X10 USB dongle

Abstract

This dissertation presents a user friendly and inexpensive system implementing the processes needed to control and monitor home automation devices, conforming to the X10 protocol. We opt for a divide and conquer approach by modularizing the task at hand and implementing each, clarifying the processes by which each module communicates with the others to reach our goal. This includes the design and implementation of the X10 USB Dongle that transmits X10 commands over radio frequencies. In turn, the X10 USB Dongle is controlled by acting upon the commands received from a Java graphical user interface on the host computer via a USB port. The graphical user interface is in charge of the control of the X10 devices, storage of device information, command generation and the output of statistical data regarding the devices. On the other hand, the microcontroller on the X10 USB Dongle is in charge of the transformation of the commands received into the pulse width modulated signal transmitted over wirelessly at a radio frequency of 4341MHz. By analyzing each part of the waveform generated using a digital storage oscilloscope we show how the RF pulse width modulated signal conforms to the timings specified in the RF X10 Protocol.