Control Systems

Best thought of as the "Brain" behind an automation system, control processors
are what pack the 'punch' of a system. With the ability to quickly execute
commands based on either button pushes or by predefined parameters, such as
a certain time of day or an outside trigger, such as a doorbell being pushed,
control processors are the heart of every true automated home.

Unlike a computer set up with software that helps to automate certain features
around the home, control processors have one task, and that is to run a program
loaded into their memory.

These control processors are able to do a wide variety of functions - from
controlling your Family Room TV to completely automating your home. It all
depends on a few items:

- basics, like control of AV equipment depend in large part on the equipment
being able to be controlled (Infrared, RS-232, etc.) and the ability to make
connections for that type of control between the control processor and the
component;

- control of subsystem hardware requires that the system be capable of being
controlled / monitored. The lighting, HVAC, security, pool or hot tub, etc. needs
to be an intelligent system (generally one that can interface with a computer,
which many do);

- there needs to be a connection between each subsystem and the control
processor, which is usually a serial cable or similar;

- the processor needs to be programmed to monitor and control each subsystem.