SILICON LABS Z-Wave and Z-Wave Long Range 800 SDK Software

Z-Wave and Z-Wave Long Range 800 is designed to meet the demands of the future smart home, where increasing needs for more sensors and battery-operated devices require both long-range and low power. Context-aware environments are the next evolution in the smart home market, and they require technologies that have been optimized specifically for these applications. 100% Interoperable: Every product in the Z-Wave ecosystem works with every other product, regardless of type, brand, manufacturer or version. No other smart home/IoT protocol can make this claim. Best-In-Class Security: Z-Wave’s Security 2 (S2) framework provides end-to-end encryption and the most advanced security for smart home devices and controllers. Homes with S2 Z-Wave devices are virtually un-hackable. SmartStart Easy Installation: SmartStart radically simplifies the installation of smart devices by using QR code scans for uniform, trouble-free setup. Devices and systems can be pre-configured dramatically easing deployments. Backwards-Compatible: Z-Wave certification mandates backward-compatibility. The first Z-Wave devices on the market, more than ten years old, still perform as intended in networks with the latest Z-Wave technologies.

KEY FEATURES

• Z-Wave Long Range European frequency has shifted to align the implementation to the specification change.
• A firmware upgrade over-the-air issue is fixed. An end device is required to be in-cluded again after the OTA process.

For more information about the certification status of Z-Wave and Z-Wave Long Range 800 SDK v7.23.2.0 GA, see Product Life Cycle and Certification.

These release notes cover SDK version(s):

• 7.23.2 GA released April 1, 2025
• 7.23.1 GA released February 5, 2025
• 7.23.0 GA released December 16, 2024

Compatibility and Use Notices
For more information about security updates and notices, see the Security chapter of the Platform Release notes installed with this SDK or on the Silicon Labs Release Notes page. Silicon Labs also strongly recommends that you subscribe to Security Advisories for up-to-date information. For instructions, or if you are new to the Z-Wave 800 SDK, see section 9 Using This Release.

Compatible Compilers:
GCC (The GNU Compiler Collection) version 12.2.1, provided with Simplicity Studio.

Supported Radio Boards

This section describes the radio boards supported by the certified and pre-certified applications for the 800 Series, respectively.

Table 1-1. Supported Radio Boards 

ZW-LR indicates that the radio board supports both Z-Wave and Z-Wave Long Range. 14/20 dBm indicates the transmit power of the radio board. Secure Vault is an industry-leading suite of state-of-the-art security features that address escalating Internet of Things (IoT) threats.
Table 1-2. Radio Boards versus OPNs.

The table above shows the Radio Boards and OPN relation. This table can be used to clarify the compatibility of the prebuilt binaries offered in the Simplicity SDK. The prebuilt binaries are built targeting boards and not OPNs. More OPNs are available than the ones  listed above. For those OPNs the prebuilt binaries will not work. The desired application must be built targeting the specific OPN  instead.

Z-Wave Protocol

This release note is built upon the Z-Wave SDK 7.23.0 release note.

 New Items

• The Z-Wave Long Range EU region is officially supported. To follow the Z-Wave Alliance specification change, the 7.23.1 SDK contains a shift of the frequency band used for the Z-Wave Long Range Europe region. It makes it incompatible with previous Z- Wave Long Range Europe implementations (7.23.0 and 7.22.x Alpha).
• Security S2V2 is introduced as an Alpha feature. S2V2 enables secure communication for network frames in a Z-Wave network. However, the Security 2 Command Class is reported as version 1 while the Security 2 Version 2 feature is in the Alpha stage.

Improvements

Improved in release 7.23.0 GA

Fixed Issues

Fixed in release 7.23.2 GA

Fixed in release 7.23.1 GA

Fixed in release 7.23.0 GA

Known Issues in the Current Release
None.

 Deprecated Items
Deprecated in release 7.23.0 GA
None.

Removed Items
Removed in release 7.23.0 GA
None.

Z-Wave Plus V2 Application Framework

The current version of the SDK is aligned with the Z-Wave Alliance 2024B-1 Intermediate Cert Program and the latest version of the Z-Wave XML from the Wave Alliance Open Source:  https://github.com/Z-Wave-Alliance/zwave_xml/releases/tag/draft%2F2024B-fix2.

New Items 
Introduced a certifiable User Credential Command Class implementation which has been self-certified on the Door Lock Key Pad sample application with the 3.8.2 CTT version using Revision 16 Z-Wave Plus V2 Certification tests according to the 2024B-1 Z-Wave Certification Program. Additionally, on the 7.23.1 SDK version, the User Credential Command Class implementation on the Door Lock Key Pad sample application has been validated with the 3.9.2 CTT version using Revision 17 Z-Wave Plus V2 Certification tests according to the 2024B-2 Z-Wave Certification Program.

Improvements
Improved in release 7.23.0 GA
The GPIO handling and configuration has been refactored and simplified by using simple_led, simple_button and app_button_press components. For remapping and assigning GPIO for button and LEDs, refer to the “Important changes.md”.

• For a detailed description of application development using the Z-Wave Plus V2 Framework, refer to INS14259: Z-Wave Plus V2 Application Framework GSDK.
• For a detailed description of the application related changes in the different SDK versions, refer to https://docs.silabs.com/z-wave/7.23.1/zwave-api/ or in the “Important_changes.md” document in the Simplicity SDK.
• A porting guide is also available for customers who want to migrate to the 800 platform. The guide contains a detailed example of how to port a non-component/700-based Switch On/Off App (7.16.3) to a component/800-based Switch On/Off App (7.17.0). See APL14836: Application Note for Porting Z-Wave Appl. SW from 700 to 800 hardware.

Fixed in release 7.23.1 GA

Fixed in release 7.23.0 GA

 Known Issues in the Current Release
Issues in bold were added since the previous release. If you have missed a release, recent release notes are available on the Silicon Labs Release Notes page.

 Deprecated Items
Deprecated in release 7.23.0 GA
None.

 Removed Items
Removed in release 7.23.0. GA
Removed support for BRD8029A button and LED expansion board from the sample applications.

 Sample Applications

The Door Lock Key Pad, Power Strip, Sensor PIR, Switch On/Off, Wall Controller, and Led Bulb sample applications are self-certified with the 3.8.2 CTT version and Revision 16 Z-Wave Plus V2 Certification tests according to the 2024B-1 Z-Wave Certification Pro-gram. The Multilevel Sensor sample application is not self-certified and has missing features for passing the certification tests.

The GPIO handling and configuration has been refactored and simplified by using simple_led, simple_button and app_button_press components. For remapping and assigning GPIO for button and LEDs, refer to the “Important changes.md”. Along with the GPIO simplification and refactoring, the sample applications do not use the BRD8029A button and LED expansion board. The main button functionalities are remapped to the buttons of Wireless Starter Kit Mainboard/Wireless Pro Kit Mainboard. Because of the reduced number of LEDs and buttons, some functionalities are only available through the CLI. For more information, please refer to the README file of each example application.

In all applications, BTN1 is assigned to the inclusion, exclusion, and factory reset functionalities. BTN0 is assigned to specific sample application related functionalities. The behavior is changed on Non-Listening (Sensor PIR, Multilevel Sensor) and Frequently Listening (Door Lock Keypad) applications in case the installed CLI component is installed. After pressing the reset button (or using commander reset), the device will wake up for 10 seconds. This allows the user to interact with the device and disable sleeping. The wakeup time is configurable through the zw_cli_sleeping component.

The number of demo variations for each application has been reduced to two variants: one with the default EU region, and one for testing OTA and OTW firmware updates. To set a different frequency region for the demo applications, please find more information in the important_changes.md and in the Z-Wave Getting Started for End Devices documents. The Z-Wave Solution Studio projects are now signing the bootloader and application binaries with the same key as the one specified in the application post build configuration. The signing keys can be set in the SLPB files.All examples are enabled for all Z-Wave boards. Previously, some example applications required an RGB LED or multiple buttons to access all of the features. Now, the CLI is enabled by default in all example applications, so every feature can be controlled using the CLI. The functionality of each application is described in the README file in each application’s respective folder, along with the available commands.

Door Lock Key Pad
The two Door Lock Key Pad applications – the one with the User Credential Command Class support and the one without the User Credential Command Class support – have been merged into one. This Door Lock sample application supports a certifiable User Credential Command Class implementation, and it has been self-certified with the 3.8.2 CTT version using Revision 16 Z-Wave Plus V2 Certification tests according to the 2024B-1 Z-Wave Certification Program.

The User Credential Command Class is enabled by default on the boards with the EFR32ZG28 SoCs (BRD2705A, BRD4400C, BRD4401C). Support for this command class can be disabled if the User Code Command Class is sufficient, by disabling the User Credential Command Class component. To enable this command class on other SoCs or boards, please refer to the README file of the application. Some of the User Credential Command Class CTT tests are failing due to known issues in the CTT tests. These have been confirmed with the CTT tool developers and will be fixed in the next CTT releases. Until then, to obtain Z-Wave certification using this User Credential Command Class implementation, please consult with the Test Houses regarding test failures.

 New Items
Previously, this example required four buttons to control all the features. Now, the entered user code is no longer hard-coded, and the user can enter/modify the user code manually. The door handle is also accessible through the CLI.
Along with the GPIO simplification and refactoring, the sample application does not use the BRD8029A button and LED expansion board. For the new button and LED functionalities, please refer to README file in the application folder.

 Improvements
Improved in release 7.23.0 GA
The default PIN code for this application was changed from 1234 to 3494 to comply with the rules recommended by the specification for the User Credential Command class.

Fixed Issues Fixed in release 7.23.1 GA

Fixed in release 7.23.0 GA

Known Issues in the Current Release

Deprecated Items
Deprecated in release 7.23.0. GA
None.

Removed Items
Removed in release 7.23.0. GA
None.

Power Strip

New Items
Along with the GPIO simplification and refactoring, the sample application does not use the BRD8029A button and LED expansion board. For the new button and LED functionalities, please refer to the README file in the application folder.

Improvements
Improved in release 7.23.0 GA
Previously, this example displayed the Multilevel Switch value on the RGB LED. Now, if an RGB LED is available, the brightness of that LED is controlled by the Multilevel Switch value. Otherwise, a monochrome LED is used to display this value.

Fixed Issues

Fixed in release 7.23.1 GA

Fixed in release 7.23.0 GA
None.

• Known Issues in the Current Release
  None.
• Deprecated Items
  Deprecated in release 7.23.0 GA
  None.
• Removed Items
  Removed in release 7.23.0 GA
  None.

Sensor PIR

• New Items
  Along with the GPIO simplification and refactoring, the sample application does not use the BRD8029A button and LED expansion board. For the new button and LED functionalities, please refer to README file in the application folder.

Improvements
Improved in release 7.23.0 GA SensorPIR’s behavior has been changed slightly. Now, if the button is pressed for medium time (check readme for exact duration), then the device will send a  NOTIFICATION_EVENT_HOME_SECURITY_MOTION_DETECTION_UNKNOWN_LOCATION notification and start a timer with a 10 second timeout. If the timeout event occurs or the user sends the motion_detected deactivate command through the CLI, then the device will send a NOTIFICATION_EVENT_HOME_SECURITY_NO_EVENT notification.

Fixed Issues
Fixed in release 7.23.0 GA

Known Issues in the Current Release
None.

Deprecated Items
Deprecated in release 7.23.0 GA
None.

Removed Items
Removed in release 7.23.0 GA
None.

Switch On/Off

• New Items
  Along with the GPIO simplification and refactoring, the sample application does not use the BRD8029A button and LED expansion board. For the new button and LED functionalities, please refer to README file in the application folder.
• Improvements
  Improved in release 7.23.0 GA
  None.
• Fixed Issues
  Fixed in release 7.23.0 GA
  None.
• Known Issues in the Current Release
  None.
• Deprecated Items
  Deprecated in release 7.23.0 GA
  None.
• Removed Items
  Removed in release 7.23.0 GA
  None.

Wall Controller

• New Items
  Along with the GPIO simplification and refactoring, the sample application does not use the BRD8029A button and LED expansion board. For the new button and LED functionalities please refer to README file in the application folder.

Improvements

Improved in release 7.23.0 GA None.

Fixed Issues
Fixed in release 7.23.1 GA

Fixed in release 7.23.0 GA
None.

• Known Issues in the Current Release
  Issues in bold were added since the previous release. If you have missed a release, recent release notes are available on Silicon Labs Release Notes page.
  None.
• Deprecated Items
  Deprecated in release 7.23.0 GA
  None.
• Removed Items
  Removed in release 7.23.0 GA
  None.
• Multilevel Sensor
  This application is not certifiable due to missing features for passing the certification tests.
• New Items
  None.
• Improvements
  Improved in release 7.23.0 GA
  Multilevel sensor can now be assigned to an endpoint. Also, multiple multilevel sensors can be used in a single end device. The cc_config file has been changed to follow this format. Endpoint is now part of the “ID” of a given sensor. The sensor structure changed to include information about the assigned endpoint.

Fixed Issues

Fixed in release 7.23.1 GA

Fixed in release 7.23.0 GA
None.

Known Issues in the Current Release
Issues in bold were added since the previous release. If you have missed a release, recent release notes are available on Silicon Labs Release Notes page.

• Deprecated Items
  Deprecated in release 7.23.0 GA
  None.
• Removed Items
  Removed in release 7.23.0 GA
  None.

LED Bulb

1. New Items
   Along with the GPIO simplification and refactoring, the sample application does not use the BRD8029A button and LED expansion board. For the new button and LED functionalities, please refer to README file in the application folder.
2. Improvements
   Improved in release 7.23.0 GA
   Previously, this example required an RGB LED to control the color of the LED. Now, the color can be read through the CLI. If the RGB LED is not available, then a monochrome LED is used to represent the overall brightness of the set color.
3. Fixed Issues
   Fixed in release 7.23.0 GA
   None.
4. Known Issues in the Current Release
   None.
5. Deprecated Items
   Deprecated in release 7.23.0 GA
   None.
6. Removed Items
   Removed in release 7.23.0 GA
   None.

Serial API Applications

Beginning with version 7.16, when backing up and restoring a Serial API end node via the FUNC_ID_NVM_BACKUP_RESTORE, the Serial API end node will automatically upgrade the protocol non-volatile memory (NVM) to the latest version. Any backup made of a 7.16 or later Serial API end node can be restored to its original version or to a later version of the Serial API end node without  any manual upgrade of the protocol NVM being necessary.

The serial interface is unchanged in version 8. As of SDK version 7.18.x, Serial API end node is available as source code as well as binary. This opens the possibility for building customized versions of Serial API end node with different pin configuration or additional hardware utilization. A use case might be to use SPI instead of UART for serial communication. No application using Serial API End Device is available in the Simplicity SDK.

Serial API Controller

New Items

• Added two new Serial API commands: Z-Wave API Setup Get Supported Regions Sub Command (0x15) and Z-Wave API Setup Regions Info (0x16).

Improvements Improved in release 7.23.0 GA None.

Fixed Issues
Fixed in release 7.23.1 GA

Fixed in release 7.23.0 GA
None.

Known Issues in the Current Release
None.

Deprecated Items
Deprecated in release 7.23.0 GA

• Removed handling of Serial API commands Replication Send Data (0x44) and Replication Command Complete (0x45).

Removed Items Removed in release 7.23.0 GA None.

Zniffer Applications

1. Zniffer PTI
   1. New Items
      None.
2. Improvements
   Improved in release 7.23.0 GA
   None.
3. Fixed Issues
   Fixed in release 7.23.0 GA
   None.
4. Known Issues in the Current Release
   

   ID #	Description	Workaround
   1067228	Zniffer on BRD4204D does not detect LR wakeup beams	Use different board for sniffing LR wakeup beams

5. Deprecated Items Deprecated in release 7.23.0 GA None.

Removed Items Removed in release 7.23.0 GA None.

Zniffer NCP

New Items
None.
Improvements Improved in release 7.23.0 GA None.

Fixed Issues
Fixed in release 7.23.0 GA None.

Known Issues in the Current Release

Deprecated Items Deprecated in release 7.23.0 GA None.

Removed Items Removed in release 7.23.0 GA None.

Important Changes

Starting in version 7.19, API-breaking changes have been documented in “Important_changes.md” available in the Simplicity SDK. Check it for a detailed description of changes introduced in the latest release.  In version 7.23.0, the “migration_guide.md” has been introduced to help migrating Z-Wave projects to the new SDK versions.

Open Source Software

Z-Wave is using FreeRTOS as the underlying OS, and it is based on FreeRTOS Kernel V10.4.3.

Using This Release

This release contains the following:

• Z-Wave Plus V2 Application Framework
• Z-Wave Certified Applications for a broad range of smart home applications
• Z-Wave Protocol and Serial API Applications

If you are a first-time user, Z-Wave documentation is installed with the SDK. See INS14280: Z-Wave Getting Started for End Devices and INS14281: Z-Wave Getting Started for Controller Devices for instructions. This SDK depends on a Simplicity SDK Platform. The Simplicity SDK Platform code provides functionality that supports protocol plugins and APIs in the form of drivers and other lower layer features that interact directly with Silicon Labs chips and modules. Gecko Platform components include EMLIB, EMDRV, RAIL Library, NVM3, PSA, and mbedTLS. Gecko Platform release notes are available through Simplicity Studio’s Launcher Perspective.

Installation and Use
Order a Z-Wave Wireless Starter kit. The kit offers the easiest and fastest way to start evaluation and development of your own Z-Wave mesh application. It provides a single worldwide development kit for both end devices and gateways with multiple radio boards, with which developers can create a mesh network and evaluate the Z-Wave module.

The Z-Wave and Z-Wave Long Range 800 SDK is provided as part of the Simplicity SDK, the suite of Silicon Labs SDKs. To quickly get started with the Simplicity SDK, install Simplicity Studio 5, which will set up your development environment and walk you through Simplicity SDK installation. Simplicity Studio 5 includes everything needed for IoT product development with Silicon Labs devices, including a resource and project launcher, software configuration tools, full IDE with GNU toolchain, and analysis tools. Installation instructions are provided in the online Simplicity Studio 5 User’s Guide. Alternatively, Simplicity SDK may be installed manually by downloading or cloning the latest from GitHub. See https://github.com/Sil-iconLabs/simplicity_sdk for more information.

Simplicity Studio installs the SDK by default in:

• (Windows): C:\Users\<NAME>\SimplicityStudio\SDKs\simplicity_sdk
• (MacOS): /Users/<NAME>/SimplicityStudio/SDKs/simplicity_sdk

To implement a specific application, Silicon Labs recommends starting with one of the existing self-certified apps with the desired Role Type.

Security Information
Secure Vault Integration
This version of the stack is using secure vault interface for key management of asymmetric keys (ECC Curve 25519) and Symmetric keys (AES).

Security Advisories
To subscribe to Security Advisories, log in to the Silicon Labs customer portal, then select Account Home. Click HOME to go to the portal home page and then click the Manage Notifications tile. Make sure that ‘Software/Security Advisory Notices & Product Change Notices (PCNs)’ is checked, and that you are subscribed at minimum for your platform and protocol. Click Save to save any changes.

Support

• Development Kit customers are eligible for training and technical support.
• See support resources and contact Silicon Laboratories support at https://www.silabs.com/support.

SDK Release and Maintenance Policy
For details, see SDK Release and Maintenance Poilcy.

Product Life Cycle and Certification

Silicon Labs will add new features based on market requirements and continuously improve the Z-Wave Protocol to position the Z-Wave Ecosystem. The Z-Wave Protocol Life Cycle is a process to provide rapid innovation, new features and robust matured protocol release to Z-Wave Partners. The Z-Wave Protocol Life Cycle defines the maturation process of Z-Wave Protocol generations and consist of three phases divided in five Life Cycle stages. A change in the Z-Wave SDK utilized for a specific device does require recertification; however, the type of certification required, the amount of testing needed, and the associated fees depend on the scope of the change. Refer to Z-Wave Alliance home page https://z-wavealliance.org/ for details.

Table 10-1. Z-Wave SDK Release History

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Disclaimer
Silicon Labs intends to provide customers with the latest, accurate, and in-depth documentation of all peripherals and modules available for system and software implementers using or intending to use the Silicon Labs products. Characterization data, available modules and peripherals, memory sizes and memory addresses refer to each specific device, and “Typical” parameters provided can and do vary in different applications. Application examples described herein are for illustrative purposes only. Silicon Labs reserves the right to make changes without further notice to the product information, specifications, and descriptions herein, and does not give warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of the included information. Without prior notification, Silicon Labs may update product firmware during the manufacturing process for security or reliability reasons. Such changes will not alter the specifications or the performance of the product. Silicon Labs shall have no liability for the consequences of use of the information supplied in this document. This document does not imply or expressly grant any license to design or fabricate any integrated circuits. The products are not designed or authorized to be used within any FDA Class III devices, applications for which FDA premarket approval is required or Life Support Systems without the specific written consent of Silicon Labs. A “Life Support System” is any product or system intended to support or sustain life and/or health, which, if it fails, can be reasonably expected to result in significant personal injury or death. Silicon Labs products are not designed or authorized for military applications. Silicon Labs products shall under no circumstances be used in weapons of mass destruction including (but not limited to) nuclear, biological or chemical weapons, or missiles capable of delivering such weapons. Silicon Labs disclaims all express and implied warranties and shall not be responsible or liable for any injuries or damages related to use of a Silicon Labs product in such unauthorized applications.

Trademark Information
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Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: Is the Z-Wave Long Range 800 device compatible with older Z-Wave products?
  A: Yes, the Z-Wave Long Range 800 device is backward-compatible with older Z-Wave products, ensuring seamless integration within your existing smart home setup.
• Q: How secure is the Z-Wave Long Range 800 device?
  A: The Z-Wave Long Range 800 device boasts best-in-class security with the Security 2 (S2) framework, providing end-to-end encryption and advanced security features to safeguard your smart home network.

Documents / Resources

SILICON LABS Z-Wave and Z-Wave Long Range 800 SDK Software [pdf] Owner's Manual SRN14930-7.23.2.0, Z-Wave and Z-Wave Long Range 800 SDK Software, Z-Wave Long Range 800 SDK Software, Long Range 800 SDK Software, Range 800 SDK Software, 800 SDK Software, SDK Software, Software

References

• User Manual