Learn About Home Technology - Recommended Reading

Home Technology ... what does it all mean? The field is expanding and converging at such a rate that it's difficult to keep up let alone get started. The Learning Library is here to guide you through the many facets of this exciting new world and help you make the decisions necessary to take advantage of emerging home technologies.

To use the learning library ... decide your interest area and level of experience then simply follow the links to read a wide range of articles, reviews and tips to bring you up to speed. Before you start click here to read a short overview of Home Systems.

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Overview of Home Systems

The home consists of five main groups of electrical / electronic devices that are similar and can be networked together to provide more convenience for the homeowner. These are:

• Lighting, Appliances and Climate Control - The traditional Home Automation and Control Network.
• Security Systems - Includes traditional security components plus video monitoring etc.
• Entertainment Systems - Audio, video, theater equipment located throughout the home.
• Communication Systems - Telephone, intercom and internet.
• Data Systems - Multiple PC's and other data devices.

The concept of Home Automation and Networking is to connect all of these systems and devices together on a network so that they can be controlled with a common interface and react to each other. For example if you start a movie on the DVD, the lights dim and the telephone directs calls to the answering machine.

In order for these devices to communicate with each other there must be a connection either via a wire of some sort or a radio signal (wireless). Because each system has different requirements as to speed of communication and volume of information to be communicated ... different media (wire etc.) is necessary depending on the application. Currently these media are:

• Powerline - The home's traditional electrical system already connects lights and appliances together and has outlets throughout the home. It's limitations as a network medium relate to the capacity of the wire (low speed and low volume). Currently it is used for Lighting and appliance networks as well as some security applications. New developments in technology are introducing communication and data to the powerline network.
• Phone Lines - Most homes have several telephone outlets already in place. This wire is suitable for voice communications, data and even entertainment networking with new technologies and applications developing swiftly.
• Radio Signals (Wireless) - New standards and technologies are evolving wireless solutions from the traditional lighting, appliance and security networks to communication, data and some entertainment systems
• Structured Wiring - New or renovated homes should install modern wiring systems to provide the capacity for current and future networks. A typical wiring system will include RG-6 (coaxial) wire for multi room entertainment systems, CAT 5 wire for data and communications as well as special wiring for speakers, home controls etc. Fiber optic cable is also being installed in some homes for future capacity.

Once the network(s) is installed and the devices are able to talk to each other we need a device that allows the home to communicate with the rest of the world thus allowing the homeowner the ability to reap all the benefits of this electronic era. A "Residential Gateway" is just such a device (and there are several of them available). With a broadband (fast) connection to the internet via this gateway the homeowner can not only control and observe the home from a remote location but also download entertainment and information to the home instantaneously. The Residential Gateway's will probably be supplied and installed by the homeowner's Telephone or Cable company as an add on service feature or perhaps by the systems integrator as a cabling hub.

The last but probably most important element(s) of the Home Network is the interface that a homeowner uses to communicate with and control the network. Again ... there will probably be a series of devices to handle this job and the choices are personal as well as technical. Traditional networks use touch pads and/or remote control devices. The telephone is becoming another interface of choice allowing both manual and voice control in some instances. Of course the PC keyboard and mouse are also human interfaces that are widely popular. As technology advances, new interfaces are being developed ... for example a control screen included in the door of a refrigerator etc.

It becomes obvious from this discussion that the possibilities and permutations are endless when it comes to networking a home. In the end ... a home will probably have several different networks using different media and languages to communicate internally and with each other. There is no "Standard Home Network" just as there is no "Standard Home Paint Color". It is necessary for the homeowner to get involved in the design of his/her network as each individual has different needs and wants. That is what this resource was developed for ... to help all the players learn about the possibilities.

Enjoy the future!

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