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Introduction
Powerline Control
Systems makes a line of devices that communicate with their
Universal
Powerline Bus (UPB)
protocol, not X-10. It is possible to use these devices with HomeVision
and HomeVision-Pro versions 3.4 and higher. This is done using the new
"custom lighting" feature added in version 3.4.
Requirements for Use
You must have the following to use the
UPB devices:
 | A UPB Powerline Interface Module (PIM) with firmware version 4.15 or higher. This
version provides a “Message Mode” that is required for use with HomeVision.
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| An unused HomeVision or HomeVision-Pro serial port to
connect the PIM to. For HomeVision, the use
of an add-on HomeVision-Serial or HomeVision-Phone/Serial device is strongly
recommended. For HomeVision-Pro, ports 3 or
4 are recommended, although a HomeVision-Phone/Serial add-on device can also
be used. The PIM requires that the serial
port’s “DTR” line tied be to 5V, which the HomeVision and HomeVision-Pro
serial ports do not do. Contact Custom
Solutions, Inc. to obtain a serial port that can support the PIM or
read instructions in the file below for modifying an existing port.
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| UPB software to configure the UPB devices. The software, such as UPStart, should be
provided by your UPB supplier. |
| HomeVision or HomeVision-Pro version 3.4 or higher.
This requires both a version 3.4 PROM
installed in the unit, as well as the 3.4 PC software. |
| The HomeVision schedule file
“UPB control.haf” and a “RampRates.txt” file. The schedule file contains
pre-written UPB macros. The “Control Macro”
runs whenever a UPB command is performed. The
“Receive Macro” runs whenever a UPB message is received. These
macros perform the serial interface commands needed to communicate with the
PIM. The “RampRates.txt” file tells
HomeVision what ramp rates the UPB devices support. These
files are provided by Custom Solutions, Inc. and are available below. |
Download Instructions and Required Files
You can download all the UPB information in
this single zipped file:
UPB.zip (dated 21 April 2006)
There are five files inside the compressed
file, two of which you can also view without downloading:
| "UPB", which describes how to use the
UPB devices with HomeVision and HomeVision-Pro. |
| "Custom Lighting", which describes how
the custom lighting feature works. This is provided for additional
information - it isn't necessary for you to read this. |
| “HomeVision serial port modifications for UPB.pdf”, which
contains instructions for modifying a serial port to support the UPB PIM. |
| “UPB Control.haf”, which is a schedule file that
contains the macros you'll need to copy into your own schedule. |
| “RampRates.txt”, which is used by the software to define the ramp rates
that UPB devices can use. |
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