Using RAIL for IEEE 802.15.4 Applications with EFR32#

This section replaces AN1365: Using RAIL for IEEE 802.15.4 Applications with EFR32. Further updates to this application note will be provided here.

This application note describes using the Flex SDK for 802.15.4 development on EFR32 Wireless parts. It includes features and limitations, using the radio configurator and supplied software components, and a description of the examples.

Proprietary is supported on all EFR32FG devices. For others, check the device's datasheet under Ordering Information > Protocol Stack to see if Proprietary is supported. In Proprietary SDK version 2.7.x, Connect is not supported on EFR32xG22.

Overview#

RAIL provides numerous HW-accelerated IEEE 802.15.4 compliant MAC features, such as format filtering, address filtering, auto ACK-ing, and filtering based on the frame type. The MAC features are available if the radio is configured via official IEEE 802.15.4 PHYs loaded by certain RAIL APIs.

However, as RAIL exhibits only a limited subset of the standard PHYs defined by the 802.15.4 PHY layer specification, it is possible to define additional PHYs in the Radio Configurator interface compatible with the IEEE 802.15.4 standard on which the MAC features can also be enabled.