Design and Implementation of a Cyber Physical System for Building Smart Living Spaces

Recently, the integrated control systems with computing, Internet, and the electronic equipment with embedded sensors or identification device, called Cyber Physical Systems (CPSs), have gradually attracted more and more attention in a variety of different areas. It is efficient to manage, control, monitor, and query on machinery, equipment, and personnel state. Based on the CPS technology, creating smart living space becomes an important trend of future development. However, the electronic devices nowadays execute different communication protocols, such as Bluetooth, Zigbee, RF, and infrared, and even some traditional devices have no communication function. As a result, the real-time information and status of devices in smart spaces could not be effectively integrated, and thus will increase the difficulties to establish smart living space with CPSs. To improve this problem, this paper designs and implements an Intelligent Control Box to convert different wireless signals. The developed Intelligent Control Box can be treated as a multiple control platform which integrates the systems of lighting, air conditioning, access control, video surveillance, alarm, and so on, further decreasing the difficulties in establishing smart living space with CPSs. © Copyright 2012 Zhi-yong Bai and Xin-yuan Huang.