Z-Wave Long Range: A Game Changer in Home Automation

Z-Wave Long Range (Z-Wave LR) is a game changer in the realm of smart home technology, where most 2.4 GHz technologies are having challenges meeting range demands, and those with sub-GHz are facing limited output power. Z-Wave LR is a technology developed by Z-Wave Alliance that significantly enhances the capabilities of the Z-Wave wireless IoT mesh protocol by allowing up to +30 dBm transmit power, large network node support, and up to 10-year coin cell battery life while maintaining Z-Wave backward compatibility and interoperability.

Z-Wave LR is an evolutionary wireless technology that brings forth a new era of connectivity, extending the reach of the Z-Wave dynasty by leveraging existing modulations that can provide greater range (via DSSS OQPSK) while meeting regulatory requirements. Z-Wave LR offers a significant advantage, as it is designed to provide extended wireless coverage, increased scalability, optimized battery life, and robust security for IoT networks.

Why Opt for SILICON LABS Z-Wave LR? 

Extended Range

Z-Wave LR increases the transmission range between Z-Wave devices and has achieved up to 1.5 miles when using the Silicon Labs EFR32ZG23 device with +20dBm of output power. This extended range eliminates the need for network repeaters or routers, providing complete home or building area coverage. It unlocks new potential for Z-Wave networks beyond the home and into larger properties such as hotels and multi-dwelling units (MDU), making it easier to enroll IoT devices deployed at the end of the yard or beyond for enhanced functionality.

Optimized Battery Life

Z-Wave LR optimizes the current draw based on practical range needs after considering noise floor and information on additional interferers. This dynamic transmit power control does not waste any power and increases the battery life, enabling sensor use cases with up to 10 years on a coin cell battery.

Increased Scalability

With the average number of installed smart home devices increasing, the strain on the network also increases. The Z-Wave LR currently increases scalability on a single Z-Wave LR currently increases scalability on a single IoT to support this upward trend.

Backward Compatibility

Z-Wave certification mandates backward compatibility. This means that the first Z-Wave devices on the market, more than twenty years ago, still perform as intended in networks with the latest Z-Wave technologies. The functionality requires both an end node and a gateway/controller to support long-range.

• Devices such as ZG23 and ZG28, are designed to be interoperable and backward compatible. They go through the same Z-Wave Plus V2 certification program as other Z-Wave devices, which enables them to be installed within any existing Z-Wave network. These devices are designed to work with any previously installed Z-Wave devices.

Interoperability and Security

Z-Wave LR devices use Z-Wave's Security 2 (S2) framework, which provides end-to-end encryption and advanced security for smart home devices and controllers. This helps ensure homes with S2 Z-Wave devices remain secure. All Z-Wave Long Range-based devices only support SmartStart as the inclusion method, and S2 Authenticated is the lowest class key allowed.

Z-Wave certification ensures every product in the Z-Wave ecosystem, including Z-Wave LR devices, areis designed to work with every other product, regardless of type, brand, manufacturer, or version. This interoperability extends to the Z-Wave LR devices, which can be installed within any existing Z-Wave network.

Increased Coverage

Z-Wave LR devices can provide wireless coverage beyond the yard, eliminating the need for network repeaters or mesh by increasing the transmission range between Z-Wave devices up to 1.5 miles when using Z-Wave 800 SoC devices. This increased range allows Z-Wave networks to extend beyond the home and into larger properties such as hotels and multi-dwelling units (MDUs) where long-range, high performance, low power, and increased device security are vital.

Power Efficiency of Z-Wave LR

Z-Wave LR is designed to extend the range of Z-Wave networks while maintaining power efficiency, a critical requirement for smart home devices that often rely on battery power. In addition, the Z-Wave 800 series, which supports Z-Wave LR, has been further optimized for low power consumption, enabling devices to run for up to 10 years on a coin-cell battery.

Here’s how Z-Wave LR achieves this:

Dynamic transmit power control: Z-Wave LR optimizes the current draw based on practical range needs after considering noise floor and information on additional interferers. This means it does not waste any power and increases the battery lifetime.

Low power functionality and power management: Z-Wave devices focus on low power consumption and power management, which is crucial for battery-operated devices in IoT networks. Manufactured LR devices can use the SDK’s advanced power management techniques, including extended sleep durations. During periods of inactivity, devices can enter a low-power sleep mode to conserve energy. They wake up periodically to transmit or receive data, minimizing energy consumption while maintaining responsiveness.

Optimized Communication protocol: Z-Wave LR utilizes a communication protocol specifically optimized for low power consumption. This protocol governs how devices communicate with each other and the central controller, ensuring efficient use of energy resources without sacrificing performance or reliability.

Start Topology advantage: Z-Wave (LR) supports a star network topology. In a star network, all nodes (devices) connect directly to a central hub or gateway. This differs from a mesh network, where nodes can connect to multiple other nodes, not just a central hub.

However, it's important to note that Z-Wave LR is designed to work within the broader Z-Wave ecosystem, which does support a mesh network topology. This means that while individual Z-Wave LR devices operate in a star network, they can still be part of a largermore extensive Z-Wave mesh network.

Target Applications for Z-Wave LR

Home Automation: Z-Wave LR is ideal for home automation applications. It provides complete home or building area coverage without the need for repeaters, making it easier to enroll IoT devices deployed at the end of the yard or beyond.

Large properties: The extended range of Z-Wave LR unlocks new potential for Z-Wave networks beyond the home and into larger properties such as hotels and multi-dwelling units (MDU).

Battery Battery-operated devices: Z-Wave LR optimizes the current draw based on practical range requirements, increasing the battery lifetime. This makes it suitable for typical sensor use cases that can run up to 10 years on a coin cell battery.

Commercial Uses: Z-Wave LR allows for the extension of robust, scalable Z-Wave wireless connectivity to commercial use cases and large public venue networks such as airports, stadiums, and arenas.

Z-Wave LR offers a compelling solution for large-scale smart building deployments. It provides extended-range connectivity, energy-efficient operation, and seamless integration with a wide range of smart devices and systems. By leveraging Z-Wave LR technology, building managers can create a more efficient, comfortable, and secure environment for occupants while optimizing energy usage and reducing operational costs.

Whether one chooses the established path of Z-Wave or ventures into the uncharted waters of Z-Wave LR, the goal remains the same: to create a smart home and as technology evolves, so too will the tale of these two waves, forever intertwined in the annals of smart home history.