[wish-info] can send but not recieve

Discussion:

Kevin Crandell

2005-08-13 17:39:21 UTC

Hello all, I'm a newbie to this list, but a long time x10/linux user.

I installed x10dev-2.1.2 for my Serial CM11A on my FC4 running kernel
2.6.12-1, did the modprobe x10 and cma11ad -device /dev/ttyS1, as per
the instructions.

My /dev/x10/* are all there and I can send commands like echo on

/dev/x10/a1 and it turns on my lamp, and the status changes when I do

cat /dev/x10/a1.

The problem is when I click the on/off buttons of my remote control, or
when my motion sensor sends its signals; the light comes on but the
status in /dev/x10/a1 never changes.

I know there's a possibility the transiever module isn't somehow sending
the signals to the cm11a, and I can try that out in Windows, but has
anybody else seen this?

Kevin

Scott Hiles

2005-08-14 15:03:54 UTC

Permalink

The CM11A is less sensitive than transceivers like the PowerLinc and
generally less sensitive than most switches. So, while the signal may be
heard by the devices, the CM11A may not be detecting enough signal to
register the message.

Since you can transmit with your computer and the CM11A I don't think you
have an issue with the CM11A being faulty or anything. It is likely just a
power issue.

Another possibility is that you have just enough noise on your line to cause
the CM11A to ignore the line. Also, remember that transceivers themselves
drain the signal on the line. So, if you have two-way switches and a weak
signal, you will have intermittent problems.

A couple of things to try are to turn off (temporarily) anything that has an
electric motor (refrigerator, furnace fans, compressors) or a UPS. Both
generate a lot of noise that interferes with X10. Televisions and
Fluorescent lights also generate a lot of noise. Once you have as quite a
line as you can get, see if the CM11A can see the signals from the other
transceiver. If you find that it works better with everything turned off,
you can consider getting a repeater that will boost the signal. Even in a
noisy house a repeater will significantly help a CM11A.

If a repeater is out of the question and you cannot reduce your noise on the
line, consider getting the PowerLinc USB. This is the most powerful
transceiver I have used and it is very good at detecting signals. Note that
the PowerLinc Serial is only mildly stronger/more-sensitive than the CM11A
so don't consider the two PowerLinc's as interchangeable.

Scott

-----Original Message-----
Kevin Crandell
Sent: Saturday, August 13, 2005 1:39 PM
Subject: [wish-info] can send but not recieve
Hello all, I'm a newbie to this list, but a long time x10/linux user.
I installed x10dev-2.1.2 for my Serial CM11A on my FC4
running kernel 2.6.12-1, did the modprobe x10 and cma11ad
-device /dev/ttyS1, as per the instructions.
My /dev/x10/* are all there and I can send commands like echo on

/dev/x10/a1 and it turns on my lamp, and the status changes

when I do
cat /dev/x10/a1.
The problem is when I click the on/off buttons of my remote
control, or when my motion sensor sends its signals; the
light comes on but the status in /dev/x10/a1 never changes.
I know there's a possibility the transiever module isn't
somehow sending the signals to the cm11a, and I can try that
out in Windows, but has anybody else seen this?
Kevin
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Kevin Crandell

2005-08-14 21:42:08 UTC

Permalink

Hi Scott, thanks for the prompt reply. I hadn't ruled out the
possibility that the signal was too weak to be picked up by the CM11A,
but I thought that the weak signals usually came when the CM11A was on a
different phase than the transiever module, where you had to get a phase
coupler to repeat the signal on the other phase.

I have the CM11A in an outlet right next to another outlet with the
transiever module, so could the signal be so weak that it never gets
there, even being so close? I'll try to eliminate all the noisemakers
like you suggested though. I had never heard of the PowerLinc USB thing
so I'll look into that as well.

Thanks for your response.

Kevin

Post by Scott Hiles
The CM11A is less sensitive than transceivers like the PowerLinc and
generally less sensitive than most switches. So, while the signal may be
heard by the devices, the CM11A may not be detecting enough signal to
register the message.
Since you can transmit with your computer and the CM11A I don't think you
have an issue with the CM11A being faulty or anything. It is likely just a
power issue.
Another possibility is that you have just enough noise on your line to cause
the CM11A to ignore the line. Also, remember that transceivers themselves
drain the signal on the line. So, if you have two-way switches and a weak
signal, you will have intermittent problems.
A couple of things to try are to turn off (temporarily) anything that has an
electric motor (refrigerator, furnace fans, compressors) or a UPS. Both
generate a lot of noise that interferes with X10. Televisions and
Fluorescent lights also generate a lot of noise. Once you have as quite a
line as you can get, see if the CM11A can see the signals from the other
transceiver. If you find that it works better with everything turned off,
you can consider getting a repeater that will boost the signal. Even in a
noisy house a repeater will significantly help a CM11A.
If a repeater is out of the question and you cannot reduce your noise on the
line, consider getting the PowerLinc USB. This is the most powerful
transceiver I have used and it is very good at detecting signals. Note that
the PowerLinc Serial is only mildly stronger/more-sensitive than the CM11A
so don't consider the two PowerLinc's as interchangeable.
Scott

/dev/x10/a1 and it turns on my lamp, and the status changes