Issue link: https://resources.mouser.com/i/1442778
• A master controller comprised of a proprietary or a general- purpose computer acts as the central hub of the system. The master controller contains the monitoring and control software and communicates in a wired or wireless mode with a variety of input and output devices, smart devices, and appliances, sensors, actuators, and local controllers. The master controller can also be connected to the home computer network to enable remote access and control smart devices and appliances from outside of the home. • One or more local controllers communicate in a wired or wireless mode with nearby smart devices and sensors, and wirelessly pass data and commands to and from the master controller. Each local controller acts as a miniature hub for the nearby smart devices and sensors, which may be confined to certain rooms, areas, or floors of a house. • One or more input modules comprised of switches, touchpads, or microphones are dedicated to the home automation system, or there could be individual smartphones or tablets that contain applications which communicate directly with the master controller through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or the internet. • One or more smart sensors provide data and information to the controllers. This information includes anything measurable, such as temperature, humidity, light levels, video, sound, and proximity or intrusion. The master controller receives this information and processes it for decision-making, display, or storage. • One or more smart devices are controlled by commands from the controllers. These smart devices can be thermostats, servomotors (to open and close blinds or operate locks), solenoids and switches, lights, audio-visual equipment, and appliances. Challenges The various means by which elements of a home automation system connect and communicate include device-to-device, device-to-cloud, device-to-gateway, and back-end data sharing. In each of these communication modes, smart devices within a home automation system connect and communicate directly with each other, with an internet cloud, or with applications in a wired mode (e.g., Ethernet) or wirelessly, using certain protocols, such as Bluetooth, Z-Wave, or ZigBee. The numerous types and methods for implementing home automation systems present certain hardware challenges for interconnecting the various system components. To ensure seamless and reliable connectivity among devices, home automation components and devices must adhere to several requirements. They must be compatible with the various communication protocols, including Ethernet, Bluetooth ® , and Wi-Fi wireless connectivity. To simplify installation and use, the hardware must be compact and properly engineered and manufactured to be cost-effective and facilitate assembly and use. Furthermore, the hardware must be reliable and ruggedized for handling environmental loads (e.g., temperature, water, humidity, and shock and vibration) that consumer products are routinely subjected to throughout their useful lives. These requirements are applicable to home automation components and interconnect products. Molex Solutions From capacitive switches and LED displays to antennas and USB connectors, an extensive Molex portfolio supports a wide range of modern home applications. Antennas Antennas are required to enable wireless communication among controllers and smart devices in home automation systems. For example, a typical wireless home security system may require several dozen devices with built-in antennas to sense intrusion, send and receive video and audio data, and open and close locks, doors, or gates. Molex Wi-Fi-ready MID Chip and Ceramic SMT Antennas are compact, high performing, and available in multiple form factors for all common antenna protocols and frequencies used in home automation systems (Figure 2). Figure 1: Home automation system block diagram. (Source: Molex) Figure 2: Molex antenna products. (Source: Molex) 6