Z-Wave

Z-Wave is a wireless communications specification for home automation. It is used by more than 325 manufacturers in the Z-Wave Alliance, principal members being the ADT Corporation, FAKRO, Ingersoll Rand, LG Uplus, Nortek Security & Control, and Sigma Designs.

Applications include lighting, HVAC, security systems, home cinema, automated window treatments, swimming pool and spas controls, and garage and home access controls.

As of 2015, Sigma Designs has certified more than Z-Wave 1,350 products. In October, 2013, Sigma Designs and the Z-Wave Alliance announced a new protocol and interoperability certification program called Z-Wave Plus, based upon new features and higher interoperability standards bundled together and required for the 500 series system on a chip (SoC), but encompassing some features that had been available since 2012 for the 300/400 series SoCs. In February, 2014 the first product was certified.

Overview

Z-Wave technology minimizes power consumption, so it is suitable for battery-operated devices. Z-Wave is designed to provide reliable, low-latency transmission of small data packets at data rates up to 100kbit/s, unlike Wi-Fi and other IEEE 802.11-based wireless LAN systems that are designed primarily for high data rates. Z-Wave operates in the sub-gigahertz frequency range, around 900 MHz. This band competes with some cordless telephones and other consumer electronics devices, but avoids interference with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other systems that operate on the crowded 2.4 GHz band. Z-Wave is designed to be easily embedded in consumer electronics products, including battery operated devices such as remote controls, smoke alarms and security sensors. Z-Wave was developed by a Danish startup called Zen-Sys that was acquired by Sigma Designs in 2008.