Somfy radio technologies: discover the differences between RTS and io-homecontrol and how to choose the one that best suits your home.
Today
radio technology plays an increasingly important role. In homes, shops, hotels and restaurants…
wireless control systems are now essential for most installations.
In this short guide I will answer the most common questions about
Somfy radio technologies.
In particular we will find out what are the
differences between RTS and io-homecontrol and how to choose the most suitable one for
home automation for the intelligent management of your
smart home .
My name is
Elia Caneppele and I deal with
automations for doors and windows and homes in general on a daily basis.
Have a good reading.
What are the differences between a wired or wired command and a radio command?
Usually in the wired system the command button is positioned near the motor (as for
electric shutters next to the window) and connected with electric cables that transmit the commands.
In the radio system , commands are sent via radio waves and
no electrical cables are required to manage the engine . The command must be fixed on the wall or it is portable. It does not require any predispositions and the power supply is via battery. Thus, in the case of the motorized roller shutter, you can manage it within a radius of 20 meters even through a wall.
The great thing is that with Somfy you can
transform a wired system into a radio !
Is a radio system more expensive than a wired solution?
No, on the contrary: the greatest advantage of a radio system is above all in the quick and less expensive installation. This is because
it does not need masonry work , avoiding damaging the walls and furniture of the house.
What does RTS radio technology mean?
The term RTS is short for
Radio Technology Somfy .
Somfy RTS is a wireless home automation control system that uses radio and wireless waves. You are using a portable or wall-mounted remote control.
RTS is compatible with Somfy RTS radio frequency systems and with the
Somfy Tahoma Switch home automation box to manage your home in an intelligent way.
What is io-homecontrol radio technology?
Io-homecontrol, or more simply IO technology, is another wireless system. It was designed by the Somfy company together with leading companies in the construction sector.
The goal was to develop a
universal radio communication protocol that allows intelligent home automation.
Thanks to this technology, the Home Motion concept can be extended to other functions in the home, such as heating, lighting, entrances and security that you can control via smartphone or tablet.
This radio system
works bidirectionally , i.e. the transmitter and the receiver communicate with each other. Thus the user always knows whether his command has actually been executed.
What are the similarities between Somfy RTS radio technology and IO?
Let's first look at the points in common.
- Both of these two home automation technologies are simple to install and require no electrical wires for the control points;
- They are both flexible protocols because they allow you to add motorized devices or automatisms according to your needs, without having to reconfigure the system;
- Finally, the similarities both make life easier thanks to the numerous features and the ability to manage the entire installation from the same point.
What are the differences between RTS and IO radio technologies?
Now let's see what changes between one Somfy radio technology and another.
Somfy Radio Technology is mainly applied to house openings. Instead
, the advantage of IO technology is the return of information compared to the commands sent to your systems. This allows for example to know if the command was successful.
For example: with RTS you can send the command to close one or more rolling shutters but any malfunction or non-closure of one of them will not be signaled by the system if not "on sight". With the IO system, on the other hand, directly from the system, it will be possible to view which roller shutter is left open.
Beware that RTS motors are not compatible with IO automations and vice versa.
You will therefore need to choose the same protocol for all your installations.
ATTENTION:
- The RTS technology is unidirectional: the transmitter sends an order to the receiver which does not respond with return information (the information flows go in one direction only);
- The io-homecontrol technology is bidirectional: the transmitter and the receiver communicate in both directions (except for some one-way io remote controls).
Which Somfy radio technology to choose?
It is true that IO is slightly more expensive than an RTS installation, but my advice is to
base your choice on your needs .
I recommend that you choose RTS technology if:
- You already have engines or installations with this radio technology;
- Are you interested in automating and installing only a few engines;
- If you want to make your home home automation at a slightly lower price;
- You want a simpler, easier-to-use system.
Instead, choose IO-homecontrol technology if:
- You already own engines or installations with this radio technology;
- You want more advanced, two-way radio technology;
- You want to evolve your automated home system through other IO compatible installations;
- You also want to control your home using smart remote controls.
Do I have to motorize my whole house right away?
You don't have to. Everything can be done very easily as your needs change.
You can always improve your installation and add a new application or feature.
For example, you can motorize your roller shutters now and your awnings or garage later.
I have a wired installation. Can I improve it?
Certainly. Just add
receivers that will transmit your commands to the motors through the existing wiring.
If you then decide to add another product, it will not have to be connected via cable to the control point.
Both technologies are compatible with all Somfy applications. With a single remote control you can operate all the motorized openings in your home individually or in groups.
Can my radio signal be intercepted or tampered with by other signals or people?
This danger does not exist in an absolute sense: communication with RTS or IO technology is not a conventional exchange of information.
Each message is divided into four areas and encrypted : think that there are more than 16 million possible combinations for the same code. You will understand that external interference is practically impossible.
In addition, with the IO-homecontrol technology, the signals are further protected by a 128-bit security code (the same degree of security used in banking transactions).
