Power line communication for home automation in low income households

Abstract

The aim of this study is to design a Home Automation system by interfacing Power Line Communication (PLC) with GSM communication which would enable the user to control appliances by sending commands via SMS. A communication model based on Star Topology is utilized in this home automation system which can be scaled at a low cost. The communication system facilitates secured communication by using BlumGoldwasser cryptosystem. The communication system employs a master Central Control System placed at the switch board and slave receiver nodes in household appliances. This system was planned from the outset to make as simpler and cost effective as possible so that it would be affordable to more households in low income countries. The system was tested in a lab environment at a maximum distance of 20 m and the operation was verified. Subsequently, Signal levels were obtained at different distances and the maximum operating distance was calculated to be 30 m.