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0-7803-6669-7/01/$10.00 © 2001 IEEE October 10 - 13, 2001 Reno, NV 31st ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference

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DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF AN AUTOMATIC SMALL-SCALE HOUSE FOR TEACHING DOMOTICS

Felipe Mateos1, Víctor M. González 2, Reyes Poo3, Marta García4 and Rosana Olaiz5

1 Felipe Mateos, University of Oviedo, Ingeniería de Sistemas y Automática, Campus de Viesques, 2.2.04, 33204 - Gijón, Spain, felipe@isa.uniovi.es 2 Víctor M. González, University of Oviedo, Ingeniería de Sistemas y Automática, Campus de Viesques, 2.1.14, 33204 - Gijón, Spain, victor@isa.uniovi.es 3 Reyes Poo, University of Oviedo, Ingeniería de Sistemas y Automática, Campus de Viesques, 2.1.15, 33204 - Gijón, Spain, repoo@isa.uniovi.es 4 Marta García, University of Oviedo, Ingeniería de Sistemas y Automática, Campus de Viesques, 2.2.17, 33204 - Gijón, Spain, marta@isa.uniovi.es 5 Rosana Olaiz, University of Oviedo, Ingeniería de Sistemas y Automática, Campus de Viesques, 2.2.17, 33204 - Gijón, Spain, rosana@isa.uniovi.es

Abstract This paper presents the design and development characteristics of an automatic small-scale house (1:12). Several installations are controlled: seven light points, five plugs, heating in one room, technical alarms, intruder alarms, two garden irrigation areas, one blind and communications. The architecture of the centralised domotics system is based on a programmable logic controller Simatic S7-200, and on a tactile operator panel TP070. The PLC manages all control functions. External communications via modem are also available. Thus, it is possible to receive alarm messages by telephone and to operate several components in the house by telephonic remote control. The design, programming and debugging of the domotics system have been done using the software applications Simatica 2.1 and Visir 1.6, both developed by our research group. The use of this automatic small-scale house in our laboratory has constituted an excellent test bed for the detection and debugging of system configuration and programming errors. This prototype is an optimal device for teaching automation techniques applied to domotics. Index Terms Automatic building, Domotics, Simatica, Visir.

INTRODUCTION

In general terms, we can say that Domotics is the technology for developing and implementing the automation of common installations in a house or building. Safety, energy savings, comfort and communications are the main aims in domotics. There are many different domotics applications and products that can cover almost all the demands. However, they are not frequently used yet, due probably to the lack of information and promotion of their benefits.

In this paper we present the design and characteristics of a small-scale domotics house, ‘Villa Domótica’ built in our laboratory. It includes most of the elements that can be automated in a real house. This house constitutes a useful tool to practise the different aspects, both hardware and software, involved in this field of domotics.

First, we present the functional and architectural characteristics of the system. A summary with the basic characteristics of the two software tools used in the development of the domotics system follows in this paper.

Next, some specific details of ‘Villa Domótica’ are provided. Finally, we give some suggestions about using the house in teaching.

FUNCTIONAL SPECIFICATIONS

These functions have been automated in the house: • ALARMS

a) Water leaks detection, water supply cuts and warning signals (panel messages, blinking lights, telephone calls).

b) Gas leaks detection, gas supply cuts and warning signals.

c) Fire detection and warning signals. d) Intruder detection and warning signals.

• LIGHT CONTROL The lights can be switched by a time switch, presence detection and daylight intensity.

• PLUG CONTROL Time, presence, temperature management. It is normally used to program the household-electric and lamp connection/disconnection.

• HEATING Temperature control in the main bedroom, on an hourly basis management, or by remote control.

• PRESENCE SIMULATION This function simulates the presence of people in the house while it is empty.

• BLIND CONTROL ‘Villa Domótica’ has an automated blind, in the bathroom.

• IRRIGATION Hour control, sequential or independent irrigation of each zone. Optional activation by daylight and humidity.

• COMMUNICATIONS The house makes a telephone call in case of alarm. It is also possible to operate several components (heating, lights, etc.) by telephonic remote control.

• MORE... Two signals can be controlled by a transmitter/receiver by radio frequency. The user can choose the associated signals: lights, blinds, plugs, etc.

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0-7803-6669-7/01/$10.00 © 2001 IEEE October 10 - 13, 2001 Reno, NV 31st ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference

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SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE

The PLC used in this project is a SIMATIC S7-200 (CPU 226) of SIEMENS. Figure 1 represents the architecture of this domotics system.

FIGURE 1 SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE

The controller has been programmed using the software Simatica v2.1. The management of the whole system, once installed, is made with a tactile operator panel TP070. It shows eight different screens. In the first screen, the user must introduce an identification number to have access to the system. The main screen, shown in Figure 2, permits the control and supervision of the different functions in each plant, by touching the corresponding button.

FIGURE 2 TP070 MAIN SCREEN

The rest of the screens show the state of the elements controlled in each plant, and some buttons to select their configuration.

Several components can also be activated/deactivated by telephonic remote control and via the radio frequency transmitter/receiver.

CONTROL PROGRAM: SIMATICA

Simatica is a software tool that allows the design and development of domotics projects with, for example, light control, alarms, heating control, garden irrigation, etc. Most of these functions are in our houses, businesses and offices.

Simatica v2.1 has been developed by the GENIA group and it is property of SIEMENS A.G.

With this program, the domotics installer first selects the functions to be controlled in the house, as shown in Figure 3. The installer will select the most appropriate architecture (centralised, decentralised or hybrid) and the input/output addresses (an automatic addressing system is also possible). In few minutes, it is possible to obtain the control program needed for controlling the house without writing a single line.

Simatica allows centralised architecture (inputs and outputs connected to PLC inputs/outputs or to extended modules), decentralised (inputs/outputs connected to AS-i modules) and hybrid (mixture of centralised and decentralised).

FIGURE 3

CONTROL FUNCTIONS IN SIMATICA

Simatica will automatically generate the control program for the selected CPU. You can choose among these CPUs: 214, 215, 216, 222, 224 and 226, that belong to the S7-200 PLC family of SIEMENS. For decentralised and hybrid architectures, the software will use AS-i bus and the SIEMENS components needed.

Simatica generates the electrical schemes to carry out the installation of the domotics system. These schemes are available both on screen and on paper (there is an option for printing schemes). Figure 4 represents a screen with an electrical scheme.

This application allows the management of a data base of domotics components and distributors, and the automatic generation of estimates. The installer can create, modify and delete components of the data base. For every domotics project the application will automatically create the estimate in Simatica and EXCEL formats. Figure 5 illustrates an estimate in EXCEL format.

Modem Telephone

Sensors

Actuators

SIMATIC S7-200

TP070

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FIGURE 4

ELECTRICAL SCHEMA IN SIMATICA

FIGURE 5

PROJECT ESTIMATE IN EXCEL FORMAT

SYSTEM SIMULATION: VISIR

Visir is a software that allows the simulation of domotics installations via real time connection to the controller, for example a PLC. It is made up of two modules: • Editing Module

The design of the domotics installation can be made by selecting and dropping dynamic objects. Figure 6 shows the available dynamic objects in Visir. You can configure behaviours, connections with other objects and graphic representations without programming a line. A static background drawing can be attached to the installation.

• Simulation Module It allows the connection of the simulated process to the PLC via PC's serial port, so the PLC will guide the installation realistically. The objects will interact among themselves and produce new inputs for the PLC. The users can operate the process, as they could do in a real installation.

FIGURE 6

VISIR DYNAMIC OBJECTS

Advantages of Visir: • Helpful tool for hands-on teaching. • Powerful debugging tool for PLC programs. • More flexible and economic than models. • Very easy to learn and use. • Rapid work set up.

Figure 7 presents an example of the edition of a domotics building.

FIGURE 7

VISIR EDITOR SCREEN

VILLA DOMOTICA IN DETAIL

Figure 8 and Figure 9 show the front and the inside of ‘Villa Domótica.’ Figure 10, Figure 11, Figure 12 represent the plans of the three floors of the house. It has 7 rooms: living room and kitchen on the first floor, bathroom, corridor and main bedroom on the second floor, and children’s bedroom and library on the third floor.

The whole system has 21 inputs: • 8 buttons for switching on/off ligths (PL_x). • 1 button for alarm confirmation (PA_R). • 2 buttons to open/close the blind (PP_x). • 3 presence detectors (DP_x). • 3 fire detectors (DF_x). • 1 daylight detector (DL_E). • 1 water leaks detector (DA_B). • 1 gas leaks detector (DG_C). • 1 thermostat (DT_HP).

Session T3C

0-7803-6669-7/01/$10.00 © 2001 IEEE October 10 - 13, 2001 Reno, NV 31st ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference

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FIGURE 8 HOUSE FRONT

FIGURE 9

INSIDE THE HOUSE

And 22 outputs: • 5 plugs (C_x). • 7 lights (L_x). • 2 signals to open/close the blind (M_x) • 1 valve to open/cut off the water supply (E_A) • 1 valve to open/cut the gas supply (E_G). • 1 valve to switch on/off the heating (EC_HP). • 3 valves for irrigation (E_Rx). • 2 alarm signalers (S_x). •

FIGURE 10 FIRST FLOOR

FIGURE 11 SECOND FLOOR

FIGURE 12 THIRD FLOOR

Figure 13 shows the simulation with Visir.

FIGURE 13

SIMULATION WITH VISIR

EDUCATIONAL USE OF VILLA DOMOTICA

This house embodies multiple functions to practise the hardware and software aspects of domotics. A suitable way of using ‘Villa Domótica’ in education could be the following: • In lab classes, each group of students (2-3) should

design an automatic house, simulated with Visir. They

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must place and configure the appropriate objects, sensors and actuators in the simulated house.

• Then, they must generate the program for controlling the house with the PLC. Depending on the subject of the course, the control program can be developed in different ways: - Using the language of the specific PLC, if the

subject is about PLC languages. - Automatically with Simatica, in a more advanced

course about automation techniques. • The students must connect the simulated process to the

PLC, and test the control program. For each group of students, it is necessary to have a PC with the indicated software, and a PLC.

• We want to go a step further, and show the answers to many questions, similar to the following: - Which are the available physical devices (sensors,

actuators) to be used in the control of a real small-house?

- Which are their technical characteristics? - How are the electrical connections made? - OK, the control program works fine in the

simulated house, but will it actually work in a real building? Will the lights really switch on and off depending on the presence detection?

The possibility of seeing the control working in the house clarifies the concepts studied in theory, and enriches the attractive of the learning process.

In advanced courses, each group of students can test their control program on the real house, under the teacher supervision. The teacher can also prepare some practical exercises for modifying small parts of the hardware (e.g. how to change a sensor, make an electrical connection, etc).

REFERENCES [1] Tavernier, C., "Montajes Domóticos", Paraninfo, 1991.

[2] Quinteiro, J. M. (et al). “Sistemas de control para viviendas y edificios”, Paraninfo, 1999.

[3] Mateos, F., “Simática 2.1”, Technical documentation from the investigation project, 2000.

[4] SIEMENS S.A., "Autómata programable S7-200. Configuración, instalación y datos de la CPU", 1996.

[5] SIEMENS S.A., "Software de programación para el S7-200 STEP7- Micro-WIN", 1999.