Re: Honeywell Smartfit research and the start of a generic interface (wish me luck!)

["vectra999uk2002" <questuk1@xxxxxxx>]

Hi All,

I am interested in interfacing to software running on a PC, to
control various appliances!

I also program Microchip Pic controllers and I will be passing info
to the Pic via, RF modules using the Pic to stream data.

How suitable is MisterHouse on a PC, for interfacing via a single
serial port?

As for the Pic protocol, I dont mind what it is, if we can create a
Standard then thats fine or use an established one?

Sorry I drifted fron the original topic a bit!

Thanks Gary




--- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx, James Derrick <james-ukha@a...> wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> After trying a few different ways of integrating domestic heating
with
> home brew home automation, I have splashed out in a Honeywell
Smartfit
> system in the hope that experimentation will lead to a generic
> interface to the Accessory Port.
>
> So far, I have put on the web details of what Smartfit is, my
existing
> heating system, and the progress so far on making my own interface:
>
> http://www.amarok.demon.co.uk/dl/hvac/index.html
> (click on the diagrams to get a full-size view)
>
>
> Don't get too excited yet- my PIC-based test rig can reliably read
the
> data bits sent across the Smartfit bus, but the packet format is
still
> a mystery to me. With luck, this will only be a matter of time and a
> generic PIC interface will take shape.
>
> The test rig is based on Maxim PIC chips (10MHz 16F84 single chip
> microcontroller) programmed using Crownhill's PROTON+ BASIC compiler
> so as to concentrate on the interface rather than assembly language.
>
> For what it is worth, circuits and BASIC files are available so
please
> feel free to have a go- the more the merrier! If you want HEX files
to
> program PICs, drop me an email but it's early days yet.
>
> My goal is to build an interface that is capable of communicating
with
> the Smartfit unit to both read status and set parameters. The
> client-side interface is likely to be a simple serial such as ASCII
> RS232 or RS485 usable with MisterHouse on a PC. As I'm using PICs,
> other interfaces will be possible.
>
> Wish me luck!
>
>
> James
> ---
> James Derrick
>     james-ukha@a..., Cramlington, England
>     Beyond the Horizon of the place we lived when we were young,
>     In a World of Magnets and Miracles. Pink Floyd.