ZigBee-LoRa-Z-Wave Product compliance testing

ZigBee/LoRa/Z-Wave Product Testing

ZigBee is a wireless network protocol for low-speed and short-distance transmission, with its physical layer and media access control layer compliant with the IEEE 802.15.4 standard. Its key features include low speed, low power consumption, low cost, support for a large number of network nodes, mULtiple network topologies, low complexity, high reliability and security.

LoRa, developed by Semtech Corporation of the United States, is a local area network wireless communication technology, short for Long Range Radio. It is a long-distance wireless transmission technology based on spread spectrum technology, consisting of four components: end devices, gateway devices, network servers and application servers.

Z-Wave is a wireless communication technology with simple structure, low cost and reliable performance. The wireless network built with Z-Wave technology can not only realize remote control of home appliances through local network devices, but also control devices in the Z-Wave network via the Internet.

ZigBee, LoRa and Z-Wave are three common wireless communication technologies, each with distinct characteristics and application scenarios. A brief comparison is as follows:

1. ZigBee

Standard: Based on the IEEE 802.15.4 standard

Features

①　Low speed: Low data transmission rate, suitable for small data volume transmission.

②　Low power consumption: Ideal for battery-poweRED devices such as sensors and smart home equipment.

③　Low cost: Low hardware cost, suitable for large-scale deployment.

④　Network topology: Supports multiple network topologies (star, mesh, tree), adaptable to complex network environments.

⑤　Node capacity: Supports a massive number of network nodes (up to 65,000 in theory).

⑥　Security: Provides AES-128 encryption for high security level.

Application Scenarios

Smart home, industrial automation, medical monitoring, sensor networks, etc.

2. LoRa

Standard: Long-distance wireless transmission technology based on spread spectrum technology

Features

①　Long distance: Communication range up to several kilometers or even tens of kilometers, suitable for wide area network (WAN) applications.

②　Low power consumption: Suitable for battery-powered remote devices.

③　Network architecture: Composed of end devices, gateways, network servers and application servers, supporting large-scale IoT deployment.

④　Strong anti-interference: High anti-interference capability based on spread spectrum technology.

⑤　Low speed: Low data transmission rate, suitable for remote transmission of small data volume.

Application Scenarios

Smart city, agricultural monitoring, environmental monitoring, remote meter reading, etc.

3. Z-Wave

Standard: Proprietary wireless communication protocol

Features

①　Low power consumption: Suitable for battery-powered devices.

②　Low cost: Low hardware cost, ideal for home automation applications.

③　Simple and reliable: Simple protocol structure, easy to deploy and maintain.

④　Interoperability: The Z-Wave Alliance ensures interoperability of devices from different manufacturers.

⑤　Network scale: Supports up to 232 nodes, suitable for small and medium-sized networks.

⑥　Security: Provides AES-128 encryption for high security level.

Application Scenarios

Smart home, home automation, security systems, etc.

Comparison Summary

(1) Communication Range: LoRa > ZigBee ≈ Z-Wave

(2) Power Consumption: All three feature low power consumption. ZigBee and Z-Wave are more suitable for short-distance, low-power indoor applications, while LoRa is for long-distance, low-power WAN applications.

(3) Network Scale: ZigBee supports more nodes for large-scale networks; Z-Wave for small and medium-sized networks; LoRa for wide area networks.

(4) Application Scenarios

①　ZigBee: Smart home, industrial automation

②　LoRa: Smart city, agricultural monitoring, remote monitoring

③　Z-Wave: Home automation, smart home

The selection of technology depends on specific application requirements, such as communication distance, network scale, power consumption requirements and cost factors.

ZigBee/LoRa/Z-Wave Product Compliance testing

Europe and the United States focus on RF + EMC + Safety as the core requirements; Japan and South Korea add exclusive frequency band regulation and certification systems. ZigBee mainly uses 2.4GHz, LoRa adopts Sub-GHz, and Z-Wave is divided into European and American frequency bands. The differences in regional test standards focus on three dimensions: RF limits, protocol compliance and certification directives. The following is a complete breakdown of test standards by technology and region.

I. European Region (EU 27 + EEA, Core Directive: RED 2014/53/EU)

All wireless products in the EU must pass CE-RED certification, with core assessments covering RF performance, Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) and electrical safety. The three technical standards are as follows:

 ZigBee (2.4GHz ISM Band, IEEE 802.15.4 Protocol)

1. Core RF Standard: EN 300 440 V2.2.1 (Short-range wireless devices, 1-40GHz)

2. Limits: EIRP≤13dBm (20mW), frequency tolerance ±415/20/25 (radar band avoidance)

3. Spurious Emission: ≤-30dBm, harmonic suppression ≥40dB

4. EMC: VCCI Class B, ESD ±8kV air discharge / ±4kV contact discharge

5. Protocol Compliance: ZigBee 3.0 certification, supporting interoperability testing of the Japan ZigBee Alliance

 LoRa (920-923MHz Exclusive Band, JP923)

1. RF Standard: TELEC 920MHz SRD, EIRP≤10dBm, duty cycle ≤1%, only LoRaWAN JP923 protocol allowed

2. Protocol Compliance: LoRa Alliance JP923 band certification, 868/915MHz band prohibited

3. Special Requirements: Mic certification number must be marked; Japanese version of product manual shall indicate frequency band/power limits

 Z-Wave (920.4MHz Exclusive Band, Japan Customized Z-Wave)

1. RF Standard: TELEC 920MHz FHSS, EIRP≤5dBm, frequency tolerance ±5ppm, only Japan-exclusive Z-Wave protocol supported

2. EMC: VCCI Class B, radiated emission ≤40dBμV/m (at 30m)

3. Protocol Compliance: Z-Wave Alliance Z-Wave Japan Certification, supporting localized encryption algorithm

South Korean Region (Core Certification: KC/KCC, Regulatory Authority: KCC/RRA)

Wireless products in South Korea must obtain kc certification (RF + Safety) and complete KCC filing, adopting the exclusive 920MHz frequency band with strict regulation and Korean product manual requirement. The three technical standards are as follows:

 General Basic Requirements

①　RF Compliance: KCC Notice No.06-01 (Wireless Devices)

②　EMC: KS C IEC 61000

③　Electrical Safety: KC 62368-1 (Mandatory)

 ZigBee (2.4GHz ISM Band, Channels 11-26)

1. RF Standard: KCC 2.4GHz FHSS, EIRP≤10dBm, frequency hopping rate ≥15 hops/sec, spurious emission ≤-30dBm

2. Protocol Compliance: ZigBee 3.0 certification + localized testing by the Korea ZigBee Alliance

3. Special Requirements: kcc certification mark on product; software must support OTA upgrade security verification

 LoRa (920-923MHz KR920 Band)

1. RF Standard: KCC 920MHz SRD, EIRP≤10dBm, duty cycle ≤1%, only LoRaWAN KR920 protocol supported

2. Protocol Compliance: LoRa Alliance KR920 band certification, spreading factor SF>12 prohibited

 Z-Wave (920MHz Exclusive Band, Z-Wave Korea)

1. RF Standard: KCC 920MHz FHSS, EIRP≤5dBm, frequency tolerance ±5ppm

2. Protocol Compliance: Z-Wave Plus v2 Korea certification, supporting KCC encryption compliance

3. Safety Requirements: KC 62368-1 electrical safety, flammability rating V-0

Core Standard Difference Quick Reference Table