Start quote: "To ensure the proliferation and interoperability of networked home-automation products, the Consumer Electronics Manufdacturers Asociation (CEMA) recently published a new standard for home networking. The standard, EIA-709, is based on the LonWorks control networking protocol from Echelon Corp. Divided into three parts, the standard defines a common protocol (EIA-709.1) for networking consumer products over existing power lines using narrow-band signaling (EIA-709.2) and free-topology twisted-pair media (EIA-709.3). It offers support for both Cat.5 cabling now being used to pre-wire homes and existing home power wiring. Copies of the EIA-709 standard can be obtained at (800)854-7179. Or contact Echelon at (650)855-7400 or check out its web site at http://www.echelon.com." End quote. Taken from page 21, of the July 6, 1998 issue of Electronic Design. Calvin -----Original Message----- From: Keith Howell To: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU Date: Viernes 17 de Julio de 1998 4:54 AM Subject: Hi-fi and networked consumer electronics >Hi all. > >I've noticed quite a few posts about people trying to roll-their-own >networks for various apps. I've had to do a small (but difficult) one in >my work project, a smart amplifier that you can plug in boards for >things like home cinema sound. > >For now, the network is internal. However, if you could network >consumer goods then various exciting possibilities arise. > >Question 1: What kind of clever things would you wish for? > >Would you like your answering machine to wake up your PC to store >voice-mail on hard disk, then leave a text message on your hi-fi about >it? Or have your CD player and amplifier co-operating? Perhaps have your >phone messages accessible via the digital radio in your hobby den? > >Question 2: How would you like to network them? > >There are quite a few "home automation" schemes around, but they all >have pros and cons. Mains networks (e.g. X10) avoid the need for cable >but are slow and depend on reasonable clean mains. Radio networks also >avoid wiring but are expensive and they have trouble getting beyond the >room they're in. Most practical systems use Category 5 cable. > >Bang & Olufsen kit can network, but it is proprietary. Meridian also >have one - this uses one RS232 for PC's to access the network (so that >they can download software upgrades for instance) but it is RS485 >thereafter. Smart move, as this largely avoids +/-12V rails. > >However, I'd like to come up with something as an open standard that >others can use (like MIDI) and robust against kit made by less well >built kit form other people. Note that MIDI is optoisolated too. It's >also cheap. CANbus has some merits, though this does restrict ones >processor choice. > >I look forward to assimilating technological ideas >from the collective consciousness of the PIClist. >