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:

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:

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