Home Automation Systems

A smart home or smart house is a home that has been automated, often known as home automation or domotics[1]. Lighting, climate, entertainment systems, and appliances are just a few examples of the house features that a home automation system may monitor and/or regulate. It might also contain elements of home security like alarm systems and access control. The Internet of Things ("IoT") includes a significant portion of household devices that are connected to the Internet.

The best home automation systems, according to a different ZDNet review, come with a user-friendly interface and dependable automation capability. Apple, Google, IFTTT, Home Assistant, and Amazon are major market participants [2]. These systems have capabilities like remote access, voice control, and the capacity to design unique automation rules.

Another well-liked home automation system is Control4 Smart Home OS 3. It connects practically all of the technology in a home and enables users to operate almost all of its systems and devices in simple and enjoyable ways. Users of Control4 Smart Home OS 3 can take use of a more practical, secure, and comfortable home [3].

History

Early home automation began with labor-saving machines. Self-contained electric or gas-powered home appliances became viable in the 1900s with the introduction of electric power distribution[2] and led to the introduction of washing machines (1904), water heaters (1889), refrigerators (1913), sewing machines, dishwashers, and clothes dryers.

In 1975, the first general-purpose home automation network technology, X10, was developed. It is a communication protocol for electronic devices. It primarily uses electric power transmission wiring for signaling and control, where the signals involve brief radio frequency bursts of digital data and remains the most widely available.[3]

ABI Research estimates that 1.5 million home automation systems were deployed in the US by 2012.[4] By the end of 2018, more than 45 million smart home gadgets will be deployed in American households, predicts research firm Statista[5].[6]

The Latin word for "home" (domus) and the word "robotics" are combined to form the term "domotics".[1] The "smart" in "smart home" refers to the system being aware of the status of its gadgets, which is accomplished through the Internet of Things (IoT) and information and communication technologies (ICT) protocol.[7]

Types of Home Automation Systems

[1] GSM-based Home Automation System

The system outlined in [1] offers three ways to operate the house: via the Internet, the GSM network, and voice commands. Real-time monitoring is a crucial component of home automation systems that can be employed. The user can be alerted instantly when the status of the devices changes. A PC typically handles the transfer of user commands to a server. The server interprets user commands and sends them to the appropriate components. This may facilitate appliance control. In areas where there may not be adequate internet coverage, GSM is utilized as a communication tool to help establish a connection.

[2] Bluetooth Based Home Automation

Bluetooth technology is affordable and safe. It utilizes a Bluetooth Arduino board. The user interface on a cell phone is provided via an interactive Python program. Relays and the Bluetooth board's I/O ports are used for communication with the target devices. To ensure that the system is secure and not utilized by any intruders, Bluetooth is password-protected. The Bluetooth's range is between 10 and 100. Home appliance control systems use Bluetooth technology [10]. 

Home appliance control systems use Bluetooth technology [11]. The Bluetooth module, sensor circuit, and pulse width modulation circuit are all connected to the client, a PC, through USB.

The control of the circuit is done via sensors and actuators. It may accept different Bluetooth commands thanks to the Bluetooth module that is connected to it. The scanning and detection of other Bluetooth devices are simple. It might also be feasible to determine whether or not a device is functioning correctly. 

[3] Phone Based Home Automation

A common framework for home automation can be provided by some systems [11], which are referred to as enabling systems. It offers a smart home system with features like a system controller, inside wiring, and a common interface. This will make it possible to automate your home utilizing the current system.

Powerpoint control using a hardware-based remote controller has been reported [12]. This remote controller's job is to manage the power sent to equipment at a distance. The telephone line is used by the system to transmit commands. The controller is a totally hardware-based logic system. It does away with the expense associated with microcontrollers. The power supply is controlled by a solid-state relay connected to a DTMF transceiver. Additionally, it might be tested using infrared signals and AC power line carrier technologies.

[4]  ZigBee Based Home Automation

Home automation can use ZigBee wireless communication technology [14]. For this, the system makes use of a PIC microcontroller and voice recognition. The spoken instructions come through a microphone. They are processed after being compared to a voice database. The orders are then sent to the receiver via ZigBee by the PIC microcontroller.

Another PIC microcontroller can process the command in the reception device. Relays are used to operate the relevant appliances. The disadvantage of this system is that ZigBee is a short-range communication technology. Remote access is thus made difficult from remote sites. The voice recognition function can also grow cumbersome. A smoke detector is integrated into this system as an extra function.  When smoke is detected, a notification is sent to the user's integrated mobile phone.

[5] Wireless Control Systems

By connecting standalone appliances that are present at home or in the office and combining them to form a cooperative network, systems using wireless communication can be created [15]. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are used in conjunction with other technologies to integrate the system. 

[6] Mixed Type

Using a combination of GSM, Bluetooth, and ZigBee technologies, home automation is made possible [17]. An Android application is used for user interaction. This software converts user vocal requests into a list of text commands. These instructions are provided through SMS to a different phone at home. This then sends the orders to a PIC controller over Bluetooth. It is referred to as a remote unit. The commands will then be transmitted to a ZigBee transmitter by this distant unit.

This sends these instructions to the primary controller through ZigBee. The controller deciphers the commands and carries out the necessary actions. It additionally transmits status updates via ZigBee. This device may provide remote access and is functional. However, the system can become expensive due to the use of multiple controllers and technologies. Also, the SMS system can prove to be unreliable.

Conclusion

Home automation systems can improve the comfort and convenience of your life while also enhancing the security and energy efficiency of your house. With so many technologies on the market, any homeowner can find a home automation system that suits their demands.