Home automation server with router

Turn a cheap router into a home automation server!

This project will allow you to switch outlets/lights from your iPhone, or any browser.
You will also be able to send out serial commands remotely.

This project is based on SmartLinc.
http://www.smarthome.com/2412N/SmartLinc-INSTEON-Central-Controller/p.aspx
http://wiki.smarthome.com/index.php?title=2412_Manual_rev_2.0

Components
• OpenWRT compatible router, with serial header
• AVR microcontroller Development Board (like Arduino)
• Actuators like: RF switched outlets (433.92Mhz) with a remote

Step 1 Overview

The System
The Router runs a web server, you access it via browser.
After you push a button on the web page the router sends out a serial command,
 we process this with a microcontroller, the AVR converts it to RF protocol, injects it into the RF remote, which controls the RF outlets.

Comments

[mrx23dot]

Check out my latest project:
http://mrx23dot.blogspot.com/2012/01/cloning-upb-home-automation-system.html

[cmorisco]

Hello mex 23dot error
Command 'cd "/etc/config"'
failed with return code 0 and error message
-ash: groups: not found.
thank you

[cmorisco]

hello mrx23dot this project works with a visual basic
instead of using ipod 192.168.200

[prince4e]

Thanks for making this DIY guide. I am almost there but I am little confused about Remote encoder and decoder. Well to be frank I am lost. And what if I have to use 2 RF control outlet. Can I buy same products and use one remote to control both outlet or what should I do?? I am stuck at the last step so any help would be appreciated...

[mrx23dot]

All outlets must use the same protocol (buy from the same brand).
The protocol has addressing in it so you can control a lot of devices.

[prince4e]

And what if I want to make my own RF control outlet and remote do you have the schematics?? Can it be done?? Thanks for your help. I really appreciate what you are doing?

[mrx23dot]

Schematics can be found in the datasheets, check the instruction, but there is no point making on you own when it's dirt cheap.

[sneaksneak]

Hello, very nice project.
How aboute the software code for the arduino? Can you upload it?

[mrx23dot]

http://www.instructables.com/files/orig/FU4/29UC/GG4A6O1B/FU429UCGG4A6O1B.zip

[jfurcean]

I just finished a similar project, but I used a laptop instead of a router. I am getting ready to use a OpenWrt router to try and make the overall cost of the project cheaper. I also set it up using an X-10 interface module. This allowed me to configure any number of modules to control.

http://thenewtech.tv/community/arduinox10-home-automation-over-wifi

[mrx23dot]

Thanks, it looks great.

[cryphakon]

How would add more buttons to the webpage to control separate outlets?

[mojunwei]

hi mrx23dot

i am stucked in this
more detail about

[mrx23dot]

Configure the httpd according to the article.
First start with a simple html file, then move on to the cgis.
Also the debug the serial connection by SSHing into the router and manually give out commands.

[mojunwei]

and more detail about MPFS2?

your help will be appreciated! thankx

[engcu90]

Hello
Great project!
I am doing it, but I have a problem that hex data is not received correctly.
First I tried to send from the router to my PC via:

echo -e "\x9B\x11\x08\x22\xC5\x0D" > /dev/ttyS0

I received: 0x9B 0x11 0x08 0x22 0xC5 0x0D 0x0D 0x0A
I receive 2 bytes in excess and I don't know why!

Then I tried to send from the router to pic, then from pic to my PC to check the received data, I get only 6 bytes but all wrong, not the data I sent.

I am using pic18f452 as I didn't use avr before..
I think the problem is the interface circuit..I used shmitt trigger, res, cap as you did but it doesn't work. Is this circuit need to be modified to be suitable for PIC?
Thanks

[mrx23dot]

Hi,

I also had some hard time with the router's serial port, because it uses weird voltage levels like ~1.8V in idle.
I pulled up the TX line (from the router) to 3V3 (from Vdivider+Cap), you should fed this into two inverters (powered from 3v3). Measure this output in idle state, it should read 3-3,3V.

3V3 TX line should be enough for any kind of 5V MCUs.

For proper communication with the PC you need 3V3 TTL - RS232 converter,
for 5V converters you could use a second voltage shifter on the TX line.
And always use pull ups on the inputs. I'm guessing you got those extra bytes because of noise (generated by weak or omitted pull ups or low voltage levels on the converter). An oscilloscope would be very handy in these situations.

You can debug your PIC's FW by sending out the data from the PC to PIC. The baud is 115200 8N1

I can recommend this adapter, it works on 3V3 and 5V at any speed:
http://tinyurl.com/7nltcz6

[engcu90]

Thank you very much. The inverter solved the problem =)
I used the same cct in your schematic, but replaced smhitt trigger with 2 inverters
For excess bytes, it was CR & LF characters. echo -n solved this.
But when I send data from the PIC to the Router, How can I receive the data in index page for example?

[mrx23dot]

Sorry, I forgot that I used commands like this:
echo -e -n "\x9B\x21\x01\x21\xBD\x0D" > /dev/ttyS0

I haven't done any two way communications yet.
But it should work like on a desktop PC:

http://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-hardware-18/how-to-read-serial-port-dev-ttys0-494454

Check out the Cron scheduling service on the router, it can run commands on timely bases. Or run scripts like this:
run every 4min:
if ping google fails -> reset modem's switchable socket.

Or turn on sprinkler/Christmas lights at a given time.

[engcu90]

Really appreciate your help..I have successful two way communications :)

I have inquiry about ADSL Modem and the Router connection. I have modem & router in one device TD-W8901G with default ip 10.0.0.1 and router wr741nd default ip 192.168.1.1
I must connect cable from router to my PC to be able to acess 192.168.1.1
Can I access this page without the need for the cable? My PC is connected to the internet via wireless from TD-W8901G, in another words,, when I type 192.168.1.1 in my browser, the ADSL modem forward to the port where the router is connected to.
Also I want the web page 192.168.1.1:81 be public over the internet.
Same manner,The ADSL has real ip, for example 41.20.30.50. I want when some one enter 41.20.30.50:81 in his browser, my ADSL modem forward this to the port where the router is connected to, then the router forward to port 81, web page.
Is there a tutorial about how to do that?
Hope my question is clear enough! :)

[mrx23dot]

Can you describe the serial reception, or attach the program?
For network setup refer to the image.

[engcu90]

Hello Sir,
I am still confused with this setup. May you clear the steps please?
How to enable DHCP client?
How to get router's mac address?
Thanks

[mrx23dot]

For all your questions here is the documentation:
http://wiki.openwrt.org/doc/start

[engcu90]

Hello mrx23dot,

This is what I did for serial reception

First, I used voltage supply 3.3v to my PIC18F452 instead of 5v, and then connected the PIC and the Router directly without the need for inverters, shmitt trigger, ... etc

For reception to the router:
The firmware needs to be upgraded to add packages: coreutils, setserial, using commands opkg install/update

Then to receive data I used:

stty -F /dev/ttyS0 115200 cs8 -parenb ....
#there are many parmaeters to be set according devices specs

cat /dev/ttyS0 >> a.txt
#read data and save it a.txt file

setserial -a /dev/ttyS0 >> is used to check that the device is configured properly

[engcu90]

Thank you for your help mrx23dot :)
For serial reception, I used only voltage divider at Rx of the router to make 5v --> 3.3v
And used command cat for reception, default baud rate 115200. I tried to send ASCII characters and received successfully. When I finish reception of HEX Data, I will attach the full program.

[edisonchung]

I have downloaded WinSCP and type followed what you told :
" Download WinSCP, to simply do this through SSH.
http://winscp.net/download/winscp429.zip

Set up a new connection:
Host name: normally 192.168.1.1 (by default)
Port: 22
User name: root
Password: what you gave after installation
File protocol: SCP "

but what do you mean by " Password: what you gave after installation " ?
do u mean the installation of OpenWRT firmware on the router?

[mrx23dot]

Here is a tutorial for that:
http://wiki.openwrt.org/doc/howto/firstlogin

[edisonchung]

Thx!!! But I come across another problem ><

After the first login, I changed my password then I login again using:

ssh root@192.168.1.1

I tried to install the web UI using Luci due to I'm using MacOS,
but when I tried to update opkg with the command :

opkg update

It failed(as shown in the image attached), it seems like it has no internet connection,
but in fact, I'm able to browse websites on my browser.
Hope you could help me with this and sorry for my ignorance.

[mrx23dot]

hi,
instead of the bleeding edge, download the latest: Backfire 10.03.1 final firmware which already has web GUI in it.
This will save you a lot of time.

https://openwrt.org/

[ssrinivas]

hey mrx23, its a great project. I have decided to do this project as a part of my graduation project. it would be great if u help me. looking forward for some support. thanks man :)

[Eddy Dean]

looks great, but, how could this be done without WINSCP (as this does not work on my computer)?

[mrx23dot]

hi,

you can do it with PUTTY:
http://the.earth.li/~sgtatham/putty/latest/x86/putty.exe
but you need to know linux command line, because it doesn't have any GUI.

WINSCP should work easily on any PC
http://tinyurl.com/3ft8u62
maybe try older versions, or ask for support.

cheers,

[johan_tr2000]

Nice idea mrx23 and joejoerowley.
Can you elaborate in more detail how to set up and configure the 741 so it allowed to remote control from outside wifi network (from internet)?

[MarkV6]

Nice project, any idea how to send data the other way? For example show a temperature from the serial port to the website.

[skeegan]

Hi mrx23, This project is great- I think it could be really useful for me. I have a couple of questions regarding the schematic (please forgive my electronic ignorance:). Schematic attached-would be great if you could offer some insight. S

[mrx23dot]

hi,
- 1st 2 arrows: Schmitt trigger inverters, in one package you get 6 of them, the last 2 of them are unused (so they had to be terminated properly)

- the PSU nets are only connected logically, in the schematic
- the last one is an LED

I wouldn't recommend this project for beginners, first you should learn the basics on an Arduino.
Cheers,

[madmax2003]

Why didn't you use an arduino with Ethernet shield? In my opinion its easier than the Serial Communication between Router and arduino. What do you think?
Greets max

[mrx23dot]

Hi, using a router as an embedded system has a lot of advantages:
for ~$30 you get:
- ~17MB of free user flash space (that's a lot)
- LAN PHY, no need to get magnetics, no soldering involved
- Sweet case, SMPS PSU
- Wifi -> can't beat this with AVR :D
- Linux OS, the possibilities are endless
- upload new web pages via SSH anytime
- No hassle with IP stack
- 400 Mhz CPU
- Possible USB 1.1/2.0 support
- Pre-installed web server app

You will save insane amount of time, if you choose this route.
Serial communication was very easy, it's a state machine in C, built in one day.

Lets compare this to the widely used Arduino:
Arduino Eth Shield $40
Arduino $30 -> flash space for web pages <<1MB
+ PSU + CASE + Time^2...

It's an easy choice.

[mrx23dot]

I'm not familiar with the X10 prices, but these RF switched outlets cost about $8 each. X10 products unfortunately are not available in our country.

You can make this system much safer, if you protect your home network with WPA2.

[an4rchyy]

Would you be able to link a page for the outlets you used? I was unable to find switched outlets for 8$ and it would be great to get them that cheaply