Notes About Scalability

🔧 NSC I/O Scalability and Flexibility

• NSC devices are designed as general-purpose controllers with a consistent and reasonably high number of I/O lines (typically 8+8 or more).
• These inputs and outputs are programmable and remappable, meaning you can flexibly adapt a device to various roles in a project without changing hardware.
• I/O types may include digital, analog, 1-wire — and the program/firmware adapts dynamically via the configuration defined in MaticStudio or with even more capabilities with the AppWizard and NSC OS.
• Devices can be wired for centralized, decentralized, or hybrid topologies, depending on the installation context.

⚙️ KNX Device I/O Structure

• KNX devices, on the other hand, are generally function-specific modules — e.g.:
  • A 4-channel dimmer
  • A 2-relay actuator
  • A 6-input pushbutton interface
• This means each KNX unit is narrowly tailored for a fixed purpose.
• Adding more I/O or changing function requires installing additional hardware modules, each with its own group address and configuration in the ETS tool.

Summary

KNX is a robust, internationally standardized solution ideal for large-scale building automation systems where certified interoperability and vendor support are essential. However, it comes with complexity, licensing costs, and limited customization options for embedded developers.

NSC, by contrast, provides a more lightweight and flexible platform for both installers and developers building tightly integrated, distributed control systems. It particularly shines in custom applications and true distributed automation. What you can don with the NSC system you simply can't with the Konnex platform.

Is KNX Really an Open Standard?

KNX (Konnex) is often described as an open international standard for home and building automation. It is officially recognized as:

• ISO/IEC 14543-3 (international)
• EN 50090 (European standard)
• GB/T 20965 (Chinese standard)

At first glance, this suggests anyone can implement KNX freely. However, in practice, the situation is more nuanced.

Limited Access to Protocol Specifications

While KNX is standardized, access to the full protocol documentation is not freely available. Developers must register on the KNX Association website, and registration is not free of charge. Access to detailed protocol specs, development guidelines, and conformance tools often requires a paid membership.

Proprietary Tools and Development Restrictions

Even for certified development, the main configuration tool — ETS (Engineering Tool Software) — is a closed, commercial product. Creating or certifying KNX-compatible hardware also requires:

• Licensing fees
• Membership in the KNX Association
• Use of proprietary test tools and certified development kits

What "Open" Really Means Here

KNX can be considered an open consortium standard: its specs are published through formal channels, but use is controlled by a central organization. In contrast, fully open protocols — like SFBP (Simple Field Bus Protocol) used in NSC systems — are available without licensing, membership, or usage fees.

Conclusion

KNX may be open in theory, but not in the sense of open-source or unrestricted access. It remains a vendor-controlled ecosystem that can pose barriers for hobbyists, researchers, and small developers.

TL;DR: KNX is a standardized but gated protocol. Open only to those who can pay.

👉 You may also want to read how NSC compares with Arduino

👉 or how NSC compares with IoT

👉 Here a summary that compares NSC, Konnex and IoT