Introduction#

Silicon Labs Connect is based on the IEEE 802.15.4-2011 standard (abbreviated to IEEE 802.15.4). Therefore, to understand the Silicon Labs Connect stack, you also need a basic knowledge of 802.15.4 which defines various Physical and Media Access Control layers that are designed for low-data rate, low-power, and low-complexity, short-range communications in Personal Area Networks. IEEE 802.15.4 is also the basis of mesh network protocols such as Zigbee® or Thread.

This document provides a short introduction to the IEEE 802.15.4 features that are used in Connect so you can understand its MAC layer without having to read the IEEE 802.15.4 specification.

For more information about IEEE 802.15.4, see https://standards.ieee.org/standard/802_15_4-2011.html.