Silicon Labs Wireless Gecko platform announces new generation Z-Wave 700 series

     Silicon Labs has announced the next-generation Z-Wave 700 Series on the Wireless Gecko platform, the industry's most comprehensive Internet of Things (IoT) hardware and software connectivity solution. Following Silicon Labs' strategic acquisition of Z-Wave technology in April 2018, the Z-Wave 700 Series once again demonstrates Silicon Labs' vision and platform integration roadmap.

     Adam Wright, senior analyst for Consumer IoT at IDC, said: "The global smart home market is expected to grow to 1.3 billion units per year by 2022, with much of this adoption and growth driven by sensors that support AI and edge computing applications that can deliver smart experiences in new verticals such as security, home care, energy, voice control and insurance." Advances in wireless technology, such as the Z-Wave 700, are driving the development of battery-powered sensors and making these devices easier to install and deploy."

     The Z-Wave 700 Series integrates a powerful ARM processor-based platform and high-capacity on-chip memory to deliver more intelligence at the edge and security in a second. The energy-efficient Z-Wave 700 platform can be powered by a button battery and has a service life of up to 10 years, which greatly expands the application range of wireless sensors. Enhanced RF performance allows Z-Wave 700 devices to escape traditional distance constraints and seamlessly reach the edge of the yard and every corner of home life.

     Based on Z-Wave core features, the Z-Wave 700 series interoperates with thousands of devices, ensuring optimal Security with built-in Security 2 (S2). Z-Wave 700 also includes SmartStart, which provides an easy way to automatically compose and configure Z-Wave networks, enabling easy installation of devices.

     Raoul Wijgergangs, vice president and general manager of Z-Wave Products at Silicon Labs, said: "We have built the groundbreaking Z-Wave 700 platform with an eye to the future and listening to our ecosystem partners. They can deploy this long-distance, low-power and future-proof platform into their new smart home applications. Developers can now take advantage of advanced platform features that combine Z-Wave's well-known interoperability, industry-leading S2 security, and SmartStart installation."

     The Z-Wave 700 series does not require filters or external memory and provides a single global software stock keeping unit (SKU) for easy logistics and cost-effective global production. By reducing BOM costs, the Z-Wave 700 accelerates the development of smart home products worldwide.

     Silicon Labs provides broadband development tools to make smart home product design easier and faster. Developers can benefit from low-cost development kits, energy analysis tools, and off-the-shelf gateway software with certified reference code, minimizing development 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 product designs.