Home Automation Info

Crestron

The diagram at left depicts the architecture of a Crestron system in a whole-house automation application. The master controller concept is central to the logical architecture of a Crestron system, and can be a Pro2 Control System as shown, or one of 12 other control system models using the 2-Series Engine and Dual-Bus Architecture. The various control system models range from compact and economical room boxes to full-featured, scalable systems with professional audio/video signal routing and processing capabilities. The slave controllers would typically be additional modules of the same model as the master.

Crestron controllers connect to slave controllers, other expansion modules and human interface devices via Cresnet, the backbone communication network for the system. This network provides a proprietary hard-wired connection from the master controller to up to 252 Cresnet devices. The Cresnet bus is a simple, yet flexible 4-wire network that provides bidirectional communication and 24v power to all connected devices.

Note all of the sea-blue blocks in the diagram represent Crestron products. Traditionally, lighting control has been accomplished via Crestron wall-mounted or plug-in outlet switches and dimmers directly connected to Cresnet via expansion modules. Now Crestron offers InfiNet wall-mounted switches and dimmers plus a lamp dimmer, which are wireless RF devices using the 2.4 GHz band. This eliminates the need to connect the Infinet devices via direct wiring, making a retrofit lighting solution using Crestron much easier to install. Wall-mounted keypads are also available in traditional or InfiNet versions for 2-, 4-, 6-, 8-, and 12-button models fitting in a single gang electrical box. Note Crestron thermostats are directly connected via Cresnet, and not available with InfiNet.

The highly-customizable user interface devices include an array of wired and wireless touchpanels, either tabletop or wall-mounted versions. The wired touchpanels start with a 3.6" flip-top model, an 8.4" Isys display and move up to 12, 15, and 17 inch display models with embedded PC functionality. The wireless touchpanels include a MiniTouch Handheld Touchpanel, a 5.7" SmarTouch Touchpanel, and a 8.4" Isys WiFi Touchpanel.

For audio/video distribution Crestron offers 2-, 3-, 7-, 12, and 16 Channel Multi-Room and Surround Sound Audio Amplifiers, the Adagio line of Home Entertainment systems, and an array of Digital Audio Processors. As well as an array of Digital Video Processors, CAT5 Audio/Video Switchers, and a number of QuickMedia A/V distribution systems.

For audio/video component control Crestron provides IR and serial interfaces to Cresnet, allowing the connection of IR emitters to the A/V components at a minimum.

Note Crestron does not provide a full-function security panel solution (thus the light-blue shading). However, the Crestron system can control security cameras, and isolated relays and I/O Versiports built in to accommodate motion sensors, contactors, door strikes, and other low-voltage controls which enables basic security system functions.