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System Integration for the Connected Home

Home Automation

CEDIA Expo Debut for enerG

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Home awareness and energy management brand enerG will debut at the CEDIA 2013 Expo where it will show off its Z-Wave-based home automation platform, the Home Awareness System.

enerGThe platform allows homeowners to control, customise and automate all connected devices in the home, and receive important system notifications on Android and iOS devices.

The enerG starter package consists of a gateway hub, thermostat and a pair of enerG switches. Customers can further expand the system to include lighting control, garage door access, keyless entry and wireless HD viewing.

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Crestron Adds 3-Series Control Processors

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Crestron designs controllers for DIN rail mounting with the DIN-AP3 and DIN-AP3MEX 3-Series processors-- with wired control from the DIN-AP3 and wireless capability from the DIN-AP3MEX.

DIN-AP3MEXAccording to Crestron the processors provide an increase in processing power and speed, with modular programming architecture allowing the independent operation and communications of up to 10 programs.

Both processors work seamlessly with Crestron DALI ballasts and LED drivers, making them ideal for commercial lighting projects. Native BACnet/IP support provides a direct interface with 3rd party building management systems over ethernet.

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Home Automation Via Google TV

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Customers wanting to find further use for a Google TV unit might be interested in the Enbling, a USB dongle able to turn such devices into a home automation control hub.

EnblingIt connects to various devices (such as door locks, lighting systems, IP cameras, sensors) via Z-Wave and provides a control environment on top of the Android-based Google TV interface.

A companion app turns Android smartphones into a control and performance monitor for devices connected to the system, with cloud-based connectivity allowing home control away from home.

The Enblink is currently on preorder as either a standalone dongle or a starter pack consisting of dongle and Z-Wave smart switch or security sensor.

Go Enblink

All Hands on DECT

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ULE AllianceThe ULE Alliance, a non-profit organization based in Switzerland, reports the success of the fifth ULE Interoperability (IOP) test event. Chipsets from all three ULE chipset vendors Dialog Semiconductor, DSP Group and Lantiq were used during the IOP testing.

The ULE Alliance promotes the worldwide allocation and market adoption of the ULE technology, which it believes can be the leading control network ecosystem for home and building use because it is based on the proven range and reliability of the DECT radio technology.

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BitWise Intros Room Remote

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Customers get a new means of controlling BitWise-connected devices-- the Room Remote, a traditional-looking handheld RF remote complete with keys for common audio and visual functions.

Bitwise Remote ControlIt connects with BitWise controllers via RF base station, meaning it does not require line-of-site.

An intuitive design allows the control of rooms through both the remote and BitWise apps, with the remote and apps staying in sync during use-- the system automatically transfers selections made via control app to the remote and vice versa.

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One Hub to Control Everything

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Wifi, ZigBee, Z-Wave-- so many wireless protocols, so many devices using either one or the other. Now a startup tries to combine most of them with Revolv, a control system packing 7 radios in a single automation hub.

RevolvThe idea behind the Revolv Smart Home Solution is simple. While wireless technology makes life easier, it also involves a mess of protocols, controllers and apps. The Revolv, on the other hand, uses a single hub device in combination with an iOS app and a cloud-based backend.

Once the hub is plugged in it connects to wifi to automatically discover connected devices. The app shows a separate icon for each device, and one can add further devices through push-button pairing to app and hub.

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ABI on the Future of Automation

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According to ABI Research home automation device shipments are to exceed 351 million units by 2018 with a CAGR of 78%, with ZigBee beating IEEE 802.15.4  to take over top share of node shipments at 4.5m units.

Automation“ZigBee is enjoying success in the home automation market because, as an open standard technology, multiple IC vendors are creating ZigBee chipsets," the analyst says. "Quite simply, open standard technologies are considered less risky and highly scalable when compared to the closed ecosystems of proprietary RF technologies.”

Z-Wave is also automation gaining traction, since its wide portfolio of interoperating products make it attractive for the DIY segment.

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