What modules to use for screens and sun shades?

Post by **MindBender** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 1:03 am

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Bwired
 There are roomers that Xanura will come with a new sunscreen device which have all the features we need.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Any News on these rumors yet? Han, do you have a PCB layout for your design you're willing to share with us?

Post by **Han** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 11:27 am

It was Pieter who spread this rumour.
What design are you looking for? The sunscreen controller?
Han Alink

Post by **MindBender** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 2:00 pm

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Han
 What design are you looking for? The sunscreen controller?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Yes please

Post by **Bwired** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 2:15 pm

I will send a mail to Xanura with the question if there is any new about a new Sunscreen module. I need those as well!

Post by **Han** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 3:01 pm

As I do not have a sunscreen anymore, I do not use the one unit I have assembled anymore.
The size of the unit is 75 x 70 * 25 mm. The box which I used is no longer in production. Farnell has only 14 pcs left in black. The PC board fits exactly in this box. See enclosed pictures.
The unit uses a PIC 16F630 as the controller. The X10 address can be programmed into the device. Within one minute after power up, the X10 address P1 followed by he new unit address has to be send.
The 2 buttons on the unit can be used to close or open the screen. It is also possible, by pressing one of the buttons for a longer time, to open/close the screen partly.
The unit reacts to X10 ON and OFF commands.
The duration of the motor activation after on/off command can be programmed by pushing both buttons simultaneously for a longer time.

If there is enough interest, I can design/build a new unit which is capable of reacting to a status request. If yes, I want to design/build it in cooperation with at least 5 other potential users. Who is interested in participating?

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Han Alink

Post by **Niknik** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 3:52 pm

I'm definitely interested! One of my main issues in the "automation" part is to control my window shutters and one sunscreen.

I'd suggest making the module as generic as possible, not only for sunscreen/shutters. A transceiver module where we could place a PIC can be used for practically everything you could think of, from appliance models to "enhanced" dimmers! (at last! which is something I have been dreaming around for a very long time! I can't understand why there are no modules where we can say: go to light intensity 30% , fading during 10 seconds and let it do the work - instead of flooding the powerline/rf with dim/brighten commands!?)

I'm sure a lot of people will jump in into this project.
I can offer programming assistance if needed (for the PIC) - for the electric part, I know a bit but I'm not an expert.

Post by **Lennart** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:29 pm

I would definitely be interested!

Lennart

Post by **Bwired** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:38 pm

I'm interested as well, depending on how I can install the device, does it fit in a standard power outlet?
Thank you

Post by **Niknik** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:49 pm

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Bwired
 I'm interested as well, depending on how I can install the device, does it fit in a standard power outlet?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">We can leave "miniaturization" as a second step, using surface mounted components (where possible), I don't see why it wouldn't fit (just like any Xanura micro module)
If it ever comes to that, and we need to do a "quantity" run, I have access to a pick-n-place machine, capable of fine-pitch surface mount placement.

Post by **MindBender** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:15 pm

I 'need' about 5 modules. I am an embedded software designer in my daily life with in-depth knowlwegde of low-level software and electronics, but I only do Ansi C and MIPS/PowerPC assembly. PICS assembly is a bit too hairy for me. I have a Tektronix TLA704 102 channel logic analyzer and on-board 2Gs/s oscilloscope at home, so tell me how I can contribute.

@NikNik: I have already started a topic on a generic X10 development kit: http://www.domoticaforum.eu/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=57. I'm still interested in having somthing like that, and perhaps more people are since the group has grown since that topic.

Post by **Niknik** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:23 pm

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by MindBender
@NikNik: I have already started a topic on a generic X10 development kit: http://www.domoticaforum.eu/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=57. I'm still interested in having somthing like that, and perhaps more people are since the group has grown since that topic.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I've now subscribed to that thread too.

I'm also an embedded device programmer, worked with z80 and 68k (many years ago), PICs, and now with Hitachi's/Renesas H8S's - all those in ASM. Though these days I spend most of the time working on the PC side, using .net, c#, etc. I have tried C for the PIC and it seemed simple enough, so I guess that's the best option indeed.
I'm confortable using an osciloscope, but the "real" electronic design is made by some colleagues at work - I understand how it works, but I couldn't do that myself - My purpose is the programming.

Post by **Han** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 11:42 pm

Hi,

I have seen your reactions. I'm wondering where we should start. I assume the interest is not just the screen controller. I would encourage a more generic approach. Nevertheless, the screencontroller uses the same input, power suppy and X10 firmware as a dim/bright lamp controller.

Before we can start we need a communication platform. We have to exchange a lot of information. I do not think this forum is the right medium to do that. Who has ideas about this subject?

Do we have interested forum members that have knowledge of electronics and board layout? (I do my own layouts and PCB "production" but I want others to get involved as this takes a lot of time). Somebody out there using ORCAD?? Who can produce PCB's?? A sparring partner to discuss and design the electronics with in detail?

The discussion assembler vs compiler also has to do with cost. The "assembler" 16Fxxx Pics I use are cheap (€ 1). The 18Fxxx cost a lot more (€10). Also programming the more advanced PICs require more advanced programming equipment. I only can program the 18F2455 by means of a boot loader. So my sugestion is to start with assembler. I have the (operational) assembler code, but this needs a review and split up in functional modules. I assume MPLAB is the right development platform.

Who has suggestions for the first function to be realised? I suggest an X10 unit (not bidirectional). The bidirectional (A10) unit can be an extention of the X10 unit.

So far for now ...

Han Alink

Post by **Niknik** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 10:36 am

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Han
 I would encourage a more generic approach. Nevertheless, the screencontroller uses the same input, power suppy and X10 firmware as a dim/bright lamp controller. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Exactly, it's as good a unit to start as any other.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Before we can start we need a communication platform. We have to exchange a lot of information. I do not think this forum is the right medium to do that. Who has ideas about this subject?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I was toying around, seeing if google groups was better suited, but never really used it much to know if it's better than this forum.
http://groups.google.com/group/bwired/topics
(feel free to join in, so we can determine if it's an option, or if we need something else (some sort of wiki?)

Edit: I also just remembered, if we create a google document, and invite each other as "collaborator", we can all edit it at the same time, and while everyone is online at the same time we can even chat in real time in there... what do you think?

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
Do we have interested forum members that have knowledge of electronics and board layout?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I personally can't help you with that, but I'm trying to get some friends involved - if they join, they might be able to help in that department.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
The discussion assembler vs compiler also has to do with cost. The "assembler" 16Fxxx Pics I use are cheap (€ 1). The 18Fxxx cost a lot more (€10).
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Yes, the 16F are a good starting point, and should be more than enough for what we have in mind for now.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> I have the (operational) assembler code, but this needs a review and split up in functional modules. I assume MPLAB is the right development platform.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Send it to me, that's something I can assist you with!

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
Who has suggestions for the first function to be realised? I suggest an X10 unit (not bidirectional). The bidirectional (A10) unit can be an extention of the X10 unit.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">first function? to have a working circuit board, responding to "device on/off" and then the bright/dim command.
Then we can add the status request and status change transmission.
After that - the sky is the limit!

(the second step would be "shrinking" the design, so it would fit inside a wall socket/switch)

Post by **Bwired** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 11:47 am

I think I can help and make a new Topic under Hardware which has the name of the project. I think this is sufficient. You can then make different topics like manuals, sticky topics etc. I can make some of you moderator having more privileges to control the Forum. After the project is finished I can move it back under an existing forum.
Pieter

Post by **Snelvuur** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 1:39 pm

I can host whatever forum / bulletin board / mailing list you would like. A SVN tree for programming too if needed. I have dedicated server (linux) in the datacenter. I dont mind supporting good idea's. Just let me know if neded.