ETS6 VS ETS5 comparison
The new ETS6 is here! Building on the valued ETS5, the ETS6 offers a range of new and improved functions, including enabling KNX System Extentions to be used in any KNX project and an improved ‘browser-like’ user interface. The result? ETS6 is ready for your future KNX project requirements, however big or complex they are. Let’s explore the major differences between ETS5 and ETS6.
1.1 System – Support for the new KNX Segment Couplers In ETS5, the topology was limited to the definition of complete lines and areas. As a result, it was only possible to add repeaters or amplifiers within a TP line to allow the use of more than 64 devices on the same line. This limitation was elimated with the introduction of the KNX TP256 system extension. And now… ETS6 is a lot more flexible for topology than ETS5. It includes the new Segment Couplers, which are extensions of media couplers to connect line segments together, regardless of their media type. These devices allow the system integrators to implement topology scaling and extend existing projects more easily with new devices that support security or RF devices. |  |
1.2 System – Support for the new KNX Security Proxy ETS5 opened the door for secure devices in KNX Projects. However, data exchange between secure and non-secure (plain) group objects on these devices was not yet possible. And now… ETS6 supports Secure Proxy, a coupler extension that allows plain devices to communicate with devices that operate securely. This is the perfect solution for retrofitting existing installations with secure devices without removing the existing plain KNX devices. Thanks to ETS6, KNX IP Secure and KNX Data secure can be combined and freely integrated and flexibly configured with plain devices. |  |
1.3 System – Support for the new KNX RF Multi Devices The KNX Radio Frequency medium was fully integrated in the project creation workflow in ETS5. While KNX RF Ready (Systems) devices can be included in an ETS project with ETS5, the software does not support the new KNX RF Multi devices. And now… ETS6 supports the new generation of KNX RF devices, including the reliable and robust KNX RF Multi, the latest wireless protocol for KNX for building control applications. RF Multi devices also come with additional advantages, such as mandatory security support, easy configuration as all the frequency settings are automatically set by ETS, and all the runtime capabilities of a product entry created with the Manufacturer Tool. |  |
1.4 System – ETS6 fully supports KNX Iot System ETS5 took the first steps in the KNX Iot Strategy. While this incorporated new concepts like KNX Web Services, abstraction level or project tags and metadata, the information that could be included in a project was scarce. And now… ETS6 welcomes the IoT era by extending the semantic information linked to a project with standardized information provided by the specific KNX IoT Working Group. For this purpose, ETS6 adds in the background semantic information related to locations, functions, function points, channels, group objects, and more to enable KNX installations to be even more open to the rest of the ‘non-KNX world’. |  |
2.1 User Interface & User Experience – Adaptative dashboard
The ETS5 dashboard did not include any graphical options to enrich the project information. Plus, the only way to simultaneously open workspaces to edit a project was to use floating panels. |