Silicon Labs
  • ⟵ Back
    Products
    Lowest-Power Wi-Fi 6 SoC Available: Introducing SiWx917
    Wireless ProtocolsWireless Protocols
    Bluetooth
    Wi-Fi
    Thread
    Zigbee
    Multiprotocol
    Proprietary
    Z-Wave
    Amazon Sidewalk
    Wi-SUN
    Matter
    IoT TechnologiesIoT Technologies
    Channel Sounding
    Energy Harvesting
    LPWAN
    Machine Learning
    Security
    Non-WirelessNon-Wireless
    MCUs
    Sensors
    Interface
    Power Management
    ServicesServices
    Custom Part Manufacturing
    Developer Services
    Long Term SDK Support
  • ⟵ Back
    Applications
    Smart HomeSmart Home
    Appliances
    Entertainment Devices
    IoT Gateways
    LED Lighting
    Security Cameras
    Sensors
    Smart Locks
    Switches
    Industrial IoTIndustrial IoT
    Access Control
    Battery-Powered Tools
    Circuit Breakers
    Commercial Lighting
    Electric Submetering
    Factory Automation
    Human Machine Interface
    Predictive Maintenance
    Smart HVAC
    Smart CitiesSmart Cities
    Battery Storage
    EV Charging Stations
    Smart Agriculture
    Smart Buildings
    Smart Metering
    Smart Solar PV System
    Street Lighting
    Smart RetailSmart Retail
    Commercial Lighting
    Direction Finding
    Electronic Shelf Labels
    Loss Prevention
    Wi-Fi Access Points
    Connected HealthConnected Health
    Portable Medical Devices
    Smart Hospitals
    Smart Wearable Devices
  • ⟵ Back
    Developer Tools
    Simplicity Studio 5
    Fast track IoT development
    Developer ToolsDeveloper Tools
    Software Documentation
    Release Notes
    Github
    Technical Library
    Simplicity Studio
    Mobile Apps
    Software Development Kits
    Hardware Development Kits
    Gateways
    RTOS
    Developer JourneysDeveloper Journeys
    AI/ML
    Amazon Sidewalk
    Bluetooth
    Bluetooth Mesh
    Google Home
    Matter
    Wi-Fi
  • ⟵ Back
    Resources
    DocumentationDocumentation
    Blog
    Case Studies
    Software Documentation
    Whitepapers
    Technical Library
    TrainingTraining
    Tech Talks 2025 Series
    Works With 2024 On-Demand
    Webinars
    Curriculum
    Full Training Library
    SupportSupport
    Community
    Submit a Ticket
    Quality and Packaging
    How to Buy
    Report a Security Issue
    Contact Us
    PartnersPartners
    Partner Network
    Channel & Distribution
    Ecosystem Partners
  • ⟵ Back
    Company
    About UsAbout Us
    Board of Directors
    Community Commitment
    Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
    Environmental, Social and Governance
    Management Team
    SustainabilitySustainability
    Environmental
    Supply Chain
    Quality
    News & EventsNews & Events
    Blog
    Press Room
    Events
    Investor RelationsInvestor Relations
    Annual Report and Proxies
    Board of Directors
    Financial Reports
    SEC Filings
    CareersCareers
    Careers
    Hyderabad Office
    Contact Us
English
  • English
  • 简体中文
  • 日本語
Ask AI
AskAI
Ask AI
//
Wireless // Multiprotocol Connectivity

Maintaining Flexibility with Multiprotocol Wireless Connectivity

Multiprotocol wireless connectivity enables designs to meet evolving market needs in multiple regions and support field upgrades. Take advantage of a multiprotocol software and wireless SoC with an integrated Arm® Cortex®-M4 and Cortex-M33 MCU to introduce Bluetooth® Low Energy technology (BLE), Zigbee, Thread and proprietary wireless connectivity and get to production faster.

  1. Hardware
  2. Kits and Boards
  3. Software and Tools
  4. Applications
  5. Learn About Multiprotocol
  1. Hardware
Multiprotocol Modules and SoCs Select Columns
Select Columns
Bluetooth Zigbee Thread Proprietary Wi-Fi Flash RAM Output Power Range (dBm) TX Current (0 dBm) RX Current (mA) Security
FEATURED
— — — — — — — — — — —
— — — — — — — — — — —
— — — — — — — — — — —
EFR32MG21 Series 2 SoCs
Zigbee and Thread EFR32MG21 SoCs (Series 2)
— 512, 768, 1024 64, 96 -20 20 9.3 9.4 Yes, —
EFR32MG21 Series 2 Modules
Zigbee and Thread EFR32MG21 Based Modules (Series 2)
— 1024 96 -20 20 16.1 — Yes, —
EFR32MG12 Series 1 SoCs
Zigbee and Thread EFR32MG12 SoCs (Series 1)
— — — — — — — — — — —
EFR32MG12 Series 1 Modules
Zigbee and Thread EFR32MG12 Based Modules (Series 1)
— 1024 256 -30 17 — — —
EFR32MG13 Series 1 SoCs
Zigbee and Thread EFR32MG13 SoCs (Series 1)
— — — — — — — — — — —
EFR32MG13 Series 1 Modules
Zigbee and Thread EFR32MG13 Based Modules (Series 1)
— — — — — — — — — — —
EFR32BG21 Series 2 SoCs
Bluetooth Low Energy EFR32BG21 SoCs (Series 2)
— 512, 768, 1024 64, 96 -20 20 9.3 8.7 Yes, —
EFR32BG21 Series 2 Modules
Bluetooth Low Energy EFR32BG21 Based Modules (Series 2)
— 1024 96 -20 20 16.1 — Yes, —
EFR32BG13 Series 1 SoCs
Bluetooth Low Energy EFR32BG13 SoCs (Series 1)
— — — — — — — — — — —
EFR32BG12 Series 1 SoCs
Bluetooth Low Energy EFR32BG12 SoCs (Series 1)
— — — — — — — — — — —
RS9116 Wi-Fi Transceiver SoCs
RS9116 Wi-Fi Transceiver SoCs
— — — — — — — — — — —
RS9116 Wi-Fi Transceiver Modules
RS9116 Wi-Fi Transceiver Modules
— — — — — — — — — — —
RS9116 Wi-Fi NCP SoCs
RS9116 Wi-Fi NCP SoCs
— — — — — — — — — — —
RS9116 Wi-Fi NCP Modules
RS9116 Wi-Fi NCP Modules
— — — — — — — — — — —
  • Select All
  • Clear

    Sort A -> Z
    Sort Z -> A

    Filter by values...
    Select All . Clear

      1. Kits and Boards

      Wireless Kits & Boards

      Expand / Collapse All
      Starter Kits
      Modular kits for software development and feature evaluation of IoT devices
      Development Kits
      Full-featured application development kits
      Evaluation Kits
      Product and feature evaluation kits
      Demo Kits
      Use case and feature-specific demos
      Reference Designs
      Application-specfic designs showcasing complete system solutions
      Radio Boards
      Wireless starter kit plug-in boards featuring specific SoC or module wireless devices
      Expansion Boards
      Starter kit and ecosystem accessory boards
      Thunderboard Kits
      Low-cost software development and prototyping kits for IoT devices
      Debug and Programming Tools
      Debugging and programming tools and accessories

      EFR32xG21 Wireless Gecko Starter Kit

      The EFR32xG21 Wireless Gecko Starter Kit (SLWSTK6006A) includes everything needed to enable developers to create a mesh network and evaluate the EFR32xG21A with Secure Element and the EFR32xG21B with Secure Vault Series 2 Wireless Gecko SoCs. This kit provides the common baseboard and comes with 6 xG21A modules (SLWRB418xA). If you want to evaluate the EFR32xG21B you must buy the xG21B modules (SLWRB4181C +10 dBm) separately.

      EFR32xG21 Wireless Gecko Starter Kit

      The EFR32xG21 Wireless Gecko Starter Kit (SLWSTK6006A) includes everything needed to enable developers to create a mesh network and evaluate the EFR32xG21A with Secure Element and the EFR32xG21B with Secure Vault Series 2 Wireless Gecko SoCs. This kit provides the common baseboard and comes with 6 xG21A modules (SLWRB418xA). If you want to evaluate the EFR32xG21B you must buy the xG21B modules (SLWRB4181C +10 dBm) separately.
      MSRP $479.00
      Add to Cart
      Learn More
      1. Software and Tools

      Multiprotocol Software Development

      Silicon Labs software includes industry-leading software stacks and development tools for Zigbee, Thread, Bluetooth and Proprietary applications. In conjunction with modules, SoCs and reference designs for wireless solutions from Silicon Labs, developers can use software and tools from Silicon Labs to quickly and reliably:

      • Develop multi-node mesh networks
      • Monitor and debug multiple nodes simultaneously
      • Visually analyze system performance

      Bluetooth Low Energy SDK   Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) Software Development Kit (SDK) helps designers develop Bluetooth LE, and Bluetooth 5 solutions for the IoT.
      Bluetooth Mesh SDK   Bluetooth Mesh Software Development Kit (SDK) helps designers develop Bluetooth mesh solutions for the IoT.
      Connect Stack   Silicon Labs’ Connect is an IEEE 802.15.4 based wireless networking stack for broad-based proprietary applications and is optimized for devices that require low power consumption. This full-featured, easily customizable networking stack is designed for compliance with regulatory specifications across worldwide geographic regions and supports both sub-GHz and 2.4 GHz frequency bands.
      RAIL (Radio Abstraction Interface Layer)   Silicon Labs’ RAIL (Radio Abstraction Interface Layer) lets you adopt the latest RF technology without sacrificing the investment you’ve made in your wireless protocol. Designed to support proprietary or standards-based protocols, RAIL simplifies and future-proofs the migration of code to new ICs.
      Thread SDK   Silicon Labs is a founding board member of the Thread Group with numerous successful customer deployments of mesh networking solutions based on 802.15.4 and Zigbee. Registered customers of the kits can access the Thread SDK and development tools through Simplicity Studio
      Zigbee SDK   Silicon Labs EmberZNet PRO Zigbee networking protocol stack is a complete Zigbee protocol software package containing all the elements required for robust and reliable mesh networking applications on Silicon Labs' Ember platforms. The Zigbee stack provides "professional grade" networking for the most challenging applications such as Smart Energy / Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), Home Automation, Home Security, Smart Lighting and Building Automation systems.



      Related Documentation

      Technical Documentation

      Access to Data Sheets, App Notes, and more.


      Wireless Training

      Discover training curriculum including written and video modules.


      Wireless Software Reference Documentation

      Develop and prototype smarter. Get to market faster.



      Development Questions?

      • Visit The Community

        Engage with our engineers and developers from around the world and check out our knowledge base articles featuring FAQs, example code and additional resources.

      1. Applications

      Applications for Multiprotocol Connectivity

      The usefulness of connected devices in consumer, commercial, and industrial environments can be enhanced or improved through multiprotocol connectivity. In-home automation, for example, Zigbee provides whole-home wireless coverage with its mesh capabilities and makes it possible to control devices from outside the home via a gateway. When Bluetooth LE is introduced, a smartphone can be used for direct local control and location awareness can be added.

      Sub-GHz wireless technologies are ideal for smart metering applications since they propagate over wide areas. By adding simultaneous sub-GHz and Bluetooth communication to metering IoT devices, technicians can utilize mobile apps for local setup, information gathering, and maintenance.

      In retail or commercial settings, there is a desire to make use of technologies such as Bluetooth beacons to provide location-based advertisements, track assets, and develop heat maps to track foot traffic. By integrating Bluetooth beacons into connected infrastructure such as lighting, large-scale coverage areas can be created. Instead of having to deploy both connected lights and beacons, a light or luminaire can serve as the means to deploy Bluetooth beacons. This provides a more cost-effective avenue to enable location-based services.

      Smart Home

      Smart Lighting

      Mesh Network Performance

      Smart Metering

      Retail

      Wi-Fi Coexistence

      1. Learn About Multiprotocol

      What is Multiprotocol Technology?

      Many connected devices can improve consumer experience and enhance functionality by supporting multiple wireless connectivity options. We are used to our smartphones supporting Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and other connectivity options to provide streaming media as well as connectivity to headphones and smart watches. The power, size, and cost requirements for many IoT systems has traditionally made supporting multiple protocols challenging. Dynamic multiprotocol wireless connectivity provides a viable means to simultaneously support multiple wireless protocols on a single chip by using a time-slicing mechanism to share a radio between protocols, reducing wireless system cost and simplifying system design.


      What are the benefits of supporting multiple protocols?

      • Reduce wireless subsystem BOM and size by up to 40%

      • Provide direct phone-based configuration and control of connected devices

      • Simplify wireless-subsystem design through reduction of RF components

      • Include diagnostic capabilities to check device health with a smartphone

      • Leverage multiprotocol IC for mobile engagement applications

      • Add a mechanism for high-speed OTA firmware updates


      Here's a brief look at the different types of multiprotocol connectivity and their benefits.


      Programmable Multiprotocol

      Programmable multiprotocol support entails having a chipset that, when programmed with the right software stack, can run any number of wireless protocols. Being able to program a chip in production to support BLE, Zigbee, Thread or a proprietary protocol means you can streamline your hardware design and quickly address different markets. A chip platform that supports multiple protocols via different software images is a fundamental prerequisite for all other multiprotocol use cases.



      Switched Multiprotocol

      Switched multiprotocol enables your connected device to change which wireless protocol is being used by bootloading a new firmware image when the device is already deployed in the field. Consumer experience of settting up or commissioning your product can be greatly improved by making use of smartphone connectivity to swtich between BLE securely onto Zigbee, Thread and other wireless networks. With the addition of over-the-air (OTA) updates, devices can also be updated in the field to evolve to changing market needs.



      Dynamic Multiprotocol

      Ultimately, any multiprotocol solution must address the possibility of simultaneously running multiple wireless protocols together on one chip, using a time-slicing mechanism to share the radio. This approach opens up even more use cases, especially when combining BLE with other wireless protocols. The simplest of these use cases involves the periodic use of Bluetooth beacons in retail environments from a device that normally operates on Zigbee, Thread or a sub-GHz wireless protocol.



      Multiradio Multiprotocol

      Dedicated operation of multiple protocols without any trade-offs, especially where different radio frequencies are used by different protocols, requires two radios. There is a lot of value in an application and networking stack that can operate across two radios that perhaps even utilize two completely different frequency ranges. One example is smart metering in Great Britain, where the government will deploy dual PHY Zigbee communications hubs in 30 million households and businesses by 2020. This effort is to enable a Home Area Network that contains both 2.4 GHz Zigbee devices and sub-GHz Zigbee devices (operating in the 868 MHz band), maintained on the same logical PAN with the communications hub routing traffic between devices on different radio frequencies.

        Single Radio Multiradio
      # Antennas 1 2
      Operation Time-sliced Dedicated
      Performance Bandwidth shared across multiple protocols; potential increased latency and missed packets No compromises
      Cost Lower Higher
      Size Smaller Larger

      Learn more about Multiprotocol with these training assets

      Tech Talk

      Tech Talks - Multiprotocol Wireless: Real Application of Dynamic Multiprotocol

      June 10, 2020
      Curriculum

      Certification 100 - RF Regulatory Certification and Standards Qualification

      This series of videos introduces the steps customers must follow to meet RF regulatory certification and/or product qualifications for standard protocols.
      Tech Talk

      Tech Talks - RF Regulatory and Qualification Testing for Bluetooth, Zigbee & Z-Wave

      May 12, 2020
      Featured Multiprotocol Resources
      Filter
      Article
      Product Pages
      Webinars
      White Papers
      Resource image
      Article
      Key Considerations for Developing Smart Buildings
      Resource image
      Webinars
      Smart Buildings: Constructing Wireless Infrastructure for the Future
      Resource image
      Product Pages
      Zigbee and BLE Multiprotocol Learning Center
      Resource image
      Product Pages
      Sub-GHz and Bluetooth Low Energy Dynamic Multiprotocol Learning Center
      Resource image
      White Papers
      Meeting the Design Challenges of Smart Metering
      Silicon Labs

      Stay Connected With Us

      Plug into the latest on Silicon Labs products, including product releases and resources, documentation updates, PCN notifications, upcoming events, and more.
      • About Us
      • Careers
      • Community
      • Contact Us
      • Cookies
      • Corporate Responsibility
      • Investor Relations
      • Press Room
      • Privacy and Terms
      • Site Feedback
      Copyright © Silicon Laboratories. All rights reserved.

      Your File Will Start Downloading Shortly

      Thank you for downloading .

      If you have any issues downloading, please contact sales support or product technical support.

      Close
      Loading Results
      Close

      Please select at least one column.

      STAGING-PUB1