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The X10 Protocol



See this link below for information on the protocol for CM11 or CM12

X10 Protocol for CM11 and CM12

More details below:
CM11,CM11A or CM12 Protocol

Download a VB.Net program (the source) for switching X10 devices with the CM12, CM11 or CM11a

Key words: Speech recognition,smart house,windows media player,X10,CM12,CM11,CM11a,mp3 player,search files,voice activated,aids for the disabled.

This software may be freely used, copied and redistributed without fee for non-commerical purposes provided that the source is referenced on all copies. There is no warranty or other guarantee of fitness of this software. It is provided solely "as is". The author disclaims all responsibility and liability with respect to this software's usage and its effect upon hardware or computer systems.

Welcome to the Massey University speech project. This page concerns the X10 protocol which is commonly used world-wide for switching lights and home automation. I could not find a .Net example for switching the CM12, or CM11a (maybe the CM11). This simple example can be used for switching and dimming a light that uses the X10 devices. This is a simple version of the protocol and does not include checksum testing. Maybe somebody who has more time can look into this. The X10 system was invented in Scotland (where else!) by a man called Campbell in 1980. It is an ingenius system which works without any extra house wiring by adding a high frequency sine-wave just at the zero-crossing of the mains frequency (50 or 60Hz). The only other programs I could find for X10 on this were in VB6. There is an excellent library for VB.Net available at the Brian Vallelunga link below:
X10 Library for VB.NET

Some of you may wish to look at PERL as a free alternative. You can install PERL on a PC (or Linux) and drive the serial port in a similar fashion. This has the added advantage of making the system web based if required.

How to use PERL on X10 devices


A PERL Method of control for a SmartHouse

X10 switching devices are available just about everywhere nowadays. If you live here in New-Zealand you can get yours at this URL.
New-Zealand X10 Supplier


Tel: +64 9 414 0800 ext 9805
Mail me at .... :t.j.moir@massey.ac.nz
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