It’s here! On 22 April 2022, KNX Association launched Version 3.0 of the KNX Standard to its manufacturer members. This was the first major release of the KNX Standard since the publication of Version 2.1 in 2013. Here are the key points.
A milestone
The publication marks two major steps.
1) It is the first official publication of the approved standard versions of the KNX IoT 3rd Party API and the KNX IoT Point API. In this way, Version 3.0 of the entire KNX Standard celebrates the conclusion of the work on the KNX IoT project, which started as early as 2017. These specifications open up a vast new array of development possibilities for KNX members: in addition to designing KNX products based on TP, RF and KNXnet/IP, the specifications add the possibility to interface more easily to KNX Installations via RESTful Web Services and allow manufacturers to also design KNX products using IPv6 networks, such as Thread, as a communication medium.
Of course, it is expected that the KNX IoT specifications are likely to be further improved with more features and enhanced test specifications, but this is the official starting point for members in the development of KNX IoT products.
2) Just as important is the fact that with every major release, KNX tries to improve the readability of the KNX Standard by including the application notes in the body text of the KNX Standard. Application notes are specification documents separate from the body text, which lay down system extensions and corrections to and from the body text. When all of these are integrated, all requirements are found in one single place, instead of being spread over multiple documents.
Key areas
The KNX Standard now includes specifications for three supported media (TP, PL and RF in its Ready and Multi flavours), one common system stack (including all of the allowed profiles), security mechanisms for KNX Classic (KNX Secure), KNXnet/IP specifications and now also specifications for KNX IoT 3rd Party and Point API (including their own security requirements).
Naturally, still included are updated versions of the Hardware Requirements, Certification Manual, Application Specifications, Test Specifications, Requirements for Basis & System Components and Application Specific Standards such as Logical Tag Extended and M-Bus Mapping.
Reception so far
Members had been eagerly awaiting a stable version, especially for the KNX IoT extensions, in spite of the fact that precursor versions had been published in previous years. For the finalisation of developments and start of certification of corresponding devices, such major releases are a must.
Next steps
Following publication, all members who have signed the IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) License Agreement will now be invited to come forward with any necessary patents they may hold on aspects that are explicitly described in the standard or are necessary to meet the requirements imposed by the standard. This process normally takes approximately a year to finalise.
Availability
Once the IPR process has been finalised, KNX Association plans to offer version 3.0 for download by anyone via MyKNX, not just KNX members. For the first time, the standard will only be published electronically and made available via the KNX cloud. The previous ftp server access will be discontinued from next year onwards.
