Introduction

Virtual devices help to extend the functionalities of the Ampio system by transmitting messages from other types of devices (eg. ZigBee modules).

Configuration in Ampio Designer

To add a virtual device to the project, select the + icon shown in the right-hand side of the DEVICES table.

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Assign the MAC address according to the device you wish to support. Select the functionalities and their number one by one, then press Add.

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Conditions

Conditions are created in the LOGIC tab. From the list of devices in the TRIGGERS column, select the device created in the previous step and create a condition as for traditional modules.

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Example use of virtual devices

Adding a virtual device makes it possible, for example, to integrate with external temperature sensors using Node-RED.

In this section of the guide, you will learn how to send the temperature from an external sensor to the Ampio system’s CAN network using Node-RED and a virtual device created in Ampio Designer.

Requirements

• Temperature sensor providing an API to retrieve temperature values.
• Ampio installation with access to Node-RED. You can find a full tutorial on Node-RED here.

Configuration in Node-RED

1. Launch Node-RED and log into the interface.

2. Add a sensor reading:

   • Configure an input block that will take data from your temperature sensor.
   • If you do not have a physical sensor, you can use the Inject block to simulate a fixed measurement (e.g. 27°C).

3. Add an HTTP request block and a temperature source.:

   • Drag the http request block onto the workspace and connect it to the sensor read block (the inlet temperature is given as a String value).

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4. HTTP request block configuration:
   • Open the settings for the http request block..
   • GET method.
   • The URL consists of http, the IP address of the server used, port 8060, and the API command, for example, http://192.168.74.223:8060/api/set/57/setVirtualTemp/{{{payload}}} (a detailed description of the API can be found in the server’s local network in Ampio Designer under SETTINGS -> API).
   • Select Use authentication, basic authentication, and enter admin and the administrator password.
   • Click Done to save the settings.

An example of a configured block is shown below.

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5. Save and run flow:
   • Click Deploy to save and run the configuration.
   • Check in the Debug tab that the connection has been made and data is being sent correctly.

Use of readings in the Ampio system

Now that the sensor data is available in the system, you can use it in a variety of ways:

• Displaying the temperature on touch panels or in the mobile app.
• Controlling heating zones by adding the sensor as a data source for thermostats.
• Creation of automations that respond to temperature changes, such as triggering ventilation or notifications when certain thresholds are exceeded.
• Integration with other systems, using sensor data in more complex scenarios.

Configuration in the Smart Home Configurator*

To add a new virtual device, you have to start by running the Ampio Smart Home configurator.

Adding a virtual device

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Picking the type, MAC address and name

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After accepting, you can see the new device on the list.

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Conditions

You can create condition from the virtual device but not to the virtual device.

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For example, in the case of Z-Wave you can create a condition from slave inputs using the virtual device, but controlling outputs is done through the function tab of the M-CON-ZWAVE-s module.