This report describes work that I did on embedded control data communication using the domestic powerline circuitry as channel medium. A home automation system was implemented. In the modern home filled with electronic apparatus and appliances, it is useful for the owner to exercise some form of centralised control over the functions in the house. Currently, when the owner needs to turn on the driveway and living room lights before arming the alarm and going to bed, he has to walk to the garage, then to the front door, then to the alarm box, then to bed | Design of a Powerline Home Automation System Final Report . Richter 9719216 Submitted as partial fulfillment of the requirements of Project EPR400 in the Department of Electrical Electronic and Computer Engineering University of Pretoria November 2000 Study leader Gerhard Korf Preliminary Copy 1 of 5 Summary This report describes work that I did on embedded control data communication using the domestic powerline circuitry as channel medium. A home automation system was implemented. What has been done I did a literature study on the usage of the powerline as communication medium and the various techniques used to implement networks. I did a literature study on error detection and error elimination methods. I did a literature study on Internet communication and security. I designed and constructed a home automation system comprising of one master unit and four slave units communicating across the powerline. I wrote client software using JavaScript and HTML Hyper Text Mark-up Language through which the user can send commands via the Internet. I wrote software in C that controls the network from a PC Personal Computer . I wrote server software in C that interfaces the client from across the Internet to the home automation network. What has been achieved I found a modern home automation system could be designed in such a way as to improve the quality of life of the owner while improving the security and providing off-site control. I found that data communication using the powerline as medium has enormous potential for growth and is under exploited especially in local area networking environments where cabling costs can be eliminated. I found that security is lacking in the Internet architecture and without careful planning a network is highly vulnerable to abuse from an outsider. There is a technical report attached to this document in which additional source code listings circuit diagrams and other technical data appear. The work done in this project does not build
