How-To
Updated February 5, 2007 06:00 PST
Introduction to xPLZWave
ControlThink's .net PC SDK has allowed software developers
to create innovative applications at very little cost. Check
out xPLZWave.
By David Powell
Until recently the development of Z-Wave applications was
only possible by those who purchased extremely expensive
developer kits. This has made the adoption of Z-Wave a little
slow among the software community. The times have changed.
In 2006 ControlThink
LC, a member of the Z-Wave alliance, introduced several
new products including its .net PC SDK. The .net PC SDK
has allowed developers like Mal Lansell of xplmonkey.com
to create innovative applications at very little cost. Case
in point: xPL.
What is xPL? xPL is a open protocol designed specifically
for home automation. Much like the HTTP protocol that allows
web browsers and web servers to interact with each other,
xPL is a well defined set of rules that permits the control
and monitoring of home automation devices.
xPL(eXtremely simPle ProtocoL) lives up to its name
by providing a lightweight language definition (a protocol
designed to be compact for efficiency and not complex) for
controlling your home automation devices over a network.
What is xPLZWave? xPLZWave is software that combines
the power of the ControlThink .net PC SDK with the open
xPL protocol. This means more flexibility and complete control
of your Z-Wave network. Home automation applications that
support the xPL protocol can now communicate with your devices
to control and monitor their status. In addition, USB controllers
no longer need to be tied to a single home automation application.
For example you could use
xPLMCE for controlling your lighting devices through
a rich graphical interface while using
xPLHal for the advanced logic of your system. Once up
and running you will have full control over your Z-Wave
network. Your USB controller will no longer be bound to
one application. Multiple home automation applications can
send and receive xPL commands for controlling your devices.
Mal Lansell is a computer game programmer whose work includes
"Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Wererabbit"
and "The Thing." He was inspired to write xPLZWave
after trying out of X10. "The frequently failed commands,
the inability to specify a precise level of dimming, and
the horrible half-second lag between pressing the switch
and something happening," drove Lansell to look for
a better solution. While researching ZigBee he stumbled
across Z-Wave which he found to be a reasonably priced solution.
The only downside to Z-Wave for Lansell is the lack of devices
available in Europe.
In order to ensure that xPLZWave software will be robust,
Lansell had to plan carefully. "The xPL side of things
is based on the C++ xPL SDK that I wrote a couple years
ago," he says. (The source
code is available for download from Lansell's site.)
"It forms the core of all the xPL applications I have
written and has proved to be extremely reliable. On the
Z-Wave side, the ControlThink SDK has been thoroughly tested
during an extensive beta program, and is very stable,"
he says.
What's New?
GUI
for Advanced Configuration
xPLZWave comes with a windows GUI that lets you view devices
in your network and configure the behavior of your network.
USB Controller as Primary
No more replicating the handheld remote to your USB controller.
The .net PC SDK comes with Intermatics USB Controller. This
is the recommended controller for xPLZWave. However, an
ACT HomePro USB controller will also work. By using the
Intermatic controller you will be able to take advantage
of using the small USB stick as your primary Z-Wave controller.
This makes adding, relocating, and removing devices from
your Z-Wave network as simple as pointing and clicking.
Configuration
of Device Parameters
Many devices have parameters that can be modified to change
the behavior of the device. Perhaps you would like to change
the minimum and maximum levels of your dimmer switches.
You can now do this using the xPLZWave configuration tool.
Rediscover a Device
Sometimes you may want to move a device from one location
to another. This often messes up the routing tables and
causes your network to slow down. With xPLZWave you have
the option of rediscovering that device. This comes in handy
when you want to move a plug-in module.
Replace Failed Device
Z-Wave devices are electronic and although they should
last many years they could possibly fail. The replace failed
device command will allow you to retain the same node ID
for that device. This will be a lifesaver when you have
advanced logic in your home automation system. You won't
have to rewrite all of your events and scripts.
What's Next?
I have only highlighted a few of the many features available
from xPLZWave. To learn more about xPLZWave visit www.xplmonkey.com/zwave.html.
Here you will find a complete set of instructions for installing
and using the software. There will be a slight learning
curve but don't get discouraged. Join
the xPLZwave discussion online to more support. In addition,
because ControlThink is involved in certifying Z-Wave devices
they usually receive new devices before the general public.
This gives them an upper hand at supporting new device types.
Devices such as window treatments, which are not on the
market, are already supported in xPLZWave as a result of
using the .net PC SDK.
____________________________________________________________________
A frequent contributor to cocoontech.com, David Powell
holds a B.A. in computers and information science from University
of Maryland. He started his home automation project with
a HomeSeer to automate his Z-Wave lighting and has since
grown his system into 25+ Z-Wave devices controlled by the
CQC software. He holds a Home Automation license, which
qualifies him to install Z-Wave devices in residential structures.
