpenDatabase&db=/global/seitp/seitp329.nsf&v=9A AC910006&e=us&m=9F2&c=227DA61A0FB5BB9DC1256E3F003A384E for ABB downloads. Another system is Schneider Electric's Transparent Building Integrated Systems (T-BIS). This too can look after lighting control, security, air conditioning and heating and ventilation, as well as electrical distribution. Lighting controls: BMS can also incorporate special lighting control networks. For example, a major lightingspecific control protocol is the Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI). DALI is a lighting specific protocol set out in the technical standard IEC 60929, Annex E. DALI, which was the idea of leading international lighting manufacturers, is fast becoming an international, standardised interface and its use provides real advances in lighting.

Moreover, though DALI is specific to lighting, when incorporated into BMS, significantly enhanced building automation can be the result. It is particularly effective where remote supervising and service reports are required. DALI was originally developed to provide a standard lighting control protocol. This was because many lighting control manufacturers used their own proprietary protocols - many 'open' but others not. Most of the major European manufacturers have now recognised the advantages and have joined the DALI activity group.

Architects, contractors, engineers, facility managers, building owners and tenants can all can benefit from using DALI-enabled lighting systems, and the reason lies in the inherent flexibility. Typically, a DALI system comprises a ballast (which can operate from any manufacturer's DALI control units) and a multisensor, and the DALI protocol is based upon digital rather than the traditional analog signals. The great advantage is that lighting ballasts can be individually addressable (circuit addressability only is possible with analog systems). Also, bi-directional communication between each ballast and the control system is possible. Other benefits include PIR movement-detection, constant light control and infrared (IR) remote operation. In addition, the various parts are very simply connected and configuration is easy. The latter can be achieved using the lighting control panel or, alternatively, an IR remote control device. Standard LV wiring connects ballasts to lighting controls, helping to keep costs to a minimum and making it easy to change layouts in the future. Using DALI, lighting loads can be easily grouped and groups can be individually addressed. This is made easy by the IR remote control mentioned or by using Windows-based software. In this way, zoned or localised lighting control can be arranged very simply. Also, many separate DALI systems can be connected to BMS using gateways. As communication is bi-directional, other benefits are conferred, such as being able to centrally monitor ballast operation, dimming levels, and also the identification of failed components such as ballasts and lamps.

It is this inherent flexibility that makes DALI so useful, especially to building and system

designers. However, some lighting manufacturers still prefer to use their own protocols and complain, for example, that DALI can only cope with up to 64 addresses. A few BMS and lighting control examples: Schneider Electric's Transparent Building Integrated Systems (T-BIS) has already been mentioned. In a drive towards greater efficiency in its schools, Glasgow City Council has invested in Schneider Electric's Transparent Building Integrated Systems offer for its newly built Haghill Primary School and Community Sports Centre. Intelligent integration of the building's services has generated substantial energy savings, while even attendance rates have improved. At the start of the Haghill project, the market was investigated for a system that would integrate all services. A BMS was required that would cater for electrical distribution, lighting control, security, air conditioning as well as heating and ventilation, and Schneider Electric's T-BIS offer became an apparent choice. Having specified Schneider Electric's Merlin Gerin and Square D branded electrical distribution equipment for many years, there was confidence in implementing the T-BIS offer at Haghill. The building's control room, just off the main reception area, is centred around a single Telemecanique HMI. From this easy to use touch screen, the facilities management team can tell exactly what is happening around the building and control all services at the touch of a button. Pumps and boilers can be turned on and off and temperature adjusted. The team can pinpoint the exact amount of energy being consumed in specific areas of the building and project where savings are being made. If there is a problem anywhere in the building, the system alerts the team to this by a flashing red light. After this has been acknowledged by the touch of button, the light turns green. T-BIS allows Haghill's services, in both the sports centre and the school, to be consistently and easily managed. The BMS at Haghill is web-enabled, so, if they chose to, the facilities management team could control the system from anywhere in the world. The system intelligence brings benefits over and above making the job of facilities managers easier, as the increased efficiency means that the running costs of the school can be kept to a minimum. Indeed, Haghill is enjoying huge financial savings on heating and ventilation, due to local sensors in all

communal areas. Should a room become vacated the system automatically turns off the lights and turns them on again when someone walks in. Even the showers in the changing rooms are automatic. The safety features are thorough. For example, if the fire alarm goes off, the gas automatically shuts down. However, with convenience in mind, should this turn out to be a false alarm, staff can turn the gas back on at selected switches - one being in the kitchen. A small plant room is located in the sports centre section of the building. Here, Schneider Electric equipment works to reliably and effectively control and power the facilities. Web enabled outstations, soft starters and contactors from the Telemecanique building.net range work alongside the switchgear. A larger plant room in the building's basement contains the BMS as well as the gas and electric mains, and all panel boards and LV switchgear, power factor correction and surge protection equipment. The metering system monitors, meters and automatically reports the building's consumption of utilities. Telemecanique control panels for hot water also feature. From Trend, a brand of Novar, comes IQView. This is a new, easy to operate, touchscreen user interface designed to control BMS. This device immediately 'learns' the structure of the Trend BMS to which it is connected, and then can be quickly configured to give different levels of user access. Some levels will permit just a few simple adjustments, like changes to heating or lighting levels, while others can give full control access, required by the engineering or maintenance staff. IQView also responds rapidly to user actions, regardless of the size of the system, with the facility to display and log all alarms and display historic data in graph form. Available with illuminated colour or mono display, for a small system IQView can serve as the sole operator interface. On larger systems, where the main user interface would most probably be a PC, it can conveniently provide additional access points, perhaps on different floors or locations within a large building. With high contrast, touch screen 1/4 VGA LCD display, this easy to use controller is available in panel or wall mounted options. IQView has been designed for the home, in a plant, or office environment, and links to either a

Trend or Ethernet network via its integral RS232 port. In terms of a lighting specific control system, the LightMaster Modular lighting management system by ECS (Philips Lighting Controls), offers a 'future proof' approach to Lighting Controls. This system provides the building blocks to keep pace with the fast changing needs of the office environment now and in the future. Time and cost savings are key considerations for any building developer, designer, owner-occupier or installer. LightMaster Modular has been designed with all this in mind. The system's unprecedented flexibility means that its functionality can be changed and upgraded at any time during the life of the building without the need for new wiring. Commissioning is via a simple application-based software that does not require specialist knowledge to operate. The result, says the company, 'is maximum flexibility with minimal complexity and cost'. The simplicity of LightMaster Modular's portfolio offers adaptable and cost effective installation. Its hardware features a choice of plug-in or screw terminal connections. The basic control module is a compact one-piece install with separate plug-in mains and dimming control cables. This allows for improved handling and faster more reliable connections. Cables can simply be added at times of upgrade. LightMaster Modular effectively supports compliance with legislation and regulations in the areas of employee comfort, safety and energy consumption. It is also fully equipped to manage emergency lighting testing requirements. The building occupier can therefore rest safe in the knowledge that future legislation or user requirements can be met without major outlay on new equipment or installation. The future: For the future, smart homes, and many other commercial buildings, are likely to have features such as demand-control strategies for ventilation, lighting, heating and cooling; optimal control of heating and cooling processes; the use of programming to provide for a more flexible representation of users' needs; and using expert systems. The latter may be based on neural networks for 'smart' management systems. Ethernet as a backbone is likely to continue to increase

its dominance. Development will keep in touch with emerging communications technology to ensure that integration with other systems is straightforward.

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