Home Automation using PLCC Report

This document is a competency demonstration report detailing a project on home automation using Power Line Carrier Communication (PLCC). The report focuses on the implementation of the X10 protocol for wireless communication between home devices. It outlines the project's objectives, the author's role as a team member, and the technical aspects of the project, including the zero-crossing detector, high-pass filter, transistor driver stage, switches, power supply, and the PIC microcontroller. The report also discusses the challenges faced during the project, such as signal weakness and phase differences, and the solutions implemented. The author's contributions include the design of the X10 transmitter, testing, and documentation. The project aimed to create a system that could be retrofitted without additional cables, offering a modern alternative to traditional wiring systems.

COMPETENCY
DEMONSTRATION REPORT
Career Episode 1
AKSHAY KIRAN MURALIDHARAN

CE 1.1 Project Information
Name of the project: Home automation using PLCC
Location of the project: [PLEASE FILL]
Project Duration: [PLEASE FILL]
Organization: [PLEASE FILL]
Role and Designation during the time: Team Member
CE 1.2 Project Background
CE 1.2.1 Characteristics of the project
Power line carrier communication, also termed as PLCC, uses a procedure of existing
power distribution wires to establish communication of data. There are two primary applications
for the use of power line communication - one is the use of broadband Internet procedural access
to the residential home and the other line for the office and home networking. This work is
focused on using the power lines for the home networking. Home network has typically usage of
an Ethernet or a wireless devices. The use of wireless devices are now slowly becoming more
popular and area able to work quite well, but provide the use of speeds that are in excessive use
for simple type of applications. Performance of a wireless network is also subsequently affected
by the use of line of sight obstructive like walls. One of the primary attraction of the use power
line communication is that there is a high availability of multiple power outlets.

CE 1.2.2 Objectives developed for the project
For the implementation of the project the following objectives were set forward to
produce a project of the best quality:
 To study the usage of power line for the purpose of a transmission media and previous or
current methodology of communication data on the use of the power line
 To design and eventually implement one of the application which would be used for the
power line communication
 To use an effective Bluetooth and consecutive Android technology for the development of
the switching of the devices which are connected to the network
CE 1.2.3 My area of work
For the implementation of the project I was in charge of the X10 Protocol of the project.
Apart from this I was also in charge of the testing procedure of the device which helped me and
my team mates to understand the correct working of the device and also to make the project
documentation of the final project.

CE 1.2.4 Project Group
Figure 1: Team Member associated in this project
CE 1.2.5 My responsibilities throughout the project
I had taken up the responsibility of implementing thee X10 Protocol of the project which
is the main module of the project and is responsible for the wireless connection between the
electronic devices of the home automation system. After the completion of the project I had
taken up the responsibility of test running the project on different application and was able to
produce a better understanding of the project system. I had then completed the documentation of
the project to submit it in my university.

CE 1.3 Distinctive Activity
CE 1.3.1 Comprehending the theory of the project
The complete project had been divided up into six primary modules. The modules are as
follows:
 Zero crossing detector – In the X10 protocol the information is synchronized with a
timer and the zero crossing of the AC power supply.
 High – pass filter – The filter is used for the bypassing procedure of the 50Hz of the
supply voltage.
 Transistor Driver Stage – this transistor driver stage has been introduced in the
project module for the increase in the amplitude level of the 120KHz burst of the
circuit.
 Switches – The switches are connected to the port of the microcontroller for the
switching system of the X10 devices.
 Power supply – A bridge rectifier and a regulator had been connected to the 5V
supply which would meet the power requirements of the project module.
 PIC – Microcontroller 16f73 – The microcontroller used for the project is directly
connected to the X10 project module. The module is selected based on the memory,
frequency of operation and the other peripherals which are connected to the project
module.

figure 2: The working model of the PLCC
CE 1.3.2 Engineering knowledge and skills applied in the project
For the completion of the project I was able to implement the knowledge which I had
acquired form my electrical and electronics engineering degree. The basic knowledge of the
working of the different components of the project were already known to me during the
development of the project. Additional information and data which was to be required for the
implementation of the project was studied form research journals and published papers. My
project supervisor had also helped me to understand the parts of the project whenever I required
help form him.
CE 1.3.3 Accomplishment and task performed
The X10 protocol is a standard developed for the automation controlling of the home
devices and the appliances. The X10 protocol became popular due to the fact that the procedure
was the only home automation procedure which would be able to be retrofitted without the use of
any additional cables or extra charges.

The X10 protocol is responsible for the sharing of information through the power lines of
the house. The PLCC system that is being developed consists of a X10 transmitter fixed into the
main module and additional X10 receivers in each of the loads connected to the system. The
PLCC transmitter has been designed by me. The module has different switches for each of the
loads connected to the house. Each of the switches has a corresponding address embedded into
them. When a switch is pressed the address from the switch is sent along with the connecting
signal to all the devices. The address when gets matched to the load switched the load on or off.
The procedure has been compiled into a complete module which would be benefit for the home
automation process. Later on during the development phase I had added a Bluetooth device to
the X10 protocol which enable the users to connect to a Bluetooth remote from their smart phone
and eventually control the devices.
Figure 3: the transmitter and receiver module of the project

CE 1.3.4 Identified issues and their solutions
1.3.4.1 Issues
The implementation of the X10 protocol is not a perfect solution for the implementation
of the smart device implementation. The major problem which I faced during the development of
the project was the weakness of the signals when the signals would travel longer distance. The
signals would also get weaker as they would get absorbed by the surrounding devices and also by
the self-devices. This was making the devices at a longer distance lose their connectivity easily.
Another problem which arose was the difference in the phases of the signals tem there would be
a problem when the signal is being relayed back from the transmitter to the receiver along a
breaker box.
1.3.4.2 Solutions
The possible solution was found upon extensive research was that with the usage of a
switch module will help in absorbing the surrounding signals and also make the X10 protocol
signals more powerful. The possible solution of the phase was to keep the devices on a single
phase of the house. Another solution which I found was the use of a passive phase coupler which
would help in keeping the signals of the house in a single phase.
CE 1.3.5 Plan to produce creative and innovative work
I had found the solution that during the installation of the complete module in a
residential home, the already present wiring system was enough to implement the additional
modules to complete the automation procedure. The digitalization procedure of the network also
helps the users to have an advanced option of controlling the brightness of the lights connected in
the system. The project has been designed in such a way so that the future innovations of the
same PLCC can be added in to the existing system.

CE 1.3.6 Collaborative work
For the implementation of the project I had collaborated with my team mates and my
project supervisor for the completion of a quality project. I had also studied several journal
papers and research materials for understanding the working procedure of the already developed
home automation system and the technology which they have used. After studying about the
topic I was able to complete and deliver to my university the best quality project.
CE 1.4 Project Review
CE 1.4.1 Project Overview
The PLCC system is a modern modification of the traditional wiring system that is
followed everywhere else. The process would help the user to make switching between devices
easy. With the help of our PLCC system the user will be able to reduce the use of the wires
around the house. The PLCC system is a major improvement in the use of the traditional wiring
system which has been a topic of great discussion and has a possible application in the near
future.
CE 1.4.2 My contribution to work
For the project I contributed towards the team in completing the working of the X10
Protocol of the device. The device was the main module which was responsible for the
connectivity establishment of the devices and the modules connected in the system. After the
completion of the work I was able to implement the test run of the devices. This helped us to
produce a better quality project. At the end I had taken up the work of producing the

documentation comprising of the discussion and the working procedure of the devices. I had also
helped my team mates during the development of the project.