- 1. Buy Kit: Hardware
- 2. Download Development Tools
- 3. Out of the Box Demo
Developing with Low Power Wi-Fi
The low power features available in the latest Wi-Fi standards mean that a lot of today’s IoT devices are "always-on" and connected, with extended battery life due to ultra-low power consumption. Wi-Fi 6 standard introduced several features that are the enablers for devices to go into low power states, stay dormant longer and transfer data more efficiently than earlier Wi-Fi generations.
Operational Modes
Wi-Fi SoC, RCP, and NCP modes refer to different operational modes for Wi-Fi, each with its own specific use cases and configurations:
SoC (System on Chip) Mode:
- Hostless – No external host needed
- All of the code (wireless, networking stacks and application code) runs on SiWG91x
NCP (Network Co-Processor) Mode:
- Hosted – Network Co-Processor (NCP)
- Host MCU runs RTOS, application code, cloud agent, and Matter
- SiWN91x runs Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios, wireless and networking stacks
RCP (Radio Co-Processor) Mode:
- Hosted - Radio Co-Processor (RCP)
- Linux host runs wireless, networking, and security stacks
- SiWT91x supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radio functionalities
Wi-Fi Developer Journey with Silicon Labs
Silicon Labs can accelerate the development of Wi-Fi devices, starting by outlining each step in the process and helping you along each stage of your project. We are here to simplify your development journey and help you get your devices to market faster and more efficiently.
We have outlined below three key stages of the Wi-Fi Developer Journey, along with what is required to successfully complete each stage.
Getting Started
Develop
Deploy Product
1. Buy Kit: Hardware
Silicon Labs offers several Wi-Fi development kits ranging from a low-cost small form factor prototyping platform to a feature-packed development platform kit for advanced application development. There's also development platforms options for Network Co-Processor (NCP) modes of operation. Select one kit that best fit your needs.
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| Kit | SiWx917 Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE 8 MB Flash SoC Pro Kit |
SiWx917 Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE 4MB Flash Co-Processor Radio Board | SiWx917 Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE Dev Kit |
| OPN | (SiWx917-PK6031A) | (SiWx917-RB4346A) + Si-EB8045A, Si-EB8045B, Si-EB8045C |
(SiWx917-DK2605A) |
| Target Device | SiWG917M111MGTBA | SiWN917M100LGTBA | SiWG917M111MGTBA |
| On-chip Memory | 8 MB Flash | 4 MB Flash | 8 MB Flash |
| RF Front-end | External Switch | External Switch | External Switch |
| RF Test Connector | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Energy Monitor (AEM) | Yes | — | Optional |
| NCP Support | — | Yes | — |
| Packet Traffic Arbitration (PTA) | — | Yes | — |
| On-board Debugger | Advanced | — | Basic |
| Debug In/Out | Yes/Yes | Yes/No | Yes/No |
| User Buttons & LEDs | Yes | — | Yes |
| Breakout Pads (Pins Accessible) |
Yes (Full Pin Access) | Yes (Limited Pin Access) | Yes (Limited Pin Access) |
| Display | Yes | — | — |
| On-board Sensors | Yes | — | Yes |
| 3rd Party Hardware Addons | — | — | Yes |
Note: Silicon Labs offers other Wi-Fi products, view them all here.
2. Download Development Tools
Set up your development environment with Silicon Labs development tools.
Simplicity Studio
Development Platform
Simplicity Studio is the Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for all Silicon Labs technologies. Download Simplicity Studio now – it will automatically customize your development environment and SDKs based on the target hardware. The precompiled demos, code examples, and support resources will get you started quickly. Simplicity Studio provides you with the most powerful utility toolbox at no cost – it includes an Energy Profiler, Network Analyzer, and much more!
WiSeConnect™ 3 SDK GitHub
The WiSeConnect™ (SDK) provides an API for the SiWx91x™ chipset family.
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.
Simplicity Commander
An essential tool for encrypting, flashing, signing, and creating firmware binaries among the many other purposes.
Simplicity Connect Mobile App
Test and debug Wi-Fi embedded applications quickly - including OTA updates, data throughput, and Android and iOS interoperability. Download Simplicity Connect app on your smartphone and speed up development now.
Android/Google Play Store
iOS/Apple App Store
3. Out of the Box Demo
The out-of-box demo is pre-flashed on your SiWx917 radio board. This guide describes how to get started with running the out-of-box demo for the SiWx91x chipset family using the WiSeConnect SDK v3.x in System-on-chip (SoC) mode, where both the application and the connectivity stack run on the SiWx91x chipset.
Out of the Box Demo - SiWG917 (GitHub)
This application demonstrates the WLAN, BLE, MCU peripheral features and NWP (network processor) powersave capabilities of SiWG917 Pro Kit with a ready to go, minimal software installation experience.
Suggested Kit:
Additional Resources:
1. Create a Sample Application
Developing a Wi-Fi IoT application begins with creating a sample application. Here is a collection of instructions and guides to help you start coding your sample application.
The WiSeConnect SDK v3.x getting started page guides you through the first steps of application development in all the operational modes: System-on-chip (SoC), Network Co-Processor (NCP), and Radio Co-Processor (RCP). It also covers the first steps of Matter software development.
Should you want to study our Wi-Fi software architecture, you can start by reading our Software Reference guide.
For information about the security, you can refer to the below documents:
Here are some additional documents that you might find helpful in application development:
2. Develop and Debug
When you are ready to begin your Wi-Fi IoT application development and debugging, these resources will be helpful during your project.
Here is a collection of the basic software development instructions and guides:
For hardware design considerations such as choosing the right crystal, please check the following documents:
For antenna design and optimization consideration, please refer to the below documents:
For hardware debugging, you might find the following documents helpful:
3. Test and Iterate
It is important to test your Wi-Fi IoT application code before submitting it to test labs to ensure it will pass testing. These resources will help you to achieve test compliance.
Our manufacturing utility guide covers various device configuration aspects such as memory, security, flashing, and much more:
How to run throughput tests in NCP mode? Please check our AN1434: SiWx917 NCP Throughput to find out.
For final RF adjustments, please check our AN1440: SiWx917 Gain Offset Calibration guide.
1. Qualify Product (Certification)
Wi-Fi CERTIFIED™ is an internationally recognized seal of approval for products indicating that they have met industry-agreed standards for interoperability, security, and a range of application-specific protocols. Learn more about the Wi-Fi Alliance Certification.
For the regional RF regulatory compliance details, please refer to this document:
Getting Started
1. Buy Kit: Hardware
2. Download Development Tools
3. Out of the Box Demo
Develop
1. Create a Sample Application
2. Develop and Debug
3. Test and Iterate
Deploy Product
1. Qualify Product (Certification)