Implementation of a home automation system through a central FPGA controller

Abstract

Technology advancements have made possible the implementation of embedded systems within home appliances. This has added new capabilities and features, however, most of the time, the implementations are proprietary and networking is not always possible. Yet there is an increasing demand for smart homes, where appliances react automatically to changing environmental conditions and can be easily controlled through one common device. This paper presents a possible solution whereby the user controls devices by employing a central Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) controller to which the devices and sensors are interfaced. Control is communicated to the FPGA from a mobile phone through its Bluetooth interface. This results in a simple, cost effective, and flexible system, making it a good candidate for future smart home solutions.