Lisa Watson of ProKNX introduces a new protocol which allows KNX products to interact with non-KNX products, promoting interoperability in the smart home environment.
The choice of smart devices and systems seems almost infinite these days, which adds a barrier to the decision-making process for both professionals and end-user customers when developing and deploying IoT projects for new builds or retrofits. What solution is the best one to go with? Up until now, choosing one solution over another has meant that the professional and end-user become locked into a particular system. This, up-to-now, obligatory decision carries many disadvantages such as limiting the available product selection, and creating issues if a particular company stops supporting the devices that work uniquely with a certain standard.
Another serious issue experienced on a regular basis by all parties involved transpires during the maintenance of existing automation solutions. Often different devices need their individual apps to function, creating difficulty in interoperability between platforms and devices. There has also been an elevated dependency on Internet and Cloud connections to create workable solutions. As a result, the difficulty in maintaining functioning ‘patchwork’ installations has increased dramatically.
However, two new developments recently launched by KNX and the Connectivity Standards Alliance are changing the face of the automation industry. The new standard makes it far easier to create dependable, high-quality automation solutions using a variety of products and services.
The KNX IoT 3rd Party API by KNX
The KNX IoT 3rd Party API by KNX was launched in 2021. This protocol codifies communication between devices, which allows non-KNX and KNX products to be used harmoniously in a single installation solution controlled by any server that supports this standardised protocol. The advantages for the industry are many-fold, from lowering construction costs and increasing speed of project deliveries, to improving reliability and compatibility of systems. For any given automation project, the choice of products becomes far larger, and the installation of a complete solution far less complicated as there is no longer a need to match certain devices with certain standards. The maintenance of the already in-place solution is also markedly simplified, again lowering costs and time needed by professionals to oversee the continuing function of each deployed IoT system.
A collaboration between the German-based company, Schneider Electric, and France-based company, ProKNX, at the recent Light + Building trade-show in Frankfurt, successfully demonstrated the use of the KNX IoT 3rd-Party API standard. Thanks to the KNX IoT 3rd Party API functionality of the Schneider Electric logic controller, WISER, a successful interoperable interaction with the ProKNX voice-controlled smart speaker, that works offline to protect privacy, was demonstrated.
Christian Kiefel, CEO of ProKNX stated: “The new standardised approach at API level results in simpler adjusts to work with a larger portfolio of servers. This allows for far greater flexibility in creating and deploying solutions to suit the requirements of every automation project.”
Kiefel continued: “The KNX IoT 3rd Party API is a game-changer for the smart automation industry, giving professionals a greater scope of possibility to easily create an intelligent solution to suit every need.”
Matter by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA)
Matter, based on the internet protocol (IP), addresses the same issue of non-interoperability between devices as the KNX IoT API does. This open-source connectivity protocol has been founded on the physical communication standard, Zigbee, and will run on existing technology such as ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Thread. Just like the KNX IoT 3rd Party API, it will simplify integration of smart products from diverse companies. The launch of Matter is expected for the end of this year, with a roll-out of Matter compatible products from a variety of companies slated for 2023.