Linux Powers New Security System
by Lisa Hoover - Jan. 13, 2009Comments (0)- Related Blog Posts
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French security company M2M Solution has developed a security gateway device called Homebox to monitor your home, office, vehicle, and even your pets while you're out. M2M and Texas Instruments, Inc. (TI) designed the system from the ground up in only nine months using Linux-based tools and open source codecs.
The unit comes supplied with a 5MB, low-light camera and integrated Ethernet that allows users to connect to a broadband router. Images and data can then be accessed in real-time from any Internet-accessible computer, or even a mobile phone. Homebox also sports WiFi and an 868 MHz RF link in case you want to connect additional sensors like those found on pet collars and electronic lifeline devices used by seniors and handicapped individuals.
The heart of the Homebox is Texas Instruments' "modular and extensible OMAP35x Evaluation Module (EVM) [that] provides all the components needed to start developing today on the OMAP3503 processor including an OMAP3503 Linux board support package based on the 2.6.22 kernel."
According to M2m, "With OMAP 3 technology implementing all these interfaces, the Homebox will typically only need one cable connection - power. Because of the low power consumption of the OMAP 3 processor, less than 1W in this case, all functions are housed in a plastic enclosure that operates silently without any fans or even heat sinks." In the event of power loss or interruption, the Homebox will alert the owner via email, text message, or voice call and then run on its backup battery for up to four hours.
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