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Manhattan 2
Climate Change Solutions
Extend Computer Network to Windows, Doors, Ducts & Ceiling
Extend Computer Network to Windows, Doors, Ducts & Ceiling
In networking there is a term called "The Last Mile". This refers to how one routes internet data between communications buildings in a city and individual homes. The answer is typically cable modem or fiber. Yet what is more interesting today is how one routes power and data to the last 10 meters -- out to things like doors, windows, occupancy detectors in ceiling, fans/dampers in ducts.
New 7 Wire Cable (3 power, 4 automation & control)
We are already pulling 3-wire power cables from fuse box (e.g. in basement) to every electrical box. Adding 4 more wires to this cable does not involve significant additional cost. For example, 1000ft of 4wire 18gauge cable is only $220. Therefore, we can and should route power and data wires from a central location to every electrical box.
4Wire Bus to Every Door, Window, Ceiling & Duct
New 7 Wire Cable (3 power, 4 automation & control) routes to a central location (e.g. house basement) where we have Fuse Box and Automation Box. At this location, electrician separates cable with knife and routes 3 wires to one box and 4 to the other box. Building Brain in Automation Box Coordinates Devices.
The Building Brain
In the this illustration we have the fuse box on the left and the Automation Box on the right. The Automation Box contains the building "Brain". The Brain absorbs information and makes control decisions every 100mSec. Its primary goal is to reduce energy consumption while maintaining comfort.
Thermally Shut Down Rooms Not In Use
This bus allows us to gain thermal control over every room by closing and opening doors, adjusting window coverings, and adjusting fans and dampers inside ducts. Rooms not in use are thermally shut down. This involves Big energy savings.
$1 Tiny Nodes on 4Wire Cable
If there are 15 fuses in a house, for example, then one would have 15 of these 4wire networks. Each network (i.e. 4wire cable) can support dozens of nodes since they are wired in parallel. An example node (device) would be a small 1" x 1" PCB with $1 of electronics (e.g. XMC1100, $.58) that connects the 4wire bus to motors, switches and sensors.
Stop Ringing With Snail-like Signaling
Our nodes are configured more like Tree branches than nodes along a line. If one drives a Tree with a fast rise time (e.g. 15nSec), then reflections cause bit errors. If one slows down rise time, this goes away. Therefore we run a slow 10k bits/second per 4wire cable. This is ok with our application since it involves sending simple commands to tiny nodes (e.g. "open cloth curtain").
4Wire Cable At Each Electrical Box
The 4Wire cable routes to all electrical boxes which include a PCB at back wall. Top surface PCB facilitates wiring of 4 wire bus throughout building with 4 position screw terminal blocks. Bottom surface supports $1 node processor that measures things like temperature & power.
Typical Node PCB
Shown here is a typical $1 node. If one touches a 110/220VAC wire to an automation Pwr+- or Data+- wire for just a moment, it could permanently damage electronics if not protected against such a scenario. Subsequently, a low cost custom semiconductor protection device is required todisconnects from bus in event of overvoltage.
Automation Box
The automation box provides power to our $1 nodes ("devices"), interconnections between devices, a connection to the local area network, and internet access.
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