ABB i-bus KNX Solution

NGÀY ĐĂNG 28/01/2026

Võ Hồng Tiên

In the context where modern buildings increasingly demand intelligence, high integration capability, and sustainable operational efficiency, traditional electrical systems no longer meet the requirements for flexibility, scalability, and energy optimization. Instead, automation platforms based on open international standards are becoming the inevitable choice for high-end residences, commercial buildings, and large-scale infrastructure projects.

The article below provides a comprehensive analysis of the ABB i-bus KNX platform – from technology standards, device architecture, software tools, and integration capabilities to typical real-world applications in modern buildings – helping investors and system integrators gain a complete perspective before selecting a solution.

ABB i-bus® KNX: The Foundation of a Global Open Standard

KNX is an international open standard for smart homes and buildings, compliant with EN 50090 and ISO / IEC 14543. It was formed through the unification of EHS, BatiBUS, and EIB (Instabus) standards and is managed by the KNX Association. KNX is widely adopted worldwide and serves as the standard platform for building automation systems, from lighting and HVAC to shading, security, and energy management.

The ABB i-bus KNX system is an integrated management platform that enables comprehensive control of lighting, heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), security systems, and energy management. By utilizing data collected from a dense network of sensors, this technology can reduce energy consumption by up to 30% compared to traditional electrical installations without automation capabilities.

In conventional electrical systems, changing control functions often requires complex physical interventions such as wall demolition or rewiring. With KNX architecture, however, functions are defined via software, providing maximum flexibility and allowing the system to adapt to changes in building usage throughout its lifecycle.

Device Components in ABB i-bus KNX

The ABB i-bus KNX ecosystem is built on a modular – distributed – and scalable architecture, where each device performs a specific role while remaining tightly connected via the KNX bus. It can be divided into five main groups as follows:

KNX System & Infrastructure Devices (System Devices)

KNX Power Supplies:
Provide a stable 29V DC voltage and integrate a choke to prevent bus signal suppression by the power supply.

IP Routers & Interfaces:
Enable integration of the KNX network into the building’s Ethernet infrastructure. This not only increases data transmission speed between line segments but also enables remote control via the Internet and integration with large-scale Building Management Systems (BMS).

Line Couplers:
Connect different KNX bus lines while maintaining electrical isolation and filtering telegrams to reduce network load.

Input Devices – Sensors (Sensors / Inputs)

Presence & Motion Detectors:
Capable of detecting even the smallest movements of seated occupants, maintaining optimal lighting and temperature levels and automatically switching off when rooms are unoccupied.

Weather Sensors:
Measure light intensity, wind speed, temperature, and rainfall. This data is used to intelligently control shading systems, protecting buildings from extreme weather conditions and optimizing natural thermal comfort.

Touch Control Interfaces (ABB RoomTouch & SmartTouch):
High-resolution touchscreens that allow users to control all room functions from a single point through an intuitive and elegant interface.

Output Devices – Actuators

Switch Actuators (On/Off Loads):
Control lighting, power sockets, pumps, and electrical equipment.

Dimmer Actuators:
Adjust brightness levels of LED and halogen lighting.

Shading Actuators:
Precisely control curtain positions and louver angles, maximizing natural daylight without glare.

DALI Lighting Controllers (DALI Gateways):
Connect KNX systems to the professional DALI lighting standard, allowing control of up to 64 luminaires per DALI channel and supporting advanced features such as Tunable White and Human Centric Lighting (HCL) to align lighting with human circadian rhythms.

HVAC & Environmental Control Devices

Fan Coil Controllers:
Manage heat exchangers, fans, and valves within air conditioning systems, ensuring maximum comfort with minimal energy consumption.

Air Quality Sensors:
Monitor CO₂ concentration, humidity, and temperature to automatically adjust ventilation systems, safeguarding occupant health and alertness.

ETS Software & ABB Specialized Tools

One of the standout advantages of ABB i-bus KNX lies in its software support. ETS tools are the key factor determining whether a system is truly “intelligent,” operates reliably over the long term, and remains easy to expand, maintain, and optimize for energy efficiency.

ETS Software: The Core KNX Programming Platform

ETS (Engineering Tool Software) is the dedicated software developed by the KNX Association for designing, configuring, programming, and diagnosing KNX-based smart home and building systems. ETS enables integration of thousands of certified products from over 500 manufacturers, allowing centralized management of lighting, shading, security, and more within a single interface.

Key Features of ETS:

• Compatible with all KNX-certified devices
• Supports planning, configuration, documentation, maintenance, and programming (download) of product data (.knxprod)
• Enhanced security and IoT support in ETS6
• License options: Demo (trial), Lite (small projects), Home (homeowners), Professional (integrators)

ABB i-bus Tool – Advanced Diagnostics

For medium to large-scale ABB i-bus KNX systems, challenges extend beyond design and ETS programming to operation, diagnostics, and lifecycle maintenance. To address this, ABB developed the i-bus Tool – a free, specialized software for KNX integrators.

ABB i-bus Tool is a commissioning and service tool that allows:

• Direct access to ABB i-bus KNX devices
• Connection via USB or KNX IP
• Reading and displaying internal values, operational states, and status bytes
• Simulation, testing, and forced device states

Its core distinction lies in operating alongside ETS, serving the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting phases rather than system logic programming.

BMS – IoT – Matter – Voice Control Integration

Integrating KNX with BMS

In medium to large-scale buildings such as offices, hotels, hospitals, and mixed-use complexes, the Building Management System (BMS) functions as the central monitoring and optimization platform. ABB i-bus KNX, meanwhile, serves as the field-level control layer, offering high stability and flexible scalability.

KNX easily integrates with standards such as BACnet and Modbus, which are widely used in industrial-scale HVAC and energy management systems. This integration allows KNX to act as an extension of the centralized BMS, delivering transparency from endpoint devices to the control center.

KNX: Distributed field control, responsible for:

• Lighting control
• Shading control
• HVAC control (Fan Coil, Room Control)
• Sensor data acquisition

BMS: Centralized management, responsible for:

• Whole-building monitoring
• Operational scheduling and scenario control
• Energy analysis and optimization
• Alerts and reporting

Integrating ABB KNX with Modern IoT

In the IoT era, smart buildings extend beyond simple on/off control to connectivity, data collection, analysis, and contextual response. With its open standard foundation and distributed architecture, ABB KNX serves as an ideal physical control layer for modern IoT platforms.

Methods for Integrating ABB i-bus KNX with IoT:

• KNX integration via IP & APIs
• Native KNX IoT standard
• Integration via MQTT & cloud platforms

KNX & Matter Integration

Solutions such as Matter-to-KNX gateways allow traditional KNX devices to appear as native entities within modern IoT control applications. This enables users to combine the absolute stability of wired KNX systems with the flexibility of wireless Matter devices within a unified management interface.

Voice Control Integration with ABB i-bus KNX

As voice control becomes a natural interaction layer in smart buildings, it is no longer merely a demonstrative feature but a critical user interface layer in modern building architecture.

With ABB i-bus KNX, voice control does not operate independently but is built on a robust wired control foundation, ensuring precision, security, and long-term scalability.

Integration Methods:

• Integration via Matter (recommended approach for Smart Home 2025–2030)
• Integration via ABB Busch-VoiceControl® KNX
• Integration via IoT Gateways & APIs

Application: Elevator Calling from Apartments with ABB i-bus KNX & ABB Welcome IP

By combining the ABB i-bus® KNX automation platform with the ABB Welcome IP video door communication system, modern buildings can deploy fully automated intercom – door unlocking – elevator calling solutions. Residents or office staff can welcome guests remotely without visiting the lobby, a hallmark feature of next-generation Smart Buildings, especially in luxury residential towers, Grade A offices, and mixed-use developments.

System Integration Architecture

The elevator calling solution is built on an IP – KNX – Elevator Control integration model, consisting of:

• Outdoor Station (ABB Welcome IP): Lobby call panel with HD camera, microphone, speaker, and call button
• Indoor Station / Central Display: Receives video calls, supports two-way communication, door unlocking, and elevator call commands
• IP Elevator Controller: Acts as a bridge between ABB Welcome IP / KNX and the elevator manufacturer’s control cabinet (Mitsubishi, KONE, Schindler, Thyssenkrupp…)
• ABB i-bus KNX: Manages logic, floor authorization, security scenarios, and BMS integration

All communication occurs over a secure IP network, ensuring stability and scalability for large buildings.

Real-World Operational Workflow

Step 1: Guest Communication & Verification

When a guest presses the call button at the lobby Outdoor Station:

• The apartment display rings immediately
• Live HD video of the guest is displayed
• The resident can:
  • Communicate directly via the indoor screen
  • Or receive the call on a smartphone app (when away)

This enables accurate guest verification before granting access.

Step 2: Door Unlocking & Automatic Elevator Call

After verification:

• The resident presses “Unlock”
• The system executes two simultaneous commands:
  • Unlocks the lobby entrance / access gate
  • Automatically sends an elevator call to the guest’s current floor

The guest does not need to perform any additional actions; the elevator arrives automatically.

Step 3: Intelligent Floor Authorization

Once the guest enters the elevator:

• Only the authorized apartment floor is selectable
• All other floors are temporarily disabled

KPS – Comprehensive Smart Building & Integrated Security Solutions

KPS is a leading provider and distributor of integrated security solutions in Vietnam. With over 15 years of experience and a diverse product ecosystem, KPS is the official distributor and partner of global technology brands such as i-PRO, BOSCH, CNB, Legrand, Genetec, MAG, ABB, GST, Optex, Tycon, Simplex, Janus Fire…

With a total-solution development approach, KPS partners with investors, consultants, and contractors throughout the project lifecycle – from solution consulting and technical design to equipment supply, system integration, and operational support.

KPS solutions focus on long-term stability, flexible scalability, energy optimization, and enhanced user experience, meeting the stringent technical standards of modern buildings.

In the Smart Building domain, KPS distributes and deploys trusted brands such as ABB, Legrand, and CNB, delivering core solutions including:

• ABB Building Management Systems (BMS)
• Legrand Room Control Unit (RCU) solutions
• Electrical and ELV systems
• ABB & CNB Intercom & Video Door Phone systems
• Access control, security, and energy management solutions
• Integrated security systems for residential and industrial projects

With a team of highly experienced engineers and deep expertise in international standards, KPS is committed to delivering the most suitable solutions for every project type – from luxury residences and hotels to offices and large-scale infrastructure developments.

KPS – A trusted partner in shaping intelligent, secure, and sustainable spaces.