UG103.10: RF4CA Fundamentals
`
`This document describes the ZigBee RF4CE specification, with
`notes about considerations when implementing an RF4CE solu-
`tion. It includes a basic description of RF4CE device types, the
`network formation process, power saving, and security.
`Silicon Labs’ Application Development Fundamentals series covers topics that project
`managers, application designers, and developers should understand before beginning
`to work on an embedded networking solution using Silicon Labs chips, networking
`stacks such as EmberZNet PRO or Silicon Labs Bluetooth Smart, and associated de-
`velopment tools. The documents can be used a starting place for anyone needing an
`introduction to developing wireless networking applications, or who is new to the Silicon
`Labs development environment.
`
`KEY POINTS
`
`• RF4CE devices
`• Network formation
`• Topology
`• Power saving
`• Security
`• Transmission modes
`• Frequency agility
`• Profiles
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`Petition for Inter Parties Review
`of U.S. Patent No. 9,258,698
`EXHIBIT
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`Cellspin-2003
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`IPR2019-00131
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`exhibitsticker.com
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`UG103.10: Application Development Fundamentals: RF4CE
`Introduction
`
`1. Introduction
`
`The ZigBee RF4CE specification describes mechanisms for building remote control (RC) networks for simple, robust, low cost commu-
`nication for consumer electronic (CE) devices. RF4CE provides simple networking and application layers on top of the IEEE 802.15.4
`standard in the 2.4 GHz frequency band. A multiple star network topology is used in RF4CE with a variety of transmission options in-
`cluding both broadcast and unicast with optional MAC-level acknowledgement and optional network-level security. Frequency agility
`and standard power saving mechanisms help ensure that RF4CE products are able to meet consumer expectations for reliability and
`long life. These features together enable manufacturers to build a diverse range of remote control products, including home entertain-
`ment devices and keyless entry systems. At the discretion of the application, RF4CE networks are multi-vendor interoperable. A num-
`ber of ZigBee-developed application profiles as well as manufacturer-specific profiles are already available.
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`UG103.10: Application Development Fundamentals: RF4CE
`Definitions
`
`2. Definitions
`
`• Controller – a network participant that has ZigBee RF4CE functionality
`• Originator – the device from which a transmission is sent
`• Recipient – the device to which a transmission is sent
`• Target – a network coordinator that has ZigBee RF4CE functionality
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`UG103.10: Application Development Fundamentals: RF4CE
`Devices
`
`3. Devices
`
`RF4CE networks consist of controller nodes and target nodes. The fundamental difference between these two device types is that tar-
`gets may create their own networks while controllers are only capable of joining existing networks. In ZigBee PRO terms, controllers are
`roughly analogous to end devices while targets are more similar to coordinators.
`
`3.1 Controllers
`
`Controllers are network participants, which means they can join existing networks. An example of a controller device is a handheld re-
`mote control for a television or set-top box. Consumers will typically interact with a controller to operate a target some distance away.
`Before communicating with other nodes, controllers must first join to an existing network using a discovery and pairing process descri-
`bed in section 4. Network Formation.
`
`Controllers are frequently battery operated and therefore usually operate in a low power mode in order to meet consumer expectations
`for battery longevity. The RF4CE specification offers a specific power saving mechanism to allow nodes to sleep for extended periods
`while still allowing other nodes to communicate with them. A node that wishes to conserve power will enable its receiver for some dura-
`tion within a larger period. The duty cycle of sleepy nodes helps them save power while also facilitating communication to them by other
`nodes in the network. Power saving is described in more detail in section 6. Power Saving.
`
`Because most actions begin with a user operating a controller, controllers often perform the originator role in RF4CE networks and the
`terms “controller” and “originator” are frequently synonymous. This is not always the case, however, so care must be taken not to con-
`flate the two concepts.
`
`3.2 Targets
`
`Targets are network coordinators, which mean they can create new networks. In addition to being capable of forming networks, targets
`may also join networks created by other targets. The equivalent in ZigBee PRO is a coordinator that may choose to join an existing
`network as a router instead of forming its own network. The ability to form a network is the key distinction between a controller and a
`target, but it is important to remember that either device type can join a network.
`
`Typical examples of a target device are televisions or set-top boxes. These types of products are often packaged with a dedicated re-
`mote control from the same manufacturer. The product itself plus its dedicated remote control comprise the most basic example of a
`complete RF4CE network. A television, for example, would create a network in which to operate and the included remote control would
`join to that network in order to interact with the television. The network parameters could be specified during production so the two
`products are already joined together before reaching the consumer or the network creation and the joining process could be completed
`during an initial setup procedure initiated by the consumer.
`
`Targets frequently perform the recipient role in RF4CE networks. As before, it is important to remember that “target” and “recipient” are
`not always synonymous. It is possible for a target to have its own network and to be joined with another network created by a separate
`target. For example, a set-top box will typically have its own network with its own dedicated remote. It may also join to the network of
`the television to which it is physically connected. In a setup like this, the set-top box would be the recipient on its own network and an
`originator on the network belonging to the television.
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`UG103.10: Application Development Fundamentals: RF4CE
`Network Formation
`
`4. Network Formation
`
`RF4CE networks consist of one or more devices paired to a target. The network joining process is comprised of two distinct steps:
`discovery and pairing. The discovery procedure is used to identify targets within radio range. Once a potential target is identified, the
`pairing process is used to join with that device. Discovery usually precedes pairing, but a device is free to pair with other devices whose
`identities are made known to it through out-of-band means. For example, a bar code printed on a set-top box may provide the informa-
`tion to a remote control for pairing.
`
`4.1 Discovery
`
`Discovery is the process by which devices learn about other devices in the vicinity. Its primary purpose is to identify targets with which
`to pair. The device that initiates discovery is known as the originator while devices that are discovered are known as recipients. Typical-
`ly, discovery is performed by controllers, but targets are permitted to act as originators as well.
`
`During discovery, the originator periodically transmits discovery request messages on each of the RF4CE channels. These messages
`are typically directed to all nodes within range, but may also be transmitted to a specific node or to all nodes within an existing network.
`The discovery request includes information about the originator, including its capabilities and vendor information. Additionally, the origi-
`nator specifies which application device types it is attempting to discover. A multi-function remote control, for example, may wish to
`discover only televisions.
`
`Because ZigBee RF4CE does not have parent-child relationships like in ZigBee PRO, discovery can only identify other nodes that have
`their receiver enabled and are within immediate range of the originator. Originators are free to repeat discovery until an application- or
`profile-specific condition has been satisfied. For example, discovery may continue for a fixed duration or until some number of respon-
`ses have been received. Repeating the discovery process increases the likelihood of locating devices within range.
`
`When a target receives a discovery request, it examines the originator information and the requested application device type contained
`in the request in order to determine whether to respond. A set-top box, for example, should not to respond to a discovery request for a
`television. Similarly, a device may choose to respond only to requests from the same manufacturer. Ignoring discovery requests is one
`way that a target can exert control over the devices that join its network.
`
`If a target decides to respond to a discovery request, it transmits a discovery response back to the originator. The response includes
`information about the recipient, including its capabilities and application device type.
`
`Targets may also enable an automatic discovery mode. When activated, the stack will automatically determine whether to respond to
`discovery requests based on whether the capabilities advertised by the originator and the requested application device type are com-
`patible with the local node. If so, the stack will automatically respond with the information for the local node. Otherwise, the stack will
`ignore the request. Automatic discovery mode ends after an application-specified duration or if a response is sent, whichever comes
`first.
`
`As the originator receives discovery responses from recipients, it uses the recipient information to decide whether the recipient is an
`acceptable target. At the conclusion of the discovery process, the application will have collected a list of potential targets. Typically, the
`originator will attempt to pair with one or more of the targets in the list. The decisions about which targets are acceptable and whether to
`proceed to pairing are application and profile specific.
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`UG103.10: Application Development Fundamentals: RF4CE
`Network Formation
`
`4.2 Pairing
`
`Pairing is the process by which devices establish bidirectional links with other devices. Both controllers and targets can act as pairing
`originators and initiate the pairing process. Regardless of whether the originator is a controller or target, the pairing recipient must be a
`target. Controllers may not pair with other controllers.
`
`Once an originator identifies a target that it wants to pair with, either through discovery or some out-of-band mechanism, pairing may
`begin. The originator starts the process by transmitting a pairing request to the recipient. Pair requests, like discovery requests, include
`information about the originator and the target uses this information to decide how to respond. If the target wishes to accept the pair
`request, it transmits a pair response back to the originator with an indication of success. Otherwise, it responds with an indication of
`failure.
`
`If a pairing is successful and if the originator and recipient both support security, a key exchange procedure is then attempted. The key
`exchange establishes a link key that is used to encrypt messages sent between the originator and recipient. This procedure is descri-
`bed in section 7. Security.
`
`Once the pairing and the key exchange, if applicable, completes successfully, a bidirectional link between the two nodes is established.
`Both the originator and recipient will store information about the other node in an entry in its pairing table. The pairing table includes
`addressing information for the other node and is stored persistently. Each entry is assigned a unique pairing reference. Once a pairing
`is established, the application sends messages to the other node using the pairing reference assigned to that node. The stack will
`translate the pairing reference to the actual network address before transmitting the message. Similarly, when a message is received,
`the stack will determine the pairing reference of the sender based on the source address and will provide that reference to the applica-
`tion instead of the actual source address. In this way, addressing is abstracted and simplified for the application and the application is
`therefore not required to store any specific addressing information for other nodes. A consequence of this abstraction, however, is that
`nodes cannot communicate with each other unless they have previously paired. The stack will ignore incoming messages from and
`refuse to transmit outgoing messages to unpaired devices.
`
`Both controllers and targets may pair with any number of other devices. The capacity of the pairing table is implementation specific,
`although targets must be able to maintain simultaneous pairings with at least five other devices. For example, supporting multiple pair-
`ings permits a television to be controllable by either its factory-supplied remote control or a separate multi-function remote control. Simi-
`larly, a multi-function remote control is able to control, for example, a television and set-top box by virtue of supporting multiple pairings.
`
`Either side of a pairings may decide to remove a pairing after it has been created. The ability to unilaterally remove a pairing enables a
`device to determine which other devices are permitted to communicate with it. This is essential in a consumer environment where devi-
`ces may change frequently with each new generation of technology. A television, for example, that supports five pairings may need to
`preemptively remove a pairing entry for a remote control that is infrequently used in order to accommodate a new remote control. Simi-
`larly, a single-function remote control will need to remove and replace its single pairing entry each time it pairs with a new device. This
`functionality ensures devices are not permanently tied to old devices that no longer exist.
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`UG103.10: Application Development Fundamentals: RF4CE
`Topology
`
`5. Topology
`
`The following figure shows an example of a typical RF4CE network. The network includes three target nodes: a television, a DVD play-
`er, and a set-top box. Each target has formed its own network and is paired with a dedicated remote control in that network. A multi-
`function remote control has also paired with all of the targets. By pairing with multiple targets, the multi-function remote control has
`connected the separate networks into a larger network with a multiple-star topology.
`
`Figure 5.1. Multiple Star Topology
`
`To communicate with the various target devices, the multi-function remote control will switch to the channel of the target and assume its
`personal area network (PAN) identifier. The controller will use the network address allocated during pairing to communicate with the
`target. The channel, PAN identifier, and network addresses of the local node and the target node are stored persistently in the pairing
`table.
`
`The figure also shows a gateway device that is providing Internet connectivity to the set-top box. Other types of gateways are also pos-
`sible. For example, a gateway could provide connectivity to a ZigBee PRO Home Automation (HA) network operating in the same loca-
`tion as the RF4CE network. Gateways are application-specific and outside the scope of the RF4CE specification.
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`UG103.10: Application Development Fundamentals: RF4CE
`Power Saving
`
`6. Power Saving
`
`In order to maximize battery life, RF4CE defines two power-saving mechanisms. Each application is free to manage its own power con-
`sumption in a way most suitable to its particular characteristics and usage. Although power saving is traditionally used for controllers,
`both mechanisms are also available for use by targets.
`
`6.1 Direct Control
`
`RF4CE explicitly permits the application to directly control the state of its receiver and, ultimately, its sleep schedule during normal op-
`eration. The application may, for example, wake up and enable its receiver indefinitely. This is recommended for a line-powered device,
`such as a television, when it is turned on. Conversely, the application may also disable its receiver and sleep indefinitely. A remote
`control may wish to enter such a dormant state if some duration of time has elapsed since a button press or if it senses that the user is
`no longer holding the remote.
`
`The application can also enable and disable its receiver on its own schedule to achieve fine-grained control of the power consumption
`of the device. Unlike end devices in ZigBee PRO, sleepy devices in RF4CE do not periodically check in with a parent, so devices are
`free to sleep for extended durations without network-layer consequences. However, application profiles may impose restrictions that
`effectively limit the sleep duration, so it is important to understand the constraints of the broader environment in which the device oper-
`ates.
`
`6.2 Duty Cycling
`
`Although RF4CE permits direct control over the receiver state, leaving the application in control can severely reduce the ability for other
`nodes to communicate with the device. Fortunately, the receiver does not need to be enabled all of the time for other nodes to effective-
`ly communicate with the device. Because of retries at various levels, a device that regularly enables its receiver may still receive mes-
`sages in a timely manner. This method of power savings is called duty cycling.
`
`The RF4CE specification allows a device to set an active period and a duty cycle. At the start of each duty cycle, the stack will enable
`the receiver for the duration of the active period. When the active period elapses, the stack will disable the receiver until the end of the
`current duty cycle. When the duty cycle elapses, the process repeats with the receiver again enabled for a new active period. This is
`shown in the following figure.
`
`By setting appropriate active period and duty cycle parameters, the application can achieve predictable power consumption and, be-
`cause of the regularity of the enabled receiver, other nodes will be able to effectively and reliably communicate with the device.
`
`Figure 6.1. Duty Cycling
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`UG103.10: Application Development Fundamentals: RF4CE
`Security
`
`7. Security
`
`The RF4CE specification provides a security mechanism based on link keys, similar to those used in the Smart Energy profile in ZigBee
`PRO. As in ZigBee PRO, link keys provide confidentiality and authenticity between pairs of nodes while also preventing replay attacks.
`However, the mechanism for deriving link keys is very different in RF4CE.
`
`During pairing, the originator and recipient each indicate if they support security. Following a successful pairing, if both nodes support
`security, the recipient will generate a random 128-bit security link key to be used for communication between the pair. The recipient
`then transmits a series of key seed messages to the originator. The key seed messages contain random data mixed with the link key
`itself. In aggregate, the data contained in the key seed messages is sufficient to derive the link key. Once all of the key seed messages
`are successfully transmitted to the originator, the originator will test the validity of the link key by transmitting an encrypted ping request
`containing random data to the recipient. If the recipient receives and can decrypt the ping request, it will send a ping response back to
`the originator with the same random data. If the originator receives and decrypts the ping response, the link key is known to be valid
`and will be used for future secure communication between the originator and recipient. Messages are encrypted using the AES-128-
`CCM* algorithm, as in ZigBee PRO.
`
`Because the key seed data is used to derive the link key, any malicious eavesdropping node can subvert the security of the pairing if it
`is able to receive all of the key seed messages. However, the security risks of this scheme are reduced by the inherent lossiness and
`asymmetry of wireless networks. As the number of key seed messages increases, the probability that the originator and an eavesdrop-
`per successfully receive the same set of key seed messages decreases. To reduce the opportunity for an eavesdropper to receive the
`complete set of key seed messages, the recipient transmits the messages without retries and at a reduced power level. If the originator
`fails to acknowledge a key seed message, either because it did not receive the message or because the recipient did not receive the
`acknowledgement, the recipient will generate a new message to replace it. If an eavesdropper misses any of the key seed messages, it
`will not be able to derive the link key.
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`UG103.10: Application Development Fundamentals: RF4CE
`Transmission Modes
`
`8. Transmission Modes
`
`RF4CE offers a number of transmission options. The various options allow devices to balance power consumption and reliability in a
`way most suited to their particular use cases.
`
`As in ZigBee PRO, messages can be transmitted with or without a request for an 802.15.4-level acknowledgement. If the sender re-
`quests acknowledgement, the receiver will transmit an acknowledgement upon receipt of the message. If an acknowledgement is not
`received, the message is assumed to have been lost.
`
`A mode unique to RF4CE is channel agility. In single-channel mode, the stack will attempt to transmit the message on the last-known
`channel of the network, as in ZigBee PRO. If the network has changed channels, the intended recipient may not receive the message.
`If the originator instead uses channel agility or multiple-channel mode, an unacknowledged message will automatically cause the stack
`to retransmit the message on the other channels. This is an important part of frequency agility, as described in section 9. Frequency
`Agility.
`
`Finally, as in ZigBee PRO, messages may be unicast or broadcast in RF4CE. Unlike ZigBee PRO, however, recipients will automatical-
`ly drop messages from devices to which they are not paired. This rule applies to both unicasts and broadcasts. All nodes that wish to
`communicate with each other must be paired.
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`UG103.10: Application Development Fundamentals: RF4CE
`Frequency Agility
`
`9. Frequency Agility
`
`RF4CE uses the 2.4 GHz frequency band, just like ZigBee PRO. To reduce interference from other devices in this band, RF4CE avoids
`channels commonly used by other protocols and instead restricts itself to channels 15, 20, and 25. At startup, targets first perform an
`energy scan across the permitted channels in order to identify the best available channel on which to operate. When other nodes pair
`with the target, they will record the channel and use it for transmitting messages.
`
`If the target determines that its current channel is congested and that network performance may suffer as a result, it may select a new
`channel from the permitted set of channels. There is no explicit notification of a channel change, so other nodes paired to the target will
`not know about the change. Instead, the other nodes must implicitly learn of the change by detecting failed transmissions to the target.
`
`When other nodes attempt to send a message to the target, they will transmit on the original channel and, therefore, the message will
`not be heard or acknowledged by the target. The other nodes will react to the unacknowledged message by attempting to retransmit it
`on each of the three RF4CE channels in succession. Eventually, the message will be transmitted on the new channel and the target will
`receive and acknowledge the message. When this happens, the other node will record the new channel and use it for all subsequent
`messages to the target.
`
`This simple mechanism allows the network to react to interference and for nodes to realign with each other through the normal course
`of communication. However, the mechanism relies on the use of two optional transmission modes: acknowledged messages and multi-
`channel transmissions. Without acknowledgements, a node will be unable to detect that the target has moved. When sending, the appli-
`cation must also explicitly specify to the stack that multi-channel transmissions are to be used. Otherwise, single-channel mode is utiliz-
`ed and the stack will not automatically retransmit the message on the other channels even in the event of an unacknowledged mes-
`sage.
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`UG103.10: Application Development Fundamentals: RF4CE
`Profiles
`
`10. Profiles
`
`The ZigBee RF4CE specification deals exclusively with network-level commissioning and communication. Application-level functionality
`is contained within ZigBee- or manufacturer-defined profiles. Each profile builds upon the networking layer and adds additional commis-
`sioning steps as well as attributes and commands. RF4CE profiles are similar to clusters in the ZigBee Cluster Library (ZCL) used in
`ZigBee PRO.
`
`10.1 Generic Device Profile
`
`The Generic Device Profile (GDP) is meant to serve as the basis for other profiles. It provides a standard commissioning scheme as
`well as a set of commands for performing basic functions that are applicable to a range of applications.
`
`One key feature of the GDP profile is a standard commissioning mechanism. The commissioning process includes the standard discov-
`ery and pairing process, but augments it with an algorithm to rank and sort potential targets, a way to perform application-specific con-
`figuration, and a standard way to recover and continue in the event of pairing failures.
`
`Following a successful pairing, the GDP profile enters a configuration procedure during which each applicable application profile is giv-
`en an opportunity to exchange information specific to the profile. These application-specific configuration procedures allow a single
`GDP-based pairing to configure multiple GDP-based profiles in a single operation from the perspective of the user.
`
`Following a successful pairing and configuration, the GDP profile defines a validation procedure. Only if the validation procedure suc-
`ceeds are the devices considered bound and able to communicate. The validation procedure is implementation specific, but typically
`involves a challenge-response mechanism. For example, when a remote pairs with a television, the television may generate and dis-
`play a string of numbers that the user must then enter on the remote. The validation procedure involves the user in the pairing to ensure
`the intended devices are paired.
`
`The GDP profile also provides attributes and a way to exchange attribute values between paired devices. The GDP profile itself defines
`a set of attributes, and higher-level profiles are able to add their own sets as well. Attributes in the GDP profile are similar to attributes in
`the ZCL. One notable change is that GDP devices are required to store the attribute values of the devices to which they are paired.
`Typically, attribute values are exchanged during pairing and configuration. When a device wants to communicate with another device, it
`checks its local copy of the attribute value from the other device to determine how to interact with it. For example, during commission-
`ing, a television may indicate it supports an interactive menu by setting a particular attribute value and transmitting it to the remote. If
`the user presses the menu button on the remote, the remote will first check to see whether the television has indicated support for the
`button. This feature allows devices to communicate using messages and options that are appropriate.
`
`10.2 ZigBee Remote Control
`
`The ZigBee Remote Control (ZRC) profile is intended to be used for consumer remote control applications. The original 1.0 version of
`the profile was called Consumer Electronics Remote Control (CERC) profile, but it was renamed to ZRC with version 1.1.
`
`Versions 1.0 and 1.1 of the ZRC profile defined a simple push-button pairing mechanism to commission devices. In order to pair, both
`the originator and the recipient push a button to enter the commissioning state. Pairing will only succeed if the originator identifies ex-
`actly one possible target. This simple approach helps ensure that remotes can unambiguously pair with a specific target.
`
`ZRC 1.0 and 1.1 also include a set of commands for controlling a target from a remote. The commands reflect the state of a button
`press on a remote. For example, if a user presses the power button on a remote, the remote transmits a user control press message
`with the identifier of the power button. If the user continues to hold the button down, the remote transmits repeat messages. When the
`user releases the button, the remote transmits a release message. The set of available buttons are taken from the HDMI Consumer
`Electronics Control (HDMI-CEC) specification. It is also possible for ZRC 1.0 and 1.1 devices to discover which HDMI-CEC actions are
`supported by the paired device.
`
`The ZRC profile has been redesigned with version 2.0. It is now based on GDP 2.0 and therefore uses its commissioning scheme. The
`commands to control a target have been extended to support actions from other specifications in addition to HDMI-CEC. The various
`sets of actions are referred to as action banks. The RF4CE working group has identified a list of available action banks and has provi-
`ded for manufacturer-defined action banks as well.
`
`The commissioning scheme and over-the-air commands used by ZRC 2.0 are not inherently compatible with ZRC 1.0 or 1.1. To ad-
`dress this backwards compatibility problem, ZRC 2.0 devices are required to also support ZRC 1.1. In this way, ZRC 1.x and ZRC 2.x
`devices can coexist and interoperate.
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`UG103.10: Application Development Fundamentals: RF4CE
`Profiles
`
`10.3 Multiple System Operators
`
`The Multiple System Operators (MSO) profile is a manufacturer-specific profile originally developed by Comcast and subsequently con-
`tributed to CableLabs, a not-for-profit research and development consortium of cable operators. The MSO profile is based on the ZRC
`1.1 profile with extensions added to enhance commissioning.
`
`After pairing and key exchange, MSO devices enter a procedure to validate the pairing. This process is similar to the validation proce-
`dure provided by the GDP profile.
`
`Although the specification is shared with a consortium, it is not intended to allow devices from different manufacturers to interoperate. In
`fact, the pairing mechanism explicitly forbids devices to pair with other devices that do not share the same vendor identification.
`
`Although the MSO profile is similar to the ZRC profiles, it is not compatible with them. A device is, however, free to implement MSO and
`ZRC at the same time.
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`UG103.10: Application Development Fundamentals: RF4CE
`Next Steps
`
`11. Next Steps
`
`The EmberZNet software includes a certified ZigBee RF4CE networking stack and reference implementations for the GDP, ZRC 1.1
`and 2.0, and MSO profiles. Customers are encouraged to use the included sample applications to gain familiarity with RF4CE in gener-
`al and the Silicon Labs offering in particular. Each of the applications demonstrate how devices discover and pair with each other as
`well as how messages are sent and received. The applications are available for use after loading the EmberZNet installation in Ember
`AppBuilder. Ember Desktop includes support for decoding the network- and application-layer messages in RF4CE and provides addi-
`tional insight into the operation of RF4CE networks.
`
`silabs.com | Smart. Connected. Energy-friendly.
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`Rev. 0.2 | 13
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`Cellspin Ex. 2003 - Pg. 14
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`Smar