FAQ's ZigBee Certification

ZigBee Certification Frequently Asked Questions

1.

Q. What does it mean when a product is ZigBee compliant and what does it mean to me? A. Compliance means that products are developed to the standards described in the ZigBee specification. This is important to a customer because products conforming to the specifications standards are inclined to work together, even if more than one manufacturer is involved in producing the products. Compliance testing exists to help manufacturers measure how well their products match the specification and thereby help ensure compatibility among products. Conscientious manufacturers do a great deal of their own testing and use compliance test programs like the one sponsored by the ZigBee Alliance. If a product is compliance tested, it is a sign the manufacturer has made extensive efforts to ensure the product conforms to the ZigBee specification and is, therefore, inclined to interoperate with other compliant products.

2.

Q. Under what circumstances may I use the ZigBee logo on my products? A. The ZigBee Certified Product Logo may be applied to a product after a ZigBee Alliance member company successfully completes the ZigBee Certification Program for end products. Only end products may bear the ZigBee Alliance Certified Product Logo.

3.

Q. Do I need to join the ZigBee Alliance to get a product certified, and how much does it cost to join? A. Yes, you need to join the ZigBee Alliance to submit a product for testing. You may choose between a full or adopter membership levels. Adopter Members are required to pay an additional per-product fee to the ZigBee Alliance for product certification; full Members are not. The fees for product certification testing by ZigBee Alliance approved test providers are not included in the membership amount.

4.

Q. Who is eligible to apply for ZigBee Alliance compliance testing? A. Only ZigBee Alliance Member companies and ZigBee Alliance Adopter companies in good standing. That is, members with all dues and fees paid in full to date. These members may apply for ZigBee Compliant Platform, ZigBee Network Capable Product or ZigBee Certified Product designations for their end

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products.

5.

Q. Can a company be ZigBee certified? A. No, only a product is eligible for ZigBee certification.

6.

Do I need to be a ZigBee Alliance member to use a ZigBee module in my product? A. Yes. If a manufacturer wants to use and sell any Hardware or Software that includes ZigBee Alliance intellectual property, the manufacturer has to be a ZigBee Alliance member.

7.

Q. Who is responsible for ZigBee certification? A. The ZigBee Alliance reserves the rights and execution of the certification program. There are currently two ZigBee Alliance-approved certification test providers: NTS Corp. and the TUV Rheinland Group. These are the only providers currently approved for ZigBee certification testing.

8.

Q. How much does certification cost and how long does it take? What fees are payable, and to whom do I pay them? A. The cost of ZigBee Alliance certification includes an administrative fee; payable to the ZigBee Alliance, and the cost of the certification testing, payable to the certification test providers. Full ZigBee Alliance members are not required to pay administrative fees. Test providers determine the cost of certification testing. Please check with these providers for more information.

9.

Q. Will I get a copy of the test specifications from the approved certification test providers? A. No. Specification access is only granted by the ZigBee Alliance through the Alliances online member services. Test service providers cannot reliably verify the member status of the requesting company.

10.

Q. What kinds of ZigBee certifications are available? A. There are three ZigBee compliance-testing programs. They are: 1. The ZigBee Compliant Platform (ZCP) program, which applies to modules or platforms that are intended as building blocks for end products. 2. The ZigBee Network Capable (ZNC) program addresses end products that are built upon a ZigBee Compliant Platform and use non-public

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ZigBee application profiles. Testing is intended to ensure that such products coexist successfully with products and networks certified by the ZigBee Alliance; That is, those that do not adversely impact the operation of other ZigBee certified products and networks. 3. The ZigBee Certified Product program applies to end products that use a ZigBee Alliance public application profile and are built upon a ZigBee Compliant Platform. After successful completion of the program the product may bear the ZigBee Alliance Logo, per the ZigBee Trademarks, Designations and Logos Policy. Each program uses unique test plans. The ZCP program encompasses all but the application interoperability layer of the ZigBee Stack Profile. The Certified Product program focuses on the application and interoperability layers of the ZigBee Stack Profile; the ZNC program encompasses only basic ZigBee Alliance functionalities inherent in all ZigBee devices. 11. Q. Im planning to create a ZigBee product. Should I start with a ZigBee Compliant Platform? What are the advantages of doing this? A. The basis for a ZigBee Certified Product is a ZigBee Compliant Platform. Hence, a manufacturer whose final goal is certification must use a compliant platform. Even if certification is not the goal, a platform listed as ZigBee compliant provides manufacturers assurance that all necessary functionalities work sufficiently. 12. Q. Can I make ZigBee products without having them certified? A. Yes. As a member of the ZigBee Alliance, a manufacturer may use the intellectual property to build and sell products. However, the products cannot bear the ZigBee Certified Product Logo unless they are tested and deemed compliant as a ZigBee Certified Product. 13. Q. Why should I bother getting my product ZigBee certified? A. Primarily you will be able to use the ZigBee Certified Product Logo on your end product. The Logo will enable you to market your product with other ZigBee devices and will assure your customers that you designed an interoperable product. Customers who want to use wireless in their buildings and environments will use the ZigBee Certified Product Logo as an indicator of interoperability. 14. Ive created my product using a ZigBee Compliant Platform and have followed all of the ZigBee specifications. Can I promote my product as being a ZigBee product, or ZigBee compliant? A. No. As a ZigBee Alliance member, you may use the ZigBee specification in your development process. You may also advertise that you are a member and

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manufacturer of ZigBee products. However, as long as the end product is not certified, per the policies of the ZigBee Alliance Certified Product program, or has not passed testing as a ZigBee Network Capable device, you cannot reference the ZigBee name in any promotional or product literature. 15. Q. Im ready to get my product certified, how do I get started? A. The best way to start is to send an email to certification@zigbee.org. You will then receive further information on all necessary processes. Please also refer to question 28, and the ZigBee Certification Policy document available from the ZigBee Alliance. Members of the ZigBee Alliance are also encouraged to participate in any upcoming ZigFest interoperability events Please refer to the ZigBee Alliance web site for further information. 16. Q. Can I self-certify my product as being ZigBee compliant? If not, can I reduce the certification time and cost by doing my own pre-certification? A. No, manufacturers are not able to self-certify. You are however encouraged to conduct pre-testing and to attend ZigFests. Both of these activities are beneficial in ensuring proper implementation of the specifications prior to submission for formal compliance testing. Test plans are available to ZigBee Alliance members for both compliance testing and ZigFests. 17. Q. If I change my product, does it need to be compliance tested again? What can I change without having it re-tested? A. Generally, modified products have to be re-tested. Manufacturers may apply a new certification without additional testing. The ZigBee Alliance or one of the approved test providers must first review any changes before any new certifications are issued. 18. Q. What is a ZigFest? A. A ZigFest is an interoperability event where manufacturers gather together to showcase their products and network with other wireless technology professionals. Several test cases and runs will be facilitated with different pairings of manufacturers. The participants identities will be confidential and only known to the other parties at the event. The ZigBee Alliance provides a summary report of the ZigFest after most events. 19. Q. What is a stack profile and what is its purpose? A. A stack profile is a particular "flavor" of a network topology. For example, a mesh network may have many stack profiles defined for it. Each stack profile will be optimized for its intended purpose. For example, one stack profile may have a unique value that allows configuration of a maximum number of ZigBee

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devices. In such a case, unique network addresses will be allocated; devices developed for one stack profile are not meant to interoperate with others. 20. Q. What is an application profile and what is its purpose? A. Application profiles are created to enable specific types of device, for example a light switch to interoperate for a single application, such as home automation. An application profile defines a group of devices running within a specific stack profile, each of which shares messages and commands to communicate with each other. A light switch is an example of one device, while a dimming controller is another. They both communicate with a load controller, and each operates within the same application profile, using the same data and messaging structures. 21. Q. Ive created my own application profile, and now want to make it public to get my product ZigBee certified. How can I do this? A. You are encouraged to participate in the ZigBee Alliance Application Framework group and submit your profile. The working group will then build a sub-committee to finalize your input as a public profile. 22. Q. What is PICS? A. Protocol Implementation Conformance Statement. It lists all parameters and features included in the ZigBee Alliance specification or the respective test document. Generally, it rates items as mandatory or optional. The manufacturer will need to provide a PICS list in order for the test provider and the ZigBee Alliance to evaluate the product and develop test plans. The device must support each mandatory item. 23. Q. What is an SKU? Is it something like a product code? A. Stock Keeping Unit. A SKU is the unique numeric designation \of each product. A SKU is an individual item or part, and is typically represented by a UPC (Universal Product Code). Although a certification refers to the SKU of a product, several SKU numbers may be included in a single certification. That is, when the different SKU numbers distinguish minor cosmetic changes, such as a different color. 24. Q. Im creating a product with a private application profile. Can I get it certified to use the ZigBee logo? A. No. In order for you to use the ZigBee name (not the Logo) in conjunction with your product, you have to undergo the ZigBee Network Capable testing program. The ZNC program tests for coexistence and basic interoperability inherent to all ZigBee systems. In order to use the ZigBee Certified Product Logo,

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a product must use public application profiles and successfully complete ZigBee Certified Product testing. 25. Q. How long can a company use the ZigBee logo? A. Once a product is certified, the ZigBee Certified Product Logo is valid for the life of the product assuming the product is not modified. 26. Q. If a corporation applies for ZigBee Alliance admission, is the membership valid for its subsidiary companies? A. Company owners hold the ZigBee Alliance membership applications. Subsidiaries are members, if they are not separate entities. If a name change or a corporate transfer of ownership occurs, then that owner/member would be required to re-apply. Only the legal entity may be a member, not the operating unit. More details are provided in the Corporate Bylaws of ZigBee Alliance available at:
http://www.zigbee.org/en/join/documents/ZigBee_Alliance_Bylaws_ADOPTED_1119200 2.pdf

27.

Q. What type of product can be submitted for certification? A. Any end product using a public profile with a unique product number may be submitted for testing and certification. Furthermore, ZigBee compliant modules may be tested and listed as compliant ZigBee Compliant Platforms (ZCPs). These ZCPs cannot bear the ZigBee Certified Product Logo but may claim compliance to the ZigBee Alliance Specification after successful testing and endorsement from the Alliance. End products using a non-public application profile may undergo the ZigBee Network Capable testing program; successful completion enables manufacturers to use ZigBee language in respect to the product. There is no logo associated with this program.

28.

Q. What is the listing/certification process? A. The ZigBee Alliance will grant ZigBee certification when the following requirements are met: 1) A company applies for ZigBee Alliance certification 2) The member company submits the product(s) to their choice of ZigBeedesignated test providers 3) The ZigBee Alliance Certification Body receives notification from the test provider upon successful completion of certification test Note: The notification process does not include test results or confidential vendor information, only a general pass statement. The vendor is automatically notified. 4) The company provides the appropriate paperwork to the Certification

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Body, as defined during the initial application process 5) The ZigBee Management Firm confirms the membership status as "member in good standing" with all dues and fees paid for the Member or Adopter member 6) The ZigBee Alliance receives the lab test results, conducts a review within 5 business days, approves the cost and provides logo usage rights to the submitter company 7) A ZigBee Compliant Platform (ZCP) is used for the final product Note: A manufacturer should use only ZigBee pre-qualified components Figure 1 shows a graphic representation of these requirements.

Fig 1.: ZigBee certification flow chart

29.

Q. Is it OK to place the ZigBee logo on the printed sticker of our ZigBee tested ZigBee product? The ZigBee Logo and Trademark Policy states that I may use the logo on printed matter. We are considering placing the ZigBee logo on our product stickers, on the back or bottom of the actual product, instead of just on the box or marketing collateral.

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A. If the exact product in question has officially passed ZigBee Alliance testing, then you may use the ZigBee Certified Product Logo on all materials related to that product. In fact, the Alliance recommends that the logo be used on items such as the box, data sheets, or regulatory approval stickers. Before doing so make sure that: 1. The product in question has officially passed and you are in receipt of the Official ZigBee Board notification letter 2. The use of the ZigBee Certified Product Logo is related to the product that has passed. You cannot use the ZigBee certification of one product as a means of showing a ZigBee logo on another product. In other words, each product must have a unique numeric identifier, or Stock Keeping Unit (SKU), and pass ZigBee certification. Also, only products may be identified as ZigBee certified. The name of a company or a company entity should never be identified as ZigBee certified. Note: These are general guidelines. To answer your specific question, a product SKU that has passed ZigBee testing may use stickers displaying the ZigBee Certified Product Logo. Please refer to the ZigBee Logo and Trademark Policy for specific instructions regarding the use and graphic representation of the ZigBee logo.

30.

Q. Can I get a logo for product similarity? That is, for a product that is the same as a certified product but has a different brand name or color and requires a different part number? A. Each product must be submitted to the ZigBee Alliance for review on a caseby-case basis. Different brand names will require a new certification but may be eligible to exclude testing. Additional design characteristics like color are not subject to a new certification but should carry the same model name. If design characteristics do not carry the same model name, this information should be included in the certification documents.

31.

Q. Under what circumstances is ZigBee certification "passed through" from one vendor to another? For example, if we were to re-sell another vendor's products. A. ZigBee Alliance certification cannot be passed through. OEM products need to be re-certified but may be excluded from retesting under certain circumstances.

32.

Q. Does the Alliance maintain a public registry of certified products? A. Yes, in the products area on this website: http://www.zigbee.org/en/products/. The area will soon be split into two links, one for ZigBee Compliant Platforms

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and another for ZigBee Certified Products. 33. Q. What about testing embedded products such as modules, gateways, commissioning tools and water-electric meters? For example, if I have a TV remote control, do I also have to send the TV? A. ZigBee has an established policy for certification of embedded products. ZigBee testing proceeds with a submittal by a member company to our certified laboratory. Initially, the only product with which you may use the ZigBee Certified Product Logo (other than the Certified Product) is the system that you submitted with the module for testing (the "Reference Product"). You may incorporate the Certified Product into other systems (the "New Products") and apply the Certified Product logo to those systems if you meet the following additional requirements: 1. You inform the ZigBee Alliance that the differences between the Reference Product and each New Product do not include any changes that would modify how the New Product interoperates with other ZigBee Certified Products 2. You notify the ZigBee Alliance of the New Products into which you intend to incorporate the Certified Product prior to using the ZigBee Certified Product Logo with the New Products 3. You include with the notice a brief description of the differences between the proposed New Products and the Reference Product, including, specifically, any changes that may affect the performance of the New Product when interoperating with other ZigBee certified products 4. You certify as part of the notice that the Certified Product is being incorporated into each New Product in an unmodified form and that the Certified Product operates within the New Product in the same manner as it does within the Reference Product. The ZigBee Alliance will then evaluate whether the scope of retesting may be reduced or testing may be omitted for a new certification. This is also applicable if a manufacturer chooses to build a module using a previously certified platform. As soon as any component of the certified platform is modified, retesting must occur. The scope of retesting will be determined based on the changes made. For more information, Please refer to the ZigBee Alliance Certification and Testing Policy. 34. Q. My products are building blocks. How can I be granted certification for logo use? A. Building blocks cannot be logo certified. Only end devices may fulfill the ZigBee Alliance requirements for certification. 35. Q. Do you test with a protocol analyzer to check the on-air traffic?

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A. It is required for certain test cases. 36. Q. What is the current waiting time and turn-around time for testing? A. The tests are performed on FIFO model and providing choice of two test labs provides and efficient. It is expected that the test programs start shortly (ZigBee Compliant Platform testing already available). 37. Q. Are our packaging, user manuals, utility disks (product CDs) required for ZigBee Alliance Certification testing? A. No, only the hardware and software are tested. Certain parts of the documentation could be necessary to complete the certification process. For example, the label or instructions on how to operate the device under test. 38. Q. Do we need to supply engineers to help with product testing? A. It is not a requirement; however, please check with our test service providers, about policies and regulations that protect vendor identities and whether they permit vendors to be present during testing. Usually a support person is preferable but not required. Telephone or email support is sufficient. 39. Q. What are the benefits of joining ZigBee as a participating member? A. The benefits of membership in ZigBee are manifold. Membership provides your company the opportunity to: 1. Participate in all ZigBee affairs and activities 2. Submit your products to our independent test laboratories for interoperability testing 3. Certify and use the ZigBee Certified Logo 4. Display the ZigBee Certified Logo on all of your products that have completed the ZigBee Certified Product program and all marketing materials related to those products 5. Share in the media exposure and public awareness building activities of the ZigBee Alliance and its collective member companies 6. Have your Company logo proudly displayed on all ZigBee Alliance marketing materials including our web site, brochures, conference materials 7. Participate in trade events with other ZigBee Alliance members 8. Contributes ideas and input toward the standardization of new technologies 40. Q. I buy a certified platform and put my own stack on it. However, I sell only the software IP without the hardware. What do I need to do?

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A. In order to associate your product with the ZigBee Alliance name or the ZigBee Certified Product Logo, you must re-apply for product certification. However, only a full ZigBee Alliance platform stack, per IEEE 802.15.4, is eligible for certification and use of the ZigBee Alliance name. You may sell your IP and use the ZigBee name without certification. However, you must be a member of the ZigBee Alliance.

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