Alexa.EndpointHealth Interface 3.2

Implement the Alexa.EndpointHealth interface in your Alexa skill so that you can report the detected health of devices to Alexa. Device health includes connectivity status, battery health, signal strength, and throughput. When a device encounters an issue, you report the reason so that Alexa can inform the customer of device degradation. Device degradation can include such things as low battery power or connectivity failure due to Wi-Fi password change.

You implement the Alexa.EndpointHealth interface with other interfaces that provide functionality for your device. For example, if your device is a thermostat, you would implement Alexa.ThermostatController so the user can control the thermostat, Alexa.TemperatureSensor so the thermostat can sense and report temperature, and Alexa.EndpointHealth so that you can report the connectivity status of the thermostat.

For the list of languages that the Alexa.EndpointHealth interface supports, see List of Alexa Interfaces and Supported Languages. For the definitions of the message properties, see Alexa Interface Message and Property Reference.

Properties and objects

The Alexa.EndpointHealth interface includes the following properties and objects.

Connectivity property

The Connectivity property represents the connectivity status of a device. Connectivity is a required property.

The connectivity property is an object that contains the following fields.

Field Description Type
value The connectivity status of the device.
Valid values: OK, UNREACHABLE.		 String
reason (Optional) When the device is unreachable, this property gives the failure reason.
For valid values, see connectivity reasons.		 String

Connectivity property example

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{
    "name": "connectivity",
    "value": {
        "value": "UNREACHABLE",
        "reason": "WIFI_BAD_PASSWORD"
    }
}

Connectivity reason values

The following table shows the valid values, descriptions, and possible resolutions for each connectivity failure reason.

Value Description
WIFI_BAD_PASSWORD The device failed to connect to Wi-Fi due to a bad password.
WIFI_AP_NOT_FOUND The device can't find the Wi-Fi access point. The device might be too far from the router or near another device that causes interference, such as a baby monitor, microwave, or other electronic device.
WIFI_ROUTER_UNREACHABLE The device can't send data to the router, or receive data from the router. The internet might be down or the router might need a reboot.
WIFI_AP_CHANNEL_QUALITY_LOW The device can connect to the access point, but the channel quality is low.
INTERNET_UNREACHABLE The device can connect to the access point, but doesn't have internet access. The router or device might need a reboot, or the internet might be down.
CAPTIVE_PORTAL_CHECK_FAILED The device is trying to connect to a captive portal. The interface doesn't support captive portals. Airports and hotels commonly use captive portal networks. These networks ask the user to agree to specific terms before connecting to the network. The customer must select a different network.
UNKNOWN The reason for connectivity failure isn't known.

Battery property

Use the Battery property to report the health of the device battery and/or the device charging status. This property is optional. Use this property if the device has a battery.

The Battery property is an object that contains the following fields.

Field Description Type
health (Optional) The health of the device battery. Health object
chargingHealth (Optional) The device charging health. ChargingHealth object
levelPercentage (Optional) The battery level in percentage.
Valid values: 0 – 100.		 Integer

Battery property example

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{
    "name": "battery",
    "value": {
        "health": {
            "state": "WARNING",
            "reasons": [
                "COLD",
                "LOW_CHARGE"
            ]
        },
        "chargingHealth": {
            "state": "WARNING",
            "reason": "LOW_POWER"
        },
        "levelPercentage": 10
    }
}

Health object

Use the Health property to report the health of the device battery and, if applicable, the reasons for poor battery health. This property is optional.

The Health property is an object that contains the following fields.

Field Description Type
state The health of the battery. WARNING indicates that the battery is working, but the customer must charge or replace the battery soon. CRITICAL indicates that the device can't operate in the current battery state.
Valid values: OK, WARNING, CRITICAL.		 String
reasons (Optional) When the battery health is poor, this property gives the reasons for failure. Include at least one reason.
For valid values, see battery health reasons.		 Array of string

Battery health reason values

The following table shows the valid values and descriptions of the device battery health.

Value Description
COLD The battery is cold.
DEAD The battery is dead.
LOW_CHARGE The battery level is low.
NO_BATTERY The device doesn't have a battery.
OVERHEATED The battery overheated.
OVER_VOLTAGE The device battery is receiving excess voltage.
WIRED The device battery is charging, or the device is operating in wired mode.
UNKNOWN The reason for the battery issue isn't known.

ChargingHealth object

Use the chargingHealth property to report the state of device charging and, if applicable, the reason for poor charging health. This property is optional.

The chargingHealth property is an object that contains the following fields.

Field Description Type
state The health of charging. WARNING indicates that the device charger needs attention. CRITICAL indicates that the device charger isn't usable.
Valid values: OK, WARNING, CRITICAL.		 String
reason (Optional) When the charging health is poor, this property gives the reason. For valid values, see charger state reasons. String

Charger state reason values

The following table gives valid values and descriptions of the device charger.

Value Description
LOW_POWER The charger power is too low for the device.
INCOMPATIBLE_CHARGER The charger isn't compatible with the device.
UNKNOWN The reason for the charger state isn't known.

RadioDiagnostics property

Use the RadioDiagnostics property to report the signal strength and other diagnostic data of the radio network to which the device connects. This property is optional.

The RadioDiagnostics property is an array of objects that contains the following fields.

Field Description Type
radioType The communication protocol used by the device.
Valid values: WIFI, BLUETOOTH, ZIGBEE, ZWAVE, BLE, BLE_MESH.		 String
signalStrength Contains information about the signal strength of the radio network. SignalStrength object
signalToNoiseRatio (Optional) Contains information about the signal-to-noise ratio of the radio network. SignalToNoiseRatio object

RadioDiagnostics property example

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{
    "name": "radioDiagnostics",
    "value": [
        {
            "radioType": "WIFI",
            "signalStrength": {
                "quality": "GOOD",
                "rssiInDBM": -40
            },
            "signalToNoiseRatio": {
                "snrInDB": 45,
                "quality": "GOOD"
            }
        },
        {
            "radioType": "BLUETOOTH",
            "signalStrength": {
                "quality": "GOOD",
                "rssiInDBM": -35
            },
            "signalToNoiseRatio": {
                "snrInDB": 20,
                "quality": "FAIR"
            }
        }
    ]
}

SignalStrength object

Use the SignalStrength property to report information about the signal strength of the radio network to which the device connects. This property is optional.

The SignalStrength property is an object that contains the following fields.

Field Description Type
quality The quality of the signal. Quality means different things for different types of devices and networks. You define how the signal strength affects your device. GOOD means that the strength is good enough for normal operation of the device. FAIR indicates that the strength is OK, but the device might have intermittent issues. POOR indicates that the signal strength is too low to operate the device.
Valid values: GOOD, FAIR, POOR.		 String
rssiInDBM The received signal strength indicator (RSSI) defines the approximation of the signal quality. The value is a measure of the power of the Wi-Fi signal at the receiver in decibels relative to one milliwatt (dBm).
Minimum value: -1000. Maximum value: 1000.		 Integer

SignalToNoiseRatio object

Use the SignalToNoiseRatio property to report the signal-to-noise ratio of the radio network to which the device connects. This property is optional.

The SignalToNoiseRatio property is an object that contains the following fields.

Field Description Type
quality Indicates how the signal-to-noise ratio affects the device performance. GOOD means that the signal-to-noise ratio is good enough for normal operation of the device. FAIR indicates that the signal-to-noise ratio is low and might cause device issues. POOR indicates that the signal-to-noise ratio is so low that it hampers the operation of the device.
Valid values: GOOD, FAIR, POOR.		 String
snrInDB The signal-to-noise ratio in decibels (dB). This value indicates the ratio between the desired signal strength and the power of the unwanted background noise. If the energy of the background noise is strong enough, it can affect the signal quality, even if the RSSI is high.
Minimum value: 0. Maximum value: 1000.		 Integer

NetworkThroughput property

The Alexa.EndpointHealth interface uses the NetworkThroughput property to report the calculated throughput of the network to which the device connects and how the throughput affects the device. This property is optional.

The NetworkThroughput property is an object that contains the following fields.

Field Description Type
quality Indicates how the network throughput affects the device performance. You define how the throughput affects your device. GOOD means that the throughput is good enough for normal operation of the device. FAIR indicates that the throughput is intermittently low and might cause occasional device issues. POOR indicates that the throughput is so low that it hampers the operation of the device.
Valid values: GOOD, FAIR, POOR.		 String
bitsPerSecond (Optional) The network throughput measured in bits per second (bps). Throughput is the average data rate of successful data and message delivery over a specific communication link.
Minimum value: 0.		 Long

NetworkThroughput property example

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{
    "name": "networkThroughput",
    "value": {
        "quality": "GOOD",
        "bitsPerSecond": 20000000
    }
}

Discovery

You describe endpoints that support the Alexa.EndpointHealth interface by using the standard discovery mechanism described in Alexa.Discovery.

Set retrievable to true for all the properties that you report when Alexa sends your skill a state report request. Set proactivelyReported to true for properties that you proactively report to Alexa in a change report. When you implement Alexa.EndpointHealth, set retrievable to true and proactivelyReported to true for the properties that you support.

Discover response example

The following example shows a Discover.Response message for an endpoint that supports the Alexa.EndpointHealth and Alexa.LockController interfaces.

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{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alexa.Discovery",
            "name": "Discover.Response",
            "payloadVersion": "3",
            "messageId": "Unique identifier, preferably a version 4 UUID"
        },
        "payload": {
            "endpoints": [{
                "endpointId": "Unique ID of the endpoint",
                "manufacturerName": "Sample Manufacturer",
                "description": "Description to be shown in the Alexa app",
                "friendlyName": "Your device name, displayed in the Alexa app, for example Front Door>",
                "displayCategories": ["SMARTLOCK"],
                "additionalAttributes": {
                    "manufacturer": "Sample Manufacturer",
                    "model": "Sample Model",
                    "serialNumber": "Serial number of the device",
                    "firmwareVersion": "Firmware version of the device",
                    "softwareVersion": "Software version of the device",
                    "customIdentifier": "Optional custom identifier for the device"
                },
                "cookie": {},
                "capabilities": [{
                        "type": "AlexaInterface",
                        "interface": "Alexa.LockController",
                        "version": "3",
                        "properties": {
                            "supported": [{
                                "name": "lockState"
                            }],
                            "proactivelyReported": true,
                            "retrievable": true
                        }
                    },
                    {
                        "type": "AlexaInterface",
                        "interface": "Alexa.EndpointHealth",
                        "version": "3.2",
                        "properties": {
                            "supported": [{
                                    "name": "connectivity"
                                },
                                {
                                    "name": "battery"
                                },
                                {
                                    "name": "radioDiagnostics"
                                },
                                {
                                    "name": "networkThroughput"
                                }
                            ],
                            "proactivelyReported": true,
                            "retrievable": true
                        }
                    },
                    {
                        "type": "AlexaInterface",
                        "interface": "Alexa",
                        "version": "3"
                    }
                ]
            }]
        }
    }
}

Directives

The Alexa.EndpointHealth interface doesn't define any directives itself. When you implement Alexa.EndpointHealth, you must include the connectivity property when you respond to directives defined by other interfaces.

Directive response event example

In the following example, a device supports the Alexa.PowerController and Alexa.EndpointHealth interfaces, and is sending an Alexa.Response to the Alexa.PowerController.TurnOn directive.

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{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alexa",
            "name": "Response",
            "messageId": "Unique identifier, preferably a version 4 UUID",
            "correlationToken": "Opaque correlation token that matches the request",
            "payloadVersion": "3"
        },
        "endpoint": {
          "scope": {
            "type": "BearerToken",
            "token": "OAuth2.0 bearer token"
          },
          "endpointId": "Endpoint ID"
        },
        "payload": {}
    },
    "context": {
        "properties": [{
                "namespace": "Alexa.PowerController",
                "name": "powerState",
                "value": "ON",
                "timeOfSample": "2017-02-03T16:20:50.52Z",
                "uncertaintyInMilliseconds": 500
            },
            {
                "namespace": "Alexa.EndpointHealth",
                "name": "connectivity",
                "value": {
                    "value": "OK"
                },
                "timeOfSample": "2017-02-03T16:20:50.52Z",
                "uncertaintyInMilliseconds": 0
            },
            {
                "namespace": "Alexa.EndpointHealth",
                "name": "battery",
                "value": {
                    "health": {
                        "state": "OK"
                    },
                    "levelPercentage": 100
                },
                "timeOfSample": "2021-10-15T14:20:00Z",
                "uncertaintyInMilliseconds": 0
            }
        ]
    }
}

State reporting

Alexa sends a Alexa.ReportState directive to request information about the state of an endpoint. When Alexa sends a Alexa.ReportState directive, you send a Alexa.StateReport event in response. The response contains the current state of all retrievable properties in the context object. You identify your retrievable properties in your discovery response. For details about state reports, see Understand State and Change Reporting.

When you implement Alexa.EndpointHealth, include the connectivity property in your Alexa.StateReport.

StateReport response example

The following example shows a Alexa.StateReport for an endpoint that supports the Alexa.EndpointHealth, Alexa.ThermostatController, and Alexa.TemperatureSensor interfaces.

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{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alexa",
            "name": "StateReport",
            "messageId": "Unique identifier, preferably a version 4 UUID",
            "correlationToken": "Opaque correlation token that matches the request",
            "payloadVersion": "3"
        },
        "endpoint": {
          "scope": {
            "type": "BearerToken",
            "token": "OAuth2.0 bearer token"
          },
          "endpointId": "Endpoint ID"
        },
        "payload": {}
    },
    "context": {
        "properties": [{
                "namespace": "Alexa.ThermostatController",
                "name": "thermostatMode",
                "value": "HEAT",
                "timeOfSample": "2017-02-03T16:20:50.52Z",
                "uncertaintyInMilliseconds": 500
            },
            {
                "namespace": "Alexa.ThermostatController",
                "name": "targetSetpoint",
                "value": {
                    "value": 20.0,
                    "scale": "CELSIUS"
                },
                "timeOfSample": "2017-02-03T16:20:50.52Z",
                "uncertaintyInMilliseconds": 500
            },
            {
                "namespace": "Alexa.TemperatureSensor",
                "name": "temperature",
                "value": {
                    "value": 19.9,
                    "scale": "CELSIUS"
                },
                "timeOfSample": "2017-02-03T16:20:50.52Z",
                "uncertaintyInMilliseconds": 1000
            },
            {
                "namespace": "Alexa.EndpointHealth",
                "name": "connectivity",
                "value": {
                    "value": "OK"
                },
                "timeOfSample": "2017-02-03T16:20:50.52Z",
                "uncertaintyInMilliseconds": 0
            },
            {
                "namespace": "Alexa.EndpointHealth",
                "name": "battery",
                "value": {
                    "health": {
                        "state": "OK"
                    },
                    "chargingHealth": {
                        "state": "OK"
                    },
                    "levelPercentage": 100
                },
                "timeOfSample": "2021-10-15T14:20:00Z",
                "uncertaintyInMilliseconds": 0
            }
        ]
    }
}

Change reporting

To report changes proactively in the state of an endpoint, you send a Alexa.ChangeReport event. You identify the properties that you report proactively in your discovery response. For details about change reports, see Understand State and Change Reporting.

When you implement Alexa.EndpointHealth, include the connectivity property in your Alexa.ChangeReport.

ChangeReport event with unchanged health properties example

The following example shows a Alexa.ChangeReport for an endpoint that supports the Alexa.EndpointHealth and Alexa.Networking.AccessController interfaces. In this change report, the networkAccess property value changed, and the other Alexa.EndpointHealth properties haven't changed.

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{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alexa",
            "name": "ChangeReport",
            "messageId": "Unique identifier, preferably a version 4 UUID",
            "payloadVersion": "3"
        },
        "endpoint": {
            "scope": {
                "type": "BearerToken",
                "token": "OAuth2.0 bearer token"
            },
            "endpointId": "Endpoint ID"
        },
        "payload": {
            "change": {
                "cause": {
                    "type": "APP_INTERACTION"
                },
                "properties": [{
                    "namespace": "Alexa.Networking.AccessController",
                    "name": "networkAccess",
                    "value": "ALLOWED",
                    "timeOfSample": "2021-10-15T14:20:00Z",
                    "uncertaintyInMilliseconds": 0
                }]
            }
        }
    },
    "context": {
        "properties": [{
            "namespace": "Alexa.EndpointHealth",
            "name": "connectivity",
            "value": {
                "value": "OK"
            },
            "timeOfSample": "2021-10-15T14:20:00Z",
            "uncertaintyInMilliseconds": 0
        }, {
            "namespace": "Alexa.EndpointHealth",
            "name": "battery",
            "value": {
                "health": {
                    "state": "OK"
                },
                "chargingHealth": {
                    "state": "OK"
                },
                "levelPercentage": 100
            },
            "timeOfSample": "2021-10-15T14:20:00Z",
            "uncertaintyInMilliseconds": 0
        }, {
            "namespace": "Alexa.EndpointHealth",
            "name": "radioDiagnostics",
            "value": [{
                    "radioType": "WIFI",
                    "signalStrength": {
                        "quality": "GOOD",
                        "rssiInDBM": -40
                    },
                    "signalToNoiseRatio": {
                        "snrInDB": 45,
                        "quality": "GOOD"
                    }
                },
                {
                    "radioType": "BLUETOOTH",
                    "signalStrength": {
                        "quality": "GOOD",
                        "rssiInDBM": -35
                    },
                    "signalToNoiseRatio": {
                        "snrInDB": 20,
                        "quality": "FAIR"
                    }
                }
            ],
            "timeOfSample": "2021-10-15T14:20:00Z",
            "uncertaintyInMilliseconds": 0
        }, {
            "namespace": "Alexa.EndpointHealth",
            "name": "networkThroughput",
            "value": {
                "quality": "GOOD",
                "bitsPerSecond": 20000000
            },
            "timeOfSample": "2021-10-15T14:20:00Z",
            "uncertaintyInMilliseconds": 0
        }]
    }
}

ChangeReport event with battery health changed example

The following example shows a Alexa.ChangeReport for an endpoint that supports the Alexa.EndpointHealth and Alexa.Networking.AccessController interfaces. In this change report, the value of the battery property changed, and the value of the networkAccess property and other endpoint health properties haven't changed.

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{
    "event": {
        "header": {
            "namespace": "Alexa",
            "name": "ChangeReport",
            "messageId": "Unique identifier, preferably a version 4 UUID",
            "payloadVersion": "3"
        },
        "endpoint": {
            "scope": {
                "type": "BearerToken",
                "token": "OAuth2.0 bearer token"
            },
            "endpointId": "Endpoint ID"
        },
        "payload": {
            "change": {
                "cause": {
                    "type": "PERIODIC_POLL"
                },
                "properties": [{
                    "namespace": "Alexa.EndpointHealth",
                    "name": "battery",
                    "value": {
                        "health": {
                            "state": "WARNING",
                            "reasons": ["LOW_CHARGE"]
                        },
                        "levelPercentage": 45
                    },
                    "timeOfSample": "2021-11-15T14:20:00Z",
                    "uncertaintyInMilliseconds": 0
                }]
            }
        }
    },
    "context": {
        "properties": [{
                "namespace": "Alexa.Networking.AccessController",
                "name": "networkAccess",
                "value": "ALLOWED",
                "timeOfSample": "2021-11-15T14:20:00Z",
                "uncertaintyInMilliseconds": 0
            },
            {
                "namespace": "Alexa.EndpointHealth",
                "name": "connectivity",
                "value": {
                    "value": "OK"
                },
                "timeOfSample": "2021-11-15T14:20:00Z",
                "uncertaintyInMilliseconds": 0
            },
            {
                "namespace": "Alexa.EndpointHealth",
                "name": "radioDiagnostics",
                "value": [{
                        "radioType": "WIFI",
                        "signalStrength": {
                            "quality": "GOOD",
                            "rssiInDBM": -40
                        },
                        "signalToNoiseRatio": {
                            "snrInDB": 45,
                            "quality": "GOOD"
                        }
                    },
                    {
                        "radioType": "BLUETOOTH",
                        "signalStrength": {
                            "quality": "GOOD",
                            "rssiInDBM": -35
                        },
                        "signalToNoiseRatio": {
                            "snrInDB": 20,
                            "quality": "FAIR"
                        }
                    }
                ],
                "timeOfSample": "2021-11-15T14:20:00Z",
                "uncertaintyInMilliseconds": 0
            }, {
                "namespace": "Alexa.EndpointHealth",
                "name": "networkThroughput",
                "value": {
                    "quality": "GOOD",
                    "bitsPerSecond": 20000000
                },
                "timeOfSample": "2021-11-15T14:20:00Z",
                "uncertaintyInMilliseconds": 0
            }
        ]
    }
}

Last updated: Oct 19, 2022