Single-Room Home Automation with LED Controller

This solution integrates Raspberry Pi relays and the APA102 LED controller, enabling control and switching of APA102 addressable LED strips (and LED drivers) via a web-based GUI. The system also includes motor control for hardwired home automation devices, such as motorized blinds or projector screens, making it ideal for home theater applications. Unlike traditional "dumb" RGB strips, addressable LED strips feature individually controlled LEDs, allowing for dynamic lighting effects and sequences.

Key Features

• APA102 LED Control: Control addressable APA102 RGB LEDs for custom lighting.
• 2x Relay Control: Control AC power circuits via relays.
• 2x AC Input Detection: Monitor AC power input for connected devices.
• Motorized Blinds/Projector Screen Control: Motor control for home automation of blinds/screens.
• 2x TTL Inputs for External Buttons: Connect external switches for additional control.

Motivation

This project was designed for use in my own home theater setup. The goal was to create a compact home automation solution for a single room, featuring addressable RGB control and direct switching of AC-powered LED drivers. Additional relay channels were incorporated to control other circuits, such as spotlights. As the project evolved, motorized curtain control relays were also integrated into the design.

Responsive Web GUI

The Web GUI provides an intuitive interface for switching relay channels, controlling motorized blinds/screen, adjusting the RGB colors of the APA102 LEDs, and activating built-in lighting effects/patterns. The GUI allows for easy restarting of the Raspberry Pi, simplifying development and testing. The system is built on Bootstrap 3, ensuring that the GUI is fully responsive and adapts to any screen size or orientation.

Application Features

• Mobile Device Support: The GUI is optimized for mobile use, offering a native app-like experience when saved to the home screen.
• Chrome Extension: A custom Chrome extension enables easy desktop control of the Web GUI without leaving the current webpage. It also allows users to map keyboard shortcuts to various functions, such as switching LEDs on/off, activating presets, and controlling blinds.

Wiring

This controller solution provides seamless integration into existing 2-way (or 3-way, depending on region) lighting circuits. The built-in relay modules allow users to control lighting without the need to replace existing switches or run additional wiring.

PCB Design

The controller is designed with a custom PCB that integrates the relay and LED control circuits, making installation straightforward and reducing the need for additional hardware.

This compact, flexible system provides a full-featured, scalable home automation solution, perfect for enhancing home theater setups or other single-room automation applications.