ioBridge and the X10 CM11/CM12 (via serial module)

[nathanknz]

I see there has been some discussion about using the ioBridge to control the X10 CM11/CM12 interfaces via the serial module.

Has anyone successfully done this? I believe it just a matter of sending the right commands down the serial line. If no one has done it yet, I'll do the research.

If it works successfully and reliably, how much work is it for the ioBridge team to add 'X10 via Serial' to the widget wizard? I'm more than happy to assist with serial comms and testing etc.

[jason]

I think whitehexagon might be able to help you out.  I think that is how his system works:

http://www.iobridge.net/forum/index.php/topic,518.0.html

[zero*gx]

your link to white hexagon is broken for us non-admins. the permissions set block us from seeing profiles

[iobridge]

Fixed.

[whitehexagon]

Summary: CM11 is possibly being discontinued so my work is on hold.

Details:
The CM11 serial interface spec is kicking around on the net, including wiring.  The cable required is smaller than the XM10.  But I just hacked the cable that comes with the CM11 (serial cable not usb).  I wrote some Java code to test it, but had problems with spurious messages.  I then attached it to an Arduino and wrote some code using both soft serial (2 versions) and hard serial for communicating with the device.  Eventually I was able to make some sense of the protocol, but I was still getting extra characters being sent.  Tip: there are also quite often some ‘device lost power messages’ that need to be responded to and I think battery things too.

Next I hooked up the CM11 -> arduino ->  ioBridge SB.  The reason for this is a bit complicated.  Basically the CM11 protocol is quite chatty.  Currently the ioBridge doesn’t support response messages on the Serial API.  So when you receive a message you need a variable serial message widget to be able to send the response.  So I tried to use the arduino as an interceptor.  The whole thing was a bit fragile, so I decided to wait and see if the ioBridge crew will support response message on the Serial API. There was also talk at the of ioBridge implementing something 2 way.   Then I found out the CM11 had been pulled anyway.  The replacement part is USB based which means starting from scratch again.  Sure I can buy a USB->serial board, and request the extended protocol docs, but I’m starting to realise that this is going to be well beyond most of my targeted client base.

I think for this to work properly it would be better as a smartboard talking to the X10PRO-PSC05 or the CM15Pro (recommended CM11 replacement).  Or even the existing supported XM10 which the ioBridge x10 SB currently talks too, is a 2-way interface.  So maybe it could be a firmware update?

[irkgreen]

Hey guys,

I'm interested in use an atmeg8 chip to take the ioBridge's DO (in serial mode) and use it in my project. I was wondering if you would be willing to share the code that reads this protocol so that I didn't have to reinvent it.  I'm going to be using an atmega8 (small size version of the 186) so the code should be for the most part a match, as long as I use the same pins and port to read the data.

I could buy the serial module and then use the Tx, RTS and Rx pins to accomplish the same but it seems like this would be redundant.  I don't mean to sidestep the purchase of the serial but i think it can really keep my project less complex.

Thanks!