|
What is X10, and what can you do with it?
X10 is a system for controlling mains appliances and lighting using signals
carried over mains power cables. X10 modules are available that replace ordinary
lightswitches, mains outlets, and pendant lamp holders. As well as being
controlled locally as normal, appliances can also be controlled remotely using
keypads, radio and infra-red remote controls, timers, and computer interfaces.
X10 can be used for many applications; here are a few examples.
- Extending a light with a single lightswitch to be controllable from two,
three or even more locations with no additional wiring.
- Switching lights on and off at set or random times, or opening and
closing blinds and curtains to give an illusion of occupancy when the house
is empty.
- Controlling groups of lights or appliances from a single switch point.
- Allowing lights and appliances to be controlled from outside the house.
Using Internet or telephone control allows control from any distance
from the house.
X10 principles
X10 works by carrying control signals over the domestic mains power wiring.
Because most houses are wired so that all power and lighting circuits originate
from the same point, a control device in one part of the house can control
appliances in another part. This means that controllers do not have to be wired
directly to appliances.
Control signals can be generated by various sources, including plug-in
controllers, radio and infra-red receivers, and computer interfaces. These
signals are detected by appliance and lamp controllers, among other things. The
X10 protocol also provides for a controller to determine the status (on or off)
of an appliance, although many appliance modules don't support this.
As all controllers and appliances are connected to the same mains wiring
system, how does the X10 system determine which device a particular control
signal should be directed to? Embedded in each X10 signal are a `house code' and
a `unit code'. Both of these can take values between 1 and 16. Each appliance or
lamp is set to respond to a single house code/unit code combination. The house
code was originally intended to allow adjacent houses to use X10 without
interfering with each other; this is necessary in theory because houses in the
same neighbourhood may share a connection to the power distribution system, so
that control signals can `bleed' from one to another. In the UK, where uptake of
X10 has not been widespread, the house code and unit code can both be used to
select which device to control. This means that a total of 256 devices can be
controlled independently in a given property.
Digital SLR
SLR means Single Lens Reflex .This are the ideal cameras for professional photographers. The invention of the DSLR and the SLR has led to photos and pictures that are of the highest quality. This new camera will offer the user more control and super photos that those of a normal digital camera. They are different than a standard or compact lens cameras. This is because they can be used with different lenses and filters. In addition, the camera flashes also maximize the capabilities of the Digital SLR cameras when in different conditions.
PS3 Games
Guide to Palystation3 Gaming Console
Play station 3 is definitely the gaming console of every gaming freak’s choice. Launched in 2005, this gaming wonder from the stable of Sony stands as a worldwide success that changed the way people watch gaming consoles. PS3 is the third home video game produced by Sony Computer Entertainment.
|
