Silicon Labs has introduced a comprehensive hardware and software connectivity solution for the Internet of Things (IoT) based on the Wireless Gecko platform. The Z-Wave 700, delivers on Silicon Labs' vision and platform integration roadmap following the company's strategic acquisition of Z-Wave technology in April 2018.
The new smart home platform builds on Z-Wave's industry-leading S2 security and interoperability by improving energy efficiency and adding higher performance, longer range RF capabilities. By leveraging the Wireless Gecko platform, Z-Wave 700 enables developers to create new classes of smaller, more intelligent smart home products at a lower cost and with a faster time-to-market.
According to market research expert, IDC, the worldwide smart home market is expected to grow to 1.3 billion devices by 2022 and much of that adoption and growth will be driven by sensors that enable AI and edge computing applications, which can deliver smart experiences in new verticals such as security, aging-in-place, energy, voice control and insurance. Advances in wireless technology, such as Z-Wave 700, are driving the battery-powered sensor trend and making these devices easier to install and deploy.
Z-Wave 700 combines a powerful ARM processor-based platform with large on-chip memory to enable greater intelligence at the edge and secure inclusion in less than one second. It delivers 10-year coin-cell battery life, enabling more wireless sensor applications. Enhanced RF performance seamlessly extends the device’s range beyond traditional limits to the edge of the yard and throughout a multi-story home.
The Z-Wave 700 builds on core Z-Wave features to enable interoperability with thousands of devices and ensure best-in-class security with built-in Security 2 (S2). It also includes SmartStart, providing an easy way to automatically create and configure Z-Wave networks for instant device installation success. With no requirements for regionalized SAW filters or external memory, it also offers a single global software stock-keeping unit (SKU) for easier logistics and cost-effective global production. By reducing BOM cost, Z-Wave 700 speeds development of global smart home products.
Silicon Labs offers a wide range of development tools to enable easier, faster smart home product design. Developers benefit from low-cost developer kits, energy profiler tools and ready-made gateway software with certified reference code, minimizing the time from prototype to final product. Developers can also use Silicon Labs' Simplicity Studio development suite for one-click access to all the software tools they need to simplify Z-Wave 700-based designs.
The device is shipping pre-orders now to 150 beta customers within the Z-Wave Alliance, and production quantities are planned to be available in late Q1 2019.
