knx association ets4 for experts december 2010. knx association page no. 2 october 2010 knx: the...

KNX Association

ETS4 for Experts

December 2010

KNX Association Page No. 2October 2010

KNX: The worldwide STANDARD for home & building control

3. It’s OPEN!

ETS4 allows access to import/ export data, even at runtimeAccess to in-/ export data via XML based exchange formatNew “add in” interface allows access to ETS4 data, even at runtime

2. It’s FAST!

ETS4 speeds up project workflow and data exchange Project and product data import is at least twice faster Increased workflow efficiency from project creation up to download

1. It’s EASY!

Lowering the threshold for newcomers with a new ETS4 user interface! Easy ETS project setup/ project creation wizards for KNX newcomersBetter user interface, faster access to common functions

Why ETS4 ?



Overview

Part 1: ETS4 is easy & fast

Part 2: ETS4 is open

Part 3: Improvements in relation to ETS3

Part 4: Requirements & Licensing



Part 1ETS4 is easy & fast



ETS4 is easy & fast

Project Assistant: Wizard for Functions & Groups



ETS4 is easy & fast

Embedded Parameter Dialog

• parameter dialog = embedded control

• device parameter dialog ‘hopping’ = faster

• which contributes to the efficiency of the ETS4 workflow



ETS4 is easy & fast

Dynamic Folders

• Requirement = to display resources according to specific filter criteria

• Solution = “Dynamic Folders”- allow a nearly free listing of window content- can be stored and hence re-used any time



ETS4 is easy & fast

Tree Slider

• browsing by means of a simple slider• which is far more powerful than expand/collapse• e.g. Building -> Rooms -> Devices -> Communication Objects



Part 2ETS4 is open



ETS4 is open: Project Linking

Data Exchange

• The average KNX installation is increasing• And is often linked to other automation systems

• This linking involves data exchange

• ETS4 uses XML based exchange formats

• XML = open standard• E.g. ETS4 projects can be read with any XML Viewer• Conclusion: with ETS4 linking = easy

• In contrast to ETS3, where import/export formats are not open



ETS4 is open: Dataflow

ETS2 + ETS3Projects/ Products

ETS3Import/Export

Database

*.prα, *.vdα ─ α = x..5

ETS2 + ETS3Projects/ Products ETS4

Import/Export

Database

SQL (*.mdf)*.prβ, *.vdβ, *.db ─ β = x..5

Converter

ETS4Projects/ Products

(*.knxproj,*.knxprod)

Sybase (*.db)

only one direction!

ETS3 Dataflow

ETS4 Dataflow



ETS4 is open: Converter

ETS4 Converter

REMARK:

• creates new files (*.knxprod, *.knxproj)

• leaves original files unchanged (vd*, pr*, *.db)

• can be used as stand-alone (preparation)



ETS4 is open: Data Structure

ETS4 Exchange Formats based on XML, this covers: • All Customer Projects = Project Data• Manufacturer Product Descriptions (Catalogs) = Product Data

ETS4’ KNX “knowledge” based on XML, this covers:• Which manufacturer has which manufacturer code• Knowledge about the standardized KNX platforms (BCU2, System B)• KNX media: topology, address spaces, etc.

so called KNX Master Data

All data is structured according to the KNX XML Scheme, this covers:• KNX Master Data• Product Data• Project Data

ETS4 Data Structure



ETS4 is open: File Structure

<KNX>…………<Signature></KNX>

ETS4 File = XML + ZIP

.knxprod (products)

.knxproj (projects)

ETS4 File Structure

+

(opened with e.g. winzip32.exe)



ETS4 is open: File Content

e.g. KNX Master Data (can be opened with any XML Viewer)

ETS4 File Content



Part 3Improvements in relation to ETS3



ETS4 Improvements: Overview

• User Interface (Part 1)

• Data Exchange: XML (Part 2)

• Database:1. Change without Closing2. Central Repository (Server) 3. Automated Backup

• Project:1. Project Files: store & attach non-ETS data (CAD)2. Project Log: Descriptions + Titles/Headers3. Free Group Address Structure + full 16-bit range4. Embedded Parameter Dialog5. Dynamic Folders



Improvements: Database

Change Database without closing ETS

• database change can be done directly via the ETS4 user interface

• in ETS3 this operation requires a close and restart of the software

• this makes switching to other projects obviously much faster




Central Database Repository

• ETS4 can open projects from a central server repository

• workflow optimization: >1 user can access projects

• once accessed, project status = “Checked out to” user = “XYZ”




Automated Backup

ETS4 offers two ways to create backups:- manually: during project edit- automatically: as user request when closing ETS4



Improvements: Projects

Extra Project Data

Possibility to add not ETS-related data (files) to projects:- CAD drawings- product specific documentation- installation manuals




Improved Project Logging

• project log entries have been extended with their specific Titles

• project log entries also indicate the user (DB = central repository)

• this allows better structured project descriptions (sort by title)




Free Group Address Structure

• classic = 2 and 3 level Group Address structures• this is for complex and/or big projects not always sufficient

• with ETS4 project specific Group Address structures can be defined




•16 bit = 65536

• GAs are set up as ‘plain’ numbers: 1..65536

• 0 is not valid

2 Steps:

• define ‘your’ structure of GA-ranges

• then add the actual GAs to the individual GA-ranges

Free Group Address Structure



Full 16-bit range for GAs• Line Couplers: Filter Table = 1 bit / GA• & per direction: main line to sub line and vice versa • First series of LCs had limited memory• & could therefore not support the complete 16 GA bit range• In order to avoid legacy problems, ETS4 gives this warning:




Bus Access• Parallel download for, via IP connected Twisted Pair segments• Bus access also available in the free of charge ETS4 DEMO

User interface• License overview directly available in main view, right after launch• KNX News, also available in main view (can of course be disabled)• Updated search & filter functions (e.g. product catalogue/finder, …)

Project editor/ analysis• Updated „To Do“ list concept• Dedicated folder for “recently used” products• More powerful and configurable filter & record functions (bus/gr. monitor)

Project documentation• Size of project export files has been reduced significantly• Single device report possible

Automatic Updates

Further Improvements



Part 4Requirements & Licensing



ETS4 Requirements

Operating System:

MS Windows:

• XP (min. SP3), Vista (min. SP2), 7, 2003 (min. SP2) / 2008 Server

• For all: both 32-bit and 64-bit are supported

Hardware:

RAM: ≥ 2 GB HDD: > 5 GB

(ETS4 setup = ~ 450MB)CPU: ≥ 2 GHz Screen Resolution: ≥

1024x768 (Multi Monitor Support)

USB Slot: for possible dongle

Recommended: ≥ 4GB RAM + higher screen resolution



ETS4 Licensing

• All ETS3 dongles are supported by ETS4

• The ETS4 installation does not remove the ETS3 installation, license or data

• Moreover, ETS3 and ETS4 can be used in parallel with the same dongle

• Upgrade from ETS3 to ETS4 means however that the ETS3 license will disappear from the KNX online shop account



ETS4 Licensing

ETS4 Licensing Dialog

Available Licenses

Install License



Thank you very much for your attention!

knx association ets4 for experts december 2010. knx association page no. 2 october 2010 knx: the...

Documents

knx association ets4

knx association page

data exchange ets4

ets4 workflow slide

knx xml scheme

worldwide standard

average knx installation

open standard