INSTEON

INSTEON is a hybrid (wireless and powerline) home-control networking technology invented by SmartLabs Technology -- a subsidiary of SmartLabs Inc. INSTEON was developed specifically for home control and automation applications, such as basic lighting control systems to more advanced home automation features (press one button to turn off all house lights; create lighting "scenes - dinnertime, partytime"; reduce energy costs by setting fans to turn on and blinds to close instead of triggering air conditioning; receive an instant text msg when there's a water leak). The system comprises a development platform for home automation, incorporating dual mesh networking — radio frequency (RF) integrated with powerline communications. The INSTEON network protocol is a dual mesh (radio frequency - RF and Powerline) home management network technology. This technology is backwards compatible with X10 and provides a secure home management network for home innovations. The INSTEON network is an integrated (RF, Powerline) redundant, non-supervised, peer-to-peer network. There is no need for routing tables, each device in the network receives messages simultaneously, independent of whether the message originated via wireless or powerline device. Network devices will "repeat" the signal based on message settings.

Most INSTEON devices are powerline-only devices which repeat powerline messages in real-time to avoid signal loss. To achieve its dual-mesh nature, an INSTEON network requires at least two wireless bridges which essentially act as phase couplers, broadcasting powerline commands into the RF channel and vice-versa.

INSTEON Alliance

"INSTEON Alliance members are the leaders in delivering the next generation of electronic home improvement applications." Joe Dada, CEO SmartLabs. The INSTEON Alliance is a community where leading product developers and technologists can collaborate with the creators of INSTEON to influence the development and marketing of INSTEON solutions within the electronic home improvement industry as it grows. The INSTEON Alliance, formed in May of 2005, is a focused community where leading product developers and technologists can collaborate with the creators of INSTEON to influence the development and marketing of INSTEON solutions within the growing electronic home improvement industry. INSTEON Alliance members, who range from grass roots developers to design engineers at Fortune 500 companies, develop best-in-class home control networking products using the INSTEON technology protocol. Entry level membership into the alliance includes a developer's kit and costs $99.00.

Applications

Scene and remote control lighting
Security alarm interfaces and sensors
Home sensors (e.g. water, humidity, temperature)
Access control (e.g. door locks)
Heating and cooling (HVAC) control and management
Audio-video control
Appliance management
Energy savings

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.

Additionally, each message on the network is confirmed, with damaged signals retransmitted. Each device acts as a two way repeater. According to the developers' own tests, INSTEON has been proven to be 99.97% reliable on the first try over the powerline.

Installation

INSTEON devices are set up using a Plug and Tap™ method. Each device has its own unique ID, eliminating the need to set addresses or manipulate code wheels. The procedure to link two INSTEON devices involves pressing and holding the ON button on the first controller device for 10 seconds, and then doing the same on the second device. Though a basic system can be deployed without a controller or PC, such a device may be later added for advanced home management - and it will then be able to "upload" any setup accomplished to date.

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 allows manufacturers to develop products that are both INSTEON-compatible and X10-ready. 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 and not X10.

Specifications

Network

Dual mesh (RF and Powerline)
Peer-to-Peer
Mesh Topology
Unsupervised (No routing tables)

Protocol

All devices are two-way repeaters
Messages acknowledged
Retry if not acknowledged
Synchronized to powerline

Device Installation

Plug-in
Wire-in
Battery Operated

X10 Compatibility

INSTEON compatible devices can send and receive X10 commands
INSTEON compatible devices do not repeat X10 commands

Security

Encrypted message payloads

Application Development

IDE (Integrated Development Environment)
SDK and HDK (Software and Hardware) Developer Kits
SALad interpreted language

Data Rate

Instantaneous 13,165 bit/s
Sustained 2,880 bit/s

Message Types

Standard 10 Bytes
Extended Extended

Message Format/Structure (Bytes)

Source Address 3 Bytes
Destination Address 3 Bytes
Flags 1 Byte
Command 2 Bytes
User Data 14 Bytes
Message Integrity 1 Byte

Devices Supported

Unique IDs 16,777,216
Device Types 65,536
Commands 65,536
Group Members 256

INSTEON EngineMemory Requirements

RAM 80 Bytes
ROM 3 Kbytes

Typical Application (Light Switch, Lamp Dimmer) Memory Requirements

RAM 256 bytes
EEPROM 256 bytes
Flash 7 Kbytes

Powerline Physical Layer

Frequency 131.65 kHz
Modulation BPSK
Min Transmit Level 3.16 Vpp into 5 ohms
Min Receive Level 10 mV
Phase Bridging INSTEON RF or hardware

RF Physical Layer

Frequency 902 to 924 MHz
Modulation FSK
Sensitivity -103 dBm
Range 150 ft unobstructed line-of-sight

External links

Home automation | Wireless networking

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