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Wanted Guidance for a Hobby Project - iSwitch

Ravi Hegde
Note: This was originally posted on 8th November 2011 at http://forums.arm.com

Here is some detailed explanation about the project I am plannign to do in iSwitch.

iSwitch is aiming at controlling the Home Appliances through an intelligent networked system.

First stage
Communication path: Switch ---> Device

- A touchscreen with a Tablet sized display, having icons like switches.
- Touch will be communicated through CAN bus or RS232, to the device, activating a miniature relay, which in turn controls the device.
  (Attached pdf of miniature relay intended to use. Please suggest if there is a good alternative)

Next stage 
Communication path: Switch ---> Central Controller ---> Device

- Centralizing the control of all the switches, by connecting all individual switches to a Master Central Controller.
-  Touch will be communicated through CAN bus or RS232, to the central controller, and this in turn activating a miniature relay of the device.
- Interconnected switches - i.e controlling the switch in one room through other room.

Further stage -
Provision to connect to internet, to control devices from remote place as well.
- Replacing CAN bus / RS232 to Central Controller and to the Devices with a Wireless Module, to make the switch more flexible. 


For this switch, I am planning to add Features like-
- Provision to set sreensavers, like in mobile/computers.
- Provision to install Gadgets, like Calender / Contact Book / Calculator / Games.
- Provision to connect switch board to internet.- Provision to add FM radios.
- Provision to add USB drives, for playing mp3/videos.
- Provision for intercom. 


I am planning to port Linux to ARM and using Android for these application development.

For Cortex A8, I could find U-Boot and Linux Images in http://arm.com/commu...ement/linux.php but Filesystem is not available here. Please guide me for selection of a right Processor (and also a Development kit), for which pre-built Bootloaders, Linux kernel images and Filesystems are available for making the Linux porting, as I am new to all these topics, and don't want to struck up in between for a long time.


Thanks a lot for your guidance.


With Greatfulness,
Hegde
  • Note: This was originally posted on 8th November 2011 at http://forums.arm.com

    Hi Alban,

    I found the article Zero to Boot very informative, but not tried on-board. I will make the attempt.

    And also, the information about the dev boards is also very useful.

    About the CAN and RS232 - I made a decision to go for it because of its length of communication. Not yet sure which one is more practical for my project.




    Thanks a lot for your information.

    Regards,

    Hegde.

  • Note: This was originally posted on 8th November 2011 at http://forums.arm.com

    Hi Hedge,
    I could advise you to have a look at an article dedicated to what you're trying to achieve:About the dev board, you really have so many that thinking about making a list here is a bit unthinkable...
    You'd have the usual suspects with Raspberry Pi, BeagleBoard/PandaBoard, Freescale i.MX, ST SPEAr...

    I saw no attachment. I like CAN buses, but I'm biased towards them . Still I find them to be an interesting tool to learn.

    Kindly,
    Alban
  • Note: This was originally posted on 8th November 2011 at http://forums.arm.com

    Hi Hedge,
    If you talk practicality communication between only two nodes, RS232 would definitely be easier.
    CAN would be good if you want to learn and would like to extend your project to different nodes. Also has a better robustness...
    Enjoy,
    Alban