Categories
Hacking

cheap Chinese Z-Wave Sensors and Home Assistant…

cheap z-wave door sensor
cheap z-wave door sensor

I was looking for sensors that allow to monitor the status of a door. Typically those are magnet triggered switches that send some sort of signal when the magnet moves away and comes back. I wanted something based on Z-Wave. I’ve already light switch relays that are running on Z-Wave and am very happy with them. Z-Wave is on the pricier end of RF-devices. 433Mhz switches would be much cheaper, but Z-Wave offers nicer handling and hopefully more reliability.

Many of these sensors come in at around 40€. That is quite pricy so I opted for the cheap chinese solution at around 13.5€ per piece. You just have to be patient: 4+ weeks delivery time.

Setup into Home Assistant was straight forward. Add the device to the Z-Wave network via the web interface, rename it to mydoor… but then… How does the device report ‘door open’? The binary sensor that showed up, did nothing.

After some fiddling and searching I found that the sensor.mydoor_access_control changes it’s state rather unspectacularly from 23 to 22. It’s so inconspicuous that I didn’t notice the change the first few times I kept looking for changes.

Perfect! there is something we can use to integrate it to Home Assistant for automation and other stuff. Luckily there are templates that allow us to turn this into a binary sensor which is more useful in automations.
Add this to your configuration.yml:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
binary_sensor:
platform
: template
sensors
:
door1
:
device_class
: opening
friendly_name
: 'Haustür'
value_template
: >-
{%- if is_state("sensor.mydoor_access_control", "22") -%}
True
{%- else -%}
False
{%- endif -%}

this can then be integrated into an automation like this:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
automation:
alias
: "coming home"
hide_entity
: False
trigger
:
platform
: state
entity_id
: binary_sensor.door1
from
: 'off'
to
: 'on'
condition
:
condition
: sun
after
: sunset
action
:
- service
: homeassistant.turn_on
entity_id
:
- switch.main_light

that’s it. hope this helps.

thanks to @Tinkerer from the Home Assistant chat group for the help.

Categories
english Hacking Hardware Gadgets

RFID Door Opener…

recently i finished my latest project: a RFID Door Opener.

besides the fun while hacking it, it improves the security of the door. since it’s not an outside door but the door to the garage, it’s construction does not allow to mount a more secure lock. so locking it from the outside when leaving is a bit bothersome.
the new auto-lock feature, which allows the door to auto-lock itself, saves some time and works around the lazy user, who wouldn’t have locked it.
additionally it is now easy to add or remove the right of access by adding or deleting the RFID’s unique number from the system. revoking someone’s right of access is far more difficult with a normal key.

beside an arduino i’m using an easydriver to drive the stepper and a RFID reader from seeedstudio.

below you can see the schematics of the setup. the ends marked with Ard X go to a port of the arduino, which is the brain of the lock:

Schematics for the build
Schematics for the build

edit: since i’ve been asked what transistors i used for this build i’ll tell you:
as PNP transistor i’m using a ‘mje2955T‘, as NPN i’m using a ‘bc547‘.
it’s important to have the two different transistor types NPN and PNP.
NPN is the one closer to ‘Ard6’ and the PNP is the one switching the 12V power supply for the easydriver. the most important part is that the second transistor, switching the easy driver, will only work if you’re using a PNP transistor. these transistors switch when they get pulled to ground.

Code can be found on github and here:


/**
 * door lock application (c) 2011 Florian Klien
 * some code parts are borrowed from different authors ;) thx
 */

#include <NewSoftSerial.h>

#define rxPin 2
#define txPin 3

// door defs

#define DOOR_SENS  3 // analog
#define DRIVER_SWITCH 6
#define DOOR_SW 2 // analog

// motor defs
#define DIR_PIN 7
#define STEP_PIN 8
#define ledIN 5
#define ledOUT 11

NewSoftSerial rfid = NewSoftSerial( rxPin, txPin );

// The tag database consists of two parts. The first part is an array of
// tag values with each tag taking up 5 bytes. The second is a list of
// names with one name for each tag (ie: group of 5 bytes).
char* allowedTags[] = {
  "AABBCCDDEE",         // Tag 1
  "AABBCCDDEE",         // Tag 2
};

// List of names to associate with the matching tag IDs
char* tagName[] = {
  "User1",         // Tag 1
  "User2",         // Tag 2
};

// software version number:
char* software_version = "1.1";

// Check the number of tags defined
int numberOfTags = sizeof(allowedTags)/sizeof(allowedTags[0]);

int incomingByte = 0;    // To store incoming serial data

boolean locked = true;
int door_open = 0; // pseudo digital
boolean prev_status = false;
boolean auto_lock = true;
//unsigned long auto_lock_time = 0;
int auto_lock_delay = 5; // in seconds
int auto_lock_switch_time = 2; // in seconds
int status_led = 0;
unsigned long status_led_time = millis();
boolean status_led_on = false;

unsigned long status_breathe_time = millis();
int breathe_delay = 10;
boolean breathe_up = true;
int breathe_i = 15;

unsigned long last_successful_rfid_read = 0;
int rfid_success_timeout = 5000; // millis

float lock_speed = 1;

/**
 * Setup
 */
unsigned long time_door = millis();
unsigned long time_switch = millis();
long debounce = 500;

void setup() {
  pinMode(ledIN, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(ledOUT, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(ledIN, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(ledOUT, HIGH);
  delay(300);
  digitalWrite(ledIN, LOW);
  digitalWrite(ledOUT, LOW);

  pinMode(DRIVER_SWITCH, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(DRIVER_SWITCH, LOW);
  pinMode(DIR_PIN, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(DIR_PIN, LOW);
  pinMode(STEP_PIN, OUTPUT);
  digitalWrite(STEP_PIN, LOW);
  pinMode(DOOR_SENS,INPUT);
  pinMode(DOOR_SW,INPUT);
  
  Serial.begin(9600);   // Serial port for connection to host
  rfid.begin(9600);      // Serial port for connection to RFID module

  Serial.println("RFID reader starting up");
  delay(1000);
  Serial.println("done");
  Serial.print("Software Version no: ");
  Serial.println(software_version);
  Serial.print("door locked: ");
  Serial.print(locked, DEC);
  Serial.print("\n");
  Serial.print("door closed: ");
  Serial.print(!door_open, DEC);
  Serial.print("\n");
}

/**
 * Loop
 * non-blocking version of each function!
 */
void loop() {
  readRFID();
  doorSensor();
  doorSwitch();
  statusLed();
}

void doorSensor(){
  // pseudo digital
  door_open = analogRead(DOOR_SENS);
  if(millis() - time_door > debounce){
    if (door_open <= 500 && prev_status == false){
      Serial.println("Door: opened");
      prev_status = true;
      locked = false;
    }else  if(door_open > 500 && prev_status == true){
      Serial.println("Door: closed");
      prev_status = false;
      if(auto_lock){
        Serial.println("locking door automatically...");
        delay(auto_lock_delay*1000); 
        lock();
        locked = true;
      }
    }
    time_door = millis();  
  }
}

void doorSwitch(){
  int dstimer = 0;
  int door_switch = analogRead(DOOR_SW); // pseudo digital
  if(millis() - time_switch > debounce && door_switch >= 300){
    while (analogRead(DOOR_SW) >= 300) {
      delay(100);
      dstimer++;
    }
    Serial.println(door_switch,DEC);
    Serial.println(dstimer,DEC);
    if (dstimer < auto_lock_switch_time*10) { //button has been pressed less than 2 seconds = 1000/100
        if (locked == false){
          Serial.println("door locked");
          locked = true;
          lock();
        }else if(locked == true){
          Serial.println("door unlocked");
          locked = false;
          unlock();
      }
    }else {
      // auto_unlock off/on
      if(auto_lock == true){
        Serial.println("auto_lock off");
        auto_lock = false;
      }else{
        Serial.println("auto_lock on");
        auto_lock = true;
      }
      analogWrite(ledIN, 0); // resetting output
    
    }
    time_switch = millis();  
  }
}

// breathing status led on the inside
void statusBreathe(){
  if( (status_breathe_time + breathe_delay) < millis() ){
    analogWrite(ledIN, breathe_i/1.5);
    status_breathe_time = millis();
    if (breathe_up == true){
      if (breathe_i > 150) {
        breathe_delay = 4;
      }
      if ((breathe_i > 125) && (breathe_i < 151)) {
        breathe_delay = 5;
      }
      if (( breathe_i > 100) && (breathe_i < 126)) {
        breathe_delay = 7;
      }
      if (( breathe_i > 75) && (breathe_i < 101)) {
        breathe_delay = 10;
      }
      if (( breathe_i > 50) && (breathe_i < 76)) {
        breathe_delay = 14;
      }
      if (( breathe_i > 25) && (breathe_i < 51)) {
        breathe_delay = 18;
      }
      if (( breathe_i > 1) && (breathe_i < 26)) {
        breathe_delay = 19;
      }
      breathe_i += 1;
      if( breathe_i >= 255 ){
        breathe_up = false;
      }
    }else{
      if (breathe_i > 150) {
        breathe_delay = 4;
      }
      if ((breathe_i > 125) && (breathe_i < 151)) {
        breathe_delay = 5;
      }
      if (( breathe_i > 100) && (breathe_i < 126)) {
        breathe_delay = 7;
      }
      if (( breathe_i > 75) && (breathe_i < 101)) {
        breathe_delay = 10;
      }
      if (( breathe_i > 50) && (breathe_i < 76)) {
        breathe_delay = 14;
      }
      if (( breathe_i > 25) && (breathe_i < 51)) {
        breathe_delay = 18;
      }
      if (( breathe_i > 1) && (breathe_i < 26)) {
        breathe_delay = 19;
      }
      breathe_i -= 1;
      if( breathe_i <= 15 ){
        breathe_up = true;
        breathe_delay = 970/2;
      }
    }
  }
}

void statusLed(){
  if(auto_lock == false){
    status_led = 150;
  }else{
    // set this to > 0 if you want the status led to blink in default mode
    status_led = 0; 
    if(status_led == 0){
      statusBreathe();
    }
  }
  if(millis() - status_led_time >= status_led && status_led != 0){
    status_led_on = !status_led_on;
    digitalWrite(ledIN,status_led_on);
    status_led_time = millis();
  }
}

void readRFID(){
  byte i         = 0;
  byte val       = 0;
  byte checksum  = 0;
  byte bytesRead = 0;
  byte tempByte  = 0;
  byte tagBytes[6];    // "Unique" tags are only 5 bytes but we need an extra byte for the checksum
  char tagValue[10];

  if(rfid.available()>0){
    if((val = rfid.read()) == 2) {        // Check for header
    bytesRead = 0;
    while (bytesRead < 12) {            // Read 10 digit code + 2 digit checksum
      val = rfid.read();
      Serial.print(val,BYTE);
      // Append the first 10 bytes (0 to 9) to the raw tag value
      if (bytesRead < 10)
      {
        tagValue[bytesRead] = val;
      }

      // Check if this is a header or stop byte before the 10 digit reading is complete
      if((val == 0x0D)||(val == 0x0A)||(val == 0x03)||(val == 0x02)) {
        break;                          // Stop reading
      }

      // Ascii/Hex conversion:
      if ((val >= '0') && (val <= '9')) {
        val = val - '0';
      }
      else if ((val >= 'A') && (val <= 'F')) {
        val = 10 + val - 'A';
      }

      // Every two hex-digits, add a byte to the code:
      if (bytesRead & 1 == 1) {
        // Make space for this hex-digit by shifting the previous digit 4 bits to the left
        tagBytes[bytesRead >> 1] = (val | (tempByte << 4));

        if (bytesRead >> 1 == 5) {                // If we're at the checksum byte,
          checksum ^= tagBytes[bytesRead >> 1];   // Calculate the checksum... (XOR)
        };
      } else {
        tempByte = val;                           // Store the first hex digit first
      };
  
      bytesRead++;                                // Ready to read next digit
    }
  

    // Send the result to the host connected via USB
    if (bytesRead == 12) {                        // 12 digit read is complete
      tagValue[10] = '\0';                        // Null-terminate the string

      Serial.print("Tag read: ");
      for (i=0; i<5; i++) {
        // Add a leading 0 to pad out values below 16
        if (tagBytes[i] < 16) {
          Serial.print("0");
        }
        Serial.print(tagBytes[i], HEX);
      }
      Serial.println();

      Serial.print("Checksum: ");
      Serial.print(tagBytes[5], HEX);
      Serial.println(tagBytes[5] == checksum ? " -- passed." : " -- error.");

      // Show the raw tag value
      //Serial.print("VALUE: ");
      //Serial.println(tagValue);
      Serial.print("door_open: ");
      Serial.println(door_open,DEC);
      // Search the tag database for this particular tag
      int tagId = findTag( tagValue );

      // Only fire the strike plate if this tag was found in the database
      if( tagId > 0 )
      {
        Serial.print("Authorized tag ID ");
        Serial.print(tagId);
        if(door_open > 500 && (last_successful_rfid_read + rfid_success_timeout) < millis() ){
          Serial.print(": unlocking for ");
          Serial.println(tagName[tagId - 1]);   // Get the name for this tag from the database
          unlock();
          last_successful_rfid_read = millis();
          delay(2000);
        }
      } else {
        Serial.println("Tag not authorized");
        //failSound();
        for (int i=0;i<7;i++){ // FIXXME nonblocking version?
          digitalWrite(ledOUT, HIGH);
          digitalWrite(ledIN, HIGH);
          delay(100);
          digitalWrite(ledOUT, LOW);
          digitalWrite(ledIN, LOW);
          delay(80);
        }
      }
      Serial.println();     // Blank separator line in output
    }

    bytesRead = 0;
  }
  }   
}

/**
 * Fire the relay to activate the strike plate for the configured
 * number of seconds.
 */
void unlock() {
  digitalWrite(ledOUT, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(ledIN, HIGH);
  delay(100);
  // if your stepper is powerful enough you can use full speed
  rotateDeg(-800, 0.6);
  digitalWrite(ledIN, LOW);  
  digitalWrite(ledOUT, LOW);
  locked = false;
}

void lock(){
  digitalWrite(ledOUT, HIGH);
  digitalWrite(ledIN, HIGH);
  delay(100);
  rotateDeg(800, 1);
  digitalWrite(ledIN, LOW);  
  digitalWrite(ledOUT, LOW);
  locked = true;
}

void rotate(int steps, float speed){
  
  // power driver
  digitalWrite(DRIVER_SWITCH,HIGH);
  delay(200);
  //rotate a specific number of microsteps (8 microsteps per step) - (negitive for reverse movement)
  //speed is any number from .01 -> 1 with 1 being fastest - Slower is stronger
  int dir = (steps > 0)? HIGH:LOW;
  steps = abs(steps);

  digitalWrite(DIR_PIN,dir); 

  float usDelay = (1/speed) * 250;

  for(int i=0; i < steps; i++){
    digitalWrite(STEP_PIN, HIGH);
    delayMicroseconds(usDelay); 

    digitalWrite(STEP_PIN, LOW);
    delayMicroseconds(usDelay);
  }

  // unpower driver
  delay(200);
  digitalWrite(DRIVER_SWITCH,LOW);
} 

void rotateDeg(float deg, float speed){
  // power driver
  digitalWrite(DRIVER_SWITCH,HIGH);
  delay(200);
  //rotate a specific number of degrees (negative for reverse movement)
  //speed is any number from .01 -> 1 with 1 being fastest - Slower is stronger
  int dir = (deg > 0)? HIGH:LOW;
  digitalWrite(DIR_PIN,dir); 

  int steps = abs(deg)*(1/0.225);
  float usDelay = (1/speed) * 250;

  for(int i=0; i < steps; i++){
    digitalWrite(STEP_PIN, HIGH);
    delayMicroseconds(usDelay); 

    digitalWrite(STEP_PIN, LOW);
    delayMicroseconds(usDelay);
  }
  // unpower driver
  delay(200);
  digitalWrite(DRIVER_SWITCH,LOW);
}

/**
 * Search for a specific tag in the database
 */
int findTag( char tagValue[10] ) {
  for (int thisCard = 0; thisCard < numberOfTags; thisCard++) {
    // Check if the tag value matches this row in the tag database
    if(strcmp(tagValue, allowedTags[thisCard]) == 0)
    {
      // The row in the database starts at 0, so add 1 to the result so
      // that the card ID starts from 1 instead (0 represents "no match")
      return(thisCard + 1);
    }
  }
  // If we don't find the tag return a tag ID of 0 to show there was no match
  return(0);
}