What is Smart Home technology and what are its main advantages. Smart home: what is it and how does it work? Description of a smart home

It seems that just recently we read the works of science fiction writers, dreamed along with them and could not imagine that the coffee maker would prepare us espresso during our morning exercise, and the refrigerator would warn us about the end of milk. However, it happened: news of the appearance smart gadgets fill the network, and all that is required of us - apart from solvency, of course - is to understand a little about what is happening.

Let's be honest: everyone has heard about a smart home, some even follow the successes of Xiaomi and Zuckerberg, but not everyone understands what it's actually about. we're talking about. For many people, the concept of Smart Home still remains fantastic and transcendental, while others completely ignore its existence. Our readers are not like that, so we have written an introductory article for you about the essence of the “smart home” phenomenon.

What does “smart home” mean?

First of all, let's understand the terms. This is important because expressions that are similar in meaning are often confused even in online media, and the Russian-language “smart home” and the American “smart house” are not entirely equivalent concepts.

A “smart home” is commonly understood as a home automation system. This is a set of devices that, for our convenience, make decisions themselves and perform routine tasks around the house. A smart home is formed in a personal household in a separate apartment: the above-mentioned coffee makers, apartment microclimate systems, smart light bulbs and automatic doors- all this is a smart home. In Russia, this concept usually includes the so-called multiroom - a control system for multimedia devices: televisions, projectors, speaker systems. In the West, the division of the terms “smart home” and “multiroom” is dictated by market conditions.

But the term “smart building” refers to the organization of management of an entire multi-apartment building and implies systems central heating, water supply and safety. As a rule, organizing a “smart” building is the task of developers or building council members. The concepts are closely related to each other, but we will only talk about smart home, and in the Russian sense.

Milestones of history

No matter how modern the concept of a smart home may seem, the history of this phenomenon begins in the middle of the 20th century - right from the time when science fiction writers first started talking about it. This was the beginning of the computer era - and the principle of operation of a smart home is based precisely on programming. Of course, the Internet and cloud services did not exist at that time, but bulky, clumsy modules plugged into sockets and the ubiquitous punch cards could well have accomplished the plan.

Videophone in the film "2001: A Space Odyssey" 1968

At first, the matter was limited to the efforts of enthusiastic inventors, who either laid cables throughout the house and mounted control consoles into the walls, or were already beginning to use the first computers. Alas, these ideas did not receive a response from the mass population. However, in 1966, James Sutherland programmed the Echo IV computer to turn on devices on a schedule, as well as communicate with tracking and alarm sensors. We owe the appearance of the sensors themselves to the brothers Joel and Ruth Spear, who in 1961 patented their dimmer - a device that automatically regulates light. But these are the times when The Beatles had not even signed their first contract yet!

Echo IV computer

Mass implementation was still far away, but already in 1978 a breakthrough of sorts occurred, often called the birth of the modern smart home: the Scottish company Pico Electronics developed the first data transmission standard, universal for all home automation devices. The essence of the standard was to create a tire that any manufacturer could equip a household appliance, be it a juicer or a vacuum cleaner. It was akin to a programming language familiar to all specialists, or an operating system on which all applications could run. The connection was made through ordinary sockets, in addition there were communication modules, remote controls and even control programs for computers. We owe the era of the X10 standard to the emergence of technologies familiar to us, such as lights that turn on when there is a clap, or automatically opening doors.

The emergence of a single standard gave impetus to new experiments and the birth of a specialized market. Soon it came to a new term: in 1984, a representative of the American Association of Home Builders first used the expression “smart home,” which later became commonly used. For the association, the creation of the term was marketing ploy, which confirms the intensity of development of the idea at that time.

The Electronic Industry Association also joined in the development of the concept, which initiated the creation of another universal standard. Their protocol, called CEBus (Consumer Electronic Bus), was an upgrade of X10 and soon replaced its prototype in the American market.

The first mass acquaintance of people with the concept of a smart home occurred in 1999. And the main intermediary was... the Disney company, which released a film about a computerized house that began an independent life.

Still from the movie “Smart Home”

In the 2000s, the home automation segment was replenished with more and more new manufacturing companies. However, the real revolution was the emergence first iPhone and other smartphones. The applications and hardware capabilities of handheld computers have inspired new inventions among engineers: by 2012, according to ABI Research, 1.5 million home automation systems were installed in the United States alone.

How does it all work?

The operation of a smart home is based on the principle of executing commands, and the central controller can receive them both from a person and from sensors. In the first case, you ask the system to make coffee, turn on the air conditioning or turn down the heating, and the central processor, after processing the command, sends it to the desired device. Depending on your preferences, communication with the central controller is carried out through voice commands, a remote control or a smartphone.

In the second case, human presence is not required. The computer either sends commands to the devices certain time in accordance with previously specified algorithms, or makes decisions on its own based on sensor readings depending on changing conditions. For example, in thermoregulation systems, temperature and humidity sensors report data to the system, and it, in turn, sets the necessary parameters for heating, air conditioning and humidification. Another example: motion sensors detect activity in the house when there should not be any - the computer perceives this as a signal to turn on the alarm or send a message to the security service.

Central controller for Xiaomi smart home devices

The entire smart home system thus consists of three main elements:

• sensors that perceive information from the outside world;
• hub, or central controller, which processes information and makes decisions;
• devices that perform practical tasks and make our lives easier.

All components of a smart home system can connect to each other via wired or wireless communication. The first option seems more archaic, but this way the system is less prone to failures. Some manufacturers offer cable-based solutions for this reason; including AMX, Ctestron, Evika. Radio communication, in turn, provides more conveniences and features, such as ease of installation and remote control. Wireless communication involves the use of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or special standards, which we will discuss later in the article. Wireless automation systems are produced by Gira, Vitrum, Z-Wave, Jung, Zamel and others. To ensure system reliability and convenience, some manufacturers (for example, Insteon) offer comprehensive solutions based on wired and wireless devices simultaneously.

Smart home systems can be centralized or non-centralized. In the former, all devices are controlled from a single module, which makes it possible to build complex automation schemes. Non-centralized systems consist of autonomous chains of devices or even “single” devices. Such solutions provide greater system security.

Smart home technologies

What should actually be considered a smart home? Bill Gates' $200 million robotic house or a modest apartment with a smart thermoregulation and lighting system? Smart home is a figurative name for all home automation systems, and the huge number of technologies on the market can be combined and combined as desired, depending on your needs and preferences. But let's still try to put this multitude in order.

Lighting control systems

Light control is probably the most popular and accessible format of home automation systems; the segment even has its own name - “smart light”. Your entrance probably already has a lamp that turns on when there is a clap or a person moves. The basis of such systems are dimmers and smart lamps, working together with sensors for measuring illumination and the presence of a living object.

Here are examples of the main capabilities of “smart light”:

• control of natural light by automating the operation of blinds, curtains, shutters and awnings (Lutron curtains and cornices);
• turning on/off the light when a person appears in the house or room (Philips smart lamps);
• automatic brightness adjustment depending on lighting, time of day and number of people in the room;
• darkening the room when the TV or projector is turned on;
• imitation of the presence of owners in the house to ensure security (BeON lamp);
• light warning about various events(Xiaomi Philips EyeCare 2 lamp);
• “light scenarios” - design possibilities for light accentuation and shading of interior items (Nanoleaf Aurora Smarter Kit lamps);
• the ability to set custom operating algorithms - turning on the light at full brightness when waking up, setting soft light while reading, etc.;
• remote control of lighting operation via voice commands, a program on a smartphone or a control panel.

Application of Aurora lamps in interior design

The components of the lighting system can interact via radio communication, but this solution is not always the most convenient. A balanced system can be called a complex that includes the usual switches and dimmers with an additional option for remote control via wireless communication (Linear Z-Wave Dimmer switch). Or, as is implemented in the Xiaomi Yeelight Bedside Lamp, the ability to control the light via a smartphone and a hardware button on the device itself.

Xiaomi Yeelight Bedside Lamp

Examples of smart light include the following technologies:

• smart lamp Elgato Avea Bulb, changing not only the brightness, but also color shades lighting;
• Kickstarter LIFX lamp that works without a controller or transmitter;
• Xiaomi CooWoo lamp, which can operate from a built-in battery;
• a smart socket for the Vocca lamp, controlled by voice and not requiring any additional devices.

An example of the color capabilities of the LIFX lamp

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems

The benefits of life, hidden under the acronym HVAC, are designed to maintain comfortable temperature, humidity and air purity, and, importantly, save energy. Combining these systems into one automated complex was one of the first tasks of implementing smart home concepts. Human health directly depends on HVAC, so not only functionality and ease of use, but also stability of operation are most important for these systems.

Typically, HVAC is combined into a single complex system that operates autonomously and independently of other smart home components. This is necessary so that in the event of failures or malfunctions of any element of the HVAC system, they continue to operate.

Smart HVAC systems perform the following functions:

• maintaining constant comfortable temperature at home using automatic control of radiators, electric heaters and underfloor heating (Loxone systems);
• saving money on heating by automatically turning off or reducing heating intensity (Nest Learning thermostat);
• reducing the room temperature to a comfortable level at night;
• automatic regulation operation of humidifiers, dehumidifiers and air ionizers depending on the humidity indicator (Xiaomi Smartmi Air Humidifier);
• automatic operation of air conditioners, fan coil units, fans and fresh air supply systems (Keen Smart Vens);
• automation of the operation of water supply systems - for example, closing water supply valves when there is no person in the house (Insteon valves).

Control your Nest thermostat from your smartphone

Structurally, the autonomy of HVAC systems is ensured by connecting devices to a separate main module. For a heating system, this is usually a smart thermostat with a wall-mounted control panel - such as the Elgato Eve Thermo smart thermostat. The device regulates the temperature of room radiators automatically according to a preset preset. Additionally, the controller can be controlled through the Apple Home Kit application or using a button on the device panel.

Smart thermostat Elgato Eve Thermo

Security systems

Many ordinary apartments, far from being considered a smart home, are equipped with automatic security systems. However, smart security systems can complement a complex home automation system and become an integrated part of it. Security systems are equipped with cameras, alarms and big amount various sensors: motion detectors, presence detectors, door opening detectors.

It is necessary to distinguish between engineering and personal security. For the first, the smart home provides:

• monitoring water supply system leaks (NetBotz system);
• automatic system fire extinguishing (EPOTOS products);
• monitoring of wiring interruptions and protection against short circuits (Seek Thermal thermal imagers).

Seek Thermal Imager

Personal security systems perform the following functions:

• external surveillance through video intercoms, cameras and infrared devices (Elgato Eve Motion motion sensor);
• remote sending or saving data (Oco 2 cloud camera);
• automatic alarm or call the security service (Schneider Electric light and sound systems);
• monitoring the integrity of the site fence, windows and doors (Home Monitoring Kit);
• control of access rights to the house (smart lock Kwikset Kevo).

Personal security systems operate autonomously and are controlled from a central hub. Additionally installed central system alarm system, which independently interacts with the owner only to confirm the need to call security services.

Monitoring systems for children, the elderly, disabled people and animals

This category is designed to protect family members who need control and supervision. The section could be divided into 3 parts, but here we will limit ourselves to a brief overview and classification. Sometimes, even if you do not intend to turn your home into a smart home, such technologies can help loved ones and relieve unnecessary stress during separation.

• video surveillance and audio communication through recording cameras and real-time monitoring, baby monitors and infrared cameras (Samsung baby monitors);
• remote notifications;
• automated movement and closing of access to premises (S-max Sella lift chair);
• monitoring of location and health indicators using GPS trackers, physical activity sensors and devices for automatically measuring medical indicators (Redmond SkyTracker).

Mishiko smart collar

In Russia, systems and devices in this category are only gaining popularity, but the global market does not stand still. A good example of new technologies in this category are the Ramili Baby video monitors, which monitor a child’s breathing, or the Tecnalia system being developed, which can recognize a nervous disorder in household members.

Baby monitor Ramili Baby RV1200

Smart appliance management

The category of smart devices and gadgets is the most numerous and interesting. This includes amazing smart pressure cookers, refrigerators, multimedia centers and robotic vacuum cleaners. The list of modern smart devices can be endless, but we will try to briefly classify them:

• Household kitchen appliances: refrigerators, multicookers, electric stoves, exhaust systems, coffee makers, juicers, etc. (SOEKS ecotester);
• Other Appliances: washing machines, vacuum cleaners, scales, dryers, irons, etc. (Panda robotic vacuum cleaners);
• Furniture and interior items: cornices, curtains, automatic doors, wardrobes, lampshades, armchairs, sleeping beds, etc. (Balluga bed);
• Multimedia equipment: TVs, projectors, video players, music equipment, Acustic systems, karaoke (Trivium multiroom system);
• Games and entertainment: educational games for children, robots, etc. (Ozobot robot).

Zenbo robot companion

It’s amazing how many smart things there are and their capabilities! Meanwhile, the home automation market is also not without problems, so let’s talk about them too.

Market fragmentation and protocols

The main problem of modern Smart Home systems is the lack of a universal standard that would fit all devices on the market. When setting up a smart home, you may want to equip the system with products from various manufacturers: for example, security Xiaomi system and an Apple security camera. However, many companies do not care about the compatibility of their devices with other products. In the best case, your smartphone will have a whole set of applications - each for its own smart home component. Agree, it’s not very convenient. Some equipment is even equipped with proprietary software with closed source code. The interests of companies are obvious, but the interests of users are definitely ignored by devices that do not work in the system.

The problem has existed for a long time, and we have already talked in the history section about the creation of the first protocols designed to make the operation of all systems universal. Today there is a tendency towards the consolidation of companies involved in the development of home automation systems. As a result, more and more smart devices have support for universal standards. The most promising and advanced universal protocols today are Z-Wave and ZigBee; We propose to dwell on them in a little more detail.

Z-Wave and ZigBee

Both protocols were specifically developed for home automation systems. Their goal is not only to provide the system with universality, but also to secure it. Both Z-Wave and ZigBee belong to the mesh network category; this means that the message inside them has multiple paths to reach its destination. This distribution reduces the likelihood of failures and guarantees security: if any node is damaged, the message is redirected to the nearest available device. In a mesh network, each device is connected to several others.

Z-Wave operates in the low radio frequency range of up to 1 GHz, which is convenient because there is significantly less potential interference than the 2.4 GHz frequency on which Wi-Fi and Bluetooth operate. An additional advantage is the low delays when transmitting short commands.

Open protocols begin to support everything more companies, even such giants as Xiaomi.

In addition to the advantages of a mesh structure, ZigBee provides the ability to select a routing algorithm depending on the network condition and program requirements. The protocol provides increased security and low power consumption - which means long-term battery life of network devices.

Unique alliances have already formed around both protocols, which include manufacturers of systems for smart homes. The list of companies is extremely wide; it can be found on the official websites of Z-Wave and ZigBee.

Smart home - future or present?

Imagine that Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook, invited you to his home. You enter a spacious hallway, smart assistant Jarvis turns on a moderately bright light so you can take off your shoes and hang up outerwear. In the living room, an assistant is setting up soft light, comfortable for relaxation. Mark asks Jarvis to turn on some nice background music - and the sounds of Miles Davis' saxophone are heard from the speakers. After dinner, you decide to watch a movie and Jarvis turns on the TV for you as the lights around you dim to a minimum. While you are enjoying the viewing, the smart assistant does not sit still: he monitors the safety of Mark’s daughters, and if the children cry, Jarvis, in the voice of Morgan Freeman, will immediately inform their father about this. The bell rings - guests have arrived. Jarvis immediately scans the newcomers and tells the owner of the house who is at the door. After a pleasant evening, you go to bed. In the morning, Jarvis prepares breakfast for all the guests, and he has a clean T-shirt for Mark - he shoots it from the pump right into the hands of Zuckerberg!

This example of organizing a smart home is just one of many. Bill Gates's home may be even more surprising: it is equipped with a glass elevator with voice control; swimming pool with automatic tuning comfortable water temperature; a control system for every plant in the garden and in the house and much more.

Of course, to get such a smart home, you need to head a successful company. But in general smart technologies and automation systems are no longer the prerogative of a select few: the market is growing, and more and more solutions for consumers are appearing on it. To set up your smart home, you only need the desire to immerse yourself in the topic and directly engage in organization. Of course, there are many proposals completely ready-made solutions- for example, from the companies BTicino, Crestron, Legrand and others - but you can start small. Let's say, from a smart light bulb - why not?

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is a complex concept that allows you to combine a variety of devices into a single whole.

1. Smart home systems that control the building, that is, heating and air conditioning, electricity and fire alarms, ventilation, warning, telecommunications. These engineering systems are separated from each other and the more systems were installed in the house, the more difficult their operation is.
2. Smart home systems that control systems located on a personal plot - architectural and landscape lighting, automatic gate opening, video surveillance, irrigation system, etc.

A smart home system can do a lot. Often, the owners themselves express their wishes about what they would like to receive in the final result: from controlling lighting or video surveillance to loading the washing machine or dishwasher. At the same time, the automated intelligent system replaces an entire staff of service personnel, because it can work around the clock, without sick leave or time off. This means that the flowers will always be watered, the laundry will be washed, your favorite music will be playing in the house, and the nursery will be supervised.

People began to think about the “Smart Home” back in the middle of the last century. Even then, Americans wanted to make their homes more comfortable. The prototype of the modern system was considered to be the transmission of several types of information over one cable, but such systems quickly became outdated.

This is what attempts to automate your home looked like at that time. In the early 70s, the term “Smart Home” was introduced; huge amounts of money were invested in the development of this project and it looked very profitable.

The date of birth of the modern “Smart Home” can be considered 1978; already then the idea of ​​​​controlling various sensors and systems through the electrical wiring of the house was brought to life. But for a long time, lights that turned on when there was a clap or doors that opened on their own shocked guests. This system was designed for a frequency of 60 Hz and a voltage of 110V, so it was not widespread in Russia.

To make the development of such technologies faster, the developers created the Electronic Industry Alliance; in 1992, the first electronic system standard was released, allowing the production of equipment for “smart homes” by any company whose products will ultimately meet advanced technical requirements. In total, 15 companies took part in the development of the modern system. By mid-2000, more than 10 million automated Smart Home systems had been installed worldwide. Gradually the house becomes more reliable and functional. Few people know that the stadiums built in London for the 2012 Olympic Games are equipped with a C-Bus automation system from Clipsal.

What can a smart home system do?

The simplest thing is lighting control. With the help of control systems, you can control and regulate every light source in the room. That is, without leaving your bedroom or office, you can turn off the lights in the entire house or leave barely noticeable lighting in the hallway. Even while on long distance, owners can easily control the lighting system.

A smart home can simulate the presence of its owners. By using installed program the lights in the house will turn on different rooms, and with the onset of dusk the lighting turns off. If you observe from the outside, you are completely sure that people live in the house all the time.

In addition to the lighting system, such a house is able to maintain “climatic” parameters at the same level: humidity, temperature, regular ventilation. The system selects and turns on underfloor heating, radiators and other appliances at the required power, and by nightfall slightly reduces the temperature to make the owners comfortable. Using the climate control system, the owner can find out about wind strength, precipitation, and temperature. The system automatically turns on the air conditioning in hot weather, lowers the blinds, closes the windows if it starts to rain.

You can write unique scenarios for home control systems. IN winter time automatically drain roofs and clear transport entrances of snow and ice. By the time the owner arrives at the cottage, the pool will be filled or the sauna will be warmed up, and ventilation and air conditioning will be provided. Even indoor plants will be watered in the house “correctly” - thanks to installed sensors the system will control lighting, temperature and humidity in all areas of the garden. You can also leave and aquarium fish- the food will be served on time, the lighting and oxygen supply will turn on.

Monitoring security systems is no less important; the Smart Home will also monitor this. It will immediately send a message to the control panel of security structures and the owner’s phone if there has been an intrusion into the territory or information about a fire danger has been received. A voice message will be sent to the owner in case of smoke or water leakage. When a signal is received about the return of the owners, the system turns on the lighting, air conditioners, Appliances. If children return to the house, the computer can play an audio or video message from the parents. The house itself can react to an emergency: shut off pipelines, turn off electricity if there is a threat of fire, block the child from turning on dangerous electrical appliances.

There are several ways to control an automated system. The easiest way is to use a keypad, where each key corresponds to a device or means a sequence of actions that need to be performed. For clarity, such a panel can be equipped with a small display, which will display information about the state of the system.

The most convenient and prestigious control and monitoring systems are touch screens. This is a kind of remote control, which is a monitor with buttons, commands and explanatory pictures. Images from video cameras are also transmitted to this monitor.

It is very convenient to manage your home via the World Wide Web. At any convenient time, the owner can find out about the condition of the house, the weather outside the window, and the presence of people in the premises.

Advantages of a Smart Home

• All components of the smart home system work in harmony. For example, when open window the air conditioner will not turn on, if a stranger has entered the yard, the light will come on, and when the generator is running, unnecessary lighting sources will not turn on.
• It is very easy to control all devices - just have a wireless remote control or multifunction wall panel. Using a panel or remote control, the owner will be able to read all the instructions necessary to properly control the house, give commands to the system and monitor their implementation.
• Engineering equipment such a house works independently. For example, heated floors, air conditioning systems and radiators will themselves select the required power to maintain the set temperature. And the lights on the site, without any reminders, will come on in the evening and go out at dawn.
• Eat impressive selection scenarios and modes that make home management even easier. Press the “No one is there” button - and the lights in the entire house will turn off, the water will be turned off, and the ventilation will switch to an economical mode.
• A smart home saves electricity, gas and other resources, extends the life of expensive equipment and household appliances.
• Emergency situations are prevented in a timely manner.
• The owner has the ability to monitor and manage home systems, even from a great distance.

Smart home system provides its owner with a lot of advantages, and the capabilities, scenarios and number of operating modes of the system are limited only by the imagination and financial capabilities of the customer.

Devices A “smart home” should be understood as a system that must be able to recognize specific situations events occurring in the building, and react to them accordingly: one of the systems can control the behavior of others according to pre-developed algorithms. The main feature of an intelligent building is the integration of individual subsystems into a single controlled complex.

An important feature and property of the “Smart Home” that distinguishes it from other methods of organizing living space is that it is the most progressive concept of human interaction with living space, when a person sets the desired environment with one command, and then automation in accordance with external and internal conditions sets and monitors the operating modes of all engineering systems and electrical appliances.

In this case, there is no need to use several remote controls when watching TV, dozens of switches when controlling lighting, separate units when controlling ventilation and heating systems, video surveillance and alarm systems, gates and more. In a house equipped with a Smart Home system, it is enough to select one of the scenarios with one click on a wall key (or remote control, touch panel, etc.). The house itself will adjust the operation of all systems in accordance with the wishes of the person, time of day, his position in the house, weather, external lighting, etc. to ensure a comfortable state inside the house.

Terminology

"Smart home" is often referred to as English. Smart House(IFA: sma:t house). English terms are also used. intelligent building, English smart home.

Story

The concept of a "smart home" was formulated by the Intelligent Building Institute in Washington in the 1970s: "A building that provides productive and efficient use workspace..."

Smart home in Russia and Europe

The main difference in the systems is seen rather in their specific purpose and in the implementation approach.

In Europe: Purpose: first of all, energy saving and only then comfort Approach: maximum unification Installation: in Europe, automation projects for private houses and apartments are prepared by the developer and manufacturer of the systems themselves; installation is carried out by ordinary but qualified installers who work strictly according to the scheme.

In Russia: Purpose: comfort and image (for high-budget projects); the simplest security and fire alarm system, sometimes with a GSM notification function (for minimal budgets). Approach: strictly individual. Installation: installation is carried out by specialists. As a rule, they work with many manufacturers of automation systems, this allows them to select the system optimally for solving the tasks. These same specialists are engaged in the design, installation, sale and launch of the built smart home.

Currently, the situation has changed, Russian developments of high-tech systems and smart devices have appeared, oriented for use in Russia in terms of price and reliability.

Technologies

The term “smart home” usually refers to the integration of the following systems into a single building management system:

• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning system
• Security and fire alarm system, access control system to premises, control of water leaks, gas leaks
• CCTV system
• Communication networks (including telephone and building LAN)
• Lighting system
• Building power supply system (automatic transfer switch, industrial UPS, diesel generators)
• Mechanization of the building (opening/closing gates, barriers, electric heating of steps, etc.)
• Control of audio, video equipment, home theater, multiroom from one place
• Telemetry - remote monitoring of systems
• IP monitoring of an object - remote control of systems over a network
• GSM monitoring - remote reporting of incidents in a home (apartment, office, facility) and control of home systems via telephone (in some systems you can receive voice instructions on planned control actions, as well as voice reports on the results of actions).
• Remote control of electrical appliances, machine drives and all automation systems.

Electronic household appliances in a smart home can be combined into a home Universal Plug’n’Play network with the ability to connect to public networks.

Today, technology allows you to build home automation component by component - selecting only those smart home functions that are really needed. The modular structure allows you to create low-cost systems.

• LanDrive is the most accessible platform today for building bus distributed control systems for internal and street lighting, power loads, electrical appliances, as well as systems such as heating, air conditioning, ventilation, security alarms, access control and water leaks. It is also possible to control audio and video equipment, home theaters, blinds, roller shutters, curtains, gates, pumps, and motors. It is mainly focused on use as part of a “smart home”, but recently it is increasingly used in systems for accounting and saving energy resources, access control, and security and fire systems.
• EIB/KNX (European Installation Bus).
• Helvar - uses the DALI and DSI protocol for lighting control systems.
• X10 is a protocol for controlling electrical appliances. The signal is transmitted via electrical wires or in the radio range. Flaws - low speed information transfer and noise immunity, the problem of false alarms, lack of feedback from the receiver to the transmitter, conflicts between X10 devices from different manufacturers and unauthorized access to X10 devices over the power supply are possible.
• Z-Wave is a patented wireless communication protocol developed for home automation, in particular for monitoring and control of residential and commercial facilities. The technology uses low-power and miniature radio frequency modules that are embedded in consumer electronics and various devices, such as lighting, heating, access control, entertainment systems and household appliances.
• ONE-NET - open protocol wireless network data transmission, developed for the purposes of building automation and distributed facility management.
• 1-Wire is a technology that allows you to connect many sensors and devices into one network, the control of which is taken over by a personal computer. To transmit data in such a network, only one wire is used. It is inexpensive and easy to install.

It is important to note that all engineering subsystems of a “smart home” must be able to work autonomously. If one of the subsystems fails, then the entire system will not be able to correct the problem, since the “smart home” is a superstructure over the others engineering systems.

see also

Notes

Wikimedia Foundation.

2010.

See what “Smart Home” is in other dictionaries:

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Synonym dictionary

The House on Maple Street Genre: short story

- (English House of Haleth), or the Haladins (English The Haladin) in the legendarium of J. R. R. Tolkien, a family of people who ruled the Second of the three houses of the Edain. These people were descendants of Haldad, but both the house and the people were named after the daughter of Haldad,... ... Wikipedia Residence of the Dukes of Este in Ferrara. Este (Italian: d Este) is one of the oldest princely families in Italy, a branch of the House of Welf, which ruled Ferrara and Modena for more than 500 years. Reflected in myself characteristics

Italian civilization ... Wikipedia

A comprehensive smart home system is a complete automation of device control in all areas of a house, apartment or office. It allows you to manage both individual blocks and the whole thing. This can be by pressing a button on the touch panel locally, or it can also be remote transmission of commands using a smartphone or tablet.

The smart home system allows you to set up various modes when the owners are at home, on vacation, or receiving guests. The plot of the script is to create comfortable conditions for a person. This could be playing your favorite music, changing the temperature in the room, turning on a movie at a given time.

A smart home automatically turns off electrical appliances and puts them into sleep mode when there are no people present. If necessary, the system allows you to switch automatic equipment control to manual mode at any time.

Contents

The very first system announced itself in 1961. It was very primitive compared to modern technologies. People in all eras of their existence tried to make their lives easier by improving various devices. This is how the idea of ​​remote control of equipment appeared.

Man constantly strived for comfort. Some of the first “smart” houses were the homes of the rich in America. They were equipped with various household appliances and electronics. Over time, ideas began to be implemented for the combined management of all devices from one place. “Intelligent” buildings began to appear, displaying complex solutions to assigned problems. The Smart Home system was built using structured cabling.

The official year of the appearance of the Smart Home is 1978. At the same time, the term Smart Home was born. American systems operated at a frequency of 60 Hz and a voltage of 110 V, so they did not take root in Russia.

Photo: Smart home system regulates lighting

One of the first opportunities smart automation there was smooth adjustment of lighting. Initially, the idea was implemented using dimmers (or dimmers). They made it possible to dim the light in the room, reducing the illumination in it. This mode is convenient for watching movies and saving energy consumption.

With the development of new technologies, dimmers were replaced by programmable controllers, which took on the role of automatic control not only of lighting, but also of other systems necessary for a person’s comfortable stay in the building.

Installing a Smart Home system is very popular. It controls the operation of all devices in the premises of a cottage or office. The control complex is built on the basis of sensors that monitor current parameters. Information from the sensors is sent to control elements, which, according to a given program, give commands to actuators and devices. Using the Internet, it is possible to remotely monitor all equipment located in the building, as well as remote control them.

A smart home can control the following:

• interior and exterior lighting, architectural lighting, advertising;
• ventilation, air conditioning;
• space heating (underfloor heating system, radiators);
• all types of alarms (burglar, fire, emergency);
• permission to enter the building;
• video surveillance (local and remote);
• distribution of video and audio signals (multiroom);
• heating of steps, stairs, paths and storm drains;
• alternative sources of electricity (diesel generators, batteries);
• energy consumption (distribution of loads across phases, limitation of exceeding maximum loads);
• various pumps (drainage, sewerage, watering of the territory);
• entrance gates;
• roller shutters, curtains, blinds.

What types of smart home systems are there?

To implement the system, all equipment used must be compatible with each other. To this end, the Electronics Industry Alliance was created to develop a unified electronics standard. This solution allowed various companies to produce universal equipment used in the Smart Home.

Classification of systems according to main criteria:

• centralized/decentralized;
• wired/wireless;
• with open/closed protocol.

Ready-made Smart Home systems help save time when managing various entertainment and engineering systems in the premises.

Centralized and decentralized home management - number of modules and their operation

Centralized management represents one logical module. Its role is played by a programmable controller with a large number of outputs. For a specific object for such a computer it is written individual program. Based on this software, all engineering networks and actuators.

Advantage centralized system is the ability to manage the entire building from one place and in a single interface. Using a central controller, you can create scenarios of varying complexity, linking them to specific actions, time of year or day. This option allows you to connect a large number of different equipment. Companies such as AMX, Crestron, Z-Wave, Ectostroy, Bechoff specialize in this.

When constructing a centralized system, the performance of all equipment will depend on the controller and the program embedded in it. If the computer fails, then all modules connected to it will cease to function. It is optimal to connect this complex through an uninterruptible power supply.

If you need to reprogram the Smart Home, and the programmer is not around, then the algorithm will have to be written again. Therefore, an important selection criterion is the selection of a reliable and high-quality controller.

Decentralized system can also be called distributed. In this case, each element of the system (executive device) is an independent microcontroller that has a type of memory in which information is retained even in the event of a loss of mains power. This factor increases the reliability of the complex as a whole. If any element fails, the entire system of the apartment or house continues to function, with the exception of the “dropped out” link.

The decentralized system is reliable, with the ability to connect additional “smart” blocks to create special scenarios. Available for sale a large assortment panels for controlling devices, differing in functionality and design. Leading manufacturers in this area are: ABB, Scheider Electric, HDL, Berker, Gira, Vimar.

The disadvantages of the complex include a large amount of equipment that is included in the shield. It may break down from time to time, which will entail material costs for replacement.

Use of conductors and wireless technologies

Wired system Smart home is built on the principle of transmitting all signals from control devices to executive units via an information bus. Such a bus can be special conductors or twisted pair.

The advantage of a wired system is its reliability, thanks to the use of shielded conductors. This eliminates interference and interference in the network. Also, this data transmission system has a high response speed. When issuing a particular command, there are no delays due to interference or other factors.

So, when organizing a wireless system, the command response may be delayed. The person repeatedly presses the button and tries to get the device to operate. The information bus becomes clogged with duplicate signals, which can lead to the entire complex freezing.

To organize a wired Smart Home system, a varied selection of control elements, which are smart switches, is offered. Such mechanisms are multifunctional and have stylish design. In such systems it is easier to implement some new element multimedia or climate control.

The wired system is fireproof and has a long service life without revision. The disadvantages include the lack of mobility of the location of the switches. Also, cable exit points to control panels must be provided in advance.

Important high-quality installation information networks for reliable operation of the system. Organizing a Smart Home is possible only in new housing or at the beginning of renovation. With classic electrical wiring installed, it will be technically impossible to organize the system.

Wireless system is built on the principle of transmitting a radio signal from the main device (control panel) to executive body. This solution allows you to reduce the number of wires laid in the room and the time for installing devices. Wireless equipment is very suitable for installation in a wooden house, where it is necessary to disrupt the integrity to a minimum natural materials. The main manufacturers of this type are: Z-Wave, Berker, HDL, Zamel, Vitrum, Gira.

The advantage of such a complex is the possibility of installation in buildings with ready-made repairs and conventional wiring. Each wireless control panel communicates with other panels and can send commands to them. This interconnection of equipment allows you to create different lighting scenarios in different rooms.

Mobile control panels can be located in places convenient for owners. They are manufactured in two types: built-in and overhead. The radio system does not require any special preliminary design. Therefore, such a Smart Home system can be easily implemented with your own hands.

The operation of all smart devices depends on the quality of the radio signal. The disadvantage of the wireless complex is that many household electrical consumers cause interference with passing signals. Also, when operating devices on batteries, they will require regular replacement.

Wireless Smart Home is limited in functionality due to the instability of transmitted signals. Therefore, the security of such a complex is lower, since it is possible for hackers to jam the signals.

Open/closed automation system protocol

A protocol is a code system for interconnecting all devices with each other, on the basis of which the Smart Home operates. In Europe, the KNX protocol is considered the most popular. The advantage of this type is the interaction with the non-volatile memory of devices, as well as the independent operation of each device.

The KNX protocol is open. This data transfer standard is very popular. Therefore there are no problems with service such a system if necessary. The products of many manufacturers work in this “language”. It is tested for compatibility with each other.

The advantage of an open protocol is a large selection of devices with different designs or a suitable set of functions. Leading manufacturers are: KNX, Wago, Bechoff. Competition between manufacturers is increasingly causing the release of updated and improved models. The cost of such devices, with a protocol open type, above closed.

Due to the inflexibility of open communication devices and their dependence on certain standards, new products running on a closed proprietary protocol began to appear on the market. This resulted in a reduction in equipment manufacturing costs and a simplification of the programming process. Many manufacturers began to have their own line of products that other companies did not produce. Equipment operating on a closed protocol is manufactured by: ABB, HDL, Vimar, Bticino.

Among the advantages of closed protocol technologies are non-standard, interesting solutions at reasonable prices, and mobility in the market. The disadvantages include the factor of buyer dependence on one manufacturer.

What are the benefits of a smart home system? Is it worth buying?

Intelligent complexes are becoming increasingly popular and affordable. The market offers a large selection of multifunctional devices for organizing home automation. Saving resources is manifested in their consumption only at the necessary moments, when people are at home. In other cases, the system switches the house to energy-saving mode. This is especially true for private housing and cottages with a large area.

A smart home can also take care of pets. According to a given program, it turns on the supply of food and water, adjusts the light in the aquarium, or opens the doors for animals to leave the house. You can watch your four-legged friends on your tablet. If there are animals in the house, it is advisable to organize a wired network by hiding all the wiring behind the walls. Control panels must be built-in. This will protect the system from damage.

In the case of children, the Smart Home system will allow you to control their behavior in an apartment or house. You can limit the turn on of the TV and computer. Or provide Internet access if they meet certain conditions.

The most important advantage of an “intelligent” home is remote monitoring and control of housing. The system protects against intrusion by thieves. Also this good way preventing emergency situations. In a critical situation, you can turn off the water, turn off the power supply, or transmit a fire signal. All notifications and warnings are sent as messages to the building owner.

The Smart Home system determines its prices due to its versatility. For the budget option, basic logical modules are purchased, and over time additional ones are purchased, which will expand the capabilities of the complex.

Video about the smart home system

Miracle technology, how to make a budget smart home?

Imagine this: you come home, and a warm dinner is already waiting for you in the kitchen, the lights are cozy in the living room, the laundry is washed and ironed, the floors are vacuumed and washed, the flowers are watered, and the pets are fed. And you didn't put any effort into it. Introduced?

This is exactly how a “smart home” works. This is a home utility network management system that takes care of all everyday worries and routine. For many people, Smart Home technologies still remain something fantastic and unthinkable. But experts are confident that in 20-30 years all country cottages and city apartments will become “smart”.

Smart Home and Smart House: what is the difference

First, let's define the terms. Today, two different concepts are often confused: “smart home” (Smart Home) and “smart building” (Smart House). And this, although close in meaning, is not quite the same thing.

• Smart House (Smart Home)- an automated electronics complex that carries out routine household chores. For example, it can make coffee, heat up dinner, turn on the air conditioner, open the door to let a pet out, etc. Smart Home is created in one, individual household and serves the interests of a specific user/family. Let us add that in our country the concept of “smart home” also includes “multiroom” (while in the West these are two different terms). To put it simply, a multiroom system is a centralized control of all multimedia devices in your apartment: TV, computer, laptop, speaker system.
• Smart building (Smart House) is a technology common in the United States that allows you to automate the management of a large multi-apartment residential complex. Smart House controls the operation of central water, gas, electricity, heating and security. In Russia, such technologies are still a novelty, but over time, there is no doubt that “smart buildings” will appear in all large and small cities of our country.

So, we figured out what Smart Home is and why it should not be confused with Smart House. Now let's move on to the question: how does a “smart home” work?

How does the smart home system work?

Principle Smart work Home is built almost like in science fiction films. You give a command (“turn on the heater!”) - the system executes it (the heater is on). How exactly does all this happen? Depending on the Smart Home modification, there are two main options:

• In the first case, “live” human participation is necessary. You must personally ask the system to perform this or that action using your voice, smartphone or remote control (whichever is more convenient for you). The user command is sent to the central processor, which entrusts its implementation to a specific device.
• In the second case, direct human participation is not required. Various sensors and clocks come into play. For example, a computer makes a decision to turn on or off an air conditioner based on the readings of temperature sensors. And when a motion sensor in the apartment is triggered (during your absence), the central processor turns on the alarm. And so on. At a certain point in time, in accordance with the user settings, the system warms up the kettle and prepares coffee; switches the TV to your favorite series; waters flowers. This list can be continued for a very long time.

Thus, the Smart Home system includes three main elements:

1. sensors that perceive signals and information from the environment;
2. a central processor (hub) that processes these signals and makes decisions;
3. executing devices (actuators) that receive instructions from the hub and directly perform tasks around the house.

Modern smart home systems allow for a wide variety of actuators. These could be smart sockets, video surveillance systems, controlled thermostats, climate control systems, smart door locks, alarm systems, robot vacuum cleaners, etc. We will tell you more about the whole variety of Smart Home devices below.

Communication: wired or wireless

All elements of the system can be connected to each other via wired or wireless communication. The use of wires may seem archaic, but it provides a high level of reliability. Therefore, even the most advanced industry flagships such as AMX and Evika use cable connection.

On the other hand, wireless communication via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi is much more modern, more convenient and gives more possibilities. Including increased actuator control range. Some Smart Home manufacturers offer combination solutions that combine both wired and wireless communications.