[REQUEST] ”Suzi” - Sub-GHz Zigbee feature #582
Description
Please look into if/how could add support for the new ”Suzi” (Sub-Gigahertz Zigbee feature) standard to zha library (and HA's ZHA integration implementation), and if it could be addded with or without concurrent Dual-Band support on a single Zigbee network(?).
Connectivity Standards Alliance announced ”Suzi” (shut for Sub-GHz Zigbee, as a new Zigbee subset feature as part of its Zigbee 4.0 that enables Zigbee Long-Range by allowing Zigbee to function on radio bands under 1GigaHertz, meaning 800-900 MHz radio frequency ranges, with different frequency range/brand depending on contry/region, similar to Z-Wave):
As far as I understand ”Suzi” is more or less just a Zigbee Coordinator operating a Zigbee network on a Sub-GHz frequency band frequency range).
- "Alongside Zigbee 4.0, the Alliance introduces Suzi, the new brand for the standards-based wireless technology that extends the reach and reliability of IoT connectivity through long-range, Sub-GHz mesh networking. Built on the proven Zigbee network layer, Suzi combines long-range performance, low power consumption, and multi-vendor interoperability to unlock new opportunities in residential, commercial, and industrial applications. From connecting outdoor living spaces to enabling large-scale networks in buildings and cities, Suzi delivers robust, efficient communication in environments demanding extended coverage and minimal interference. Adhering to the same strong security principles that define all Alliance technologies, Suzi aligns with international standards to ensure a secure and trusted ecosystem. Its framework allows developers, manufacturers, and consumers the freedom to build and deploy interoperable devices from a global ecosystem of trusted suppliers. The Suzi Certification Program is planned to open in the first half of 2026, enabling manufacturers to begin certifying products that bring the benefits of long-range, low-power mesh networking to the connected world."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eg3wZjp8uw8
This new Zigbee Sub-GHz standard has been a long time in the making and post was made about it before Zigbee Alliance was renamed to CSA:
So in theory all you more or less need is a Zigbee Coordinator radio adapter (and matching Zigbee end-device/router products) which supports Sub-1GHz frequency ranges as well as a updated Zigbee SDK / Zigbee stack from the manufacturer. Or is there much else to this new technology?
FYI, Silicon Labs Zigbee EmberZnet SDK 7.2.0.0 was the first version that added support for Dual-PHY Zigbee Smart Energy needed to support Dual-Band on Silabs MG24 (EFR32MG24) if used in combination with a Si4468 Sub-GHz PA (Power Amplifier) in a Zigbee Coordinator. Zigbee Smart Energy Dual-Band 2.4GHz and Sub-GHz support for end-devices is also already available via some EFR32MG12 parts.
Texas Instruments also seem provide a full stack SDK for making your own ZigBee Smart Energy devices, and TI has several Dual-Band radios (currently CC1352R, CC1352P, CC1314R, CC1354R, CC1354P), where CC1354P is probably best optimized as Zigbee Coordinator right now (which includes their LP-EM-CC1354P10 LaunchPad Development Kit):
Here is by the way an overview schematic of TI's CC1354P10 radio MCU showing Dual-Band recievers and transmitters for Sub-1GHz and 2.4GHz:
I believe the challange is that one of the open question though is if if a you can simultaneously have a dual-band Zigbee network that spans across two different frequency bands with the same PANID? That is, can you have a single Zigbee network that have both Sub-GHz and 2.4GHz devices share the same PANID and thus allow Zigbee bindings between devices? Or do you always have to have two seperate Zigbee networks (PAN ID) for each frequency band?
And a follow-up question if it is that the case is that you always need to have two seperate Zigbee networks for each frequency band, then would it be a good idea to enable zha to support Multi-PAN (multipan for multiple Zigbee networks) on a Zigbee Coordinator adapter that support dual-band operation (a.k.a. multi-band) , so that it could allow users to only have a single Zigbee Coordinator adapter supporting dual-band that concurrently have one 2.4GHz Zigbee network (PAN) and one Sub-GHz Zigbee network (PAN) on the same radio adapter.
Note that concurrent Multi-PAN Zigbee networks on a single radio in this scenario is not the same as "multiprotocol" as we are here not taking about Zigbee and OpenThread, but instead only talking about the Zigbee protocol and (heterogeneous) multiple Zigbee networks running concurrent on a single radio adapter, Multiple Zigbee networks on a single adapter is something that at least Silicon Labs does support already (with one Zigbee radio operating on multiple Zigbee networks):
Note that ”Suzi” looks to be keept slightly seperate from Zigbee 4.0 which its own logo, so not quite as integral as Z-Wave Long Range is:
PS: For reference, also see this related zigpy feature request for Zigbee Smart Energy (ZSE) profile as most those devices uses Sub-GHz Zigbee:
Also check out this related hardware request for a Dual-PHY / Dual-Band (multiband) physicial Zigbee Coordinator adapter: