Life without the Internet, household appliances, smartphones is hard to imagine. Many rich people would also add the Smart Home system to this list. In the article we will analyze what it is, how to install it and how to use it.
What kind of system?
As it has already become clear, not everyone will be able to purchase the Smart Home system. But if you have the necessary skills, you can create it yourself through a special application. Accordingly, we’ll continue to talk about the Smart Home system on Arduino. With our own hands, we will try to create it for your living quarters.
What in fact is this system? This is a set of sensors and controllers. They exist of various types, so they can respond to both movement and thermal energy. Such devices are able to control work at home: communications, security system and so on. There are more “more reasonable” constructions that can independently turn on heating, start various processes and so on. Everyone wants to come home, where he will have a hot bath, a warm dinner. A smart home is the best solution for those who live alone. If there is no money for such a system, then you can do it yourself.
How do sensors work?
Sensors are able to read information and data, then process them and transmit the appropriate command. They are able to respond to temperature, sudden movements and sound.
The simplest and most affordable tracking sensors are often used on stairwells - everyone is familiar with the automatic inclusion of light. In addition , controllers are often used in fire safety systems. As soon as the temperature starts to rise sharply, an alarm is immediately triggered.
Before you start working with the system in your own building, you need to create a project that will allow you to correctly distribute the sensors and all possible controllers. It is important to note that for this you need to have programming and electronics skills. If there are none, then devices of a simple plan, that is, created for a novice consumer, should be preferred. These are the Arduino systems. The manufacturer supplies absolutely easy to install and operate devices.
Why Arduino?
This question is quite logical and understandable. It has already been written above that the company produces easy-to-understand systems, but this is not the only reason why you should choose Arduino. Kits for "Smart Home" can be purchased in the store or ordered on the site. Installation is allowed on its own, but no one will refuse to provide a qualified master. He will carry out all the work without errors and will not neglect the beautiful design (for example, he will hide the wires, and not “dump” them for general consideration). But most of the customers still decide to carry out all the work on their own. Why? It is much simpler and cheaper. All firms that produce such projects, great increase the price and in words overestimate the quality of many models. The company described does not deal with this. Reviews on the Internet confirm this at 100%.
The cost for components and installation of the Arduino system (Smart Home projects are very popular) is much cheaper than other manufacturers. Even the company itself offers to carry out the entire installation on its own, as in the event of a breakdown, the owner must understand the schemes and the project as a whole. Also, knowing thoroughly the system, you can easily and easily adjust it for yourself.
There are tons of open source libraries on the Arduino platform , so finding a suitable program is easy.
Sets
There are Smart Home kits on sale. In them, the buyer can find all the necessary components for creating automated systems in their own home: motherboard and breadboard, electronic parts and rules for use. This kit will teach a person how to properly connect diodes, turn on clapping devices and control devices remotely.
“Dare” was created for children from 14 years old. The kit comes with instructions. Using the kit, you can create five finished projects: a stopwatch, a night lamp, and so on.
Arduino Starter Kit - a basic set with which all owners are advised to start familiarization. It comes with an Arduino UNO board, sensors, screen, resistors, and so on. It costs about 80 euros.
"Matryoshka" is intended for children from 10 years old. It is sold in several versions, which differ in quantity and type of parts, respectively, with the help of each of them it is possible to carry out completely different experiments. Arduino UNO Rev3 board manufactured in Italy is supplied. With this kit you can make a night lamp, a mixer, a tester for batteries and so on.
Amperka is usually purchased for educational institutions. It is made for children from 12 years old. At the end of classes, children will be able to create a robot that moves in a straight line. The controller is supplied by the Arduino Uno model.
The Dare (Smart Home) kits on Arduino are currently the most popular.
Platforms
The standard platform is Arduino Uno. "Smart home" often works on its basis. It is most common, as it is inexpensive. Using it, you can easily control microcontroller technology. If a person is not familiar with Arduino boards, then all owners advise him to start acquaintance with this one.
Arduino Leonardo costs a little cheaper than the above option. The fact is that, unlike Uno, it can be used as a USB device. For example, thanks to this board, you can control the mouse and keyboard.
Why is the “Smart Home” created most often on the Arduino Mega2560? It is only slightly outwardly different from Uno, but has more functionality. They often use it to work simultaneously with a large number of devices. Accordingly, it is much easier to work with when it comes to large-scale projects. In general, if you plan to create a "Smart Home" , Arduino Mega is the most suitable option.
System benefits
The Arduino company is in great demand among people who are poorly versed in programming. All systems provided have a clear interface. However, the benefits are not limited to this.
The manufacturer provided the opportunity to create your own programs - the source code is open. The language used is as easy to learn as possible. If necessary, you can transfer programs using a USB cable. The Smart Home kits are pretty interesting.
That is, if you know the programming language, you can purchase only one version of the software and adjust it as much as possible for you.
If additional utilities are needed, then they can be downloaded for free from the official site. The system can be controlled from a computer and phone using the program.
Work principles
Sensors transmit information to a computer or phone using wireless data technology. A special utility processes the data - the command is executed. There is a main sensor (central), which can either be purchased or made independently. Arduino boards (Smart Home projects developed on them) have standard connectors. Thanks to this, you can easily select all the components.
What is needed for assembly?
If there is a desire to assemble the project yourself, then you need to assemble some devices and take devices. What kind?
- Sensors and controllers.
- Internet module.
- Twisted pair (cable).
- Switch.
- Resistor.
- Wire for internet module.
- Relay.
Of the accessories you will need a soldering iron, screwdrivers and so on.
Arduino kits must be purchased at trusted stores. Why? All the necessary devices are needed to work with electricity, which is why it is dangerous to use fakes. All necessary utilities can be downloaded from the Internet. Therefore, it is quite simple to create a “Smart Home” with your own hands based on Arduino.
Sensors must be selected based on their preferences: turning light on or off, temperature control, and so on.
Installation process
It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that the “Smart Home” should have only LED type lamps. Conventional options will not be able to withstand stress - either burst, or simply burn out.
After the Smart Home project on Arduino is ready, you need to start connecting controllers and sensors. Do this without deviating from the drawing and diagrams that were created earlier. Contacts must be isolated.
All works can be presented in stages in the form of an algorithm:
- Setting the code.
- Setting up the application for a computer or phone.
- Port forwarding
- Testing sensors and software.
- Troubleshooting, if identified during verification.
Download software better from a proven source archive. After the latter is open and all utilities are installed, you must restart the application or reboot the device.
The Smart Home software on Arduino will display the status of sensors and information from them. If necessary, you can always change the network address, turn off the alarm.
Work with a router
On the router you need to open the port. What should be done to complete this action? Open the configuration menu, write the Arduino network address and activate the port.
Immediately after that, you can set the domain name. Now, nothing prevents the owner from starting testing a system that was created with his own hands.
Remote control
Thanks to the company's server, you can connect all the equipment together. You can use cloud services that allow you to visualize processes. Thanks to the Internet, you can completely control your home. You can turn on / off the boiler or heating, being at the other end of the city.
There is another way to help manage your home - SMS messages. It does not always happen that there is an Internet connection, so this method is quite relevant.
Summary
It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that the “Smart House” based on Arduino cannot work with an open network address, because otherwise it will be easy to crack. All buildings that operate on a “smart” system can help save energy for every person, as well as use all resources correctly. The main thing is to choose all the components correctly without any fakes.
It is also important that Arduino has many libraries that include thousands of program codes. That is why it will be more than easy to create a Smart Home system on Arduino using only the Internet.
Owner reviews about the system are positive. Failures do not occur, all notifications arrive on time, and the tracking of the program is clear. The collateral is updated frequently, so if something unexpected happens, the owner will immediately see it. Creating such a system with your own hands is the best and most successful solution that will help save money. There is nothing complicated in installing sensors and controllers.