This page provides the steps to download and use SiLabs PC Controller 5 (Zensys Tools 5) as the ultimate management tool with your Z-Stick Gen5 and form part of the larger Z-Stick 7 user guide.
SiLabs now offers their Zensys Tools 5 for free as long as you sign up and create an account through Silabs. Zensys Tools 5 can be used with Z-Stick 7 or any Z-Wave USB Adapter (Series 500 or Series 700) as a method to debug your network or see more on how Z-Wave communicates through experimentation.
Notes - You may download the older PC Controller tool at the bottom of this article for version 4.76.
Requirements:
- Windows OS (Simplicity Studios can be installed on Windows, Linux, or OSX, but PC Controller 5 is only supported with Windows).
- Z-Wave USB Adapter hardware
Follow these steps to download PC Controller 5.
Video Steps.
Notes: In the textual steps, this video starts off on the final point of Step 5.
Textual Steps.
- Click on this link here to create an account with Silicon Labs: https://siliconlabs.force.com/apex/SL_CommunitiesSelfReg?form=short (If you already have an account, please skip to step 3)
- Confirm your account via the confirmation email from Silabs.
- Now Login to your account.
- Download Simplicity Studio 5 here and select the OS you are using: https://www.silabs.com/developers/simplicity-studio
- Install Simplicity Studio 5, after installation, the interface should automatically open up.
- Mount SimplicityStudio-5.iso as a virtual drive
- On Windows 10 or 11, double-clicking the ISO and opening it with "Windows Explorer" will mount the ISO automatically.
- double click the new virtual drive
- Finalize your installation of Simplicity Studio, this will take about a minute or 2.
- Simplicity Studios should automatically open.
- Mount SimplicityStudio-5.iso as a virtual drive
- Login to Simplicity Studios with your SiLabs account.
- Required Login: You must login in order to use either PC Controller 5 or Zniffer, if you do not log in, these tools will not appear.
- Required Login: You must login in order to use either PC Controller 5 or Zniffer, if you do not log in, these tools will not appear.
- Wait for Simplicity Studios to finalize its bootup.
- When the initial bootup is finished, click on "Install by technology type (wireless, Xpress, MCU, sensors)"
- Checkmark "32-bit and Wireless MCU", then click on "Next".
- Select "Auto" then click "Next".
- When installation is done, Simplicity studios will ask to restart, click OK.
- Read and then agree to the license agreement, then press next.
- Wait for it to install, this will take about 8+ minutes. Windows may request you to accept some installation during the z-wave software download/update a few times.
- Select YES to any windows popups.
- Select YES to any windows popups.
- After installation, Simplicity Studios will reset, press OK to reset your software and complete the installation.
How to open PC Controller 5 in Simplicity Studios.
- Open up Simplicity Studios
- Click on Tools.
- Scroll to the bottom and select PC Controller.
- Press OK.