Date : Wed, 06 Apr 1988 02:13:04 GMT
From : ccicpg!felix!dennisg@uunet.uu.net (Dennis Griesser)
Subject: BSR X-10 controllers
In article <8803241752.AA10155@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU> OPTON@UHVAX1.UH.EDU writes:
>Talking about the appliance controllers reminded me of this. Off and on
>for the last couple of years, I have been wanting to design and build
>some stuff that will respond to BSR X-10 controllers, but I don't know
>what their coding protocol is. Anyone know where I can find out?
This question crops up every couple of months. Here's a repost of my X-10
bibliography dated 1 Apr 87 01:23:13 GMT. [Parenthetical notes signed "psf"
come from a followup by psfales@ihlpe.ATT.COM (Pete Fales), dated 3 Jan 88]
o "Computerize a Home"
by Steve Ciarcia
Byte, January 1980, page 28
Notes: An overview of the X-10 system is presented, along with some photos
and block diagrams of the commercial system. Special attention is
given to the ultrasonic command wand which communicates with the base
station and can control any of the units under the house code that the
base station is set to. One suggestion is presented that uses a pair
of CMOS MUX chips to simulate matrix closures in the control keypad.
This approach is discouraged. Steve then goes on to describe an
interface that takes commands from a parallel port and sends them
ultrasonically to the X-10 box. $80, plus cable, interface, and power.
[Includes a complete description of the format of the ultrasonic
signals - psf]
o "Plug-in Remote Control System"
by Steve Ciarcia
Radio Electronics, September 1980, page 47
Notes: Better details on the inside of the X-10 system, including schematics
of the base station, lamp module, and appliance module. No buildable
project, just lotsa nice info.
o "A $5.25 Interface to the BSR X-10 Home Control System"
by Alan Trimble
Byte, September 1980, page 314
Notes: A Z-80 assembly routine is presented to directly drive a 40 kHz
transducer. This provides a software-intensive, but low budget way to
do what Steve Ciarcia did in Byte, January 1980, page 28.
o "Apple X10 Control"
by Wayne Arczynski
Byte, December 1981, page 469
Notes: A 6502 version of Alan Trimble's software-driven ultrasonic
transducer. This version is intended for the Apple II.
o "Ask Byte"
by Steve Ciarcia
Byte, December 1981, page 254
Notes: More information about using relays to "press" buttons on an existing
X-10 base station. Also a suggestion about bypassing the ultrasonic
link by injecting the signal into the control circuitry via an opto-
isolator.
o "An 8080-Based Remote Appliance Controller"
by David Staehlin
Byte, January 1982, page 239
Notes: An optoisolator is used to couple a home computer into an existing
base station. Most of the article is fancy control software to make
it all work.
A more recent article (Radio Electronics 1985, I think) describes a dedicated
single-board computer for home control purposes. It includes direct generation
of X-10 signals and injection into the AC line.
A bit over a year ago, Steve Ciarcia described his "Home Run" computer system
with similar capabilities. I can look these up, if you need them.
[ "Build The Home Run Control System - Part 2: The Hardware"
by Steve Ciarcia
Byte, May 1985, page ???
Notes: This article provides a detailed description of the signals that
are sent over the AC line. - psf]