DSR announces that our cross-platform, high-performance Zigbee software protocol stack, ZBOSS, fully supports the latest version of Zigbee protocol, Zigbee PRO 2023. Zigbee is an open, interoperable, secure, full-stack IoT technology for a diverse ecosystem of platforms and products, widely adopted for residential, commercial, and industrial IoT. 

This latest version from the Connectivity Standards Alliance builds on Zigbee’s secure-by-design architecture while improving the user experience and extending the supported bands beyond 2.4GHz for Europe and North America. Zigbee PRO 2023 adds a number of enhancement features that address modern-day security threats. In addition, Zigbee PRO 2023 enables exchange of vital information around control and use of energy between Zigbee and Zigbee Smart Energy devices on the same network, along with supporting Zigbee Direct, the new Bluetooth to Zigbee communication feature. Companies looking for fast, secure and reliable Zigbee development should consider Zigbee PRO 2023.

Security

One of the major benefits of Zigbee PRO 2023 are enhancements to security. As the IoT market matures, security needs to evolve and the latest revision of Zigbee boosts security during onboarding and operation of devices and improves network resilience. For instance, Dynamic Link Key (DLK) uses Public & Private key pairs and advanced security curves for increased security around the distribution of the network-wide key, and Device Interview allows  filtering of devices during onboarding based on ecosystem requirements.

Other security enhancements, like the Trust Center Swap Out, allows replacing a Trust Center without recommissioning the entire network, saving time for installers and users alike. 

Zigbee PRO 2023’s standardized security features provide an added peace of mind to the users, make products easier to maintain, and increase market adoption. 

Simplified Onboarding and Control Using Bluetooth Low Energy

Zigbee PRO 2023 enables the use of Zigbee Direct, which implements communication with Zigbee devices via Bluetooth Low Energy using devices like a mobile phone or smart speaker. With Zigbee Direct, users can now onboard and control Zigbee devices and networks directly from a Bluetooth Low Energy device without a need for a hub. Zigbee Direct makes Zigbee devices more accessible to users and other device ecosystems.  

Zigbee Coexistence with Smart Energy

Zigbee PRO 2023 introduces Smart Energy Key Management that allows Zigbee devices and Zigbee Smart Energy devices to interact on the same network for better control over the use of energy and exchange of information around its usage while maintaining a high level of security. This bi-directional communication of Zigbee and Smart Energy devices on the same network helps with better notification of load events based on demand response and greater control over energy consumption during Time of Use peaks.  

SubGHz Band Support

Another feature of the Zigbee PRO 2023 stack is its support of Sub-GHz radio bands in Europe (800 MHz) and North America (900 MHz) with a high data rate. This delivers higher signal strength and extended ranges to cover more locations around a home or building, enabling new uses for residential, commercial, and industrial applications. 

Zigbee is a mature, globally adopted wireless standard and with the release of Zigbee PRO 2023, silicon vendors and product companies can begin incorporating its security, user experience, and connectivity features into their products today. DSR’s ZBOSS stack fully implements Zigbee PRO 2023 and is an easy way to get started with this latest release. ZBOSS supports over 25 platforms, standardizing the stack across different hardware, comes with a complete suite of tools to simplify development, and includes continuous integration/continuous delivery to shorten time for testing and certification. ZBOSS is available through the ZBOSS Open Initiative (ZOI), a community of companies with a goal of overcoming the challenges around interoperability, security, testing, and optimization of Zigbee®-enabled products and solutions.  Visit https://www.dsr-zoi.com to learn more about ZOI and ZBOSS Zigbee PRO 2023.