Perhaps there could be some volunteers to head up various aspects (various
hardware parts and parts of the protocol).
I agree with Robin and others that a multi-medium system is the way to go.
As I previously mentioned, I will design and build some hardware if someone
can tell me a good circuit for coupling to the mains. This is the only
knowledge I lack and nobody is giving it away for free on the net. Mr.
McDaid has promised to try and find something from Philips and I hope he
sends it for all to peruse!! As soon as I receive something I can build
upon, I will keep everybody informed and share my results.
While I'm not strong in creating multi-master protocols, I would love to
offer some input when one begins developing. It may be more beneficial if
the protocol allowed multiple masters as well as slaves. To this end, a
two way communications is likely a necessity, if even just for the slave to
acknowledge. Repeated "no acknowledge" means failure.
John Mullan