Home Depot Hubspace LED Lights Bluetooth Analysis

Hey guys! I've been diving into the world of smart home tech and ran into a bit of a snag with some Home Depot Hubspace LED lights. They connect via Bluetooth, and I'm trying to figure out how to control them using custom solutions since I'm a big fan of home automation. I know the Hubspace app uses the Afero platform, but figuring out the exact BLE ADV commands has been a bit of a puzzle. Let's break down my findings and see if we can make sense of this.

Understanding the Hubspace Ecosystem and Bluetooth Communication

So, the initial problem: I'm trying to integrate these Bluetooth-enabled lights into my setup. The lights themselves work flawlessly with the Hubspace app on my phone, but I wanted more control. Since they use Bluetooth, I'm hoping to sniff out the commands the app sends to control the lights, which should allow me to automate and control the lights. The first step was to understand the underlying communication. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is used for these lights, and I'm using tools to capture the raw data being sent back and forth. This involves observing the BLE advertising packets which contain the commands. Capturing this information allows me to identify and analyze the data packets that control the lights.

Understanding how the app communicates with the lights is crucial. I can then translate those signals into commands that a home automation system can understand. This process allows for complete customization beyond what's offered in the original app. The initial process requires significant data analysis, and patience to understand how each signal affects the light. My aim is to replicate or override the functionality of the Hubspace app, and offer advanced control over the Home Depot LED lights.

Analyzing BLE ADV Messages from the Hubspace App

One of the most important aspects of this process is analyzing the BLE ADV messages. These messages contain the commands sent from the phone app to the lights. I've collected these packets using a Bluetooth sniffer, which allows me to see the raw data being transmitted. It provides me with the insights needed to understand the protocol. You can think of each packet as a small instruction sent to the light, and each sequence of packets might represent a change in light setting. My job now is to decode these packets to understand what each part means.

I provided data captures from the sniffer: AllData.json, AllDataWithBtattValues.json, and SmallSnippet.json. These files contain the raw data, and my goal is to figure out how to decode the packets. The packets look like a series of hexadecimal values. I am trying to identify patterns in these values. I've also added some screenshots of the lights from the Home Depot website so you know what lights I am talking about. This process is like learning a new language, but instead of words, we have these digital instructions. By interpreting these packets, I hope to build a way to control the lights.

Decoding the BLE ADV Commands: A Step-by-Step Approach

The packets that I've captured look like a series of hexadecimal values. The task is to break down this data and understand what each part does. The first step in decoding is identifying the different data fields within each packet. These fields can include things like the device type, the command type, the data payload, and checksums.

I provided an example of turning the light on and off, and the corresponding hexadecimal values. These are crucial to identify patterns, and correlate specific commands, like turning the light on/off. The next step involves examining these values closely, in order to understand the meaning of the various values. It's like solving a puzzle, where you slowly piece together the meaning. After I understand what each value represents, it becomes easier to write my own code that can send these commands. This is very important for anyone who wants to get the same results.

Tools and Methods for Bluetooth Packet Analysis

The tools I used for this project involve a Bluetooth sniffer (Wireshark) to capture raw Bluetooth data, and I’ve used the Hubspace app to trigger various actions with the lights. I then analyzed the captured packets in Wireshark. By correlating the actions in the app with the data packets captured, it’s possible to identify the commands related to on/off, dimming, color changing, and other functions. Using the listening tool is also important to see how the device communicates.

These tools have provided the raw data and insights into how the lights communicate. Once I identify the patterns, I can start to build my own control system. The process includes capturing data, analyzing data, and translating the results into custom control systems.

Next Steps and Community Collaboration

My next steps include decoding the remaining commands, such as color and brightness control. After I have a full understanding of the commands, I plan to build a simple interface that allows me to control the lights. This will be an opportunity to build a custom integration. I plan to open-source this effort so anyone can integrate it into their systems. I think this type of community-driven project can make smart home integration more accessible to everyone.

I hope this breakdown helps! If you have experience with BLE or smart home devices, I'd love to hear your thoughts and insights. Feel free to share your ideas, or provide any relevant information! Let's work together and make our homes a bit smarter, shall we?

For more in-depth information about Bluetooth Low Energy and smart home automation, check out Bluetooth.com, a great resource for understanding Bluetooth protocols and specifications. Bluetooth.com is a great place to find more information.