home automation

[Jari]

Hi,

Has anyone written any home automation software with LabView? I have been thinking of getting a HVAC system
using LON bus.

Thanks for your inputs.

Jari Likonen

[Rob Cole]

Well, sort of. I wrote a program to turn lights on and off through control from the parallel port and I wrote a program to control my robot that I made to change tapes in my VCR. Does that count?

Rob

[Lab Viewer]

It depends how complicated will be your system (the tasks that you want to perform).
For something simple, I think a digital I/O board will be enough.

[Jari]

I have been thinking of LON (local operating network) compatible system. I would like to control the underfloor heating system (2 circuits, 6 rooms), fan speed of the ventilation system, burglary alarm system and to measure indoor and outside temperature/humidity. In addition, I would like to have a system which can be controlled over Internet. So, this sounds quite complicated.

[Lab Viewer]

Hi Jari,
I will say complicated but challenging. Thinking of this system, probably the LabView part is the easiest one. Anyway, you might consider the starter kit from Echelon (http://www.echelon.com/buy/37400-10.asp) and ... surprise! ... you can find some documentation at NI - they implemented HVAC similar (http://www.ni.com/opc/opc_resources.htm).
Good luck and hope you have the ‘resources’ to finish the idea.

[Labviewguru]

Jari,

If I may make a suggestion: Go ahead and write a reliable program to automate your HVAC, make sure it works, and works well and reliable. Then, grab a copy of Gary Johnson's latest book, the 3rd edition of power programming, and check out the examples of embedded LabVIEW. He and his fellow author, Richard Jennings have successfully written LabVIEW for a PC104! I am sure you would agree that you should have a reliable, low power, compact system if you hope to fully automate your HVAC. Trying to rely on windows for any real world automation is frightening to me. Of course, you have to have LabVIEW for linux to do this...

Anyway, give it a shot. Someone somewhere needs to pioneer practical applications of LabVIEW in embedded systems.

I already have
a copy on the way, have a copy of LabVIEW for linux, and plan to start PC104 shopping. Now all I have to do is find something to do with it.

Good luck, and most important, have fun.

[Mats B.]

Hello Jari.

A company called ICONAG in Germany has done what you want to do.

I have not been in contact with them but they sent me some litterature and a demo cd.

Ceck out their website, www.iconag.com, or email me at mats.backlund@ni.com for more info.

Regards
Mats Backlund
National Instruments Sweden