https://github.com/tdfischer/skylighting

Documentation and things related to the Skylighting at Noisebridge
https://github.com/tdfischer/skylighting

Last synced: 4 months ago
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Documentation and things related to the Skylighting at Noisebridge

• Host: GitHub
• URL: https://github.com/tdfischer/skylighting
• Owner: tdfischer
• Created: 2014-11-04T07:32:35.000Z (over 11 years ago)
• Default Branch: master
• Last Pushed: 2015-06-04T07:29:02.000Z (about 11 years ago)
• Last Synced: 2025-07-01T19:43:58.435Z (12 months ago)
• Language: Eagle
• Size: 438 KB
• Stars: 1
• Watchers: 2
• Forks: 0
• Open Issues: 10
• Metadata Files:
  • Readme: README.rst

Awesome Lists containing this project

README

          
Noisebridge's skylights are boring and dull.

Lets make them shiny shiny!

The Idea

========

In all of Noisebridge's skylights, a set of RGB LED strips at the base.

Each controlled by a standalone microprocessor connected via ZigBee,

with the network as a whole controlled by a RaspberryPI base station.

The system should be as `Anti-Fragile `__ as possible:

-  If the power goes out, it should come back on and look neat

-  Each skylight can act independently of hardware failure of any other

   skylight

-  Multiple base station designs can be used to control simultaneously,

   as long as can speak a protocol over ZigBee

-  Wireless by default, wired if available

-  Use of DNS-SD so you don't have to scan the network to find a damn

   basestation

-  Replacing parts is really cheap and easy to do

-  Solar powered, so as to not rely on The Grid

-  Some sort of "Sleep Mode" that is launched after a period of

   inactivity or missing heartbeat

Some really neat uses:

-  Clicking a spot on a map on `Infobanana `__ turns the

   overhead lighting into a magical directional indicator

-  When someone buzzes the door, perhaps a certain pattern could be

   shown

-  A UI that lets one configure each cell's RGB for an event

-  Automatically turning on/off based on a motion sensor grid in the

   space

The Software

============

-  **`Skyglighting on

   Github `__ - Main issue

   tracker**

-  `Graviton `__ -

   Internet+RPI network control, interactivity, and discoverability

-  `Graviton-arduino `__ -

    Port of Graviton to Arduino

-  `gpiotty `__ - RPI+ZigBee

   connectivity

The Hardware

============

.. figure:: Skylighting_-_First_Blinkings.jpeg

   :alt: Skylighting_-_First_Blinkings.jpeg

   Skylighting\_-\_First\_Blinkings.jpeg

Currently in the prototype stage, but here's what is allocated:

-  Two XBee radios w/ USB serial boards

-  Two RaspberryPIs with wifi dongles

-  Three LED strips

-  Two solar panels

-  One battery

The Plan

========

This is being developed by User:Tdfischer using the following

milestones. Help is welcome and encouraged :)

# Blink some LED lights via Arduino - First prototype

# XBee to XBee communications between two linux systems over USB -

  Establish control environment

# XBee to XBee communications over RaspberryPi GPIO pins - Development

  of gpiotty

# XBee to Arduino communications - Wireless control prototype

# Skylight power supply - Hardware design

# Realtime display update protocol - Development of Graviton/implement

  pixelpusher

# Control interfaces - Providing an API for super neat interactivity

Parts Needed

============

-  Arduino/ZigBee shields

-  Arduinos

-  The full length of LPD8806 LED Strips for all skylights - 45 meters!

   -  `Aliexpress `__

-  RPI/ZigBee shield

-  Microcontroller selection for skylight units

-  ZigBee chips

-  Battery charger/regulator circuit