History

• Z-Wave was invented by a United States company called Zensys that still owns the protocol and licenses it to manufacturers. In 2005, a number of these partners formed an organization called the Z-Wave Alliance. This body represents licensees and negotiates the development of Z-Wave technology. More than 160 companies are now members of the Z-Wave Alliance.
  
  

Function

• Z-Wave differs from Infrared remote controls because its control messages are not light frequencies, but radio waves. It differs from Wi-Fi because it uses a much lower frequency. The standard enables ad-hoc mesh networks in the home where a number of Z-Wave receivers are installed. This means that a control message can reach further than the signal range of the initial emitter and are not hampered by blocking objects.
  
  

Features

• Z-Wave operated around the 900 megahertz range. The signals do not need to travel far, as the purpose of Z-Wave is home automation. This low frequency requires little power in the transmitters and so control units can be battery operated.