Home Automation Using ZigBee Technology

Abstract:
This paper focuses on the basics of Zigbee technologies, along with how we can use such technologies
to control our home electrical appliances. The main aim of the paper is to find out the average cost
estimation to setup this project. The project consist of the basic material such as arduino as a
microcontroller, Zigbee module and relay board, etc. and its market value. A specific example is been
included in this paper for more clear idea about the project.
Introduction to Zigbee:
[1] Zigbee is an IEEE 802.15.4-based specification for a suite of high-level communication protocols used
to create personal area networks with small, low-power digital radios, such as for home automation,
medical device data collection, and other low-power low-bandwidth needs, designed for small scale
projects which need wireless connection. Hence, Zigbee is a low-power, low data rate, and close proximity
(i.e., personal area) wireless ad hoc network.
The technology defined by the Zigbee specification is intended to be simpler and less expensive than
other wireless personal area networks (WPANs), such as Bluetooth or more general wireless networking
such as Wi-Fi. Applications include wireless light switches, home energy monitors, traffic management
systems, and other consumer and industrial equipment that requires short-range low-rate wireless data
transfer.
Its low power consumption limits transmission distances to 10–100 meters line-of-sight, depending on
power output and environmental characteristics.[1] Zigbee devices can transmit data over long distances
by passing data through a mesh network of intermediate devices to reach more distant ones. Zigbee is
typically used in low data rate applications that require long battery life and secure networking (Zigbee
networks are secured by 128 bit symmetric encryption keys.) Zigbee has a defined rate of 250 kbit/s, best
suited for intermittent data transmissions from a sensor or input device.

Methodology:
In figure 1 block diagram shows basic design of the circuit. This circuit consist of arduino as a
microcontroller which comes into many types one of them which we are using is arduino mega 2560
which has 54 digital input/output pins and 12 analog input/output pins. That means this microcontroller
is capable enough to control 54 digital devices through relay board using 54 digital pins, as well as 12
analog devices by analog pins. Another module which we are here using is Zigbee module which based on
IEEE 802.15.2 series 2. This module is used as a transmitter and receiver for this project. This project also
consist of some relay module to use it as a switch to provide electric appliances Ac voltage with the help
of arduino as a controlling unit. The block diagram for the general overview is been mention in figure 1
below.
Figure 1: Basic Home Automation Block diagram
At transmitter section we are using pushbutton to control the on and off state of the electrical appliances
and here Zigbee is used as a transmitter. If we want to control the brightness of the light or want to control
the speed of the motor or temperature of the air conditioning unit we can add the potentiometer at the
transmitter section for each electrical appliances which costs around 0.14 usd for each potentiometer. We
can call it as a remote section therefore no AC supply is needed. This unit will be under the user’s control.
The number of switches will be directly proportional to the number of electrical appliances we want to
control and hence the total cost may change accordingly but not more than 1 or 2 dollar. Figure 2 shows
the basic model of the remote section at user’s end.
Figure 2: Transmitter section with user
At the home there will be a unit which will receive all the data send by the user through remote. At this
end the number of relays will be directly proportional to the number of electrical appliances we want to
control. The cost in the bill of material is for 8 channel relay board so the cost will not hamper up to the 8
appliances but further it will increase accordingly. Here Zigbee is used as a receiver module. This unit is
stationary as it is at the home and connected to the electrical appliances this circuit required the ac supply.

Figure 3: Receiver section at Home

In order to control volume, speed, temperature, etc. We need H bridge module or MOSFET to control the
data in accurate manner. The basic circuit is shown below in figure 4 id for DC operation and if the
appliance is AC then it is shown in figure 5. In figure 4 instead of inductive load our electrical appliance
will be connected.

Figure 4: Arduino with MOSFET If the Appliance is DC.

Figure 4: Arduino with MOSFET and TRIAC If the Appliance is AC. [2]

Bill Of Material

SR NO. Name Of component Quantity Price Per Module Total Price (In
(In USD) USD)
Zigbee XBee Module S2C 802.15.4
1 2 14.16 28.32

2 Arduino Microcontroller 2 4.32 8.64

 3 Relay Board 1 8.32 8.32

4 Keypad 1 1.43 1.43

5 AAA Batteries 4 0.51 3.03

TOTAL 6 28.23 49.74

Table 1: Bill of material

Home Appliance Consist Of As Follows

1 Lights 8 TV
9 Automatic Window
2 Fans
Air conditioner 10 Water Pump
3
11 Other Home appliances
4 Refrigerator
Ovens
5
Automatic Gate
6

7 Automatic Door

Table 2: Home Appliances

If we want to control the speed, intensity of light, or volume or temperature of the air conditioner
then we have to add this table 3 amount to the original amount from the table 1.

SR NO. Name Of component Quantity Price Per Module

(In USD)
TRIAC Module
1 1 0.22

2 MOSFET 1 0.61

3 DIODE 1 0.072

4 Power TRIAC 1 1.44

Table 3: Bill of material optional

References:
1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zigbee
2] http://forum.arduino.cc/index.php?topic=271276.0