Satel ABAX2 and INTEGRA: Wireless Sensors to KNX via RS232 Bridge

ABAX2 System Architecture

Satel ABAX2 is Satel's second-generation bidirectional wireless system operating at 868 MHz with TDMA polling and AES-128 encryption (128-bit key per sensor). The core components:

ACU-280 controller: DIN rail module, RS485 bus to INTEGRA alarm panel, supports up to 150 ABAX2 wireless devices. Communication cycle: 3-second polling interval per device (ACU-280 polls all enrolled sensors every 3s).

ABAX2 sensors (selected): AMD-102 (PIR motion detector, 12m range, ceiling or wall mount, 3-year battery CR123A), ADD-200 (magnetic door/window contact, surface mount, 5-year battery CR2), ATD-100 (glass break detector, 6m radius), AMD-200 (dual PIR + microwave, anti-mask), ASW-210 (wireless output module for dry-contact device control), ATF-100 (temperature sensor), AFS-100 (flood sensor).

INTEGRA 128 Panel Setup

INTEGRA 128-WRL (64-zone INTEGRA panel with built-in ABAX2 receiver — simplest configuration, no separate ACU-280): configure ABAX2 zones in DLOADX software. Each ABAX2 sensor enrolls as an INTEGRA zone. Zone type for motion sensors: 'DELAY INTERIOR' or 'INSTANT'. Zone type for door contacts: 'DOOR NC' or 'DOOR NO' depending on reed switch polarity.

Partition assignment: assign each zone to a building area partition (Partition 1 = ground floor, Partition 2 = first floor, etc.) for independent arming from KNX or keypad.

ETHM-1 Plus Ethernet Communicator

SATEL ETHM-1 Plus: Ethernet module connecting INTEGRA to LAN. Provides: JAVA-based monitoring GUI, INTEGRA API over TCP/IP (port 7094), IFTTT webhooks, and — most importantly — integration with third-party systems including KNX bridges.

For KNX integration: use SATEL INT-RS module (RS232 serial communicator, terminal X2 on INTEGRA) with a third-party KNX-INTEGRA bridge (e.g. IP-Symcon software on a server, or Jeedom with Satel plugin). The bridge maps INTEGRA zone states to KNX GAs:

Virtual Output Mapping

INTEGRA virtual outputs (programmed in DLOADX): virtual output 1 triggers when Zone 5 (AMD-102 in living room) is violated. Map virtual output 1 to INT-RS output relay. Wire relay output to KNX binary input (MDT BE-4000.02 4-input binary module, terminal 1). KNX binary input sends DPT 1.001 = 1 to GA 2/1/5 (living room motion) on relay close.

This dry-contact bridge approach works without network integration — fully reliable even if LAN is down. Limitation: one relay needed per zone. INT-RS provides 8 outputs and 4 inputs maximum.

For more zones: use ETHM-1 Plus API with IP-Symcon or Home Assistant Satel INTEGRA integration (HACS). Home Assistant maps all INTEGRA zones to entities, and the KNX integration exports entities to KNX GAs via the HA KNX integration module.

ABAX2 Range Optimisation

Masonry walls (brick, 25cm) attenuate 868 MHz by 10-15 dB. ABAX2 bidirectional link margin: 70 dB (ACU-280 specification). Practical range through two masonry walls: 30-50m. Problem areas: reinforced concrete slabs (30 or more dB attenuation) and metal-framed partition walls.

Solution: add ARU-100 range extender (ABAX2 relay device, mains-powered, DIN rail). Enroll ARU-100 on ACU-280, and place between panel and distant sensor. ARU-100 receives the sensor telegram and retransmits to ACU-280. Increases effective range by 80-100m in difficult building fabric.