Software and Hardware#

This section presents the hardware that comes as part of the development kit and the needed software to start developing Z-Wave devices. For a guide on how to set up and connect the hardware, refer to [10].

Hardware by 800 Series (Z-Wave 800 Pro Kit)#

The Z-Wave development kit contains the following:

  • 2 pcs. BRD4002A – Wireless Starter Kit Mainboard (WSTK).

  • 1 pcs. BRD4204D – Z-Wave and Z-Wave Long Range EFR32ZG23 868-915 MHz 14 dBm Radio Board.

  • 1 pcs. BRD4205B – Z-Wave and Z-Wave Long Range ZGM230S Radio Board.

  • 2 pcs. BRD8029A – Buttons and LEDs Expansion Board.

  • 1 pc. SLUSB7000A – UZB7 – Controller USB stick.

  • 2x ANT-SS900 868-915MHz Compressed Whip Antenna.

  • 1x 10-pin 1.27 mm IDC debug cable.

Note: the UZB-S USB stick network sniffer is not part of the Z-Wave 800 Pro Kit. A second Kit can be configured for use as a Z-Wave network sniffer. For instructions, refer to Appendix B of [10].

Main Development Board#

The Wireless Pro Kit Mainboard is the successor to the Wireless Starter Kit Mainboard, which comes with some improvements and added features including increased AEM measurement range and sample rate, variable VMCU voltage, joystick, and a Mini Simplicity Connector. Kit features, such as the Si7021 sensor and the EXP header, are available on the same EFR32ZG23 pins regardless of the mainboard being used, but the pinout to the breakout pads differs.

Main Development BoardMain Development Board

Z-Wave Development Radio Boards#

The EFR32ZG23 SoC and ZGM230S SiP module expose the Z-Wave serial API via UART and both can be used as a gateway, controller, or end-device application. The ZGM230S SiP module combines a general-purpose SoC, crystal, supply decoupling components, and RF matching components into a single small-footprint module requiring only one or two decoupling capacitors, depending on the level of GPIO activity in the application.

Z-Wave Development Radio Boards (Left: BRD4204D, Right: BRD4205B)Z-Wave Development Radio Boards (Left: BRD4204D, Right: BRD4205B)

Recommendation on SAW Filters#

Silicon Labs recommends using a SAW filter in Z-Wave 800 gateway designs also containing GSM or LTE transceivers operating in the sub-GHz band. A SAW filter attenuates unwanted radio emissions and improves the receiver blocking performance. Three regions are defined to cover the global Z-Wave frequency range. Be aware of the user guide describing Z-Wave 800 Series Integration Guide 12.

EXP Board#

The EXP Board is an adapter to be connected to the EXP-header of the WSTK mainboard. The EXP Board is required by the platform to run the provided Z-Wave certified application by expanding the available buttons and LEDs. The EXP Board offers the following features:

  • 4 push buttons

  • 1 slide switch

  • 4 LEDs

Expansion BoardExpansion Board

Software Needed#

All you need to start developing Z-Wave devices is Simplicity Studio.

Simplicity Studio―IDE for Developing Z-Wave DevicesSimplicity Studio―IDE for Developing Z-Wave Devices

Download the installer from silabs.com, where you will also find additional training material for how to develop, compile, debug, and measure energy consumption.

When connecting the development board with the Z-Wave Radio Development Board attached, the IDE will auto-discover the hardware and show the available Z-Wave certified applications.