Understanding Z-Wave LR Long Range

Z-Wave LR Long Range is the long range version of Z-Wave enabling it to be used over greater distances and for more applications - understand how it works, the specifications and benefits.

Z-Wave Tutorial Includes:
Z-Wave basics Z-Wave LR

Z-Wave LR or Long Range builds on the basic Z-Wave technology to provide extended range for applications like covering outbuildings, multi-dwelling units and the like.

Using higher power and a different form of modulation Z-Wave Long Range is interoperable with the standard Z-Wave networks, but can give the additional range where it is required.

Z-Wave LR basics

Z-Wave LR has several differences when compared to the standard form of Z-Wave. The long range version uses a star network topology, whereas the standard version utilises a mesh network approach.

That said both variants can operate on the same networks, but using their own network topologies.

Z-Wave LR Technology Overview
Parameter	Details
Frequency range	800 - 900MHz
Original developer	Zensys
Applications	Home and office automation with extended range for outbuildings, multi-dwelling units and other similar widespread connectivity
Range	1 mile (1.6km) using 14dBm power
Modulation	DSSS-OQPSK
Output power	30dBm max
Max number of network nodes	4000 nodes

Simplified routing

One of the issues that can be with larger networks that relay the messages is that of time delays. Instructions have to jump from one node to the next and the next before reaching the destination.

This can result in time delays, and this can be important if coordinated actions are required.

To overcome this, Z-Wave Long Range uses a star topology where every node is connected directly to the controller.

Higher power

The increased power and use of a star topology for the network means that outlying nodes are in direct communication with the controller - if radio dead-spots are encountered, the higher power even allows reflections to be utilised enabling what would otherwise be a dead-spot to be covered.

The fact that direct links are used means that the latency of long runs is vastly reduced. With a mesh network, the the relaying of messages means that the latency can be high.

Increased scalability

In addition to the additional range, Z-Wave LR provides a significant increase in the number of nodes that can be supported.

The maximum number of nodes increases from 232 for Z-Wave to 4000 for Z-Wave LR. This represents a seventeen fold increase in the capability.

It opens up the possibility of much larger networks and this is in keeping with the greater range.

With much greater distances available, and increased node numbers, Z-Wave LR can be used for factory wide, or multi-dwelling buildings of significant size.

The fact that direct communications is used in the star topology means that the latency is reduced, an important factor as the number of nodes increases.

Optimised battery life

With many nodes being remote, the battery life is particularly important. One of the key improvements associated with Z-Wave LR is that of the battery life.

This version of Z-Wave offers a battery life of up to ten years, but obviously this is dependent upon many factors.

Z-Wave LR achieve this by having dynamic power control. This involves the system dynamically adjusting the power level of the remote devices on each transmission to achieve the minimum transmit power level needed.

This is a particularly important factor moving forward because one of the reasons for having remote wireless devices is because they may need to be located in hard to reach locations. Accordingly battery life is very important.

Z-Wave Long Range, Z-Wave LR is the ideal choice for remote control and sensing where large numbers of nodes are required over a wide area. The increased transmission power, optimised battery life, start topology and vast increase int he number of nodes that can be supported makes this an ideal choice for many applications.