The Smart Household Automation industry in the Combined Arab Emirates (UAE) has been growing rapidly since its dawn over the last decades. The market is becoming more and more alert to the capabilities of having an extensive automation system, whether within the scale of individual households, palaces, real estate developments, in addition to hotels. Many products with Dubai and Abu Dhabi have already been completed with a pre-installed automation system. Many improvements in areas like Wining Heights, Arabian Ranches, Activities City, and Reem Area have also been built with infrastructure to guide such technologies in the future.
Automation involves systems that control Lights, Appliances, HVAC, and Curtains, along with Multimedia. The market in the UAE has not only begun to appreciate the benefits in terms of comfort, safety measures, and luxury. But also regarding energy saving and increasing property or home value, thus all these realizations will continue to lead to some booming market in the UAE.
As automation is relative to new technology in the well-known market, one must be aware of the countless underlying technologies which connect and allow for the interaction between a user and the Lighting Dimming Systems or Air conditioner Systems. On the surface, this technology may seem to lead to the same functionality, but in the back end, they are different in possibly catastrophic ways. This prospects us to the reason why all of us started composing this article, which is to shed light on the pros and cons of the different technologies (regardless of involving a product or vendor) available in the UAE market right now.
Any automation system consists of 2 high-level components, the controller and the modules. Typically the modules include light dimmers, relay switches, thermostats, power-driven curtain control systems, sent-out speakers.. etc . which are controlled by the homeowner. The remote is the heart of the technique from which signals are brought to “Dim the lights” or even “turn on the air conditioning.” The method of communication between the controller and the modules would be the Automation Communication Technology we wish to address in this post. The form of communication can be through wires or even wireless and are usually consistent with specific protocols or requirements of communication. This article will discover and compare KNX, X10, Zigbee, En-Ocean, and Z-wave.
The criteria for evaluation which we will explore would be the following:
Reliability of Conversation: How reliable is the conversation between the Controller and the Segments? When a message is delivered to a module, the system needs to make sure of the message’s arrival as well as confirmation of receipt. Rating nicely in this criteria is essential to ensure that even underwired or cordless interference, letters are the latest until confirmed by the acquiring module. Not all protocols abide by this requirement.
Security involving Communication: The protocol has to guarantee that a 3rd party cannot gain access to an existing system and handle it with unauthorized gain access. The results of a hacker coming into a parking lot of a lodge and turning all their lights off are regrettable.
Price
Features and Functions: It is essential that automation technological innovation goes beyond just controlling specific modules and have the capability to assimilate with other systems, most normally entertainment since that is the of high usage of any property owner. Example: Easy Integration along with Multi-room Music Systems, Multi-room multimedia distribution systems (Movies, Videos, Pictures, Music)… and so on
Investment Protection: It is essential to ensure that installed Controllers or Segments can be easily replaced later on. Consider having established a method that has some components fall short after 5 years, and the company which installed it probably is bankrupt. The homeowner will be left with no choice but to completely revamp the entire electrical power system in residence, which will cost more in time, labor, as well as equipment than what was initially paid for the automation program. Having a system that is standard means that any other company supports it or replaces specific parts with different products, perhaps from different vendors, to be able to ensure continued operation.
Interoperability: This criterion refers to the capacity of the Controller to speak to several Modules from different producers. This will ensure that a system comprised of Lighting, HVAC, Drapes, Appliances, and Multimedia Manage Modules that are purchased from various manufacturers which are the best or even most specialized in those areas. This ensures that a system has the best-in-class Modules for every particular purpose. It is not rational that the best manufacturer of sunshine dimmers is also the best producer of curtain control techniques or audio systems. A few communication protocols are shut or proprietary, thus making the customer purchase everything from just one manufacturer. This criteria additionally overlaps with the Investment Safety Criteria since having an excellent interoperable system will give upcoming flexibility to easily replace Segments even if the company which set up them has closed straight down.
The remainder of this document will undoubtedly address each communication technology based on the above criteria.
KNX
KNX is an international regular of communication typically set up in wired, twisted couple environments. KNX was developed in 1990 and was made to be a very robust protocol as you see fit in industrial automation apps. The protocol’s reliability should not be questioned since it implements a lot of OSI communication layers which is quite complex. KNX is usually controlled by the KNX association, and any company usually spends a considerable number of dirhams on their employees to travel training to understand the inside workings of the system. KNX is a complex protocol, of course, and was designed before the “smart home” strategy was born. Thus the computer hardware that has the capability to support typically the complexity of KNX is usually expensive not only to engineer but additionally to manufacture. Thus, the actual hope for this technology to be cheaper than its present alternatives is futile.
KNX has and is a popular choice for hotels since 2006, and it has been deployed in many advancements, such as the Shangri-la in China, Rotana Hotels in the Flota, Fairmont, and Movenpick, to name a few. KNX is also being specified through many real estate consultants about significant developments in the Abu Dhabi Reem Island and Yas Island.
Reliability associated with Communication: Yes
Security associated with Communication: Yes
Price: Absolutely no
Features and Capabilities: Number KNX has been more focused on the simple facility of automating and typically fits in resort environments where customization, as well as multimedia integration, is not essential.
Investment Protection: Yes
Interoperability: Yes
X10
X10 can be an international open standard designed in 1975 by Aguja Electronics of Scotland to allow remote control of property devices and appliances. The idea primarily uses the 220Vpower line wiring for giving messages between the Controller plus the Modules (Lighting, HVAC… etc).
X10 had only receyved some popularity many years before when automation technology started being introduced in the UAE. And was typically mounted in small villa jobs, then was slowly terminated due to its reliability issues.
Stability of Communication: No. As it is prone to interference coming from multiple sources like réformers, motors typically found in Tv sets, washing machines, fans… etc. Furthermore, messages from Controller to be able to access Modules are never acknowledged; thus, there is no 2-way communication.
Safety of Communication: No. If the 3rd party can tap into the particular powerline of a house, information can quickly be sent to control no matter what 3rd party wishes.
Price: Of course
Features and Capabilities: Without a doubt. This technology can easily be incorporated into PC-based systems, and plenty of options are available to provide attribute-rich capabilities for domestic applications.
Investment Protection: Without a doubt
Interoperability: Yes
Zigbee
ZigBee is an open wireless multilevel communication protocol based on the IEEE specification IEEE 802. 18. 4, which enables often the Controller to communicate with it and has the Modules via Radio Consistency. The standard is a development of often the ZigBee Alliance, which was created at the end of 2002. Pricey industry alliance of more than 230 enterprises that take up often the worldwide development of this technological know-how. The first ZigBee products followed on the market beginning in June 2006. Because Zigbee standardized the lower protocol layers (radio layer) solely, the different manufacturers defined their own higher program layers. As a result, ZigBee units of different manufacturers are not appropriate for each other.
Reliability of Connection: Yes. A wireless mesh community is created and ensures numerous path routing to every component, which translates to long get-to and high reliability in case there is interference or even in case of in-path device failure.
Security regarding Communication: No. Zigbee makes use of weak hashing algorithms and possesses been researched to be penetrable. Penetration is not easy, but submission software such as “Killerbee” exist and will allow any person with tiny Linux and scripting knowledge to hack into a pre-existing Zigbee network.
Price: Simply no
Features and Capabilities: Of course
Investment Protection: Yes
Interoperability: No
En-Ocean
EnOcean is a wireless radio frequency-centered, energy-harvesting technology applied primarily in building automation of tasks systems. It is not set out regarding international, European, or state standardization; however, EnOcean GmbH is offering its technology in addition to licenses for the patented attributes under license within the EnOcean Alliance framework. The concept got its start by enabling batteryless sensors in addition to switches for building task automation. This is questionable in terms of economics because existing alternatives can certainly consume as little as 500W for every 60-story tower with automation devices.
EnOcean primarily based technologies have been installed in many big projects such as the Abu Dhabi Central Market, often the Dubai Financial Center… and so forth
Reliability of Communication: Not any, En-Ocean does not offer 2-way communication between the Controller, and it is Modules. Also, the Controlled is at a star multilevel with the Modules, and there is no wireless meshing; this one-to-one signal mapping can greatly fail in times of high disturbance.
Security of Communication: Without a doubt
Price: No, En-Ocean selling prices are more aligned with KNX.
Features and Capabilities: Number Supported but not yet affecting the market.
Investment Protection: Without a doubt
Interoperability: Yes
Z-wave
Of all the above protocols, the Z-wave position is the best so far. The strength of Z-wave lies in the big number of different solutions from different manufacturers in addition to the very robust, 2-way, meshed, and secured wireless transmission. Z-wave chips also take a 10mW at the summit and are low cost compared to all alternatives. Why? Because Z-wave has been initially designed for domestic applications.
Z-wave is viewed as the newly released Smart Home Technological know-how, and product lines have begun to emerge from big players like Honeywell and Schneider Electric powered. This technology is not only characteristic completely reliable and protected. Still, it will be offered at aggressive prices and investment defense for projects of virtually any size, starting with individual demeure to sizeable real estate podiums. As of today, Z-wave has been implemented in many villas in the UAE on a personal scale. Z-wave is also starting to make its way using many of the large tenders regarding developments throughout the Emirates.
Stability of Communication: Yes
Safety of Communication: Yes
Selling price: Yes
Features and Features: Yes
Investment Protection: Of course
Interoperability: Yes
Shifra Wise Homes is a Smart Home remedies provider based out of the Lebanon Internet City in the UAE. With a focus on user knowledge, Shifra Smart Homes will be creating a revolution in the home automation of tasks industry by bridging the field of distributed media (music, images, videos, and movies) together with sophisticated control systems regarding lighting, appliances, curtains, security and safety, air conditioning, IR systems, in addition to multi-room audio.
For more information.
Read also: Realizing the potential of Your Facebook Fan Page
