NSC vs Arduino
Why choose Networked Smart Control over Arduino-based systems?
Not Just a Controller — A System
NSC (Networked Smart Control) is a fully distributed automation architecture built for reliability, scalability, and ease of use. While Arduino is a powerful microcontroller platform for prototyping, NSC offers features that go far beyond single-board programming.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | NSC System | Arduino |
|---|---|---|
| System Scope | Distributed network of autonomous nodes | Single-board microcontroller |
| Programming Model | Event-driven logic (visual or code) | Procedural loop (code-only) |
| Inter-device Communication | Transparent and auto-generated | Manual message handling (if possible) |
| Code Required | No code (MaticStudio) or clean C code (AppWizard) | Full code, including hardware access and timing |
| Distributed RPC | Point-and-click (MaticStudio) or function call + public event (AppWizard) | Custom protocol, parser, logic per device |
| Reliability | Cooperative OS with deterministic behavior | Depends on developer’s logic and timing |
| Scaling to 10+ devices | Seamless — shared bus, unique addresses | Manual setup, synchronization, complexity increases |
| SCADA UI Integration | Built-in with Virtual Components | Requires third-party libraries and code |
| Ideal Use | Distributed/Home/building/industrial automation | Single-purpose prototypes, makers, sensors |
Zero-Code or Native-Code Distributed Communication
One of NSC’s strongest advantages is how it handles inter-device communication:
- In MaticStudio: you create event-action relationships through a point-and-click interface. Input events and output actions are selected from side-by-side lists, and your selections are visualized in a third panel. From there, you can rearrange links, add comments or bookmarks, or delete entries interactively. The required RPC communication between devices is automatically generated — no code or protocol knowledge needed.
- In native firmware (AppWizard + SDK): making an RPC is as easy as calling a function. On the receiving side, you just implement a
public event. No serialization, message parsing, or address management is needed.
This transparency and simplicity make NSC ideal for projects that grow beyond a single device, where Arduino-based designs often hit architectural and maintenance limits.
When to Use What?
Use Arduino if:
- You’re building a one-off prototype or hobby project
- You enjoy writing C++ and managing microcontroller logic manually
- You only need one or two simple devices
Use NSC if:
- You’re building a distributed automation system (home, building, industrial)
- You want to visually design logic or easily extend it with modular components
- You need devices to cooperate without building the communication stack yourself
👉 You may also want to read how NSC compares with IoT (like Tuya, Shelly, or Ikea Home)
👉 Here a summary that compares NSC, Konnex and IoT