Introduction#

NCP stands for Network Co-processor. By adding a Wireless Gecko (EFR32™) System on Chip (SoC) in NCP mode to your system, you can implement a Connect-based wireless application that leverages the EFR32 Radio feature set. The original customer application (running on a Host device—PC, MCU) interfaces to and controls the NCP through the Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter (UART) interface as shown in the following figure.

Note: NCP should not be confused with virtual Network Co-processor (vNCP). For more information on vNCP, see AN1153: Developing Connect vNCP Applications with Micrium OS.

Messages sent from the Host to the NCP are known as commands. Messages sent from the NCP to the Host are known as callbacks.

To carry commands and responses between a Host processor and an NCP, Connect uses a Co-Processor Communication (CPC) endpoint.