Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
N
Be wary about putting the computer's power onto the normal house code, because you might accidentally
switch it off when issuing an “all units off” message.
Caution
First, you could assign the computer an unused unit code and configure the computer to issue a shutdown
command when it is seen on the power line. (I'll show you how shortly.) Second, you could use a separate appliance
module and simply plug the computer into it. This is a workable although poor solution, since you're likely to have the
machine plugged into an uninterruptible power supply unit (UPS).
In addition to being a controller, this device can also act as an event scheduler and message-relay system, even
when not connected to a computer. Therefore, you can use the software (that is, the supplied Microsoft Windows
version or a Linux equivalent, such as Heyu) to program the device and let it run stand-alone, since this programmed
information now lives within its own EEPROM, which retains the data even if there is no power, allowing it to be
moved from one place to another without reprogramming. (This also means it's possible to have a—slightly—
automated house without a single computer!) However, you must keep a copy of the file and data that you uploaded to
the CM11, since it is impossible to download it from the device.
N
When unplugging the CM11U from either the mains or the computer, always remove the serial cable from
the device first, because stray noise from the cable can affect the internal memory and its settings.
Caution
The event scheduler allows you to send any X10 messages at any time of the day, on any days of the week,
between any dates of the year. On its own, the device doesn't have the ability to vary the times randomly, but it does
have a dusk and dawn setting that works after you've given it details of your physical location as a longitude and
latitude. You can find your longitude/latitude from an atlas or (if we're being serious for a moment) one of the many
geo sites on the Web. Your IP address is often accurate enough for these calculations and is available from sites such
as the following:
http://api.hostip.info/get_html.php?position=true
http://whatismyipaddress.com
In CM11 parlance, the message-relay system is termed a
macro
. This allows an X10 message (such as “bedroom
light on”) to spawn additional custom messages to any, or all, of your other equipment. A typical macro might consist
of “landing light to 50 percent,” “bathroom light on,” and so on. These messages can be separated in time, allowing a
single “bathroom light on” message to become a short program such as this:
Bathroom light on
Stairs light to 50%
Wait 5 minutes
Bathroom light off
Wait 2 minutes
Stairs light off
So, in short, the CM11 can provide most of the functionality an automated house could want, albeit in a very
static way. For your CM11 to dynamically process X10 messages, you'll need the computer on permanently and some
software. Unfortunately, the software with which CM11 currently ships is for Microsoft Windows only. So instead, you
can call on the community for software such as Heyu, which works as a replacement.
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