ETS has an option available for defining channels which are structured/visible in ETS as a collection of Group Objects for KNX devices. This method has two advantages. - Channels offer better structuring of Group Objects on devices, which results in a better overview.
- Channels can be dragged directly from a device to (building) functions to create a link. This has the significant advantage of allowing several Group Objects to be linked with the associated Group Addresses in the function all in a single step.
This article covers the following topics:
The function is however only available for devices for which the channel information has not been defined by the manufacturer, i.e. devices targeting earlier ETS versions (ETS2 and ETS3) and for which no User Interface plug-in is required.
1. Manual creation of channels
Allows (initial) manual creation of channels by an ETS user.
Procedure
- Select a device and right click it.
- Select 'Add channels'. The 'Add channel' dialog opens where the number of channels as well as their name can be defined. Once defined click 'OK'.
- The channel is created and it appears below the device.
- Drag'n' drop the desired Group Objects to the desired channel either in the List or Tree view.
It is also possible to assign Group Objects (again) directly to the device (= initial state with no channels). They are then treated as being applicable across all channels.
2. Automatic creation of channels by ETS
Allows the (initial) automatic creation of channels by ETS.
Procedure
- Select a device and right click it.
- Click 'Suggest channels'.
- The 'Channel Editor' dialog opens and ETS prepares two possible channel suggestions including names and Group Objects. To change suggestion click the 'Next suggestion' button.
- If needed, drag'n' drop any Group Objects to the desired channels to complete a channel definition.
- Clicking 'OK' takes over the channel configuration as shown in the Group Object/Channel list.
Channel Editor dialog
The Channel Editor dialog has a toolbar (1) and a Group Object/Channel list view (2)
The toolbar (1) that contains the following functions:
| Name | Description |
| Add channels | It adds a channel to the channel list, where a name shall be given. |
| Expand channels | It expands all the channels that are available |
| Collapse channels | It collapses all the channels that are available |
| Search field | Allows data search among the Group Objects. For more information see here. |
The Group Object/Channel list (2) contains the following columns:
- Group Object number
- Group Object name
- Group Object function
Once a channel has been created it appears as an element higher in the hierarchy with the corresponding channel icon 
Example:
- There must be at least two Group Objects actively visible on the device so that ETS can automatically suggest channels.
- An automatically created channel can be modified manually afterwards.
- The channel suggestion by ETS takes considers only the following data:
- Text from the Group Object object functions.
- Texts from the Group Object names.
c. Linking channels with functions
A channel can be linked with a function by drag'n'drop of the channel to a function or vice versa. In case of an automatic assignment, the Group Objects of the channel are automatically linked with the Group Addresses of the function.
If an automatic assignment is not possible, the 'Link with function' dialog appears automatically so that an ETS user can define how the assignment shall be done.
The primary aim of an automatic assignment is not a 100% assignment in every constellation, but to do that - as good as possible - in an automated way. Manual changes are always possible to correct things afterwards.
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Channels In ETS manually defined channels owill be saved as so-called usage data (information about the channels) locally and user-specific on the computer for access by ETS and not directly in the KNX product data oare subsequently present and available for all identical devices in one’s own project and in all other (imported) projects on this computer (reGroup Addressrdless of whether they were created manually or via an ETS suggestion) oidentical devices are defined by their identical application, i.e. switchable applications for one and the same device are not identical – when switched. •Because the editing/ creation of the information on the channels (usage data) has effects across all projects, this function for creation does not support any Undo/ Redo. •The usage data are not included when the project is exported (there is no guaranty that these data are even present on another computer or they may be defined differently) •For the creation of suggestions objects that are not visible are displayed grayed out and are taken into account (even if they are not visible in the current parametrization).
Functions Functions are visually structured collections of group addresses in the building structure.
Functions, predefined by ETS (A) •Using an individual icon (predefined by ETS, not able to change) •Group Address's will by ETS oautomatically created in the function oautomatically named according to the function The here always (newly) created Group Address description is assembled of the corresponding building part und function name. •Group Address's owns (internally) predefined Link/Connection Codes* (not visible in ETS user interface) and an corresponding DPT (visible in the NaviGroup Addresstion bar)
Functions, predefined by ETS user (B) •Using a unique icon (predefined by ETS, not able to change) •Group Address's will by the user omanually created in the function e.g. dragged & dropped into it oautomatically named according to the function The here always (newly) created Group Address description is assembled of the corresponding building part und function name. •Group Address's owns no (internally) predefined Link/Connection Codes* and corresponding DPT
Product Database Entries On creation of an native ETS5 product database entry a manufacturer can add on existing Group Object's an additional Link/Connection Code*. The advantage of such an definition is, when assigning first time with fully "typed" functions no ETS requesting/ wrong assignment is needed. On native ETS3/4 product database entry such an definition is not possible.
ETS Assignment Logics The ETS works on a (channel oriented) assignment of functions with channels (finally between Group Address's with Group Object's) after the following principle. 1.Assign a Group Address (in a function) with a Group Object (from a channel), where bit - width / DPT type and Link/Connection Code matche (if not point out this "incompatibility" via an dialog) 2.Are the necessary information for the assignment not (yet) completely available, the ETS user gets asked to achieve an correct assignment.
* A (textual) code, where ETS can decide if designated Group Object's and Group Address's fitting each to each other according its logical functionality. These codes necessary to have uniqueness on objects with same bit width/ DPT types. |