Re: Product Idea: X10 to UPB/Zigbee/Insteon translator

[nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Dave Houston)]

Dan Smith did most of the non-PIC coding for the Ocelot and Leopard. He's
quite sharp.

In their Ocelot forum Kevin Barret wrote that they are working on a UPB
interface but does not note whether it emulates the TW523 or is an RS485
node.

Someone has already created a TW523 emulator to interface with Z-Wave.

"BruceR" <br@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>Called for Dan Boone today but he's no longer with ADI. The receptionist
>said that Dan Smith might be the guy to talk to so I left him a detailed
>voicemail and we'll see if there's any interest.
>
>From:Dave Houston
>nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>> From a technical POV a TW523 emulator for UPB or Insteon is certainly
>> doable. A PIC or AVR would be sufficient to translate between the JDS
>> (or any other device that supports the TW523) and a serial interface
>> for either Insteon or UPB. Including a 310MHz RF receiver would allow
>> for control of the Insteon or UPB devices with palmpads, etc.
>>
>> The UPB serial protocol is published. The Insteon serial SDK is about
>> $100 and includes the protocol (although I still cannot recommend it
>> given the terms of their license).
>>
>> This might be something that would interest Dan Boone at ADI. It
>> would be a way for the Ocelot and Leopard to work with Insteon or
>> UPB. Why don't you send him an email or post a message to the ADI
>> forum.
>>
>> "BruceR" <br@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>>> Thanks for the quick response on this Dave.  I knew you'd be the "go
>>> to" guy for some good thoughts on this.
>>>
>>> Your assumption is correct in that I hate to scrap the $1000+
>>> investment in my JDS stuff; however I'd be willing to do so if I
>>> could find another stand alone device that's as capable. I spoke to
>>> SmartHome about how Insteon works with X10. My understanding is that
>>> if a device is set up to receive X10 then the Insteon benefit is
>>> lost. IOW, there is no ability to repeat an X10 signal as an Insteon
>>> signal.  He also told me that they did not have a translation bridge
>>> on the drawing board but thought it was a good idea.
>>>
>>> Even if the translation on such a bridge were limited to the standard
>>> "on-off-dim-bright" (I'd even settle for just "on-off") it would be
>>> enough to get me to scrap the X10 stuff and switch to Insteon (or
>>> another).  I see your point about the licensing of competing
>>> translations in a single box. That would be fine too as only one
>>> would typically be needed. I suppose different boxes could be
>>> produced for different protocols.
>>>
>>> JDS is working on a UPB interface but, at least in its first
>>> iteration, it will require removal of the phone board which is
>>> unacceptable to me as I use that function extensively. It's good to
>>> hear that someone is working on a UPB/X10 bridge.  I already have
>>> some UPB stuff and would love to be a beta tester if they're still
>>> looking.
>>>
>>> I think that whoever comes to market with an X10 bridge to any of the
>>> new protocols is likely to get a quick leg up in getting guys like
>>> me to switch everything out and topple X10 as the defacto standard.
>>> The availability of a bridge would get some vendor a bunch of $2500+
>>> module/switch orders in a heartbeat.
>>>
>>> From:Dave Houston
>>> nobody@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>>>
>>>> Insteon already supports X-10 although not with a TW523 emulation.
>>>>
>>>> I think SmartHome would balk at supporting UPB and vice versa and
>>>> given that both licenses would be involved I doubt a ménage-à-trois
>>>> would get off the ground.
>>>>
>>>> I assume you want TW523 emulation so it would work with your JDS
>>>> gear, HomeVision, HAI, etc. but I think the TW523 protocol would be
>>>> far too restrictive to make best use of either Insteon or UPB.
>>>>
>>>> I can say that I was approached to be a beta tester for a planned
>>>> UPB/X10 bridge. I turned it down because of my health and I will not
>>>> say any more. I don't know whether the project had the blessing of
>>>> PCS.
>>>>
>>>> I was impressed with the reliability of Insteon. My brief tests were
>>>> not conclusive but others are beginning to post good reports also so
>>>> I think it's a potential winner. You may soon see HAI and others
>>>> offering an Insteon interface. I think PCS made a mistake when they
>>>> priced UPB at a premium level.
>>>>
>>>> There may soon be another player. HomePlug is working on a simpler
>>>> specification (and lower cost chip) for home automation. Yitran
>>>> already has a similar chip which includes the SCP protocol.
>>>>
>>>> "BruceR" <br@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I don't know how big a deal it would be but I wonder about the
>>>>> feasibility and marketability of a device that would accept the
>>>>> same connection & signal input that the TW523 uses to then
>>>>> translate and issue a command in one of the newer HA formats. The
>>>>> device could be specific to one translation or could be a more
>>>>> universal device that could do all three.
>>>>> I think that such a device would be helpful in propagating the new
>>>>> technologies while enabling a user to use their "legacy" controller
>>>>> and support multiple formats rather than having to scrap everything
>>>>> and start over.
>>>>> Opinions? Dave H?
>