WHAT IS KNX?
KNX is the first globally standardized system for the automation of residential and non-residential buildings in accordance with the international standard (ISO/IEC 14543-3), the European standard (CENELEC EN 50090, CEN EN 13321-1 and 13321-2), the Chinese standard (GB/Z 20965) and the US standard (ANSI/ASHRAE 135). In order to transfer control data to all building management components (or smart home devices/functions), a system is required that avoids the problem of having isolated devices speaking 'different languages'.
Turn lights on and off, bring shades up or down, set comfort temperature, have it your way
Anywhere in the building and from a distance, more comfort and safety for all residents of the house.
“Not just a system but a standard”
KNX devices can manage lighting, blinds and shutters, HVAC, security systems, energy management, audio video, white goods, displays, remote control, etc.
KNX is also the world’s only open standard for home and building control and is compliant to EN 50090, EN 13321-1 and ISO/ IEC 14543, and has been submitted for Australian standards approval.
Unlike proprietary protocols (which only the manufacturer supports), KNX is an open worldwide standard with over 300 different manufacturers producing products that all inter-work and operate together seamlessly.
KNX works by ensuring all components, devices, features and functions of any building (or outdoor space) communicate via one common language instantly and remotely.
How does KNX work?
The KNX bus line is the main central nervous system for all automatons.
It is a green cable which is installed in addition to the conventional mains supply during a new build or renovation project.
All of the various building technology elements are then connected to one another vis the main KNX bus line in accordance with the KNX standard for building automation.
The cable system is then managed by such things as sensors, detectors, parameters, etc. — which can then be conveniently controlled by end users with a laptop, smart phone or tablet device.
The KNX bus is routed in parallel to the electrical power supply to all devices and systems on the network linking:
Sensors (e.g. push buttons, thermostats, anemometers, movement) gather information and send it on the bus as a data telegram.
Actuators (dimming units, heating valves, displays) receive data telegrams which are then converted into actions; and
Controllers and other logic functions (room temperature controllers, shutter controllers and other)System devices and components (e.g. line couplers, backbone couplers)
KNX KEY FEATURES
Many actuators also include controller functionality, as well as sensor functionality (e.g. for measuring operating hours, number of switch cycles, current, electrical power consumption, and more).
Application software, combined with system topology and commissioning software, is loaded onto the devices via a system interface component.
Installed KNX systems can be accessed via LAN, point to point links, or phone networks for central or distributed control of the system via computers, tablets and touch screens, and smartphones.
Some of the key features of the architecture for KNX systems are:
Interworking and distributed application models for the building automation various tasks.
Schemes for configuration and management of resources on the network, and to permit the binding of parts of a distributed application in different nodes.
A communication system with a message protocol and models for the communication stack in each node (capable of hosting distributed applications (KNX Common Kernel).
Models for the realization of these elements when developing actual devices to be mounted and linked in an installation.
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