Overview
Silicon Labs Connect is an IEEE 802.15.4 MAC-based wireless networking stack for a variety of proprietary applications optimized for low-power devices. 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.
The stack supports many combinations of radio modulation, frequency, and data rates allowing devices to be configured as end nodes, coordinators, and range extenders. It includes all wireless MAC (Medium Access Control) layer functions such as scanning, joining, setting up a point-to-point, or extended star network, as well as managing device types such as sleepy end devices, routers, and coordinators. With all this functionality already implemented in the stack, you can focus on your end application development and not worry about the lower-level radio and network details.
Connect Stack Features and Benefits
| Features | Benefits | |
|---|---|---|
| Proprietary Wireless Networking Stack | Highly scalable up to 2000 nodes, Small memory footprint, Faster Time to Market | |
| Support for Low Power Modes | Long battery life in battery-operated applications | |
| Point-to-Point, STAR and Extended STAR | Network architecture/topology flexibility | |
| Dynamic Multiprotocol Protocol with BLE | Develop innovative Dynamic Multiprotocol BLE + Proprietary Applications | |
| Support for frequency hopping | Allows for high output power to meet regulatory standards | |
| Ready to use and customizable PHYs | Simplify & shorten the development process with dozens of validated PHYs | |
| 802.15.4 PHY/MAC Mode | Flexibility to run network stack on the Host |
Connect Stack Specification Support
Sample Applications
Empty Example[SoC]
Sensor/Sink[SoC]
MAC Mode Device [SoC/Host]
UART HW/SW Flow Control [NCP]
Direct Mode Device[SoC]
Light[SoC/DMP]
Wire-Replacement [SoC]
Devices
End Nodes
Sleepy End Nodes
Range Extender
Gateway
Coordinator
Enablement
Bootloader
In-Field Upgrade
Secure Boot
Signed Upgrade Images
Encrypted Upgrade Images
RTOS
Micrium
Command Line Interface
Security
Similar to 802.15.4's mode-5 security
Development Tools
Simplicity Studio IDE
Radio Configurator
Network Analyzer
Energy Profile
Application Builder
Hardware Configurator
Supported Toolchains
IAR Embedded Workbench for ARM
GCC (The GNU Compiler Collection)
Mobile Apps
DMP BLE+CONNECT Mobile App for IOS and Android
Downloads
Download and Install Simplicity Studio
Get up and running quickly with precompiled demos, application notes and examples. Use advanced tools including energy profiling and network analysis to optimize your wireless systems. Choose your software package below.
GitHub
Silicon Labs wireless IoT SDKs and code examples are also available for download on GitHub.
VS Code IDE Support
In addition to the Simplicity Studio IDE, we also support VS Code that can be used in companion with all of our unique development tools.
Related Software
Tech Docs
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Simplicity SDK
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Gecko SDK
Simplicity SDK Release Notes (2024.12.0)
Latest Release - Q1/2025 (February 2025)
Connect SDK Version 4.0.1.0
- PSA Crypto hardware acceleration for payload encryption enabled in Connect Stack on Series-2 parts
- Connect stack and Connect SDK enabled on BRD4276A radio board with EFR32FG25 and SKY66122-11 frontend module for high TX power applications
| Release | Date | Release Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2025/02 | Version 4.0.1.0  |
| 2024 | 2024/12 | Version 4.0.0.0 |
Gecko SDK Release Notes (4.4.6.0)
Latest Release - Q1/2025 (February 2025)
Proprietary Flex Version 3.7.6.0
Rail Apps and Libraries
- Connect OFDM support for some applications
- EFR32xG28 Proprietary 2.4 GHz 15.4 Standard PHY support
- Added hardware support: MG24 QFN40, EFRBG22-E, EFR32xG28 Explorer Kit
Connect Apps and Stack
- SUN-FSK and SUN-OFDM support
- Long message reception and transmission
| Release | Date | Release Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2025/02 | Version 3.7.6.0 |
| 2025/01 | Version 3.5.7.0 |
|
| 2024 | 2024/10 | Version 3.7.5.0 |
| 2024/08 | Version 3.7.4.0 |
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| 2024/07 | Version 3.5.6.0 |
|
| 2024/05 | Version 3.7.3.0 |
|
| 2024/04 | Version 3.7.2.0 |
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| 2024/03 | Version 3.6.3.0 |
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| 2024/02 | Version 3.7.1.0 |
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| 2024/01 | Version 3.5.5.0 |
- AN1254: Transitioning from the v2.x to the v3.x Proprietary Flex SDKv0.212/2/2020
- AN1135: Using Third Generation Non-Volatile Memory (NVM3) Data Storagev1.48/14/2024
- AN700.1: Manufacturing Test Guidelines for the EFR32v0.29/2/2022
- AN1085: Using the Gecko Bootloader with Silicon Labs Connectv0.512/13/2023
- AN1115: Configuring Peripherals for 32-Bit Devices using Hardware Configuratorv0.96/8/2022
- QSG138: Proprietary Flex SDK v2.x Quick Start Guide v1.27/14/2020
- QSG168: Proprietary Flex SDK v3.x Quick-Start Guide v0.66/8/2023
- UG103.07: Non-Volatile Data Storage Fundamentals v1.73/6/2022
- UG305: Dynamic Multiprotocol User’s Guide v1.312/13/2023
- UG103.12: Silicon Labs Connect Fundamentals v0.712/15/2021
- UG103.16: Multiprotocol Fundamentals v0.412/13/2023
- UG103.19: Machine Learning in Embedded Applications Fundamentals v0.14/26/2022
- Connect Release Notesv4.0.1.02/6/2025
- Connect Release Notesv4.0.0.012/13/2024
- Proprietary Flex Release Notesv3.1.1.09/9/2021
- Proprietary Flex Release Notesv3.0.1.010/1/2020
- Proprietary Flex Release Notesv2.7.9.09/9/2021
Community & Support
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