XAP Home Automation protocol

xAP is an open protocol used for home automation which supports integration of telemetry and control devices primarily within the home.^[1] Common communications networks include RS-232, RS-485, Ethernet and wireless. The xAP protocol exclusively uses broadcast messages.^[1] xAP receivers listen to all broadcast messages and read the message header to verify whether the message is of its interest.^[1] The xAP protocol has the following key advantages:^[1]

• It makes use of existing infrastructure wherever possible (for example it can co-exist with various physical layers like RS-232 or wireless LAN)
• It can intercommunicate between multiple networks like RS-232 or wireless by just deploying a physical bridge.
• xAP does not require any central controller. All nodes can act as sender or receiver.
• xAP system provides distributed and fault tolerant architecture which allows continuous operation of systems even in the event of component failures.

See also

• xPL Protocol - A substantially similar home automation protocol