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Zigbee Radio — Silabs EFR32MG1B

This section covers the Zigbee coprocessor embedded in the gateway: a Silabs EFR32MG1B chip running dedicated wireless firmware.

Overview

The EFR32MG1B handles all Zigbee radio communication. The stock firmware uses the Tuya protocol, but it can be replaced with open-source alternatives to work with Zigbee2MQTT, ZHA, or Matter/Thread.

Build All Firmware

# Using Docker (from 1-Build-Environment/)
docker run -it --rm -v $(pwd)/..:/workspace lidl-gateway-builder \
    /workspace/2-Zigbee-Radio-Silabs-EFR32/build_efr32.sh

# Or native
./build_efr32.sh              # Build all 5 firmware variants
./build_efr32.sh ncp rcp      # Build specific targets
./build_efr32.sh --help       # Show available targets

Contents

Directory Description
20-EZSP-Reference Introduction to EZSP protocol and EmberZNet stack
21-Simplicity-Studio Build your own firmware with Silabs IDE
22-Backup-Flash-Restore Backup, flash, and restore the Zigbee chip firmware
23-Bootloader-UART-Xmodem Flash firmware via UART using Gecko bootloader
24-NCP-UART-HW NCP firmware for Zigbee2MQTT and ZHA
25-RCP-UART-HW RCP firmware with cpcd + zigbeed for multiprotocol support
26-OT-RCP OpenThread RCP firmware for zigbee-on-host or Thread/Matter
27-Router Zigbee 3.0 Router SoC firmware to extend mesh network

Firmware: NCP (Network Co-Processor)

  • The Zigbee stack runs on the EFR32
  • Simple setup: just flash and connect to Zigbee2MQTT or ZHA
  • Recommended for most users who want a Zigbee coordinator

Firmware: RCP (Radio Co-Processor)

Two RCP options are available:

RCP with cpcd + zigbeed (25-RCP-UART-HW)

  • Uses Silicon Labs' CPC protocol (Co-Processor Communication)
  • Runs with cpcd + zigbeed on the host
  • Native multiprotocol support (Zigbee + Thread simultaneously)
  • Proprietary but well-supported by Silicon Labs

OpenThread RCP with zigbee-on-host (26-OT-RCP)

  • Standard OpenThread RCP firmware
  • Works with zigbee-on-host (fully open-source)
  • Integrated in Zigbee2MQTT 2.x as the zoh adapter
  • Simpler setup, community-driven development

Firmware: Router (SoC)

  • Standalone Zigbee 3.0 router, no host required
  • Extends your Zigbee mesh network coverage
  • Auto-joins open networks via network steering
  • Transforms the gateway into a dedicated range extender