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Hack a wireless home automation system to be USB controlled using two AVR microcontrollers!
Check out the video! The system is really more responsive, but the browser on my phone is slow.
Check out the video! The system is really more responsive, but the browser on my phone is slow.
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Signing UpStep 1Skills ans tools
There are two ways of hacking an RF remote to be controlled by a computer or a microcontroller.
The lame way:
Soldering wires onto the button pads on the remote and hooking them up to an Arduino.
The cool way:
Most RF remotes have a separate module for transmitting data. This device usually has a VCC and a GND line and a DATA line. You can easily transmit your own wireless data by connecting a microcontroller to the DATA line.
However, in order to transmit something that the wireless receivers can understand, you first have to figure out how the wireless data is formatted and transmitted.
To do this hack you will need a logic analyzer and optionally an oscilloscope.
I use the Logic from Saleae. This is an awesome tool and I have done a few reverse engineering hacks using this device!
Check it out at http://www.saleae.com/logic/
It costs 149 USD but it's a good investment for any hacker!
You also need to be familiar and comfortable with microcontrollers and programming in C.
The lame way:
Soldering wires onto the button pads on the remote and hooking them up to an Arduino.
The cool way:
Most RF remotes have a separate module for transmitting data. This device usually has a VCC and a GND line and a DATA line. You can easily transmit your own wireless data by connecting a microcontroller to the DATA line.
However, in order to transmit something that the wireless receivers can understand, you first have to figure out how the wireless data is formatted and transmitted.
To do this hack you will need a logic analyzer and optionally an oscilloscope.
I use the Logic from Saleae. This is an awesome tool and I have done a few reverse engineering hacks using this device!
Check it out at http://www.saleae.com/logic/
It costs 149 USD but it's a good investment for any hacker!
You also need to be familiar and comfortable with microcontrollers and programming in C.
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Like your tutorial very much.
It inspired me to put togather an instructable too.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Wireless-power-outlets-for-home-automation-using-A/
Can one use voltage doubler for RF transmitter using 2 capacitors and 2 diodes.
http://www.reuk.co.uk/Making-Voltage-Doublers-and-Multipliers.htm
Sorry, I put your picture about voltage booster in the description. Is it OK or should I remove it.
fred
well done
you made me interested in taking my circuits course again ha ha
Nice Oscilloscope btw, looks like an expensive one. Sparkfun has a really nice usb oscilloscope just like the logic analyzer you used/referenced. Both of them are at the bottom of their tools page. http://www.sparkfun.com/categories/177. I'd love to see this done with some of the xbee units they sell, but doing it this way might be cheaper.
its nice that you explain the logic and order.
keep it up!
Realy nice prodjekt :-)
There is a product from a swedish company www.telldus.se named tellstick.
I have run this i 4 years with linux and windows and it[ very easy to set up and work like a charm
there is also many 3part application.
/Andreas
This is what i was looking for! V-USB + RF+Android !
How can i say.....you're the best (:
Best instructable I've ever read!
We want the diode to reverse bias, not to forward bias.
I assume you are also suffering from an eevblog overdose? :)
nice writeup, cheers!
http://www.maltepoeggel.de/?site=usbfunk
I understand you can control the mcu by PC through USB, but how do you control the PC by cell phone?!?! By blue tooth?! wifi? How?!!?
They are usually PT2262 (encoder) and PT2272(decoder)
I think this is awesome that you decoded the protocol, however. Lower parts count, yeah!
http://linux-utils.blogspot.com/2011/01/arduino-remote-control-outlet.html
the kit was cheap (15€, 2 RF outlets modules and the remote control)
http://ethersex.de/index.php/RFM12_ASK
can we have the pcb layout??
very funny project.
I've made it in the lame way (16f627 + transistors), but it should be fine to control a lot of other receiver.
tnx a lot