Smart Home – Tips

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Updated – January 7, 2023

SmartHome is a very practical and universally applicable technology. But, as with all things in life, everything has two sides. Knowing how is often the solution to the puzzle. The problem is not always in front of the screen; sometimes a little background knowledge is needed.

Radio technology

The control center and HomeMatic components send and receive on the frequency 868.3 MHz. The transmission power may be a maximum of 25 mW, corresponding to 14 dBm. In addition, the frequency may only be used within a specified duty cycle of 0.1 .. 10 %. This is to ensure that multiple devices do not transmit at the same time and thus interfere with each other. This duty cycle is determined by the DutyCycle reflected.

DutyCyle

The DutyCycle is the indicator for the frequency of transmission of data packets between the control center and the component.

Some components send at intervals of between two and three minutes, some only when their status changes, such as window/door contacts.

This means that several hundred components can work together undisturbed in parallel.

However, the data record or a selected data channel of a component can be called up at any time using a script/program. This generates a send request from the control center to the respective component, as well as a data telegram from the component back to the control center, which in turn increases the duty cycle.

Therefore, it is always important to remember not to let the duty cycle increase too much.

For example, in programs in the IF display you can choose between when updating or changing or just check to be hit:

• When updated – as soon as a component initiates its cyclic sending process, regardless of whether the measured value has changed or not, the IF branch is executed
• When changed – The IF branch is only executed when a value is changed
• Just check – it is only checked whether the respective condition is fulfilled or not
  

The update causes a high volume of radio transmissions, while the change initiates a significantly lower frequency of radio telegrams.

Oversteer

Overdriving, also in the audio sector, is a signal that is too strong on the input side, which leads to distortion. In other words: if someone screams directly into your ear, then you heard THAT someone said something, but you didn't understand it because it was simply too loud.
This is also what happens to transmitters and receivers if they are mounted too close to each other.

For example, constant error messages regarding communication problems/unavailability are to be understood as indicators.

While at home you are unlikely to be embarrassed by the fact that the distance between the central unit and the component is less than 50 cm, this can easily happen in a motorhome.

Covering the component with aluminum foil helps here. This means that the incoming and outgoing signals are attenuated and brought to a level that can be understood again, even at distances of just a few centimeters.

Network settings

Changes to the network settings only take effect after restarting the control center!

Create rooms and trades

The creation of rooms and trades serve the organization.

Rooms are the place where various components are installed (e.g. kitchen, hallway, bathroom), while trades represent the device type (e.g. locks, buttons, lights, heating). Both lists can be expanded as desired and specified values can be changed.

Some third-party software, such as AIO Creator, depends on the assignment of these typings, otherwise problems may arise when importing devices.

On the other hand, it is easier with apps such as: pocket control HMto be able to specifically access devices within a room rather than searching for them in the device list.