Re: [Project] Lights was Foundations are in!

["Dr John Tankard" <john@xxxxxxx>]

--- In ukha_d@y..., "Graham Howe" <graham@s...> wrote:
> Lights are controlled via x10 unless you want great expense.

Maybe not.

After a lot of discusion, we are thinking of switching from starting with
the LCD/KBD to the lighting controler.

Reasons:

1) On its own the LCD/KBD can do little that will help anyone

2)It requires us to think about all the other devices(not yet produced)
and how they interact with it, which is proving difficult.

3)We have a prototype 4 channel lighting system already, which we can use
to make a start.

4)Because of the limitations of X10, it is likley to be of interest to a
wide user base.

5) The command structure will be easy to define.

What will this device do

Control 4 lighting channels fully dimable
programed ramp rates
programed presets
Perhaps a further 4 channels (non dimable)
Level -> power curves
Zero volt at when off
Soft start

Any strong views against this switch ?

We still need to resolve how the controler might get local control from
switches. Clearly when we do build the kbd/lcd device that will control
it via tcp/ip but that will be a bit expensive for every room.
I have two posibilities at the moment, 1 wire and 422. the latter would
be a bit more expensive but would allow more features, perhaps even a
display. more ideas needed please.

I know some may not be happy with the change in project, but we need to
make a start on something.

Keith is woking on the power side and he will get one of the spare Rabbit
cores from my order on Monday (Just posted it Keith). Kieren is working
on a protocol/command list. I am working on some code do do the low level
stuff, it needs porting from a 16c65. Hardware help to Keith, protocol to
Kieran, and bit bashing to me.

I am away for a few days, and hope to read all the Rabbit manuals and
test some code.

John





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