"Smart home" on Arduino: theory and practice

Life without the Internet, home appliances, smartphones is difficult to imagine. Many rich people in this list would have added the "Smart House" system. In this article we will analyze what it is, how to install it and how to use it.

What kind of system?

As it became clear, not everyone can purchase the Smart Home system. But if you have the necessary skills, you can create it yourself through a special application. Accordingly, let's talk about the "Smart House" system on Arduino. We will try to create it for our living quarters with our own hands.

What in fact is the given system? This is a set of sensors and controllers. They exist in different types, so they can react to both movement and thermal energy. Such devices are able to control the work of the house: communication, security system and so on. There are more "reasonable" facilities that can independently include heating, run various processes and so on. Every person wants to come home, where he will be waiting for a hot bath, heated dinner. "Smart" house - the best solution for those who live alone. If there is no money for such a system, then it can be done independently.

How do the sensors work?

Sensors are able to read information and data, then process them and transmit the appropriate command. They are able to react to temperature, sudden movements and sound.

The simplest and most affordable tracking sensors are often used in staircases - all are familiar with the automatic switching on of light. In addition , controllers are often used in fire safety systems. As soon as the temperature starts to rise sharply, the alarm system immediately starts.

Before you start working with the system in your own building, you need to create a project that will 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 you should prefer simple plan devices, that is, created for the novice consumer. Such are the systems of "Arduino". The manufacturer provides absolutely simple to install and operate the device.

Why Arduino?

This question is quite logical and understandable. It has already been written that the company produces simple systems for understanding, but this is not the only reason Arduino should be chosen. Sets for the "Smart House" can be purchased at the store or ordered on the site. Installation can be carried out independently, but no one will refuse to provide a qualified master. He will do all the work without errors and will not neglect the beautiful design (for example, hide the wires, and not "piss out" them for general consideration). But most of the customers still decide to do all the work themselves. Why? It's much easier and cheaper. All firms that produce similar projects, cool the price and in words overestimate the quality of many models. The company described does not do this. Reviews on the Internet this is confirmed by 100%.

The cost for components and installation of the Arduino system ("Smart House" projects are very popular) is much cheaper than those of other manufacturers. Even the company itself proposes to conduct 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 the system thoroughly, you can easily and easily customize it for yourself.

The Arduino platform has a lot of open source libraries, so finding a suitable program is not difficult.

Sets

On sale there are sets of "Smart House". In them, the buyer can find all the necessary components to create automated systems in his own home: motherboard and prototyping board, electronic parts and rules for use. This set will teach a person to properly connect the diodes, turn on the device for cotton and operate the device remotely.

"Dare" was created for children from 14 years. The instruction manual is included. With the help of the set, you can create five ready-made projects: stopwatch, night light and so on.

Arduino Starter Kit is a basic set from which all owners advise to begin acquaintance. It comes with Arduino UNO board, sensors, screen, resistors and so on. It costs about 80 euros.

"Matryoshka" is intended for children from 10 years. It is sold in several versions, which are different in number and type of parts, respectively, with the help of each of them you can carry out completely different from each other experiments. The Arduino UNO Rev3 card, manufactured in Italy, is supplied. With this kit you can make a night lamp, mixer, battery tester and so on.

"Amperka", as a rule, is purchased for educational institutions. It is made for children from 12 years. At the end of the classes, children will be able to create a robot that moves in a straight line. The controller is supplied by Arduino Uno.

на данный момент наиболее популярны. The "Derse" ("Smart House") sets on Arduino are currently the most popular.

Platforms

The standard platform is Arduino Uno. "Smart House" often works on its base. It is most common, as it is inexpensive. Using it, you can easily manage microcontroller technology. If a person is not familiar with the cards from Arduino, then all owners advise him to begin acquaintance with this one.

Arduino Leonardo is 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 House" on Arduino Mega2560 most often created? It is only slightly outwardly different from Uno, but it has more functionality. They often use it to work simultaneously with a large number of devices. Accordingly, it is much easier to work with it when it comes to large-scale projects. In general, if you plan to create a "Smart Home" , Arduino Mega - the most appropriate option.

System Benefits

The company "Arduino" is in great demand among people who are poorly versed in programming. All provided systems have a clear interface. However, these advantages are not limited.

The manufacturer has provided the opportunity to create its own programs - the source code is open. The language used is as easy to learn as possible. If necessary, you can transfer the program using a USB cable. The sets of the "Smart House" are quite interesting.

That is, if you know the programming language, you can buy only one version of the software and adjust it to your liking.

If you need additional utilities, then you can download them for free from the official site. The system is allowed to be controlled from the computer and the phone using the program.

Work principles

Sensors transmit information to a computer or phone using wireless data transmission technology. A special utility processes the data - the command is executed. There is a main sensor (central), which can either be purchased or done by yourself. On Arduino cards (the projects "Smart home designed on them) there are standard connectors. Thanks to this, you can easily select all the components.

What is necessary for assembly?

If there was a desire to assemble the project yourself, then it is necessary to assemble some devices and take the devices. What kind?

• Sensors and controllers.
• The Internet module.
• Twisted pair (cable).
• Switch.
• Resistor.
• Wire for the Internet module.
• Relay.

From the accessories you will need a soldering iron, screwdrivers and so on.

Kits from Arduino need to be purchased in trusted stores. Why? All the necessary appliances are needed to work with electricity, which is why it is dangerous to use counterfeits. All necessary utilities can be downloaded from the Internet. Therefore, it's quite easy to create "Smart House" with your own hands based on Arduino.

The sensors need to be selected based on their preferences: switching on or off the light, temperature control and so on.

Installation process

Pay attention to the fact that the "Smart House" should have only LED-type lamps. The usual options will not be able to withstand the voltage - either burst, or just burn out.

After the project "Smart House" on Arduino is ready, you need to start connecting the controllers and sensors. Do this without deviating from the drawing and the charts that were created earlier. Contacts must be isolated.

All works can be presented in stages in the form of an algorithm:

1. Set the code.
2. Set up the application for a computer or phone.
3. Port forwarding.
4. Testing of sensors and provisioning.
5. Troubleshoot problems, if any, during the test.

Download software better from a trusted source archive. After the latter is open and all utilities are installed, you should 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.

Working with the router

On the router you need to open the port. What should I do to perform this action? Open the configuration menu, write the Arduino network address and activate the port.

Immediately thereafter, you can set the domain name. Now nothing prevents the owner from starting to test the system, which was created with his own hands.

Remote control

Thanks to the company's server, you can link all the equipment to each other. It is allowed to use cloud services that allow you to visualize processes. Thanks to the Internet you can completely manage your house. You can switch on / off the boiler or heating from the other side of the city.

There is another way that will help manage the house, - SMS messages. It does not always happen that there is an Internet connection, so this method is quite relevant.

Results

It is necessary to pay attention to the fact that "Smart Home" based on Arduino can not work with an open network address, since otherwise it will be easy to hack. All buildings that operate on an "intelligent" system can help save energy to each person, as well as use all resources correctly. The main thing is to choose the right components without any fakes.

Also important is the fact that Arduino has many libraries, which include thousands of software codes. That's why creating a Smart Home system on Arduino, using only the Internet, will be more than easy.

Feedback from owners about the system is positive. Failures do not occur, all notifications arrive on time, and tracking by the program is clear. The security is updated often, so if something unforeseen happens, the owner will immediately see it. To create such a system with your own hands is the best and most successful solution that will save money. There is nothing difficult in installing sensors and controllers.