silabs.com | Building a more connected world. Rev. 2.3

AN1017: Zigbee

and OpenThread

Coexistence with Wi-Fi

This application note describes methods to improve coexistence of

2.4 GHz IEEE 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi and IEEE 802.15.4-based radios

such as Zigbee

and OpenThread. This application note assumes

you have a basic understanding of the concepts and principles of

Wi-Fi coexistence with 802.15.4 radios and how Wi-Fi coexistence

is implemented on EFR32 devices. For more information, see

UG103.17: Wi-Fi

Coexistence Fundamentals.

This application note describes EFR32 Zigbee and OpenThread coexistence support for

EmberZNet PRO 6.9.0.0 and OpenThread 1.1.0.0. See 5 Document Revision History for

a summary of key changes in previous revisions of this application note.

For additional details about the implementation of managed coexistence are included in

AN1243: Timing and Test Data for EFR32 Coexistence with Wi-Fi, available under non-

disclosure from Silicon Labs Sales.

KEY POINTS

• Configure Wi-Fi coexistence for Zigbee

(AppBuilder) and OpenThread (the Com-

ponent Editor).

• Use coexistence CLI commands for

Zigbee and OpenThread.

• Order the Coexistence Backplane Evalu-

ation Board.

AN1017: Zigbee® and Silicon Labs® Thread Coexistence with Wi-Fi®

Contents

silabs.com | Building a more connected world. Rev. 2.3 | 1

Contents

1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................... 3

2. Configuring Wi-Fi Coexistence ............................................................................................................... 4

2.1. PTA Software Setup with AppBuilder (Zigbee) ................................................................................. 4

2.2. PTA Software Setup with the Component Editor (OpenThread) ....................................................... 6

2.3. Coexistence Configurations .............................................................................................................. 9

2.3.1. REQUEST ............................................................................................................................ 9

2.3.1.1. Receive Retry ...................................................................................................... 9

2.3.2. GRANT ............................................................................................................................... 10

2.3.2.1. Abort Transmission Mid Packet If GRANT Is Lost ............................................. 10

2.3.2.2. ACK Disable ...................................................................................................... 11

2.3.3. PRIORITY........................................................................................................................... 11

2.3.4. PWM................................................................................................................................... 13

2.3.5. Radio Hold Off .................................................................................................................... 14

2.3.6. Directional PRIORITY ......................................................................................................... 14

2.3.7. Radio Blocker Optimization ................................................................................................. 17

2.3.7.1. Enable Runtime Control (Zigbee) /

SL_RAIL_UTIL_COEX_RUNTIME_PHY_SELECT (OpenThread) ................................ 17

2.3.7.2. Optional “Wi-Fi Select” Control of Blocker Optimization (Zigbee) /

SL_RAIL_UTIL_COEX_PHY_SELECT (OpenThread) .................................................. 17

2.3.8. RX Active ............................................................................................................................ 18

2.4. Run-Time PTA Re-configuration..................................................................................................... 19

2.4.1. PTA Option Descriptions..................................................................................................... 19

2.4.2. Application API (Zigbee) ..................................................................................................... 20

2.4.2.1. SoC Application API (Zigbee) ............................................................................ 20

2.4.2.2. Zigbee Network Coprocessor Application using EZSP API ................................ 21

2.4.3. Application API (OpenThread) ............................................................................................ 22

2.4.3.1. SoC Application API (OpenThread) ................................................................... 22

2.5. Coexistence Configuration Setup Examples for Different Wi-Fi/PTA Applications (Zigbee) ............ 24

3. Coexistence CLI Commands ................................................................................................................ 29

3.1. Coexistence CLI Commands (Zigbee) ............................................................................................ 29

3.1.1. PTA-specific Debug Counters ............................................................................................. 29

3.2. Coexistence CLI Commands (OpenThread) ................................................................................... 30