FPGA assisted Zigbee communication for low-power home automation design
Date
2010
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
In recent years, rapid development of wireless communication systems has en-
abled developers to design and increase the connectivity of devices within the home
environment. At the same time, smart methods for lowering power consumption
have been studied to help combat rising energy costs.
This thesis presents the design and implementation of an energy smart wire-
lessly controllable home automation network. The design consists of a base station
that has an FPGA, acting as a coprocessor, running a Linux distribution on the
Xilinx MicroBlaze soft core. The FPGA has many peripherals including Ethernet
connectivity and allows for further prototyping of possible communication meth-
ods. Also connected to the FPGA is a ZigBee 802.15.4 wireless radio which allows
for data to be passed between ZigBee wireless networks to coordinate turning items
within the house on and off. This is accomplished by tracking a user through a house
using a wearable wireless beacon and automating power saving responses. A simple
prototype of the design is implemented using simple electrical devices for validating
the basic functions and testing has shown successful results were achieved.
The overall goal of the project is to learn to design an embedded system from
scratch and have a platform that can be used as an educational module for future
projects, implementations and modi cations.