To truly bring home automation to the wider audience and actually give the phrase real meaning, a system is required that makes it easy for the installer to grasp and sell the value. Plus it must also be designed in such a way that system hardware, installation and programming are simple and lower in cost.

Wireless technology answers most of the above requirements, however much care must be taken not to take wireless technology for granted. The user wants a system that has minimum impact on the property, and the installer wants to offer good solutions whilst maintaining margin and profitability.

Control4 believes it has answered the problem by providing a system that can be easily explained and demonstrated to the user. This is done by highlighting the changes or improvements that can be made to their lifestyle, not just selling the technology. In addition, more custom installers will be able to access the home automation market as the technology behind the system has been 'simplified' and somewhat demystified.

The Control4 system

The Control4 system communicates via an IP-based network. This network consists of wired Ethernet, WiFi (wireless Ethernet) and ZigBee. Which technology is used on which devices depends on the intended use of that device.

ZigBee

Control4 was the first home automation company to deliver wireless products based on the 802.15.4 standard (ZigBee). ZigBee is a relatively new technology established to enable reliable, cost-effective, low-power, wirelessly networked, monitoring and control products based on an open global standard. This two-way control medium is growing in popularity amongst many manufactures involved in providing solutions for home owners.

ZigBee provides a robust wireless network that can be used to send control signals around a home. It has inherent 'self healing' properties as all Control4 ZigBee devices are sending and receiving control signals on a mesh network at all times. So any break in the path of a signal (by a handset moving out of range) is automatically resolved by the control path taking an alternative route.

WiFi

WiFi is mostly used in automation systems for the wireless transmission of audio signals. Using standards-based WiFi products enables costs to be reduced as off-the-shelf hardware can be used. Setting up WiFi networks however, can easily drain resources, as many factors can be introduced that prevent success.

The single most important factor in successfully deploying a network is planning. In order to ensure that your network does what you want, you must plan for your needs.

Guidelines for configuring a wireless access point

Most wired products are pre-configured with the most common settings (DHCP enabled, etc.) Wireless products on the other hand, require some configuration in order to work. This required set-up is primarily for security reasons. With a wired network, in order to gain access, a user must be physically present to connect to the network. With a wireless network, this required physical presence is eliminated. An unauthorised user can easily gain access to the network without the network owner ever knowing it. Therefore, in order to set up a wireless network, a certain level of configuration is required to help maintain the integrity and security of the network.

Unlike a wired network where all you need to do is connect the cable, wireless networks are susceptible to interference. The use of a suitable tester or analyser is recommended to save time. Place the access point in a location where it is able to provide a strong signal to every location.

Understanding what types of things interfere with a WiFi signal is also important. Interference is the static noise that interferes with the transfer of data within the 2.4GHz frequency band used by 802.11b and 802.11g WiFi signals. Interference is a signal that you do not want that is at the same frequency you are using.

There is no single right or wrong way to set up a network. Every home and every situation will dictate the topology necessary to satisfy the needs of a network. However, following some general guidelines will greatly improve network performance and streamline the installation process. Therefore, wherever possible, it is recommended to install an automation-only network separate from computer or other network traffic.

With the rapidly declining cost of wireless access points, the cost of implementing this type of network topology is very cost-effective, and with the ever-increasing volume of IP traffic in an average home, the intangible benefit of this investment is worth significantly more.

Simplifying the installation process

While technology is very important to the design, installation and functionality of a home automation system, its implementation must be simplified for the installer where possible. To do this, Control4 uses a standards-based approach that allows products from virtually all third-party vendors to integrate with the system.

The Control4 technology uses auto-discovery for IP-based control devices, including those that do not support discovery. In addition, auto-creation of programming and user interfaces allows for easy integration of new products, which the system will automatically configure.

Taking wireless network technology further, Control4 has introduced a set of Internet-based services that allow the user to receive email notification about 'events' occurring in the home and monitor the home from any Internet access point.

Conclusion

The future growth of home automation does not rely on selling technology but on manufacturers making the technology easy to install and use. The custom installer can then concentrate on selling the advantages of automation and what it means for the user, knowing there is still money to be made. Lifestyle changes are possible and realistic now, and with Control4 wireless products, any family can enjoy distributed music and control in each room.

Tony Leedham is the Business Development Director for Control4 UK. Control4 manufactures practical, affordable and sophisticated home automation and control for every home.

www.control4-uk.com