RE: Homebrain & Idratek

["Chris Bond" <chris@xxxxxxx>]

Keep us updated david, I have to agree the system does look one of the
best ive seen.  The issues they have left are a monitory and can be
fixed easily (the worst being the software issue, but if the current one
was documented to such extent autom8it, homeseer, etc could be used
instead).

Remember if you visit them we want LOTS of photos.

Kind Regards,
Chris Bond

-----Original Message-----
From: David Gumbrell [mailto:david@xxxxxxx]
Sent: 22 May 2003 7:14 PM
To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [ukha_d] Homebrain & Idratek

Hi,

The Idratek guys expect their website to be up within a fortnight. Until
then they are trying to pull together some documentation for requests
via the email.

In the meantime, and as I recall, the Idratek system is based around a
CAN derived bus system, carrying some kind of packet format at around
30kbps. The network allows fairly loose topologies (typically daisy
chained bus rather than star), and whilst they recommend shielded CAT5,
they demo'd using 6-core alarm cable. The physical layer is designed for
maximum resilience.

They have a bunch of single wall box based modules, featuring things
like switches, relays, IR TX/RX, proximity sensors, RS232 interface and
X10 gateway in a mixture of configurations that I can't remember, plus a
larger panel which has all the above, more buttons and handsfree
speakerphone (intercom) functionality. The 6-core carries analogue
audio, power and network.

All modules have a degree of programmable intelligence, allowing the
module to respond to it's local events (ie switch, IR RX etc) and also
received packets. They can take simple actions on the basis of this, eg
generate packet, switch relay. This programming is configured using some
PC software, and can then run autonomously as long as there is power
down the 6-core (they termed this "reflex" functionality). They
have an
optional 4-leg battery backed power supply, which makes allows the
system to be used for burglar alarm type functions.

The large panels are also optional I believe (hopefully, since they are
a bit "70's"). I am not sure whether the system complies to the
relevant
standard to operate as an alarm system, they knew the standard so I got
the impression they were seeking certification.

One big omission is that they don't have a dimmer yet. This seems to be
at the head of their to do list. You could frig it with an X10 dimmer
whilst waiting ...

The wall units are a dark grey moulded plastic with a light grey centre
face insert. Although personally I thought they were quite smart, I
think even I might balk at having them all over the place. Apparently
changing the plastic colour would be relatively easy, I got the
impression they were considering providing some alternate colours.

They also have PC software "Cortex", which is required to
initially
configure the network and can then add an additional level of
intelligence over the reflex behaviour. The PC can offer voice synthesis
capability onto the audio bus to allow voice menu type walkthrough
functionality. Written in Delphi, no open plug-in capability, not the
prettiest UI stuff, but seems to function. Hopefully they will allow
some kind of demo download.

I think they have been very busy to get to were they are, there are some
open issues and areas that need to be developed or resolved,
particularly in how additional kit can be integrated or how alternate
software could be substituted.

In discussions it appeared they were willing to document at least the
packet protocol, it may be that they will document the physical layer
too. They were very receptive to ideas, it will be interesting to see
which they commit to.

They have ideas for further additions to the range of modules, and had
even more after UKHA :-). I think they may have been unaware of how much
extra stuff is going on beyond lights and appliance switching. They
mentioned a telephony interface as soemthing they were investigating.

I did get an offer to visit a house fitted with the system, so I may
take that up and report back.

A little bit more software development and it could be a cracking system
!

If I get the right answers to certain questions I'll be trying it out
:-)

Cheers,

David
----- Original Message -----
From: Robert Welsh
To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, May 22, 2003 4:00 PM
Subject: [ukha_d] Homebrain & Idratek


For those of us that didn't attend UKHA2003 (and there's a whole other
thread running about that right now), would someone care to tell us a
little about Homebrain and Idratek ??

As Mark mentioned, the websites are just up with logos - and I'm dead
curious as to what it was they demo'ed.

Cheers,
Rob