
Summary: Develop a home automation retrofit system which can integrate standard home alarm systems with open-source home automation software though a hardware and software solution. Experience: Some example projects I have made thus far around these platforms have been a remote-controlled, drivable flamethrower, an automated gardening watering system, and a home automation system in which I can control a garage door and lights, among other various other devices. Origin of Idea: The first piece of equipment I wanted to hook up to OpenHAB was my family’s alarm system which my Dad installed during the construction of our home. I struggled to find a module online in which could be used to connect the alarm controller to OpenHAB since my Dad installed the system himself. Most of what I found were designed to integrated systems that were installed and monitored by a security company. I left the idea to rest as it became apparent that such a module didn’t exist and continued on integrating the modules which I described above. As I’ve become more confident in my ability to design my own modules, I realized that I could, in fact, integrate our alarm system by putting in some time researching, testing, and developing my own custom module. This idea didn’t occur to me until recently since I was so intimidated by the bundle of wires contained inside the alarm controller when I opened its enclosure.
Milestone 1:
I will develop a working prototype of an ethernet connected Arduino device, which I currently have hooked up to one test sensor in my house. Finalize all of the software and logic control.
Journal:
Update goes here.Step 1
Step Title: UI tablet dashboard design
Step Description:
Finalize the design of the UI tablet dashboard
Step 2
Step Title: Testing the UI tablet when motion is detected
Step Description:
I might phase this out since motion cannot be detected in the dark. I don’t want to have the alarm go off in the middle of the night unable to unlock it because I can’t access the button to wake it or motion is not detected in the dark
Step 3
Step Title: Finalize the logic which occurs on the OpenHAB server
Step Description:
Handling passcode input Handling alarm mode input Sending commands to the alarm controller Receiving input from the alarm controller Tablet UI feedback via Siri
Step 4
Step Title: Develop a working hardware prototype alarm controller
Step Description:
Interfaces with OpenHAB over ethernet Sends status of each alarm zone motion sensor Able to receive commands from OpenHAB of when to trigger sirens
Milestone 2:
My end product should be able to integrate all existing security sensors to OpenHAB. I will also evaluate my success on whether or not I can design a UI in which one can control the alarm system among other commonly used devices on a wall-mounted screen.
Journal:
Update #2 goes here.Step 1
Step Title: ESP32 chipset with integrated WiFi
Step Description:
The chipset I will be moving to is the ESP32 which has a WiFi interface onboard the chipset, meaning that it won’t require any external components like how a wired connection would require. There are minimal breakout boards for the ESP32 which means that I will have to develop my own PCB, which I was ultimately planning to do with the Arduino anyways.
Step 2
Step Title: 12V power input
Step Description:
Independent power rail for sensors and sirens Independent power rail and regulation for ESP32
Step 3
Step Title: FTDI USB interface
Step Description:
This will allow for easy custom software implementation by users
Step 4
Step Title: Optocoupler circuitry
Step Description:
Interfacing 12V motion sensors with the ESP32’s 3.3V circuitry Also featuring screw terminal connections for easy addition of motion sensors to the system
Step 5
Step Title: Relay outputs
Step Description:
Will allow for interfacing with external devices like sirens or strobe lights
Other Projects
CS-GSO 2k18 Weekend Hackathon
A weekend-long hackathon will be organized at Iowa State University. This hackathon is specially planned to include graduate students and aim to provide a platform for them to showcase their skills. T
Women techmakers global event
It will be a one-day event at Google Belo Horizonte, aimed at increasing the visibility, community and resources for women in technology. The event will feature panel discussions with technology leade
Introduce a Girl To STEM Day
This will be a 3.5 hour workshop to introduce young women in the La Grange, Illinois area to the opportunities in STEM. Student attendees will have two separate STEM sessions involving fun and collabo