Stefan Schauer
Adding an electronic door lock to your front door can provide many features and benefits. For example:
While electronic door locks should work reliably, they are susceptible to many environmental influences. Moisture, dirt, rain drops and ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun can erode materials over time. In addition, as an Internet of Things (IoT) device, the lock is vulnerable to cyberattacks, making protected wireless communication and a tamper-proof front panel and keypad mandatory features. These are only some of the challenges that a door lock has to resolve. In the block diagram in Figure 1, the important components of the physical lock are shown: keypad, wireless connection, display and control.
Extending battery life is a critical objective when designing a door lock, which is predominantly in idle mode. TI’s MSP432 MCU can help maximize energy savings because it consumes just 660nA in idle mode. When an event arises, the MSP432 MCU can wake up quickly, offering the ideal performance-to-energy-consumption ratio with high computational bandwidth.
The MCU can also handle additional tasks including:
The integrated analog-to-digital converter (ADC) on the MSP432 MCU has up to 16 bits of resolution, offering a pathway to add premium features such as:
A building protection application could become a target for a cyberattack or manipulation. The MSP432 MCU’s implemented security features enable a very high level of security to:
With the TI SimpleLink™ MSP432™ software development kit (SDK), you can add wireless communication features without much effort. The SimpleLink MSP432 SDK plug-ins provide an easy way to add Bluetooth low energy connectivity to a new or existing MSP432 MCU-based application. For example, using a host MCU and adding Bluetooth low energy through a network processor provides extended functionality and unparalleled system design flexibility, which are critical for industrial applications. Figure 2 shows the clear software structure of the SDK and the easy access from the application layer.2
Additionally, many residential door locks can leverage Apple’s HomeKit technology so that consumers can control their door locks through the Home app on an iOS-based device. TI offers a robust Bluetooth low energy HomeKit solution using the MSP432 MCU for designers to create highly differentiated HomeKit accessories.
It’s possible to design a capacitive touch technology-based keypad so that it’s both stylish and well-isolated against environmental influences. It’s very easy to avoid issues, like mechanical malfunction of buttons on the keypad, and to protect the keypad against dirt and water. A flat panel without any gaps or mechanical moving parts can be encapsulated with much less effort and is only required at the fixed borders of the panel.
Maintaining performance in the presence of water drops or heavy moisture on the panel requires a technology sensitive enough to detect the differences between water and human fingers; otherwise, the panel may misinterpret actual key presses or ignore them completely. Figure 3 illustrates the principle of a capacitive touch button. The CapTIvate touch module implemented in the MSP430FR2xxx device provides a sensing system that can detect such situations and react and filter for them.
Door lock keypads must be able to tolerate moisture and operate with touch detection in the presence of steam, mist or spray.
To dive deeper into this door lock application and quickly get started, see the additional resources below.
TI PROVIDES TECHNICAL AND RELIABILITY DATA (INCLUDING DATASHEETS), DESIGN RESOURCES (INCLUDING REFERENCE DESIGNS), APPLICATION OR OTHER DESIGN ADVICE, WEB TOOLS, SAFETY INFORMATION, AND OTHER RESOURCES “AS IS” AND WITH ALL FAULTS, AND DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS AND IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NON-INFRINGEMENT OF THIRD PARTY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.
These resources are intended for skilled developers designing with TI products. You are solely responsible for (1) selecting the appropriate TI products for your application, (2) designing, validating and testing your application, and (3) ensuring your application meets applicable standards, and any other safety, security, or other requirements. These resources are subject to change without notice. TI grants you permission to use these resources only for development of an application that uses the TI products described in the resource. Other reproduction and display of these resources is prohibited. No license is granted to any other TI intellectual property right or to any third party intellectual property right. TI disclaims responsibility for, and you will fully indemnify TI and its representatives against, any claims, damages, costs, losses, and liabilities arising out of your use of these resources.
TI’s products are provided subject to TI’s Terms of Sale (www.ti.com/legal/termsofsale.html) or other applicable terms available either on ti.com or provided in conjunction with such TI products. TI’s provision of these resources does not expand or otherwise alter TI’s applicable warranties or warranty disclaimers for TI products.
Mailing Address: Texas Instruments, Post Office Box 655303, Dallas, Texas 75265
Copyright © 2023, Texas Instruments Incorporated