There are several ways to interface to power lines. however X-10 does offer
a PL-513 interface module for $19.95. or bi-directional communications with
a TW-523 (price unknown). A PIC16F84 will interface very easily, even
PIC12C508 will work. The module is optoisolated and requires no power. Check
out web site http://www.x10.com/support/technology1.htm
They have all the documentation and design layout procedures. I can't build
an interface and worry about UL for that price. If I wanted to sell product
in quantity, that would be different.





----- Original Message -----
From: David Knaack <dknaack@RDTECH.COM>
To: <PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
Sent: Thursday, June 03, 1999 1:01 PM
Subject: Re: x-10 and pic. Off-topic


> From: Michael Shiloh <michael@MAULER.SRL.ORG>
>
> >I'd toyed with the idea of interfacing X10 to PICs. Anyone have any
> >schematics/code/ideas?
>
> I'm sure hoping code is available.  This seems like such a natural
> thing to do for a microcontroller project (given the prices of much
> of the more versatile home automation stuff) that I hadn't really
> considered the possibility that it hadn't been done yet.
>
> A quick web search finds at least one page selling PIC X10 code
> and power line interfaces:
>
> http://users1.ee.net/web_surf/Mchip.htm
>
> Also the PIC C compiler from CCS for the MicroChip PIC16 processors
> includes software drivers for X10 (and a whole load of other stuff) for
$99
>
> http://ccsinfo.com/picc.html
>
> So, apparently this is not an uncommon application.  Anybody know of
> any free X10 code or power line interfaces?
>
> DK