Team Members

The open space is an important part for every working environment. It can boost employees' efficiency and make work less stressful and depressive. Moreover, there are several sustainability aspects that could be satisfied by implementing control features. The open space at LUT is not restful enough. It just has basic facilities such as coffee machine, arm chairs, a guitar and TV.

The goals of the project is:

• Create pleasant virtual environment with affecting human’s senses;
• User-friendly design with enhanced control;
• Satisfy workers’ needs;

The artificial environment should be close to the natural conditions.This can be achieved by implementing sounding (relaxing music), humidifying the air with different smells (forest, blossom flowers, etc.), smart lighting (with predefined lights for corresponding natural scenes). In the same time, control should be seamlessly embedded into open space and be user-friendly.

Automation server: FHEM (Freundliche Hausautomatisierung und Energie-Messung)

FHEM is a server for home automation tasks. The server utilizes different front-ends and Web interfaces. It is intended to automate common tasks in a household, such as controlling heating, lights, logging events (temperature, humidity, security). FHEM works with a vast number of home automation technologies and protocols: FS20, HomeMatic, KNX, ZWave, EnOcean, X10, etc.

HW platform: Digital Human Services (DHS) Computertechnik

Single-board computer with the touch screen and RF interface.

Communication protocol (Devices-Server): FS20

Non-encrypted technology that operates at sub-1 GHz band and utilizes amplitude modulation.

Sensors and Actuators:

• Sensors:
  • Occupancy sensor (emulated by remote control)
  • Thermostat (FHT80B-3)
  • Thermosensor (HMS100 TF) - used for Smart-Coffee machine
• Actuators:
  • Smart Plug (Switch) - used for Sounding and Humidifying
  • Philips Hue (bridge and one light bulb) - used for creating light scenes

Bluetooth Low Energy

Bluetooth low energy (BLE) was specially designed for the Internet of Things (IoT). It implements low energy functionality which makes it perfect for devices that utilize energy harvesting or batteries. Major operating systems and hardware architectures support BLE which enables its deployment for a broad range of devices, from home appliances to smart wearables and sensors. Key technology differentiators:

• Simple star topology reduces implementation complexity significantly;
• Small low-cost CMOS ICs for BLE TX/RX;
• Robust physical layer;
• Secure through 128 bit AES encryption;
• Very low power – designed to be asleep (~100 μAh per day means 4-years of battery life from coin cell battery)
• No competitors (Bluetooth is already in the most of HW/SW architectures)

Insteon

Insteon is a home automation technology that enables switches, lights, thermostats, sensors, remote controls, and other electrically powered devices to interoperate.

• Since 2005, Insteon devices communicate over both power lines and wireless, this, to ensure multiple pathways for messages to travel;
• Insteon is X10 compatible, meaning that users can add wireless capability to an existing X10 network;
• This is an effective and cost-efficient way to make a full-blown transition to wireless;
• Insteon technology also supports home automation novices so that non-technical individuals can set up and add devices to the network;
• Insteon devices don’t have to be “enrolled” in the home automation network; they join the network as soon as they’re powered up, simplifying installation;
• Insteon’s dual-band mesh network turns all powerline-operated devices into repeaters, greatly extending signal range.

Poster: https://www.dropbox.com/s/5z1ipdz95cv5dvn/Poster_CyberSpace.pdf?dl=0 (Due to its size cannot be uploaded, please use the link)

Presentation: https://www.dropbox.com/s/5ry3b5m0igut5ve/Home-automation-Project-1%20%282%29.pptx?dl=0

Configuration file: https://www.dropbox.com/s/4pc8680msk340dd/fhem.cfg.txt?dl=0

Final report : cyberspace-report.docx

1. Official website of FHEM, https://fhem.de/fhem.html
2. “Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)”, Cypress Semiconductor Corporation, December 22, 2015 http://www.cypress.com/file/220246/download
3. Official Insteon website, http://www.insteon.com/