Home Automation: Solutions and Business Issues

Home Automation: Solutions and Business Issues

Home Automation is the facility to automate, manage, and control devices located within our homes with the means of Remote Control. Remote control has become more than that device that we use to remotely controlling our TVs, Air Conditions, or even computers. Remote control technologies currently have multiple forms. For example, you can remotely switch off your TV using your mobile phone and using the public PSTN network.

Home Automation is a set of techniques that are implemented and deployed within the building in order to provide comfort and security for the residents of that building. The main goal of applying home automation techniques is to enable residents to perform normal daily tasks in a simpler manner. This forces many technologies to be integrated together to achieve the required functionality. An example to that integration is controlling the status of the device using the cell phone.

This publication provides evaluation of the different Home Automation technologies, a complete analysis for each technology, and finally the market analysis for the technology.



Target Audience

Home Automation solution providers

Broadband service providers

Network operators including cable, wireline, and cellular

System integrators and professional service providers

Home builders and building automation companies

TABLE OF FIGURES 7



1 INTRODUCTION AND CONCEPTS 9

1.1 DEFINITION OF HOME AUTOMATION 9

1.2 GENERAL CONCEPTS 9

1.2.1 Residential Home Automation Systems 9

1.2.2 Examples to Residential Home Automation Systems 10

1.2.2.1 Home Theater 10

1.2.2.2 HDTV 12

1.2.2.3 Whole House Audio 13

1.2.2.4 Video Distribution 15

1.2.2.5 Lighting Controls 15

1.2.2.6 Structured Wiring 17

1.2.2.7 Intercoms 17

1.2.2.8 Security Alarm 18

1.2.2.9 Surveillance Systems 19

1.2.3 Commercial Home Automation Systems 20

1.2.4 Examples to Commercial Home Automation Systems 20

1.2.4.1 Security Alarm 20

1.2.4.2 Surveillance Systems 21

1.3 HISTORY OF HOME AUTOMATION 22

1.3.1 History of X10 protocol 22

1.4 BENEFITS OF HOME AUTOMATION 24

1.4.1 Convenience 24

1.4.2 Security 24

1.4.3 Savings 24

1.4.4 Value 24

1.5 SUCCESS STORIES WITH HOME AUTOMATION 24

1.5.1 Don Marqurdt's Home 24



2 SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE 25

2.1 INTRODUCTION 25

2.1.1 Centralized Architecture 26

2.1.2 Distributed Architecture 26

2.1.3 Mixed Architecture 26

2.2 X-10 ARCHITECTURE 26

2.2.1 Introduction 26

2.2.2 Power-line carrier control overview 26

2.2.3 X-10 protocol 27



3 REMOTE CONTROL INTERCONNECTIONS SCHEMES 28

3.1 WIRED REMOTE CONTROL 28

3.1.1 Phone Remote Control 28

3.1.2 PC Remote Control Kits & Interface Devices 28

3.2 WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL 28

3.2.1 Remote Controls Using RF 28

3.2.2 IR Remote Control Transmitters & Receivers 29

3.2.3 Speech-Recognition-Based Remote Control 29



4 SAMPLE APPLICATIONS 30

4.1 INTERNET-CONNECTED VIDEO CAMERA 30

4.2 REMOTE THERMOSTAT 30

4.2.1 Remote Air-Condition Control 30

4.2.2 Remote Oven Control 31

4.3 LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM 31

4.4 SECURITY SYSTEM 32

4.4.1 Security Sensors 32

4.4.2 Alert Systems 32

4.4.3 Cameras and Surveillance Systems 32

4.5 REMOTE POWER SWITCH 32

4.5.1 IP-Based Remote Power Switch 32

4.5.2 Wi-Fi-based Remote Power Switch 33

4.5.3 Internet-based Remote Power Switch 33

4.5.4 Modem-based Remote Power Switch 33



5 NEW TRENDS ON HOME AUTOMATION 34

5.1 INTERNET-BASED HOME AUTOMATION SYSTEM 34



6 PRODUCTS COMPARISON AND MARKET ANALYSIS 35

6.1 OBJECTIVE OF THE RESEARCH 35

6.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET 35

6.2.1 Target Market(s) 35

6.2.1.1 Home Automaton System Benefits Required 35

6.2.1.2 Factors that affect purchase or use decision 35

6.2.1.2.1 Cost 35

6.2.1.2.2 Complexity 35

6.2.1.2.3 Warranty 36

6.2.1.2.4 Customer Support 36

6.2.1.3 Attitude about current Home Automation Products 36

6.2.1.4 How is current products used 36

6.2.1.4.1 Case Study: ZigBee-Enabled Home 36

6.2.1.5 What benefits do they seek? 38

6.2.1.5.1 Wired Home Automation Products 38

6.2.1.5.2 Controlling Home Automation Product 38

6.3 HOME AUTOMATION COMPETITORS 40

6.3.1 Lutron Electronics Company 40

6.3.1.1 Introduction 40

6.3.1.2 Products & Services 40

6.3.1.2.1 Dimmers 41

6.3.1.2.1.1 Solinaâ„¢ 41

6.3.1.2.1.2 Lyneoâ„¢ 42

6.3.1.2.1.3 Raniaâ„¢ 43

6.3.1.2.1.4 Rania IRâ„¢ 44

6.3.1.2.2 Wiring Accessories | WallPlates 45

6.3.1.2.3 Room Controls 45

6.3.1.2.3.1 GRAFIK Eye 3000 Series Multi-Scene Preset Dimming Controls 45

6.3.1.2.3.2 GRAFIK IntegraleTM 46

6.3.1.2.4 Whole-Home Controls 47

6.3.1.2.4.1 HomeWorks® 47

6.3.1.2.5 Window Systems 47

6.3.1.2.5.1 Sivoia QED roller blinds 47

6.3.1.2.5.1.1 Roller 64TM 47

6.3.1.2.5.1.2 Roller 100TM 47

6.3.1.2.6 Sivoia QED curtain track 48

6.3.1.2.7 Home Lighting Control 48

6.3.1.2.7.1 AuroRA 48

6.3.1.2.7.1.1 AuroRA entry package: 48

6.3.1.2.7.1.2 AuroRa switch/dimmer package: 48

6.3.1.2.7.1.3 AuroRa security package: 48

6.3.1.2.8 Industry Lighting Control 48

6.3.1.2.9 Emergency Lighting Systems 49

6.3.1.3 Market share 49

6.3.1.4 Current customers 50

6.3.1.4.1 The Phoenician, Scottsdale, AZ 50

6.3.1.5 Positioning and promotion strategies 50

6.3.1.6 Partnerships/Alliances/Distributors 51

6.3.1.6.1 Partnership 51

6.3.1.6.1.1 Cherokee Investment Partners 51

6.3.1.6.1.2 AMX 51

6.3.1.7 Recent news 51

6.3.1.8 SWOT Analysis - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats 51

6.3.2 Home Automation Inc. (HAI) 52

6.3.2.1 Introduction 52

6.3.2.1.1 HAI Leadership 52

6.3.2.1.2 Infrastructure 52

6.3.2.1.3 HAI's Internal Conservation Efforts 53

6.3.2.2 Products & Services 53

6.3.2.2.1 Lighting Control by HAI 53

6.3.2.2.1.1 Dimmers and Switches 53

6.3.2.2.1.2 Scene Switch 53

6.3.2.2.1.3 House Status Switch 53

6.3.2.2.2 Security Products by HAI 53

6.3.2.3 Market share 53

6.3.2.4 Current customers 54

6.3.2.4.1 Cisco Learning Institute 54

6.3.2.5 Positioning and promotion strategies 54

6.3.2.6 Partnerships/Alliances/Distributors 54

6.3.2.6.1 Connectivity Partners 54

6.3.2.6.1.1 AMX (Audio / Video (A/V)) 54

6.3.2.6.1.2 Architechtronics (Software) 55

6.3.2.6.1.3 Autonomic Controls (Software) 55

6.3.2.6.1.4 CentraLite (Lighting) 55

6.3.2.6.1.5 Connected Hearth (Remote Access) 55

6.3.2.6.1.6 Convergent Living (Touchscreen) 55

6.3.2.6.1.7 Crestron (Audio / Video (A/V)) 55

6.3.2.6.1.8 DSC (Security) 55

6.3.2.6.1.9 Elan (Audio / Video (A/V)) 56

6.3.2.6.1.10 Electronic Design Technology (EDT) (Lighting) 56

6.3.2.6.1.11 Future Smart (Structured Wiring) 56

6.3.2.6.1.12 Home Director (Structured Wiring) 56

6.3.2.6.1.13 HomeLogic (Software) 56

6.3.2.6.1.14 Hometouch (Touchscreen) 56

6.3.2.6.1.15 InfuseboX (Crestron Module) (Audio / Video (A/V)) 56

6.3.2.6.1.16 Leviton (Lighting) (Structured Wiring) 56

6.3.2.6.1.17 Lightolier Controls (Lighting) 56

6.3.2.6.1.18 LiteTouch (Lighting) 56

6.3.2.6.1.19 Lutron (Lighting) 57

6.3.2.6.1.20 MD Manufacturing Central Vacuums (Central Vacuum) 57

6.3.2.6.1.21 Mobile Technology (Crestron Module) (Audio / Video (A/V)) 57

6.3.2.6.1.22 NuVo (Whole Home Audio) 57

6.3.2.6.1.23 Omnipotence Software (Software) 57

6.3.2.6.1.24 OnQ /Legrand (Structured Wiring) 57

6.3.2.6.1.25 PCS (Lighting) 57

6.3.2.6.1.26 Pelham Sloane (Touchscreen) 57

6.3.2.6.1.27 Philips (Audio / Video (A/V)) 58

6.3.2.6.1.28 Proficient Audio Systems (Whole Home Audio) 58

6.3.2.6.1.29 Russound (Whole Home Audio) 58

6.3.2.6.1.30 Samsung (Touchscreen) 58

6.3.2.6.1.31 Smarthome Mfg (Lighting) 58

6.3.2.6.1.32 SOMFY (Window Coverings) 58

6.3.2.6.1.33 SpeakerCraft (Whole Home Audio) 58

6.3.2.6.1.34 Ustec (Structured Wiring) 58

6.3.2.6.1.35 Xantech (Whole Home Audio) 58

6.3.2.6.2 Distribution Partners 58

6.3.2.7 Recent news 59

6.3.2.8 SWOT Analysis - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats 59

6.3.3 Smart Home Systems 59

6.3.3.1 Introduction 59

6.3.3.2 Products & Services (e.g., description, uniqueness, pricing, etc.) 60

6.3.3.2.1 Lighting Control 60

6.3.3.2.1.1 Wall Switch Receivers & Modules - X10 60

6.3.3.2.1.2 Transmitters and Wall Controllers - X10 60

6.3.3.2.1.3 Powerline Signaling - X10 61

6.3.3.2.2 Security Products by SmartHome 61

6.3.3.2.2.1 Smarthome SecureLinc Family Security System 61

6.3.3.2.2.2 Smarthome Remote-Access Security Kit 62

6.3.3.2.3 Home Entertainment Products by SmartHome 63

6.3.3.2.3.1 BIC Muro Ceiling Speakers with Swivel Tweeter 63

6.3.3.2.3.2 Whole House Audio / Multi-Zone 63

6.3.3.2.3.3 Instreamer 100 64

6.3.3.2.3.4 A/V & Home Theater Accessories 64

6.3.3.2.3.5 Internal RF Adapter for Almost Any Remote 64

6.3.3.2.4 Home Automation Controller Products by SmartHome 65

6.3.3.2.4.1 TouchLinc 4.0 Touchscreen X10 Controller 65

6.3.3.2.4.1.1 Customizable Menus 65

6.3.3.2.4.1.2 One-Touch Control 66

6.3.3.2.4.1.3 Easy Setup 66

6.3.3.2.4.1.4 Special Features 67

6.3.4 Crestron 67

6.3.4.1 Introduction 67

6.3.4.2 Products & Services (e.g., description, uniqueness, pricing, etc.) 67

6.3.4.2.1 2-Series Control System 68

6.3.4.2.2 CLX Modules and CAEN Enclosures 68

6.3.4.2.3 CLW Wall Box Dimmers 68

6.3.4.2.4 Commercial Lighting 68

6.3.5 Custom Solutions, Inc. 69

6.3.5.1 Introduction 69

6.3.5.2 Products & Services 69

6.3.5.2.1 HomeVision 69

6.4 MARKET METRICS 71

6.4.1 Market Size 71

6.4.2 American Home Automation Market 71

6.4.2.1 The largest segment of the home networking market 71

6.4.2.2 Home Cinemas Market Size 71

6.4.2.3 Outlook for home automation 71

6.4.2.4 Staying Up-To-Date 72

6.4.3 Asian Home Automation Market 72



Table of Figures



FIGURE 1 - HOME THEATER 10

FIGURE 2 - DATA PROJECTOR 10

FIGURE 3 - SPEAKERS 11

FIGURE 4 - REMOTE CONTROL 11

FIGURE 5 - HDTV 12

FIGURE 6 - BLU-RAY DISC 12

FIGURE 7 - FEDERAL COMMUNICATION COMMISSION (FCC) 13

FIGURE 8 - WHOLE HOUSE AUDIO 13

FIGURE 9 - HOUSE AUDIO VOLUME CONTROL 14

FIGURE 10 - HOUSE AUDIO CONTRL PANEL 14

FIGURE 11 - VIDEO DISTRIBUTION CONTROL 15

FIGURE 12 -VIDEO CONTROL PANEL 15

FIGURE 13 - LIGHTING CONTROL UNIT 16

FIGURE 14- LIGHTING CONTROL UNIT 16

FIGURE 15 - STRUCTURED WIRING 17

FIGURE 16 - CENTRAL CONTROL PANEL 17

FIGURE 17 - INTERCOM 17

FIGURE 18 - TRADITIONAL INTERCOM 18

FIGURE 19 - SECURITY ALARM COMPONENTS 18

FIGURE 20 - SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM 19

FIGURE 21 - SECURITY ALARM COMPONENTS 20

FIGURE 22 - SECURITY ALARM PANEL 20

FIGURE 23 - SURVEILLANCE CAMERA 21

FIGURE 24 - SURVEILLANCE CAMERA 21

FIGURE 25 - SURVEILLANCE CAMER 21

FIGURE 26 - SURVEILLANCE CAMERA 22

FIGURE 27 - LUTRON SOLINAâ„¢ DIMMER 41

FIGURE 28 - LUTRON LYNEOâ„¢ DIMMER 42

FIGURE 29 - LUTRON RANIAâ„¢ DIMMER 43

FIGURE 30 - LUTRON RANIA IRâ„¢ DIMMER 44

FIGURE 31 - LUTRON WIRING ACCESSORIES | WALLPLATES 45

FIGURE 32 - LUTRON GRAFIK EYE 3000 SERIES MULTI-SCENE PRESET DIMMING CONTROLS 45

FIGURE 33 - LUTRON GRAFIK INTEGRALETM 46

FIGURE 34 - THE PHOENICIAN, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 50

FIGURE 35 - 4 BUTTON KEYFOB 53

FIGURE 36 - SMARTHOME SECURELINC FAMILY SECURITY SYSTEM 61

FIGURE 37 - SMARTHOME REMOTE-ACCESS SECURITY KIT 62

FIGURE 38 - BIC MURO CEILING SPEAKERS WITH SWIVEL TWEETER 63

FIGURE 39 - INSTREAMER 100 64

FIGURE 40 - INTERNAL RF ADAPTER FOR ALMOST ANY REMOTE 64

FIGURE 41 - TOUCHLINC 4.0 TOUCHSCREEN X10 CONTROLLER 65