With the increasing accessibility of smart technologies, automation is no longer limited to residential spaces. At the Institute of Automation, a long-term project is underway to integrate intelligent systems into the academic environment, improving energy efficiency, creating a platform for experimentation, and enabling practical learning experiences.
Home Assistant as the Core Platform
Home Assistant was selected as the backbone of the automation system due to its extensive device compatibility, open-source nature, and powerful automation capabilities. It allows centralized control over a wide range of devices and services and can be adapted to both home and institutional use.
Zigbee Mesh Network Expansion
A crucial part of the infrastructure is the Zigbee communication protocol, known for its low energy consumption and ability to form mesh networks, where devices cooperate to extend signal coverage across large areas.
Originally, the Zigbee network covered only part of the institute, but it was successfully expanded from Block C to Block B, ensuring full coverage of multiple offices and laboratories. This was achieved by strategically deploying smart Zigbee plugs, which serve dual purposes:
- They act as network routers, strengthening and extending the Zigbee mesh.
- Simultaneously, they provide useful functionality in individual offices, allowing users to monitor energy consumption or control connected appliances.
To further enhance stability and range, a dedicated Zigbee signal repeater was also added, ensuring strong and reliable communication between all connected devices. The resulting network is now robust, with good signal quality across all critical areas, allowing for future expansion and integration of additional smart devices as needed.
Data Logging and Visualization with InfluxDB and Grafana
To enable long-term monitoring, Home Assistant was connected to the latest version of InfluxDB, which uses token-based authentication. A dedicated token was generated and configured to allow secure data exchange. The same method was used to link Grafana, which reads data from InfluxDB for visualization.
After setup, custom Grafana dashboards were created to display real-time and historical data from Home Assistant. This integration allows for clear visual analysis and helps monitor system performance and energy usage trends over time.
Conclusion
The ongoing smart infrastructure project at the institute demonstrates the practical application of automation technologies in an academic setting. With Home Assistant as the core, Zigbee mesh for wireless device communication, and tools like InfluxDB and Grafana for data management, the system is becoming increasingly comprehensive and capable. Beyond efficiency gains, it serves as a real-world testbed for students and researchers, offering hands-on experience with technologies that are shaping the future of industrial and building automation.