Insteon

Insteon (commonly written INSTEON) is a system for connecting lighting switches and loads without extra wiring[1]. INSTEON is a dual-band mesh home area networking topology employing AC-power lines and a radio-frequency (RF) protocol to communicate with devices.[2] It is a home automation networking technology designed by SmartLabs, Inc.[1]INSTEON is designed to enable devices, such as light switches, thermostats, motion sensors, etc. to be networked together using the powerline, radio frequency (RF), or both. All INSTEON devices are peers, meaning each device can transmit, receive, and repeat any message of the INSTEON protocol, without requiring a master controller or routing software.[3]

All INSTEON compatible devices act as repeaters, meaning that they repeat each message they hear. This is in contrast to other mesh networking topologies where only "advanced nodes" repeat. Automatic error detection and correction are included in all INSTEON compatible products. The powerline protocol uses phase-shift keying and is designed so that the repetition is synchronized: All repeaters repeat the same message during precisely-defined time slots, so while the repetitions collide, they do so in harmony in a manner that preserves the message. The power line AC frequency is used as the synchronization source.

Contents

Network topology

INSTEON is an integrated dual-mesh network that combines wireless radio frequency (RF) with the home's existing electrical wiring. This is intended to improve reliability by providing a backup system in case of wireless interference. As a peer-to-peer network, devices do not require network supervision, thus dispensing with the need for controllers and routing tables.

Each transmission contains a two-bit "hops" field that starts at 3 and is decremented each time a node in the network repeats a message. The repetition scheme is designed so that all of the nodes repeat the messages in precise sync with one another, so the repetitions collide by design and strengthen one another in harmony.

Installation

INSTEON devices are set up using a Plug and Tap method. Each device has its own unique ID. The procedure to link two INSTEON devices can be done manually at the devices. Though a basic system can be deployed without a controller or PC, such a device may be added for advanced home management. Some such devices are able to save and restore the configuration of individual devices on the network.

Transmission

INSTEON uses digital signal processing to encode and transmit messages, enabling rapid transmission of control data between INSTEON devices. Individual INSTEON messages can also carry up to 14 bytes of arbitrary user data to support home-control applications from developers.

X10 compatibility

INSTEON products on the powerline can be manufactured to be X10-compatible. Homeowners with existing X10 networks can migrate to an INSTEON network without having to discard all their existing X10 devices. INSTEON devices repeat INSTEON signals, but not X10 signals.

Although both can be sent over the same powerline, INSTEON commands are not similar to or compatible with X10, and X10 commands are not INSTEON. Rather, INSTEON driver chipsets simply include the capability of transmitting, receiving, and responding to X10 powerline messages in addition to INSTEON messages. X10 compatibility is implemented in the INSTEON -compatible chipsets made by SmartLabs which are offered for sale to other product vendors wishing to implement INSTEON in their products.

Specifications

Data rate
Message types
Message format/structure
Devices supported
INSTEON engine memory requirements
Typical application (light switch, lamp dimmer) memory requirements
Powerline physical layer
RF physical layer

References

  1. ^ a b "How to Control Your Home with your Cell Phone". Popular Mechanics. October 1, 2009. http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_journal/home_improvement/4301977.html. Retrieved August 19, 2010. 
  2. ^ "Refresh!: INSTEON Technology". Electronic Design. Penton Media, Inc.. April 5, 2006. http://electronicdesign.com/article/boards-modules-systems/refresh-insteon-technology33281.aspx. Retrieved August 19, 2010. 
  3. ^ "What is Insteon?". http://www.Insteon.net/aboutInsteon.html. Retrieved 2007-06-25. 
  4. ^ Darbee, Paul (August 11, 2005). "INSTEON The Details" (PDF). Smarthome Technology. http://www.Insteon.net/pdf/Insteondetails.pdf. Retrieved August 19, 2010. 

See also

External links