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The Home Automation Association puts forth the following definition for HA: “Home Automation is defined as a process or system (using different methods or equipment) which provides the ability to enhance one's lifestyle, and make a home more comfortable, safe, and efficient. Home automation can link lighting, entertainment, security, telecommunications, heating, and air conditioning into one centrally controlled system.”
Although many will not endorse the "one centrally controlled system" concept as opposed to decentralized systems, it is interesting to note that, according to this definition, an HA system links different home subsystems, e.g., lighting, entertainment, telecommunications, etc., that might otherwise be unrelated. Ariane Controls believes this definition should emphasize that "automation" essentially means control, and consequently that "Home Control" is an equivalent concept.
HA is different from Home Networking, the latter being dedicated to data communication. It is true that HA may use one or more networks to link devices and sub-systems, but this control network is still physically different from data networks. HA networks are designed to carry very small amounts of control information, while data networks are designed to carry large amounts of data, generally at the highest possible speed. HA networks may be built from low-voltage dedicated wiring, e.g. twisted pair, or may use the home's existing wiring: power lines. A third option is a wireless network: IR or RF.
PLC is an essential technology for HA, because it enables the installation of a control-oriented communication network without the need to tear down walls in order to install dedicated wiring. PLC is less expensive than IR and RF solutions. Moreover, the PLM-1 technology itself resolves all the difficulties associated with networking. OEMs can easily and rapidly design powerful products with the PLM-1 technology because the PLM-1 IC includes a complete set of powerful networking functions, relieving the designer from low-level tedious networking details, and offering powerful networked-products to the end-user.
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