Bluetooth Coexistence with Wi-Fi#

This section replaces AN1128: Bluetooth Coexistence with Wi-Fi. Further updates to this application note will be provided here.

These pages describe methods to improve coexistence of 2.4 GHz IEEE 802.11b/g/n/ax Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® radios. These techniques are applicable to the EFR32MGx family and EFR32BGx family. This application note assumes you have a basic understanding of how Wi-Fi coexistence is implemented on EFR32 devices. For more information, see Silicon Labs Wi-Fi Coexistence Learning Center.

Additional details about the implementation of managed coexistence are included in Wi-Fi Coexistence Fundamentals and AN1243: Timing and Test Data for EFR32 Coexistence with Wi-Fi (available under non-disclosure from Silicon Labs Sales).

• PTA 3-Wire BLE Functional Overview describes how to configure the Silicon Labs Packet Traffic Arbitration (PTA) for Bluetooth.

• Support Software Setup describes how to configure the Silicon Labs Packet Traffic Arbitration (PTA) for Bluetooth.

• Code Coexistence Extensions describes how to use PRS for radio digital signal output.

For evaluating the Silicon Labs EFR32 software coexistence solution, order EFR32MG Wireless SoC Starter Kit (WSTK) #SLWSTK6000B and Coexistence Backplane EVB (#SLWSTK-COEXBP). Detailed instructions for using the Starter Kit and Backplane EVB are found in Silicon Labs Coexistence Development Kit (SLWSTK-COEXBP).

Notes:

1. The features in this document are referenced to SiSDK 2025.12.0 and Bluetooth SDK Not all coexistence support features are present in SDK versions earlier than Bluetooth 3.3.1.0 and Bluetooth Mesh 2.2.1.0. Users of Bluetooth SDK 2.13.7 or earlier and Bluetooth Mesh SDK 1.7.1 or earlier may see different features from those documented in this application note.

2. Throughout this application note “Bluetooth Low Energy” is referenced as “Bluetooth”.

3. This application note addresses Bluetooth coexistence applications using EFR32 devices as per Bluetooth Core Specification v6.0 Vol 6 “Low Energy Controller” (point-to-point) and as per Bluetooth Specification Mesh Profile v1.1 (mesh network). These two applications have different coexistence considerations and, where necessary, this application note differentiates using the following terms:

   • “Bluetooth device” to reference Bluetooth Core Specification v6.0 Vol 6 “Low Energy Controller” (point-to-point) operation.

   • “Bluetooth mesh device” or “Bluetooth mesh node” to reference Bluetooth Specification Mesh Protocol v1.1 (mesh network) operation.