Welcome to my 1-Wire Project web site!
This site was created to discuss and organize my efforts in creating solutions with 1-Wire devices and conserve resources at home.
What would you think about a system that could monitor every major appliance, lights, heating and cooling and could provide real-time and historical energy costs via your home intranet? (and I do it all at the fuse box!)
What about controlling your sprinkler system and attic fans (if you have any) from your home intranet?
What about a system that could "turn off" parts of your home at night and/or during the day where phantom/parasite power exist? (I also do this at the fuse box)
That's exactly what I've set out to do!
1Wire from Dallas Semiconductor (Maxim-IC) is by far THE MOST powerful micro-network control system that exists!
I'm creating a family of boards around 1-Wire devices that can easily monitor and control just about everything in your house! (and I don't use X10)
You must read about my experience with my kitchen refrigerator!
Note: Recently updated the "Software" section and it's not in the menus yet. Please check out the new Software section!
Note: We also added another section of the web site on 10/2/10 to report problems/errors or just flat out screw-ups! Please visit the Casualties section of the web site for more information.
If you're not familiar with 1-Wire from Dallas Semiconductor/Maxim-IC, you will be after reviewing my site. My current and planned projects are listed below:
Thanks for visiting!
Since the early '80s I've been interested in computer automation and control systems. My father was an electrical engineer for Texas Instruments in Dallas, Texas but his knowledge was more centered around analog electronics and not digital since he started at TI in the early '50s, the digital age was just getting started. Of course, TI changed all that!
My parents also owned rental property in Dallas (something started by my grand parents) so I was taught at a very young age how to fix things like heaters, air conditioners, door locks, plumbing, electrical and such (I hated it!). But also, I became very good at it.
Once out of college with a degree in business (minor in computer science), I was hired by Texas Instruments (surprise!) and have worked there my entire career. (actually it's now Raytheon) It's pretty cool to be surrounded by engineers all your career that know how everything in the world works.
Got married, bought a house, had two kids and here I am!
Well, that covers my background. Everything to follow will be covered under the different menu items at the top and bottom of the page.
Thanks and welcome to my site!
1-Wire, if you were wondering, is a device communications bus system designed by Dallas Semiconductor Corp. that provides low-speed data (there is a high-speed mode), signaling and power over a single signal. It is typically used to communicate with small inexpensive devices such as digital thermometers and weather instruments. A network of 1-Wire devices with an associated master device is called a MicroLan.
Basically the system only requires 1 wire and ground (that's where the name comes from) because the digital signal line is high or ON by default and not OFF like normal digital signals. Being on by default provides the power to the devices so no DC power is required for the devices to function. When signals pulse (digital pulses or bit-banging) the 1-Wire devices have small capacitors they get power from while the power is off.
Where weight savings is necessary or critical, this system can provide huge benefits!