x10 - europe FYI

[ardhuru]

Anand Dhuru, who posts here, has designed PIC-based X-10 interfaces and may be willing to share details.

Thanks, Dave.

Yes, I can indeed give pointers in this area.

The PL513 is a transmit-only interface. The reason the schematic looks somewhat complex is, first, it has optos to isolate the controller from the mains, and secondly, it generates its own 120 khz modulatoin so that you dont have to.

I, with Darrel's help managed to modify the .lib file so that the XOUT signal on a pin comes out pre-modulated at 120 khz. Now, its a simple matter of coupling it to the mains. For this, I used a simple transformer used in AM radios (the one with a white slug).

I'm sorry I dont have a part number for the transformer; Dave with his experience in RF could perhaps specify one.

If you go the route I did (minus the optos) be *very* careful with safety aspects. My controller was completely self contained (including the pic), and so I could afford a tranformerless-opto-less design.

This circuit from Nuts'N'Volts would perhaps help.

Regards,

Anand