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1. Introduction
This document describes the Silicon Laboratories ZigBee Network Layer interface. It contains implementation
details specific to the Network-layer interface software library included as part of the Silicon Laboratories ZigBee
Development Kit.
This document should be used in conjunction with the ZigBee Alliance's Network Specification.
Current firmware releases do not support beacon-based networks or security.
2. Overview of Primitive Implementation
Messaging between the application layer and the network layer is implemented either by direct function calls or by
using a shared buffer. Primitives transmitted from the application layer to the network layer are implemented using
direct function calls.
In contrast, primitives sent from the network layer to the application layer are implemented differently. Indication
primitives notifying an event to the application layer will be stored in a shared buffer. The application layer needs to
poll this buffer for an incoming event.
Some confirmation primitives carry only one parameter, normally a status indicator corresponding to a request. The
parameter is conveyed as a return value of the requesting function call. Thus, there is no explicit implementation of
these primitives.
Other confirmation primitives contain more than one parameter. When a request is called, the function call of the
request will store the confirmation data to the shared buffer. The caller of the request shall check the buffer for
confirmation when the request returns.
Table 1. Primitive Implementation
Primitive
Request
Confirm (one parameter)
Confirm (multiple parameters)
Indication
Implementation
Direct function call
Return value of the request function call
Globally shared buffer
Globally shared buffer
Rev. 0.1 9/05
Copyright © 2005 by Silicon Laboratories
AN241
SILABS [ SILICON LABORATORIES ]
