Microcontrollers, op-amps, and laser defense systems, oh my!

[vaxocentric]

I'm designing a perimeter access control system for the house. This has been a project long on the books, and only now is manifesting itself as a practical endeavor. In a nutshell, this is what I want:
- Use radio-frequency based keys (RFID/HID/proximity cards

Comments

reasonable application...

[farrisgoldstein]

I suspect most of what you want to do is already out there, and not that expensive. That said, it's not that difficult a system, and I've done some of this in the past. Be glad to lend a hand.

Re: reasonable application...

[vaxocentric]

I was looking and didn't see any good solutions, but I very possibly overlooked something. This is why I like to reach out to my friends - you guys are smart cookies and I appreciate your input.

I think the locksets are going to be the most expensive component, but in all fairness, I can easily take them with me when I move.

As for technical challenges, you're right in that overall it's not a complex system- just a lot of minor integration. The only exception being how to individually address each system component and process inputs (reader) and outputs (unlock), so any thoughts you have on this would be most appreciated.

Even direction on microcontrollers would be useful. I've used a few in the past, but they've always been pre-selected, so I don't really know my options. I'm looking at Atmel because I've heard good things and they seem to have some nice, fairly well priced, powerful controllers, which I may consider using for future projects. But I can go many different directions here.

Re: reasonable application...

[farrisgoldstein]

I'll dig around in some of my project drawers and jog my memory on what kind of MCs I used for other stuff.

Also, you might want to consider getting box from DSX or whoever is decent these days to handle the centralized i/o. Most of them have an RS-232 bus. They sell the software, or sometimes throw it in, but you could easily write your own or piggyback on theirs to do the stuff you want to do that they don't.

Re: reasonable application...

[vaxocentric]

By DSX, are you referring to http://www.dsxinc.com/ ?

I'd consider buying a box for the IO, but it'd have to be reasonably priced, and allow for a high degree of flexibility. If it's essentially a concentrator, that would work well.

One of my motives for doing this from the ground up is that microcontrollers are extremely powerful tools, and I'd like to learn more about them. (Again, I've only worked with them in a lab environment, but did pretty neat things with them there)

btw

[farrisgoldstein]

From a mechanical standpoint, your locks are going to be expensive. I redid our current office with strike plate locks instead of cylinders, and even those were almot $200 a pop. Those pretty cylinder locks you're looking at, from what I've seen, are about $400 each. If you find a better source, please let me know. :)

Oh, and you really should tie this into your PBX and get some sip trunks and have an extension for each room. Not only could you then call your house, or have the door bell phone ring your cell phone, but then when your boss catches you entering into a shady deal with Needles, he can fax "You're fired!" to every single room in the house.

Re: btw

[vaxocentric]

Yeah - I was looking at the $400 cylinder locksets. :\ I don't like strike plates because they aren't conducive to rapid egress in the event of an emergency (e.g., fire).

LOL @ the reference
Great 80s film
Now we just need shoes that auto-lace! (and women's clothes that auto-remove)

[allykatt]

#1 - you must find a copy of "electric dreams" and watch it at once! it's obscure enough, i'm assuming you haven't seen it.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087197/

#2 - talk to cudjo_dog. you remember dog from tcb? he might be able to help you. i'm not entirely sure, but he might.

[vaxocentric]

I didn't realize he was on LJ! I bet he's got some good input into this sort of thing! (I knew you'd know somebody!)

You ever hear from (Phil) or know what he's up to?

[skwidly]

There's something about being a geek and being about to purchase a home that really turns the OCD tendencies up to 11. One of the things I got prior to closing was a set of detailed floorplans. With that, I created my own version, with obsessive attention to detail, for no reason I can explain.

I seem to recall an "Ask Slashdot" relevant to your obsession...I'll see if I can dig that up.

[vaxocentric]

haha
LOL @ 1 pixel = 1 inch
yeah, i want to lay out a few of the rooms in visio (that's as much complexity as i need) to figure out where i'll put potential furniture. it worked beautifully for my room now and was able to immediately place things where it's final destination was. (And I didn't have to measure my furniture since I had previously modeled it)
http://vaxocentric.livejournal.com/250276.html

[skwidly]

I haven't found the specific Ask Slashdot I was thinking of (it may not exist), but these both looked potentially relevant:

What would be your ideal futuristic home
and
Shopping for Building Access Security

Both are from last year, so may not reflect bleeding-edge stuff.

[dinoadventures]

most keyed locksets are extremely flawed not only because they can be compromised by lock picking, but also by bumping the lock. possession of the hardware is legal and you actually can go get the special keys made anywhere. no sign of forced entry. this recently happened in my apartment complex. re-keying does nothing as few locks are resistant to this (basically certain Medeco's and a few others) and electronic ones are one of the only ones that are unaffected so I totally back you in this decision. if we ever get a house, it'll be completely locked down to the limits of my resources.

[vaxocentric]

Yeah, I really don't like keyed locks at all.

I've always entertained the thought of one day buying one of those old missile silos... Wouldn't take too much to secure that!

[dinoadventures]

me too. just arm the redundant electric fences.

it would make for a nice place to park the Caterham or Exige of which I've also dreamed..