A Critical Review Of Olafusi Michael Olalekan

Running Head: CRITICAL REVIEW 1

A Critical Review of Olafusi Michael Olalekan, 2009. “Control Home Automation System” and

Kurian Abraham, K.P. Sandeep Rao, 2009, “Implementation of a Low-Cost Home Automation

System”

Name

Institutional Affiliation

Date

CRITICAL REVIEW 2

A Critical Review of Olafusi Michael Olalekan, 2009. “Control Home Automation System”

and Kurian Abraham, K.P. Sandeep Rao, 2009, “Implementation of a Low-Cost Home

Automation System”

INTRODUCTION

Olalekan (2009) conducted a study and design of automatic systems that could be used to

control individual home electrical systems and appliances using the RS232, GSM technology,

and a microcontroller. On the other hand, Kurian and Rao (2009) conducted a research and

demonstrated a home automation system that is controlled using wireless devices like Wi-Fi and

Bluetooth enabled computers and cell phones to control home electrical equipment.

Aims/Purpose of the projects

This research project according to Olalekan (2009), aimed at designing and constructing

an automated home system that is intended to switch OFF and ON a household equipment that is

connected to it, via a microcontroller, using a phone voice dial and a text message for feedback.

Similarly, Kurian and Rao (2009)’s research demonstrates a model that can be integrated into the

electrical system of a building, so that users can wirelessly control lights, and other electrical

appliances. The two systems are similar in application, but contrast on the design methods;

Olalekan’s system uses a microcontroller, while that of Kurian and Rao use a desktop computer

and a handheld device such as a mobile phone.

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Objectives

The viability of any project depends on its cost and efficiency. This project therefore is

realized on low cost and reliability, so that the system can remotely be used for its purpose to

achieve hardware simplicity by using a microcontroller, inexpensive short message system for

feedback and voice dial to fasten the state (Olalekan, 2009). Similarly, Sandeep and Rao (2009)

demonstrate a low cost system that can be integrated into the electrical system to allow wireless

control of lights and other electrical facilities, while keeping the installation and hardware cost

minimum.

Scope

“Control Home Automation System” is not limited to household equipment and is

complete on its own in remotely and automatic switching ON and OFF of electrical appliance

(Olalekan, 2009). Implementation of a Low-Cost Home Automation System uses a desktop PC

to control the server software. The system allows the user to manage all lights and other

electronic equipment individually and can light on and off at a specified time (Kurian & Rao,

2009).

Justification

“Control Home Automation System” has contributed to the development of automatic

systems that use low cost and locally available resources such as a microcontroller, dial services

and free text messages (Olalekan, 2009). Implementation of a Low-Cost Home Automation

System has enabled users to make significant financial savings rather than using the

commercially available systems that require additional control devices and inbuilt installation.

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LITERATURE REVIEW

Automated home equipment has been in existent in the 20

century. However, a

television remote was patented even earlier, in 1893. Various knowledgeable types of research

have been conducted since the First World War to advance in automated homes (Olalekan, 2009).

Further studies have thus resulted to more routine automation of appliances such as switching on

and off of lights and closing doors. The types of automation systems are based on their control

systems and include; individual control systems such as heaters, distributed control systems such

as emergency shut-down, and central control systems. Olalekan (2009) also explains the type of

home automated standards and automated systems based on their carrier mode.

The widely available Home Automation Systems are commercial that requires appliances

that are only compatible with them and come to their control centers. The systems are usually

integrated with the building under construction, making the permanent components of the house

(Kurian & Rao, 2009). Implementation of a Low-Cost Home Automation System is therefore

meant to solve the limitations of the commercial systems.

METHODOLOGY

Olelakian (2009) suggests that various platforms are required when designing and building a

reliable system.

Sample selection

He, therefore, made deliberate choices on the platforms, hardware components and

modes of the operation of the system for a particular purpose of the project. The factors that

guided his selection include; low cost, flexibility, and reliability. Therefore, the platforms in

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consideration included Powerline, RS232, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Infrared, GSM, and

Microcontroller. However, the most appropriate for the design were, RS232, GSM, and

Microcontroller. Kurian Abraham, K.P. Sandeep Rao (2009) in their research, only listed and

explained the equipment that were applicable without giving options.

Hardware selection

Olelakian (2009) found DB-9 most appropriate since it is flexible, low cost and readily

available and, less bulky compared to DB-25. For GSM, Nokia 6021 was the ultimate choice for

Olelakian (2009) due to its availability and ability to understand AT commands. However, both

software and hardware are required as components of Implementation of a Low-Cost Home

Automation System” (Kurian & Rao, 2009). The application and working of these components

are well explained in the article.

DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION

Olelakian (2009) designed his automated system using PIC18F4455 microcontroller,

Nokia 6021 mobile phone, RS232 for the phone and the microcontroller to communicate,

HIN232 for microcontroller interface, and a relay with a driver. The design is as shown below. In

the “Implementation of a Low-Cost Home Automated System,” connectivity is provided by

Bluetooth or Wireless Access Point between the server and the mobile phone. Therefore, the

change in the signal strength between the WAP and the mobile phone enables the system to

determine the user actions; whether leaving or entering the house (Kurian & Rao, 2009). This

prompts the system to turn on or off the lights. Olelakian (2009) summarized his design in the

form of a flow chart as shown below. In his article, Olelakian (2009) has elaborated the functions

and the working of each component in his system.

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Fig. 1. Block diagram of a Home Made Automatic System. Adapted from; “Control Home

Automation System,” 2009, by Olafusi Michael Olalekan.

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Fig. 2. Conceptual design Flowchart. Adapted from; “Control Home Automation System” 2009,

by Olafusi Michael Olalekan.

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Fig. 3. Conceptual Data flow diagram. Adapted from;

“Implementation of a Low-Cost Home Automation System,” 2009, by Kurian Abraham, K.P.

Sandeep Rao.

CRITICAL REVIEW 9

CONCLUSION

On this modern society where people value privacy, the two research works are timely and

worthy to get global recognition and application. It is, therefore, evident from Olalekan’s

research that control home automation system can be made cheaply from locally available low-

cost components. The simple system can thus be applied in the control of various home

appliances. However, Kurian Abraham, K.P. Sandeep Rao (2009) did not specify the range to

which their desktop PC server works.

Recommendations

The two types of research provide insight into the importance of recognizing

technological advancements for homes and industries that value technological environment.

However limitations of the systems should be considered when interpreting the systems, and a

solution given. However, the systems should be given more support to commercialize so as to

encourage young inventors.

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References

Kurian, A., & Rao, K. S. (2009). Implementation of a Low-Cost Home Automation System.

Olalekan, O. M. (2009). Individual Control Home Automation System.

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