A ZigBee-Based Home Control System Using OSGi Management Platform

Digital home industry provides a spectrum of services that standardizes digital home appliances and uses network technology allowing integrated control of these devices (thus enhancing the intelligence of home appliances). The application of digital home technology has extended to other domains such as environment, healthcare, security, and other areas. This study proposes replacing conventional wired networks with ZigBee wireless technology and integrating the OSGi (Open Services Gateway initiative) service platform to achieve the following objectives: (1) higher flexibility and mobility compared to wired control systems; (2) lower cost; (3) a mechanism for automatic recovery after node disconnection to adapt to highly mobile nodes; (4) support to web browser-based remote management functions, negating the need to install customer-end programs; and (5) an intelligent home control system with update functions. Through the management interface, users can control intelligent home appliances anywhere and anytime, which enhances convenience, home security, and energy conservation.