There's been talk of home automation and small networks: since I am Finnish,
I would like to advocate the Finnish LINET.

Check it out at http://www.linet.fi

It has been used with PICs too.

"The LINET Light Network System is a new technical innovation helping
electronics designers plan and implement application specific control and
slow data networks. LINET is especially designed to address the needs of
small and medium sized systems to control a network of electrically driven
or controlled equipment and various types of data acquisition devices. The
potential application areas range from industrial data acquisition and
process control to home automation.The LINET Light Network System consists
of a light twisted-pair cabling system that transmits control information
and data to and from the nodes in the network, and a control unit for the
network. The nodes are small, inexpensive components attached to various
other components, interfacing at the electrical and optoelectrical level.
The control unit provides configuration services and communication with
other systems, such as PC's. The LINET software offers a set of
ready-for-use functions and, if obtained in source code, the option to
develop any extensions the designer may plan to implement in a specific
application.  "

Arvi K.

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