ABB launches new wireless home automation solutions

Whilst wandering the halls at ISE 2017 in Amsterdam, Voltimum was fortunate to get a glimpse of some of the new wireless devices added to the ABB-free@home home automation system.

Whilst wandering the halls at ISE 2017 in Amsterdam, Voltimum was fortunate to get a glimpse of some of the new wireless devices added to the ABB-free@home home automation system.

Until now, ABB-free@home has been, predominantly, a wired system, with sensors and actuators communicating via a 2-wire bus line. The system can be commissioned to control blinds, lights, heating, air-conditioning and door communication systems in a client’s house with control achieved using an app, logic functions and voice commands.

Communication between the new wireless devices is achieved via radio frequency and offers the same level of functionality as the wired ones, removing the necessity of connecting a bus cable which can be intrusive for clients in retrofit scenarios. The commissioning of all components is conducted through the same interfaces used with the wired system – either through an ordinary web browser or the ABB-free@home App.

Together with existing wired components of ABB-free@home, the new wireless devices form a seamless system: The new wireless products can either be installed completely independent or combined with products that require a bus cable to create a mixed installation.

The benefits of mesh networking

A challenge facing all installers of wireless home automation systems is to ensure that all components in the system can reliably communicate with each other. this is particularly problematic in larger properties, especially across multiple floors.

ABB have addressed this challenge by incorporating a mesh network topology.

Every free@home wireless device with a mains supply is designed to automatically work as a repeater, extending the coverage of the wireless network to its maximum ensuring that even the switch on the last floor is reached and executes its commands appropriately and reliably.

In a mesh network, all participants communicate with one another. Either directly, if they are within range, or indirectly (via another or several other nodes) if they are not. The free@home network uses a routing process where the system automatically determines the most efficient way to send a message from one point in the network to the correct receiver. This process is implemented on an ongoing basis so that the system can also react to subsequent changes e.g. in the event of individual devices failing, new devices being added or constructional changes that impair the reception.