overview

What is Z-Wave?

The Z-Wave protocol is an open, interoperable, sub GHz RF mesh wireless communications technology designed specifically for control, monitoring and status reading applications in residential and light commercial environments. Mature, proven and broadly deployed (with over 100 million products sold worldwide), Z-Wave is by far the world market leader in wireless control, bringing affordable, reliable and easy-to-use ‘smart’ products to many millions of people in every aspect of daily life.

The Silicon Labs Z-Wave solution is an end to end solution with software and hardware building blocks for both controllers and end devices to create a full smart home IoT system. The Z-Wave software gives you the foundational features required in the Z-Wave Specification and enables you to focus on your application with no need to be a protocol expert.

The Z-Wave Controller software (Z-Wave to IP gateway or in short Z/IP Gateway) from Silicon Labs enables fast time to market, as it handles all connectivity and protocol details allowing you to focus on your application software and cloud connection. Z/IP Gateway provides features such as easy and secure commissioning (SmartStart and Security S2), network maintenance, a mailbox for battery devices and more ensuring that your controller product is in compliance with the required functionality from the Z-Wave Alliance Specification. All pre-certified under the latest Z-Wave certification program from the Z-Wave Alliance.

The Z-Wave End Device software from Silicon Labs enables end devices such as security sensors, door locks, light switches/bulbs, and many more to benefit from the pre-certified Z-Wave applications, all certified under the latest certification program from the Z-Wave Alliance. For more custom device applications you can leverage the Z-Wave Application Framework.

The complete suite of Z-Wave certified HW and SW building blocks enables system solutions, for end device makers and controller/gateway companies, to build Z-Wave powered smart home products and enjoy the benefits of taking part in the Z-Wave Ecosystem.

Z-Wave Compared

Benefits

What is Z-Wave used for?

Z-Wave is designed to meet the demands of the future smart home, hospitality and MDUs, where increasing needs for more sensors and battery-operated devices require both long-range and low power. Our sub-GHz Z-Wave solutions offer best in class security, Smart Start provisioning, battery life of up to 10 years, full home coverage, customer product-level interoperability and backward compatibility.

Z-Wave is, by far, the most widely used wireless protocol for the home automation industry. It uses simple, reliable, low-power radio waves that easily travel through walls, floors and cabinets, without interference from the other wireless devices you might have in your home. Z-Wave can be added to almost anything electronic, even devices that you wouldn’t ordinarily think of as “intelligent,” such as appliances, window shades, thermostats and lights.

Z-Wave offers integrators and system designers a world of business opportunities, along with the products and training to make those opportunities pay dividends for both you and your clients. Now integrators can easily deliver all the hot applications that customers are asking for, including remote home and business management, energy conservation, connected solutions for independent aging, real estate and property control and more. All with no new wiring and the confidence that comes with an interoperable standard that works seamlessly between brands.

Applications

Secure, smart home solutions for Z-Wave

Training Resources

Learn more about Z-Wave with these training assets