Wireless Appliance Controller

Team Client Faculty Advisor Student Members

sdmay03-20 Senior Design Dr. Arun Somani Donny Prabowo Benjamin Taylor

Todd Roush Kheng-Hin Toh AbstractAbstract

The purpose of this project is to design and implement a Handheld Appliance Controller (HAC) from a personal digital assistant (PDA) for use in homes across the globe. Essentially, the PDA device will act as a smart remote control that can both monitor and alter the current state of an appliance in the home via RF transmitters and receivers. A transmitter and receiver module will be created to interface with the PDA, and will communicate with another module that is connected to the appliance. The end product will consist of setting up an RF link between the PDA and a microwave oven for demonstration, as well as creating a software interface for other appliances that could be linked in the future. With a user-friendly PalmOS interface, the HAC will add yet another convenience to everyday life.

IntroductionIntroduction

Design RequirementsDesign RequirementsDESIGN OBJECTIVES• Make PDA a wireless controller for appliances in a smart home

FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS• Using RF TX/RX, user will be able to perform and monitor any

function that they could standing next to an appliance

DESIGN CONSTRAINTS• Power: RF TX/RX must be low power to run off PDA• Packaging: RF TX/RX must fit comfortably on PDA

MEASUREABLE MILESTONES• Project Planning: Project Definition (5%), Project Design (20%)• Design Implementation: Hardware (15%), Software (15%),

Hardware/Software Integration (10%)• End Product: Documents (30%), Demonstrate w/ Microwave (5%)

End-Product DescriptionEnd-Product DescriptionThe Wireless Appliance Controller will allow a household member capable of operating a microwave and a PDA to monitor and change the status of a microwave from anywhere in the house.

Technical ApproachTechnical Approach• Find a transmitter and receiver

combination to attach to both devices for a communication link.

• Create a control interface for the microwave to process and execute requests from the PDA.

• Program PalmOS display interface and functions that it will control

Testing ApproachTesting Approach• RF TX/RX functionality test: must have good TX/RX signals• Operating range test: suitability for the home• PDA-Appliance Interface test: communicating properly• User interface test: friendliness and effectiveness

Budget & Personnel EffortBudget & Personnel EffortFINANCIAL BUDGET

33%

47%

3%

17%

Palm PDA

RF Transmitter/Receiver

Miscellaneous

Printing

PERSONNEL EFFORT BUDGET

121

128

135

119

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160

Kheng-Hin Toh

Ben Taylor

Todd Roush

Donny Prabowo

Total Estimated Effort (hours)

GENERAL BACKGROUND• Purpose: to create a system to wirelessly control various

household appliances in the smart home of the future• Focus: system demonstration primarily on a microwave oven due

to availability, cost, and ability to control touch-pad interface

TECHNICAL PROBLEM• Research operating specifications of microwave oven touch-pad• Write software interface for PDA• Choose appropriate operating frequency

OPERATING ENVIRONMENT• Common household with average climate conditions

INTENDED USER(S) AND USE(S)• User: Future homeowners interested in smart home technology• Uses: Will act as a smart remote controller for appliances around the home

ASSUMPTIONS• Availability of interference-free wireless capabilities in the home

LIMITATIONS• Communication range of 100 – 200 feet• Signal decoder interface will vary between appliances

Total Budget $300