IoT Home Automation with KNX Systems

According to Statista, more than 350 million smart homes worldwide are expected to be installed by 2023. By 2026, household penetration of smart homes is anticipated to reach 25.0%. To save money, time, and energy, smart homes use automation systems managed by a centralized system, such as KNX home automation. 

Making isolated devices of the system interconnected to convey control data to all building management components is one of the vital issues of any smart home or building system. KNX system ensures that all elements, gadgets, and operations of any building (or outdoor area) communicate using one common language.

Everything you need to know about KNX technology, including what it is and how it functions, is covered in this article. WebbyLab will share their experience of KNX smart home devices integration into their 2Smart Standalone automation system. Read on to learn why integrating KNX systems into new or existing buildings is an excellent idea for your next building project.

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What is KNX & How Does It Work

KNX is a globally recognized standard for smart home automation and building control. It is a technology that regulates the automation of essential building systems, including HVAC, lighting systems, multimedia, security, energy management, and more, in any residential, commercial, or industrial building.

How Does KNX System Work

The centralized system for all automatons in the KNX system is the KNX bus line. A green cable is connected to the regular mains supply when building a new home or remodeling an existing one. Under the KNX standard for building automation, the various building technology components are connected via the primary KNX bus line.

Sensors, detectors, parameters, etc., are used to manage the cable system, and end users can effortlessly handle these components using a laptop, smartphone, or tablet. All systems and devices connected to the network via the KNX bus are routed in parallel with the electrical power supply, connecting sensors, actuators, controllers, and others devices and components. 

KNX System Architecture

The following are some of the main components of the KNX system in home automation architecture:

• Interworking and distributed application models. Used to automate various tasks. 
• Schemes for configuration and management. Manage the resources on the network and allow the binding of parts of a distributed application in multiple nodes.
• A communication system with a message protocol and models. Enables each node’s communication stack (which can host distributed applications) to communicate (KNX Common Kernel).
• Models for the realization of these elements. Create real devices that will be installed and connected in an installation.

Integration of KNX Smart Home Devices 

The KNX system itself can be complete on its own and does not require any third-party software for management. Yet, in today’s world, many users are primarily interested in the unification of all their devices. Also, they look for simple ways to automate and expand the capabilities of device management.

WebbyLab has extensive experience with the working and time-tested integration of KNX smart home devices into our 2Smart Standalone automation system. One of the main components of this system is a bridge. It is a software module that allows the integration of any device into the platform. WebbyLab has developed the bridge for the integration of any KNX devices. By the way, in one of our guides we talked about how to update an IoT device, find out more about it if you are interested.

Bridge settings interface

To incorporate any setup of KNX devices into the 2Smart Standalone platform, you need to connect all devices to a single bus and give the bridge the ability to communicate with this bus. The easiest way is with a device called the KNX IP interface. This device will help our software manage and receive sensor values ​​of KNX devices through local networks. 

The User interface of the 2Smart Standalone platform

After that, you need to start the bridge itself and write its settings yourself or with the help of our engineers. It is done so that there are appropriate sensors for control for all group bus addresses in 2Smart Standalone.

KNX System Components & Network Structure

All KNX products and devices connected to the network via the KNX bus are routed in parallel with the electrical power supply, connecting such components of the system:

• Sensors (e.g. push buttons, anemometers, temperature- and movement-sensors). They collect data and transmit it as a data telegram on the bus.
• Actuators (e.g. bulbs, dimming units, displays, motors, heating valves). They receive data telegrams and turn them into actions.
• System devices and components (e.g. backbone couplers, line couplers). They connect two or more components of the system. 
• Operating and monitoring devices (e.g. control panels). They control and monitor a particular function of the system.  

Read Also: Wearable IoT Trends

10 Reasons You Need KNX Smart Home 

KNX smart home allows you to use a wall switch or smartphone app to remotely control your house’s HVAC, lighting, shading, multimedia, security, and energy management. It also enables you to automate them and verify their status. Let’s look more precisely at each benefit of becoming a KNX homeowner. 

Energy-saving

Although saving energy seems easy, this is rarely done in reality, especially in buildings where many people enter and exit frequently. Employing KNX, you may utilize presence sensors to switch off a light when no one is present, ultimately saving energy. Make your home more energy-efficient by automating your heating and cooling.

Time-saving

Automate routine household duties to save a ton of time so you can spend on the truly important things in your life. Making your smart home gadgets work for you is simple by using KNX. Not only is it practical, but it also frees up the time you would have spent on pointless chores like turning off the first-floor light you forgot to do before leaving the house.

Control over mobile apps

KNX enables control via a mobile app or a mounted tablet in addition to the standard wall switch control. This implies that turning on or off any gadget or monitoring the temperature is just a single tap away. Additionally, you can adapt the mobile user interface to your requirements. For example, you can connect your KNX system to Apple Home mobile app. 

Customization

A KNX system can be expanded or reconfigured at any time after installation. The installer can do planning and modify the system to meet your needs. A KNX wall switch may be reprogrammed to turn on a new object or scenario. Adjusting the device functionalities allows us to anticipate future changes and lay the connections in advance.

Centralized management

Lights, blinds, and other KNX devices can be put indoors and outside. They are all controlled by the same system. One app does it all, eliminating the need to move between mobile apps on different devices. The KNX smart home is a decentralized system, so all components can communicate with one another without relying on a centralized server. 

Variety of manufacturers 

KNX is an open standard, which entails that there are more than 500 manufacturers in more than 35 countries and that the number is constantly increasing. When you choose KNX, you are not restricted to a single manufacturer and can select each device from various manufacturers to ensure that you receive the required features at a cost that works with your budget.

Remote access

You can use a KNX smart home app to turn off any lights you might have forgotten to turn off, to remotely close your blinds to shield your windows from strong winds and storms, or to change the temperature before you get home. Use your tablet, smartphone, or even smartwatch to control anything and ease your mind by assuring you that your house is secure.

Security 

The best approach to secure your data is with a pure KNX smart home because it operates entirely locally and is shut off from the outside world. For example, you may set your alarm off as soon as you lock the door in a KNX smart home. The presence and movement sensors will detect any unusual movement at your door, and you will receive a notification on your phone.

IoT-Ready

Despite being a classic wired standard, KNX is easily incorporated into the IoT environment. With the aid of third-party companies, you may include KNX devices in the Apple Homekit, Amazon Alexa, or Google Home ecosystems. You can easily combine the wired KNX and wireless IoT worlds into a single app, enabling voice control of your KNX home, and adding wireless devices.

Future-proof

KNX has existed for thirty years and is undoubtedly here to stay. The KNX certification standard guarantees interoperability between all KNX-certified devices. If a smart house is to continue generating value throughout a building’s existence, it must adapt. KNX has withstood the test of time and is sufficiently scalable and adaptable to keep up with smart home technology.

How WebbyLab Can Help With KNX Systems

With our 2Smart Standalone automation solution, WebbyLab has vast expertise in integrating KNX smart home devices that have stood the test of time. In addition to the possibility of remote control through the browser, here is what can be done with our 2Smart Standalone platform next: 

• Automation. After integration, users can configure automation of any complexity through the web interface of the 2Smart Standalone application. In 2Smart Standalone, you can automate connected devices while sitting with a laptop in a hammock.
• Connection with other devices. In addition to KNX, you can connect many other devices from other manufacturers to the 2Smart Standalone system or order integration for devices that are not yet supported. For example, it is possible to connect wired KNX and Modbus devices with wireless controllers and sensors based on Zigbee and use all devices in one ecosystem.
• Cloud management. 2Smart Standalone supports native integration with the 2Smart Cloud platform. It allows transferring control of any device or sensor monitoring to the 2Smart Cloud mobile app, giving endless possibilities such as control through the application itself, Telegram bot, phone calls, Siri, and Google Assistant.

We also suggest you to read our guide on how to build an AI chatbot using a Javascript.

The user interfaces in the 2Smart Cloud app.

In addition to using KNX for domestic purposes, we can help configure the system to optimize the use of resources at facilities. With the help of our knowledge and experience, WebbyLab can develop such a solution qualitatively and quickly.

In general, WebbyLab can help develop any solution for integrating KNX devices into any IoT platforms or provide our own 2Smart Cloud and 2Smart Standalone as ready-made platforms for implementing KNX on buildings. Read on to learn about the most common uses of KNX solutions. 

Interfaces of KNK Systems

Growing numbers of established manufacturer-based proprietary systems are now supplying their own KNX gateways. When choosing such a solution, assessing the benefits of working with a single manufacturer’s proprietary solution is vital. Failing to do so could conflict with the strength of KNX. Below are examples of interfaces used in KNX systems. 

• BACnet
• 1-10V Analogue Systems
• Modbus (metering)
• Crestron
• RS232
• AMX
• RS485
• LON
• DALI
• IP Interfaces
• DSI
• USB Interfaces
• DMX
• Serial Interfaces

Types of Buildings Where a KNX System Can Be Installed

Initially, KNX systems were utilized in bigger buildings like malls and airports and then started to be used for homes. Nowadays, building automation can be implemented in any project type, whether a new construction or renovation project using KNX.

• Office buildings. With KNX utilized in the office building, you may significantly reduce energy consumption-related maintenance costs.
• Residential buildings. Utilizing KNX for IoT home automation creates a living area customized to your lifestyle.

• Hotels. KNX building automation is the key to increasing energy efficiency in hotels.

• Schools and universities. Smart automation with KNX help optimize building schools and universities and provides comfort for students efficiently, affordably, and safely.

• Hospitals. KNX system can help a health institution improve its everyday operations through constant monitoring, safety precautions, and effective energy management.

• Stadiums and sporting facilities. A highly flexible automation system is a huge asset for the routine maintenance of the infrastructure for athletic arenas.

• Industrial buildings. KNX provides a secure and simple-to-manage system for a sustainable manufacturing process.

Read Also: Use cases for IoT monitoring systems

Can KNX Systems be Upgraded in Existing Building Structures

The short answer is a resounding “yes”! KNX can be incorporated into and used in already-built structures. KNX installations can be quickly expanded and modified to meet new needs or requirements with little effort and expense.

The KNX system is a scalable system with a future-proof standard. This implies that any KNX system can be easily expanded or reprogrammed when system updates are required or desired. When a KNX system is implemented, it automatically adjusts to user needs if preferences, lifestyles, or working situations change.

As technology advances swiftly and new KNX-compatible items are released onto the market, KNX technology offers the ideal long-term solution for many diverse residential, commercial, and industrial building projects.

Final Thoughts

With the growing number of smart homes, IoT home automation are more and more frequently used to save money, time, and energy. KNX system and automation are a leading, widely accepted standard for smart building control. Although the KNX system may function entirely on its own, many users are interested in its further automation and enhanced device management.

WebbyLab has vast expertise integrating KNX smart home devices that have stood the test of time. In addition to offering our own 2Smart Cloud and 2Smart Standalone platforms as ready-made KNX implementation platforms, WebbyLab can design any solutions for the integration of KNX devices into any IoT platform.

Contact us to get more information on KNX home automation.