whoffman@jato.jpl.nasa.gov (Walt Hoffman) (11/29/90)
I recently bought a surplus GE Homeminder system which controls BSR X-10
modules. The system hooks up a television, uses a remote control to program
times for turn on/off and gives a graphical representation on-screen of the
state of each device. It also has a telephone connection to control modules
and leave messages from remote.
Everthing appears to work (video, telephone, memos, programming) but the
x-10 codes don't seem to be transmitted. I have examined all the solder
joints and checked the optos and transistors on the power board but to no
avail. I am figuring since the cpu is working fine, it is an interface
problem.
Is the any documentation available on the BSR/X-10 interface that I could
use to understand how the Homeminder is sending out the codes on the AC
line? I have my own ideas but if it is available somewhere I could sure
use the help.
--
Walt Hoffman -- Jet Propulsion Laboratory
whoffman@jato.jpl.nasa.gov or elroy!jato!whoffman@csvax.caltech.edu
Galileo Orbiter Engineering Team -- Real-Time Analyst
"Jupiter...it's not just a goal, it's an adventure."dave@dlb.uucp (Dave Buck) (11/30/90)
In article <1990Nov28.200654.29590@jato.jpl.nasa.gov> whoffman@jato.Jpl.Nasa.Gov (Walt Hoffman) writes: >I recently bought a surplus GE Homeminder system which controls BSR X-10 >modules. .... >Everthing appears to work (video, telephone, memos, programming) but the >x-10 codes don't seem to be transmitted. .... >Is the any documentation available on the BSR/X-10 interface that I could >use to understand how the Homeminder is sending out the codes on the AC >line? .... You don't state how you come to the conclusion that it doesn't send the codes. I can either assume you're experienced with X-10 devices, or that you're a novice. If you're the latter send me mail, we'll discuss it offline. If you're experienced, then I assume you've plugged some other X-10 controller into the same outlet and verified you don't have a basic problem. Basic problems include the device you're wanting to control being on a different 120v leg of your house wiring (fairly common problem), interference from wireless intercom (which also uses carrier current transmission), wrong house code selected, .... BSR/X-10 controllers use a proprietary circuit to transmit a serial message with pulses at the top of each AC cycle, I believe. And I seem to have read a technical description of the coding in the documentation included with the CP290 PC-programmable X-10 controller, which is not with me at the moment. -- Dave Buck {aeras,amdahl,ames,ardent,daver,netcom,sun,zygot}!dlb!dave D. L. Buck and Associates, Inc.; San Jose, California 95119; (408)972-2825
rick@ofa123.fidonet.org (Rick Ellis) (11/30/90)
On <Nov 28 20:06> Walt Hoffman writes:
WH> Is the any documentation available on the BSR/X-10 interface that I could
WH> use to understand how the Homeminder is sending out the codes on the AC
WH> line? I have my own ideas but if it is available somewhere I could sure
WH> use the help.
The X-10 coding scheme involves sending a carrier burst (about 35khz, I've
forgotten the exact number) or not sending a carrier burst at the zero crossing
of the 60hz line voltage.
--
Rick Ellis
Internet: rick@ofa123.fidonet.org
Compuserve: >internet:rick@ofa123.fidonet.org
BBS: 714 939-1041
--------------------------------------------------------------------------gny@doe.carleton.ca (George N. Yaremchuk) (12/01/90)
In <1990Nov28.200654.29590@jato.jpl.nasa.gov> whoffman@jato.jpl.nasa.gov (Walt Hoffman) writes: >I recently bought a surplus GE Homeminder system which controls BSR X-10 >modules. The system hooks up a television, uses a remote control to program >times for turn on/off and gives a graphical representation on-screen of the .... >use the help. >-- >Walt Hoffman -- Jet Propulsion Laboratory >whoffman@jato.jpl.nasa.gov or elroy!jato!whoffman@csvax.caltech.edu Radio Electronics published a project that uses and describes the BSR system. Check out 'Phonlink II' in the feb/march 1989 issues. GNY
markz@ssc.UUCP (Mark Zenier) (12/02/90)
In article <1733.2755C118@ofa123.fidonet.org>, rick@ofa123.fidonet.org (Rick Ellis) writes: | On <Nov 28 20:06> Walt Hoffman writes: | | WH> Is the any documentation available on the BSR/X-10 interface that I could | WH> use to understand how the Homeminder is sending out the codes on the AC | WH> line? I have my own ideas but if it is available somewhere I could sure | WH> use the help. | | The X-10 coding scheme involves sending a carrier burst (about 35khz, I've | forgotten the exact number) or not sending a carrier burst at the zero | crossing of the 60hz line voltage. 120 KHz, and there are pulses for each of the 3 possible phases, 120 degrees apart. See Circuit Cellar Ink #2, May/June 1988 Markz@ssc.uucp
rick@ofa123.fidonet.org (Rick Ellis) (12/04/90)
On <Dec 01 20:17> Mark Zenier writes:
MZ> there are pulses for each of the 3 possible phases, 120 degrees apart.
True, but only the one on the real zero crossing counts.
MZ> See Circuit Cellar Ink #2, May/June 1988
I have the real spec from X10 around here someplace, but since we moved to a
bigger office...
--
Rick Ellis
Internet: rick@ofa123.fidonet.org
Compuserve: >internet:rick@ofa123.fidonet.org
BBS: 714 939-1041
--------------------------------------------------------------------------whester@isis.cs.du.edu (William R. Hester) (12/12/90)
I remember an article, or series, in the magazine "Radio-Electronics" about a year or two (or longer...gee how time flies) ago. They had a project to interface with the BSR X-10 system and they explained the frequencies used and the addressing/command protocols. Sorry I can't be of more help...but as one ages, the mind turns to the consistency of strawberry Jello with banannas sunk to the bottom. -- Bill Hester, Ham Radio N0LAJ, Denver CO., USA | N0LAJ @ W0LJF.CO.USA.NA Please route replies to: whester@nyx.cs.du.edu or uunet!nyx!whester Public Access Unix @ University of Denver, Denver Colorado USA (no official affiliation with the above university)