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[dhouston]

I think this should qualify as an Arduino DIY project at Instructables...
http://www.instructables.com/tag/type-id/category-technology/channel-arduino/
so I'll try to put together a step-by-step with pretty pictures that I can publish there rather than setup and maintain another website.  

I may need someone who works with Arduinos to create some Arduino code. I think most of it already exists but there are some features (e.g. AGC) that are specific to the CM15A. It might also create a much larger market for the CM15A2Z module I'm developing.

And, I doubt there is Arduino code for micro-dim/bright which require 200+ commands to verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry gradually dim or brighten a light.
http://web.archive.org/web/20150811230402/http://davehouston.org/micro-dim.htm

[bkenobi]

Very interesting!  I have a backup CM15A that I might upgrade.  I have a working setup currently, but having options is always nice!

[dhouston]

Very interesting!  I have a backup CM15A that I might upgrade.  I have a working setup currently, but having options is always nice!

I'm designing it so that the Cypress MCU can be replaced with a DIP-18 socket. That way, one can always revert to the Dark Ages by just replacing the plug-in CM15A2Z with the original MCU although you will need some bubblegum to plug the extra holes in the case.  

[dhouston]

Both the ESP8266 WiFi module and the HC-05 Bluetooth module are rather powerful little thingies that can act as either master or slave (the ESP8266 can be both simultaneously). For this project I'll use them merely as an optional WiFi or Bluetooth to Serial device to provide a wireless command/feedback link with the CM15A2Z module but it is also possible to use them to link to other WiFi or Bluetooth enabled devices, in effect, making them de facto HA hubs.

[Brian H]

I have one or maybe two. Early production CM15A's. When X10 was still trying to make the firmware more stable. They have the Cypress Chip in an IC socket. 

[dhouston]

I have one or maybe two. Early production CM15A's. When X10 was still trying to make the firmware more stable. They have the Cypress Chip in an IC socket. 

That was very early although it's impossible to know when they stopped using the socket based on datecodes. My first one had a socket; another, bought soon after, did not.

[dhouston]

I've received a quote from one PCB fabricator. While higher than I had hoped, it's not outrageous. The Chinese New Year would delay delivery until March.

I'm still awaiting a quote from a second PCB fabricator.

[dhouston]

Bare PCBs from one supplier shipped today. They are coming Air Mail so may be here in a week or so. I have a quote for bare PCBs from a second supplier and am waiting for their quote on assembled PCBs. I am optimistic that this will prove practical and come in at a reasonable price. Given that optimism, I've been working on preliminary documentation for Instructables.
 
As soon as the bare PCBs for the carrier board arrive, I'll assemble one and add its pic to the left side of the bottom row, below. The leftmost pic in the upper row shows the through-hole PCB from the early CM15A (I forgot to install the EEPROM at the upper right corner of the USB connector) while the rightmost shows the SMT version currently shipping. The brain transplant only works with the former version.

As soon as I have a better feel for cost, I'll need to take a poll to judge overall interest before ordering the assembled PCBs.

While datecodes were not always reliable, my November 2012 (12K48) was old style while May 2013 (13F24) is new style.

[bkenobi]

So if I open my CM15A and find blue wires off the transformer, I can put it back together and move on?

[dhouston]

So if I open my CM15A and find blue wires off the transformer, I can put it back together and move on?

I'm not sure wire color is always a determining factor (the red NO-NO circle applies to the whole PCB)  but, if you see a nearly empty surface, with the exception of the transformer and related components, you can close it up and move on.

[bkenobi]

Looks like I'm in business.  The only thing I don't have is a socket, but that can be dealt with on a DIP chip since the legs can shift slightly in the hole when desoldering.

[dhouston]

If you install sockets for the MCU (DIP-18) & EEPROM (DIP-8) and use 2 dummy batteries (as shown below) you can easily revert to the Dark Ages, if desired.

The webpage for this has been updated. Once things are finalized, I'll make further edits but most of the details will go into a PDF which can be downloaded from a link on the webpage.
https://www.laser.com/dhouston/cm15a2z.html

[dhouston]

I've tweaked things so that all SMD components are on the same layer which simplifies assembly but I may have designed myself into a corner with too many hardware options to have the PCBs preassembled.

Options:
Micrel MICRF008 wideband superhet (w/RSSI) VS existing LC tuned narrow-band superhet (RSSI?)
PIC12F675 to handle RF IO (ATmega328P handles PLC IO) - uses one of available 9600bps TTL ports.
Two 9600bps TTL ports - ATmega328P handles RF & PLC IO (PC, WiFi or Bluetooth)
Highspeed USB-TTL port XOR highspeed serial TTL port (PC, WiFi or Bluetooth) CH340G uninstalled or removed (SOIC-16)

Most of the options can be mixed or matched. Arduino Playground users can switch between them but not ZBasic users (unless I can coax them to supply the Arduino Mini Pro I'm using with a licensed free version of ZBasic). PIC code cannot be changed w/o replacing the PIC (SOIC-8).

There won't be major differences in costs as all optional ICs but the MICRF008 are fairly inexpensive.

I'll provide clarifying pix and text when things are ready. Bare prototype PCBs were in New York Friday and should be here soon if the USPS hasn't mislaid them.

[dhouston]

Still no PCBs but I have put together a PDF file explaining things. If you PM me with your email I'll send a copy. Please ignore weird gaps in the PDF - they came from the (free trial) HTML to PDF conversion software.

[dhouston]

No PCBs as yet but I've made some progress never-the-less. I designed the carrier board around an Arduino Mini Pro clone which has a slightly different pinout than the official version. I chose it because the double row of solderpads on the clone (see picture earlier in thread) simplifies connecting the electrodes needed to brainwash & re-educate the Atmel ATmega328P. While there are several vendors of this version on eBay, I decided it was prudent to tweak my design to also accommodate the official version in case the clone should become unavailable.

I've ordered an official version via Amazon Prime so it should be here by Friday. Once I verify it will fit my latest layout, I'll order some bare PCBs that I can assemble myself, as well as ask for quotes on partially assembled versions. At this point, I'm fairly confident in the design and I should have code from earlier projects that will shorten the process creating the device firmware as well as the Windows, Linux & OS X software. iOS & Android software will take a bit longer as I'll be starting fresh with those plus I don't have any devices that run those systems.