Details

The whole system is composed by many components as showed in the diagram above. Some of them are third party components that we had selected to integrate our system. However, some subsystems follows a multivendor standard, like KNX, ZigBee or DLNA, that allows our resellers partners to choose the manufacturer they like.

On the next sections, it will be detailed each component.

SmartHome Apps (Android, iOS and Windows)

These applications can be installed for free at any android phone or tablet and also iPhone or iPad. These native applications connect to the SMARTIF Server through TCP/IP and automatically designs the graphical user interface. This way is possible to have a super fast and responsive system. Note that it is not used any html webserver at all.

With this apps, everything that is integrated in the system can be controlled locally, via WiFi, or remotely, via 3G.

WallPad 2 - Embedded Touch Screen

The SMARTIF WallPad 2 is an embedded tablet with customized android 4.0.3 with unique and important specifications for Home Automation. This device has a wired ethernet connection which gives the user a reliable control point if his WiFi router goes down. Additionally, the WallPad has an improved audio system with echo cancelation system to be used as a video-door monitor.

Specifications: DualCore Up to 1.5GHz, Capacitive 10.1'' touchscreen, 1024x600, DDR 1024MB, Ethernet

SMARTIF Server - The System Brain

The SMARTIF Server is an embedded computer that integrates in the same platform many home automation protocols, manufacturers and devices. This way it is possible to put all produts talking with each other, even if they doesn't belong to the same product family. For example: When the video-door rings, every device integrated into the system can react to this event, making it possible to reduce the volume of the multiroom sound system automatically while the outdoor lights are turned on automatically, but only if it is night time, to save energy. Everything is configured through the SMARTIF Config Tool.

The smartphone Apps and the WallPad connects directly to this Server with TCP/IP protocol, without html webserver, which gives to the user an ultra fast responsive GUI, even through 3G because the data transfers are extremely optimized.

SmartIO - SMARTIF Generic Input Output Ethernet Modules

These modules allow to connect almost every device to the network. Installers can connect Motion Sensors, Smoke and Gas Sensors, Temperature Probes, Rain sensors, Magnetic contacts, Lights, Blinds, Power Plugs, Irrigation, Valves, Doors, Gates, etc. The module is configured by SMARTIF Config Tool, and each input(s) or output(s) pin(s) can be assigned to each device easily, allowing this way the interaction between other devices, SMARTIF Server and User Interfaces. For more information, please see the integrator userguide.

Multiple SmartIO modules can be added to the network. Every SmartIO has an ethernet plug which allows to reuse the ethernet infrastrucutre of the building to comunicate with Server and other SmartIOs.

Third-Party Components

KNX - Multivendor Automation Modules

KNX is a multivendor automation protocol. There are thousand of available modules from many manufacturers like: Siemens, ABB, Hager, Schneider Electric, Zennio, BTicino, Berker, Jung, Merten, etc

SMARTIF Server supports KNX device control and monitoring through KNX Ethernet Connector, which gives the user the possibility to control its devices through his smartphone or tablet from any place in the world through the internet.

Additionally, as SMARTIF Server supports Burglar Alarms, Video-Doors, Multiroom Sound Systems, etc, the user stays with every device integrated in the same system.

ZigBee - Multivendor Wireless Modules

ZigBee is a multivendor wireless automation protocol. There are many available modules from many manufacturers like: adhoco, netvox, smartenit, LG, OSRAM Sylvania, Schneider Electric, etc

SMARTIF Server supports ZigBee device control and monitoring (HA Profile) through embedded zigbee module in SMARTIF Server, which gives the user the possibility to control devices through his smartphone or tablet from any place in the world through the internet, without breaking the walls to adapt the existing electrical infrastructure.

iDom - Domatica Automation Modules

These modules allow to connect almost every device to the network. Installers can connect Motion Sensors, Smoke and Gas Sensors, Temperature Probes, Magnetic contacts, Lights, Blinds, Power Plugs, Irrigation, Valves, Doors, Gates, etc. The module is configured by Domatica iDom Project and the configurations are automatically read by SMARTIF Server. For more information, please see the integrator userguide.

The systems always need an iDom Gateway and can be expanded with iDom Collectors through dedicated BUS. This system allows integrator to program the modules as a PLC but in a simpler manner.

External Burglar Alarm

There is not any kind of standard for Burglar Alarms. This way SMARTIF is selecting proprietary solutions for integration. Currently, the Powermax from Visonic is fully integrated, and the DSC is under development. More systems will be integrated soon.

However, for a simple solution without any special security requirements, with simple Motion Sensors connected to SmartIO's, an internal Burglar Alarm can be defined with SMARTIF Config Tool.

VideoDoor - SIP Support

All SIP video-doors with audio codec G711 and H263+ or H264 are supported, however, the way the door open differ from vendor to vendor. The products that are currently fully integrated and tested are HeliosIP from 2N and CityIP SIP from Fermax / Alphatech

With these equipments and our system is possible to check who is at the door, talk and open it from any mobile device with SmartHome Apps (with WiFi or 3G).

Video Camera Surveillance

Every cameras from every vendors with MJPG Stream are supported.

Infra Red Devices

The Smartio can learn IR Signals from every devices with an IR remote control, like TVs, DVRs, Air Conditioners, etc. These signals are then converted to ethernet messages and stored in SMARTIF Server to be used later when the user clicks on SmartHome interface buttons.

Multiroom Sound System - DLNA Server and Player

The DLNA standard protocol establish interfaces for media storage, renderer and controller. SMARTIF Server has a DLNA Controller that allow users to select media files to be played on DLNA renderers.

There are many manufacturers of DLNA storage: Western Digital, Synology, Buffalo Tech, etc

There are many DLNA Renderers: Raspberry with XBMC Player, Sony SAN300 and SAN400, TerraTec Noxon iRadio and M520, Xbox, etc