(Bond Bridge & Pro) Firmware versions

v4.7.19-stable – released 11/25/2024

What's New in v4.7.19 stable

Works with Bond

We've made significant improvements to support certain motor technologies:

• RMS92 (Nice Green Motors): Improved the reliability of the SetPosition command. This enhancement is particularly beneficial for large installations using Nice Green motors, especially in Savant systems.
• Vertilux Two-Way Motors: Numerous fixes have been implemented, making this the first firmware version to officially support stable control of Vertilux bi-directional motors.
• RMS169 (LifeRoom Technology): Adjustments requested by LifeRoom have been incorporated to enhance app control and the scheduling experience for louver systems.
• A3B & A3 Templates: Some changes related to ceiling fans were made.
• RMS136 (Ronco Motors): Fixed an issue where closed positions were not being reported correctly.
• RCF94v2 (Ceiling Fan remote with LCD Screen): Resolved a brightness setting issue for one of the most popular ceiling fan technologies.

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New Feature: Hex Code Web Interface (Lutron HomeWorks support)

We’ve introduced a new tool for integrators: the Hex Codes Web Interface.
By navigating to <Bridge IP>/hexcode, you can now generate hex strings to control devices, groups, or scenes. These hex strings are designed to be copied and pasted into Lutron HomeWorks Designer software, enabling seamless integration with Bond devices, including RTS motors.

Note: Please refer to the separate PDF documentation for a step-by-step guide on setting this up.

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Other Fixes

• Vertilux Two-Way (BGRX Mode):
  To support Vertilux two-way motors, the Bond Bridge Pro now automatically enters the correct background receive mode (BGRX). This enables the bridge to listen for motor responses after sending commands, ensuring accurate state updates in the app. Additionally, it allows the bridge to detect state changes made using a Vertilux remote control. However, this change has a tradeoff: when BGRX is listening for Vertilux, Sidekicks (both relay and keypad modes) will no longer sync with the bridge. Users must currently choose between using Vertilux two-way or Sidekick features in the app, or deploy separate bridges for each technology. We plan to address this limitation in a future update to improve the user experience.
• Transmit Delay Improvements:
  Modest reductions were made to transmission delay times. However, there are still reports of unexpected delays before the bridge begins transmitting commands. This issue is under investigation for further optimization.
• Scene Schedules Persistence Fix:
  Fixed an issue where Scene schedules would be deleted after a bridge reboot, either due to power cycling or firmware updates. This resolves a major frustration for users who rely on scene schedules.

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Miscellaneous Changes (Advanced)

For developers and programmers, here are the technical details of the miscellaneous updates in this release:

• Bond Token API (Account Code Validation):
  The Bond Token API now enforces validation of account codes to ensure they are 14 bytes in length, as required.
• Schedules (Argument Length Increase):
  The maximum argument length for schedules has been increased from 16 to 96 characters. This change was necessary to support scheduling RGB settings for the DEKOR ColorConnect product. (To-Do: Follow up with @RubensHardt on app-side implementation for setting specific colors in schedules.)
• Vertilux Pairing Error Feedback:
  Improved error handling now notifies users in the UI when a Vertilux two-way device fails to pair, providing clearer feedback during setup.
• RFMan (Command Delay Configuration):
  A new web interface at <Bridge IP>/bridge allows users to introduce extra delays between commands. This is particularly useful for unaggregated groups, such as RTS motors. While initial feedback suggests this might improve reliability in some cases, its overall effectiveness remains uncertain, and this feature is expected to be rarely needed.
• Wi-Fi Hidden Network Fix:
  Previously, a hidden Wi-Fi network would appear on scanners due to the configuration AP being set to the longest beacon interval while in a "hot standby" mode. This has been corrected to completely disable the configuration AP when not in use. This change eliminates the hidden network while maintaining usability. We will monitor for any unintended consequences.
• LiveLog Stability:
  The livelog feature, accessible via the Bond CLI (bond-cli) python tool, had a longstanding issue where the bridge would lock up after an NTP synchronization (typically every two hours). This issue has been resolved, allowing the livelog feature to run indefinitely without interruptions.

v4.7.19-beta – released 11/12/2024

Bond Bridge Pro supporting Homeworks

What's Changed

For Bond Bridge Pro (BD-1750)

Works With Bond

We made some improvements to certain motor technology support.

• remotes::RMS92: use command_arg instead of state.argument for better reliability
• numerous fixes for Vertilux 2-way
• remotes: RMS169 Liferoom (GAMA) Sequence Tx A-B-Open(Close)
• remotes: A3b - A3: something to do with ceiling fans
• remotes::RMS136: fix Ronco Close position
• remotes::RCF94v2: hack to fix SetBrightness

New Feature

•  webgui::hexcodes: support for Lutron HomeWorks Ethernet Strings

v4.7.7 – released 09/16/2024

Bridges with serial numbers starting with ZZ

What's Changed since v4.7.3.1

• range improvement for Dooya bidirectional, Rollease, etc (RMS35 template)
• remotes::RMS92: send position+/-1 before SetPosition to wake NICE DC motor

API Changes:

• Funnel: allow bodiless DELETE

Regulatory Compliance

Bond Bridge activated prior to Sep 14th 2024 requires a patch, so as to bring it into compliance with US regulations. Please make use of this Compliance Patcher tool.  Note that after applying the patch the range of the bridge control may be noticeably reduced.

v4.7.3.1 – released 8/29/2024

What's Changed since v4.7.1

Bugfixes

• fully support offline ethernet segments 
• HomeKit: avoid crash on device creation, state update when bhk disabled 

Regulatory Compliance

Bond Bridge Pro activated prior to Aug 31st 2024 requires a patch, so as to bring it into compliance with US regulations. Please make use of this Compliance Patcher tool.  Note that after applying the patch the range of the bridge control may be noticeably reduced.

v4.7.1 -– released 8/08/2024 - 08/21/2024

• Beta: for BD-1000 and BD-920
  • BD-920: Thursday 08 August 2024
  • BD-1000: Thursday 08 August 2024
  • BD-1750: Wednesday 21 August 2024
• Stable:
  • BD-920: Thursday 08 August 2024
  • BD-1000: Wednesday 21 August 2024
  • BD-1750: Wednesday 21 August 2024

Two-Step Upgrade

BD-1000 users currently on v2.x or v3.x will need to upgrade twice:

Old Stable                     v3.21.3.6

Temporary                     v3.21.6.14

New Stable                   v4.7.1

What's Changed since v4.6.5

• Fix longstanding issue that caused general instability on BD-1000 and BD-920. We believe this may improve the reliability of Groups and Schedules.
• Fix issue where Sidekick information did not update on the app screen. It now updates live.
• Blink light ring when Virtual Remote Control is used.
• Awning support for SunPro (RMS5), correcting Open/Close directions. Applies only when subtype is set to "Awning".

Improvement

• BSidekick: Add gratuitous GET reply after batt calc  

Fixes

• LUA: Zermatt crash in various places (Lua issue)  
• BOTA: fix conflict between target_override and undo  

IP-IP Integration

• Draper: make command field 16-bit, fixing SetTiltPosition  

v4.6.5 – released 06/26/2024 beta for BD-1000 and BD-920 and 7/8/2024 to Stable

Scenes & Group Aggregation & Sidekick Linking for BD-1000

Beta: Friday 28 June 2024 for BD-1000 and BD-920.
Stable: ETA Monday 8 July 2024 (to give enough time for testing)

This is the first stable v4 release for BD-1000. For full release notes earlier than v4.5.4,

The two major features are:

• Scenes
• support for linking a Sidekick to devices on BD-1000. Note that a Pro bridge still required to listen for the Sidekick signals.
• Groups start together, when supported by the motor technology (as Bond Bridge Pro does)

Changes Since v4.5.4

• We now aggregate group commands when possible, so that supported technologies move together like they do on Bond Bridge Pro.

Works with Bond

• remotes::RMS136: Ronco Slider
• remotes::RMS252: Add BON AOK Screen for Weatherproof Pergola
• remotes::RMS163: Bon AM motor  
• remotes::RMS35: Tx SetPosition for Open/Close when slider  
• remotes::RMS163: Bon AM motor  
• remotes::RMS76: Bofu 3 bursts for reliability  
• remotes::RMS136: Ronco, Tx twice for reliability  
• remotes::RMS352: Select Blinds Lift&Tilt  
• remotes::RMS169: GAMA RFT340-4PR-TO  

IP-IP integrations

• Powerview: fix need to reboot after pair

v4.5.16.1 – released 06/6/2024

Fix Magnatrack BD-1740 and BD-1720 lost ethernet function

Releasing to stable for BD-17xx on Thursday 26 June 2024.

What's Changed since v4.5.16.1

Hot Fix

• Fix issue where Ethernet support stopped working in last update

IP-IP Integrations

• PowerView: fixes 

v4.5.15 – released 06/6/2024

Releasing to stable for BD-17xx and BD-920 on Thursday 6 June 2024.

What's Changed since v4.4.7.1

Bug Fix

• Fix issue where BBP on Ethernet setup mode would pulse blue instead of staying solid green as expected. This was causing a lot of confusion and leading dealers and our staff to think that the Ethernet was not working, when it turned out just to be an issue with the LED software.

Shade Support

• improvement to Alpha control
• Virtual Remote Control now supported for Bofu technology
• add support for Bon AM motor (RMS163)
• solves a problem for Tilt-Only Levelor blinds (now we use SetPosition signals for Open/Close actions on RMS35 when slider is enabled)
• improve Bofu (RMS76) reliability (by sending 3 signals instead of 1)
• Ronco (RMS136): improve reliability (by sending 2 signals instead of 1)
• add support for Select Blinds Lift&Tilt (RMS352) -- connect code 628429

IP-IP Integrations

• Troy: add error when enabling without complete config
• HomeKit: fix a crash related to stack overflow
• PowerView: import their scenes automatically
• PowerView: groups move together (when all of same PV type)
• PowerView: fix issue where rooms may occasionally have been discovered as shades

v4.4.7.1 – released 04/11/2024
Firmware for Bridges with serial numbers starting in ZP

Breeze Pro

Support for Breeze Pro, the new Wind Rain & Sun sensor from Bond.

Managed Integrations

Now supporting local IP-based integration with:

• PowerView Gen3 (requires Gen3 gateway from Hunter Douglas)
• Draper IntelliFlex I/O (requires Draper IP Gateway)
• Mecho (requires Mecho PoE Hubs)

This is in addition to previously released support for Screen Innovations TRO.Y.

Limitation: only one of the above integrations can be used at one time. Enabling more than one may cause the Bridge to become unresponsive requiring a rescue reset. Furthermore, the above integrations cannot be used with the built-in HomeKit support at this time.

Shade Support

• Add support for Azenco lights (RLT2)

• remotes::RMS125: BON - add required 2nd burst for Open/Close/Light

• remotes::RMS148: add Equinox slider; add support for Equinox ALL channel

Bug Fixes

• improve stability of HomeKit integration (yes, it is still Beta, let us know)
• fix some crashes introduced in v4.0
• fix a hang that may occur during OTA update
• improve performance of setting many RTS shade to SetPosition at once
• fix a crash occurring often after Virtual Remote Control use, and at other times

API Changes

• HTTP server now sends Connection close header
• Devices now have ._lock_priority and ._lock_expiration, which are currently only used with the Breeze Pro.

• Add support for BON motors
• Improve reliability of the Bofu control, which should fix much of the trouble SelectBlinds users were having with unreliable schedules

For Bond Bridge Pro only:

• Add support for Azenco lights
• Equinox controller now supports pairing the "All" channel from their multi-channel remotes, allowing users to have multiple louvered roofs operate simultaneously from a single device. This does not work well in combination with slider however.
• Equinox controller now supports a slider option

v3.21.3 – released 01/10/2024
Firmware for Bridges with serial numbers starting in Z

• Add support for BON motors
• Improve reliability of the Bofu control, which should fix much of the trouble SelectBlinds users were having with unreliable schedules

For Bond Bridge Pro only:

• Add support for Azenco lights
• Equinox controller now supports pairing the "All" channel from their multi-channel remotes, allowing users to have multiple louvered roofs operate simultaneously from a single device. This does not work well in combination with slider however.
• Equinox controller now supports a slider option

v3.20.1 – released 11/15/2023

For serial numbers starting in Z for models BD-1000, BD-1750, and BD-920.

Works with Bond

• Added support for Alpha motors (RMS113). This has been much anticipated. Support includes hembar alignment for Groups when used on Bond Bridge Pro.
• Added support for Rollease Basic -- the new 1-way motors from Rollease Acmeda.
• Added support for BON Windows motors (RMS125).
• Added support for GAMA single and multi-channel. (Used in Equinox louvered roof systems).

We've gotten more requests for TDBU (top-down bottom-up) shade support lately. While we are working on an awesome UI, we've put together basic support for the TDBU products sold at SelectBlinds. These are:

• Levolor TBDU shades powered by AMP motors
• HONEYCOMB TDBU powered by Bofu motors
• MotionBlinds-powered TDBU shades

v3.17.4 – released 10/4/2023

Major New Feature

• BD-1000 & BD-920 now support Slider (RTS, Gaposa, Bofu, ARC, AMP, & other RMS35).

Works with Bond

• add one-click support for GAMA single channel remotes, as used in certain louvered roof systems. Currently customers need to select "Other" and then in Advanced Programming Settings, specify frequency 340 MHz.
• fix Gaposa group control
• add Slider control for Bofu

Virtual Remote Control

• Virtual Remote Control feature now supports AOK, Bofu, ARC (Rollease Acmeda), AMP (including Alta Bliss), Motion Blinds (including Coulisse & Eve), PowerShades, and both Dooya technologies.
• Fixed issue with Gaposa Virtual Remote Control where the VRC had a different address than the associated device. Previously the Gaposa VRC would need to be paired to the motor separately from the underlying device. Now, the VRC is already paired because it uses the same address as the underlying device on the Bridge.

Bugfixes

• Fix an issue with Group SetPostion

• Fixed issue where schedules for SetPosition did not work ()

• Fixes error if the user doesn't set the timezone for new Skeds

• BBridge: enable slider on BD-1000, BD-920

MagnaTrack Bridges

• enable Pico support

v3.14.1 – released 7/5/2023

Note version 3.14.1 is for Bond Bridges starting with Z. 

New Features:

• Virtual Remote Control allows you to get a virtual Sidekick control for any of your Somfy RTS or Gaposa motors. This allows changing limit settings, managing remotes, and accessing other features available on the factory remotes which were previously impossible via Bond. This feature is only available on Bond Bridge Pro (serial numbers start with ZP).

Works with Bond

• Support Forrest shade and drape products. 

Bugfixes:

• Some Dooya unidirectional motors (RMS5) did not operate correctly. We fixed this by doubling up the transmissions. 
• Fix issue where Gaposa motors did not work when operated from a Bond Group.

v3.13.6/8 – released 4/8/2023 and 4/12/2023

Note version 3.13.6 is for Bond Bridges starting with ZZ.  Version 3.13.8 is for Bond Bridge Pros starting with ZP.

New Features:

• Multiway switching support on SBB wall switches (Craftmade WCS-100, WCSD-100)

• Sidekick now supported on Smart by Bond. (But you may need to wait for v3.13 to be released for your product.)

• VirtualRC: Sidekick-in-Bridge to support limit setting, managing other remotes, and more.  This is not available for Bond Bridge Pro units.

Bugfixes:

• BPUP: Restart socket if it's stuck on an error state
• BSidekick: fix dev_type abbreviation for shade devices
• BSidekick: fix key_links with argument expecting string when should expect int
• BSidekick: fix issue with SBB dev IDs having leading zeros
• BSidekick: reject bad action, event strings on key_link API
• BSidekick: __modified timestamp fixes
• BSidekick: send correct model field on API

Remote details:

• Bridges:RMS136 Add Ronco support

API Changes:

We made some minor additions to the Sidekicks API to improve key linking and enable Multiway.

• [BSidekick] Add support for sidekick POST with 'mode'
• BSidekick: added channel device type

v3.12.6 – released 3/21/2023

Bugfixes:

• RFMan: fix out-of-order signal bug.  This was impacting some "sequence-based" ceiling fans, and perhaps some shades.

• Sidekick: adds support for recent Sidekick Scene Keypads

Remote details

• remotes::RMS133: Add Embedia technology.
• remotes::RMS138: Add Forest technology.
• remotes::RMS119: Add J-Star technology.
• remotes::RMS25: Add Pair for App A-OK Tech UI 
• Bridges: Add self unpair to A-OK tech UI 
• Remotes::RMS115: Fix BTX template 
• Bridges: RMS115 Dendo/BTX add Unpair 
• remotes::RMS76: Bofu, fix pair and addr randomize 
• Bridges: RCF268 Add new hunter template, to support fans with opposite direction codes 
• [Bridges] RMS5, Dooya OOK tech

v3.8.4 – released 11/09/2022

• Fix issue on HomeKit support.
• Improved performance for shade groups.
• Fixed a problem where the Bridge light ring was solid green instead of blinking green.
• Other minor fixes and improvements.

v3.8.2 – released 10/26/2022

• Improved control reliability for shades for Rollease motors.
• Add support for PowerShade RF technology.
• Improved support for Dendo/BTX.
• PowerShades, Turnils AMP, and other Dooya FSK technologies now move synchronously when controlled in a Bond Group.
• Nice Green now supports slider
• Gaposa motors in a group now move synchronously on Bond Bridge Pro.
• Add support for a new Lowes' ceiling fan.
• Support new Lowes' Henderson fan.
• Fix issue where firmware upgrade may get stuck at 89%.
• Bridge now executes actions faster.
• Other minor fixes and improvements.