Networked for the future
Issue 01-2016:
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A networked home offers many benefits. Mobile apps help manage daily routines and organize leisure time as well as control home entertainment electronics and individual household appliances. Many different building systems are already being reliably monitored or operated wirelessly. Everything is gradually becoming part of an intelligently networked living environment.
And yet consumer uncertainty is growing with each decision to purchase the individual smart components. All too often, complete systems available on the market unfortunately turn out to be “self-contained,” that is, lacking any way to integrate sensors and actuators of other manufacturers. Users must trust the particular vendor and hope he will remain on the market in the future with the ability to continue offering compatible components.
Choosing the right solution
Many manufacturers use their own proprietary wireless protocols and therefore are unable to network with other systems. This results in isolated solutions and a dependency on each individual provider. Moreover, it is often difficult to install additional cables for supplying power to the sensors. However, battery operation as an alternative means maintenance work, high follow-up costs and down times. Many systems also are unable to be operated manually on site. Smart phones are generally needed, for example to adjust the room temperature.
The AFRISOLab smart home solution from AFRISO can solve each of these problems.
The AFRISOLab solution environment networks all areas of a smart home.
AFRISOLab solution environment
AFRISO develops and manufactures sensors and actuators based on EnOcean technology and is an official member of the EnOcean Alliance, which ensures product interoperability. The company’s unique energy harvesting, wireless sensors maximize flexibility, save time and money and offer a wide range of applications. On this basis, AFRISOLab supplies the right solutions for heating control, lighting, shading, security and equipment protection. AFRISO also continuously develops industry-specific solutions for the plumbing, heating and air-conditioning trade in order to incorporate key parameters from industrial and building systems.
The company also has a high degree of vertical integration in its Baden Württemberg factory, making it possible to implement individual customer solutions effectively, quickly and economically.
Customized scalability and flexibility
AFRISOLab makes it easy to gradually enter the networked world. The sensors and actuators can generally communicate with each other directly. Users thus enjoy the benefits of wireless technology without having to sacrifice familiar operating characteristics. The central AFRISOhome building controller is available for linking different equipment components or for mobile operation from a smart phone. Thanks to its modular design, this controller also allows multiple wireless standards to be used in parallel or to interact with each other. The EnOcean and Z-Wave wireless modules are already on board, and the wireless M bus can be added as an option. Extra ports for wireless modules make the system viable for the future.
Home stays at home
However AFRISOLab is a self-contained system in one respect: when it comes to security. All user data and passwords are stored and processed locally on the building controller. AFRISOLab also uses the same encryption methods as online banking.
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