FAQ - KNX Gateway

PROFINET is an innovative, open automation Ethernet industrial standard (IEC61158/61784). The KNX PROFINET Gateway allows interfacing a KNX system (e.g. switches, actuators, etc.) to a PROFINET network (e.g. a PLC) thus enabling a data exchange between these networks.

M-Bus, in its wired version, is a 2-wire, cost-effective bus system used for centralized reading of heat, water, gas and electricity consumption meters. M-Bus system has been developed to meet specific communication requirements for those applications where a it is important to calculate billing costs for the final user. The KNX M-Bus Master Gateway allows interfacing a KNX system (e.g. switches, actuators, etc.) to a multi-manufacturer’s M-Bus slave network.

DMX (DigitalMultipleX) is a digital communication standard mainly used for lighting control in entertainment industry. It is usually implemented in a mono-directional way and it is based on RS485 physical protocol. The KNX DMX Gateway allows the connection of a KNX network (e.g. sensors, dimmers, etc.) to a DMX network (e.g. a Light System) thus enabling a data exchange between these networks.

Modbusis a Master/Slave protocol that manages a number of services coded in the “function code” field contained inside each telegram. The KNX Modbus RS485 master Gateway allows the connection of a serial master Modbus network (e.g. a SCADA system) to a KNX network (e.g. light switches, actuators, etc.) thus enabling a data exchange between these networks. The KNX Modbus TCP/IP master Gateway shares the same function as the RS485, the only difference being the type of connection, which is no longer serial, but a TCP/IP connection through an Ethernet cable.

BACnet is an open and neutral communication protocol used in building automation and control networks.

A communication protocol is a group of rules regulating a data exchange through a computer network. These rules can be coded in a written form (e.g. on a compact disk) and define everything that is necessary to comply with the protocol. The KNX BACnet IP server Gateway  uses a standard UDP/IP stack through an Ethernet network to send and receive telegrams over a KNX network. The KNX BACnet MS/TP server Gateway  shares the same function as BACnet IP, the only difference being that data exchange is carried out between a RS485 serial differential network and a KNX network.

DALI is an international standard protocol compliant with CEI-EN-62386 rule, which guarantees the interchangeability of electronic dimmable power supplies made by different manufacturers. DALI system allows controlling up to 64 addressable lighting devices. The DALI Gateway allows the connection of a DALI network (such as a lighting system, etc.) with a KNX network (such as lighting switches, actuators, etc.), thus enabling a data exchange between these networks.