802.15.

4 MAC
Application Programming Interface

Document Number: SWRA192

Texas Instruments, Inc.

San Diego, California USA

Copyright 2006-2009 Texas Instruments, Inc. All rights reserved.

802.15.4 MAC API

SWRA192 Version 1.5

Version

Description

Date

1.0

Initial release.

07/25/2006

1.1

Updated for v1.2.0 release.

06/13/2007

1.2

Added changes for autopend description.

06/11/2008

1.3

Modified autopend description.

04/03/2009

1.4

Updated for v1.3.0 release.

06/12/2009

1.5

Added signed TX power PIB attribute.

12/29/2009

Copyright 2006-2009 Texas Instruments, Inc. All rights reserved.

802.15.4 MAC API

SWRA192 Version 1.5

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................1
1.1
1.2
1.3

2.

PURPOSE .........................................................................................................................................................1
REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................................................1
ACRONYMS AND DEFINITIONS ........................................................................................................................1

API OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................................................................2

2.1
INTERFACE MECHANISMS ...............................................................................................................................2
2.1.1
Message Passing Function Calls...........................................................................................................2
2.1.2
Direct Execute Function Calls...............................................................................................................2
2.1.3
Callback Functions................................................................................................................................2
2.2
ZERO COPY DATA INTERFACES ......................................................................................................................2
2.3
COMMON CONSTANTS AND STRUCTURES .......................................................................................................2
2.3.1
Address Type..........................................................................................................................................2
2.3.2
Status .....................................................................................................................................................3
2.3.2.1
2.3.2.2

2.3.3
2.3.4
2.3.5
2.3.6
3.

Standard Status Values....................................................................................................................................... 3

Proprietary Status Values................................................................................................................................... 4

MAC Security Level ...............................................................................................................................4

Key Identifier Mode ...............................................................................................................................5
Security Type .........................................................................................................................................5
MAC Timing Values...............................................................................................................................5

INITIALIZATION INTERFACE ........................................................................................................................6

3.1
INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................................................6
3.2
MAC_INIT ( ) .................................................................................................................................................6
3.2.1
Description ............................................................................................................................................6
3.2.2
Prototype ...............................................................................................................................................6
3.2.3
Parameter Details..................................................................................................................................6
3.2.4
Return ....................................................................................................................................................6
3.3
MAC_INITDEVICE ( ) .....................................................................................................................................6
3.3.1
Description ............................................................................................................................................6
3.3.2
Prototype ...............................................................................................................................................6
3.3.3
Parameter Details..................................................................................................................................6
3.3.4
Return ....................................................................................................................................................6
3.4
MAC_INITCOORD ( )......................................................................................................................................7
3.4.1
Description ............................................................................................................................................7
3.4.2
Prototype ...............................................................................................................................................7
3.4.3
Parameter Details..................................................................................................................................7
3.4.4
Return ....................................................................................................................................................7
3.5
MAC_INITSECURITY ( ) .................................................................................................................................7
3.5.1
Description ............................................................................................................................................7
3.5.2
Prototype ...............................................................................................................................................7
3.5.3
Parameter Details..................................................................................................................................7
3.5.4
Return ....................................................................................................................................................7
3.6
MAC_INITBEACONCOORD ( ) ........................................................................................................................7
3.6.1
Description ............................................................................................................................................7
3.6.2
Prototype ...............................................................................................................................................7
3.6.3
Parameter Details..................................................................................................................................7
3.6.4
Return ....................................................................................................................................................7
3.7
MAC_INITBEACONDEVICE ( ) .......................................................................................................................8
3.7.1
Description ............................................................................................................................................8
3.7.2
Prototype ...............................................................................................................................................8

ii

Copyright 2006-2009 Texas Instruments, Inc. All rights reserved.

802.15.4 MAC API

SWRA192 Version 1.5

3.7.3
Parameter Details..................................................................................................................................8
3.7.4
Return ....................................................................................................................................................8
3.8
EXAMPLE CONFIGURATIONS...........................................................................................................................8
4.

DATA INTERFACE.............................................................................................................................................9
4.1
INTRODUCTION ...............................................................................................................................................9
4.2
COMMON CONSTANTS AND STRUCTURES .......................................................................................................9
4.2.1
Data header type ...................................................................................................................................9
4.2.2
Data Constants ......................................................................................................................................9
4.3
FUNCTION CALLS ...........................................................................................................................................9
4.3.1
MAC_McpsDataReq ( ) .........................................................................................................................9
4.3.1.1
4.3.1.2
4.3.1.3
4.3.1.4

4.3.2
4.3.2.1
4.3.2.2
4.3.2.3
4.3.2.4

4.3.3
4.3.3.1
4.3.3.2
4.3.3.3
4.3.3.4

Description......................................................................................................................................................... 9
Prototype.......................................................................................................................................................... 10
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 10
Return .............................................................................................................................................................. 11

MAC_McpsPurgeReq ( )......................................................................................................................12
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 12
Prototype.......................................................................................................................................................... 12
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 12
Return .............................................................................................................................................................. 12

MAC_McpsDataAlloc ( ) .....................................................................................................................12
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 12
Prototype.......................................................................................................................................................... 12
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 12
Return .............................................................................................................................................................. 12

4.4
CALLBACK FUNCTION EVENTS .....................................................................................................................13
4.4.1
MAC_MCPS_DATA_IND....................................................................................................................13
4.4.1.1
4.4.1.2

4.4.2
4.4.2.1
4.4.2.2

4.4.3
4.4.3.1
4.4.3.2

5.

Description....................................................................................................................................................... 13
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 13

MAC_MCPS_DATA_CNF...................................................................................................................14
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 14
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 14

MAC_MCPS_PURGE_CNF................................................................................................................15
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 15
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 15

MANAGEMENT INTERFACE.........................................................................................................................16
5.1
INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................................16
5.2
COMMON CONSTANTS AND STRUCTURES .....................................................................................................16
5.2.1
Channel Masks ....................................................................................................................................16
5.2.2
Channels ..............................................................................................................................................16
5.2.3
Channel Page ......................................................................................................................................16
5.2.4
Capability Information ........................................................................................................................17
5.2.5
Get and Set Attributes..........................................................................................................................17
5.2.5.1
5.2.5.2

Standard Attributes .......................................................................................................................................... 17

Proprietary Attributes....................................................................................................................................... 19

5.2.6
Disassociate Reason ............................................................................................................................19
5.2.7
Scan Type.............................................................................................................................................19
5.2.8
Special Address Values........................................................................................................................19
5.2.9
Superframe Specification.....................................................................................................................21
5.2.10 PAN Descriptor ...................................................................................................................................21
5.2.11 Pending Address Specification ............................................................................................................22
5.3
FUNCTION CALLS .........................................................................................................................................23
5.3.1
MAC_MlmeAssociateReq ( )................................................................................................................23
5.3.1.1
5.3.1.2
5.3.1.3

iii

Description....................................................................................................................................................... 23
Prototype.......................................................................................................................................................... 23
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 23

Copyright 2006-2009 Texas Instruments, Inc. All rights reserved.

802.15.4 MAC API

5.3.1.4

5.3.2
5.3.2.1
5.3.2.2
5.3.2.3
5.3.2.4

5.3.3
5.3.3.1
5.3.3.2
5.3.3.3
5.3.3.4

5.3.4
5.3.4.1
5.3.4.2
5.3.4.3
5.3.4.4

5.3.5
5.3.5.1
5.3.5.2
5.3.5.3
5.3.5.4

5.3.6
5.3.6.1
5.3.6.2
5.3.6.3
5.3.6.4

5.3.7
5.3.7.1
5.3.7.2
5.3.7.3
5.3.7.4

5.3.8
5.3.8.1
5.3.8.2
5.3.8.3
5.3.8.4

5.3.9
5.3.9.1
5.3.9.2
5.3.9.3
5.3.9.4

5.3.10
5.3.10.1
5.3.10.2
5.3.10.3
5.3.10.4

5.3.11
5.3.11.1
5.3.11.2
5.3.11.3
5.3.11.4

SWRA192 Version 1.5

Return .............................................................................................................................................................. 23

MAC_MlmeAssociateRsp ( )................................................................................................................23
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 23
Prototype.......................................................................................................................................................... 23
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 23
Return .............................................................................................................................................................. 24

MAC_MlmeDisassociateReq ( )...........................................................................................................24
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 24
Prototype.......................................................................................................................................................... 24
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 24
Return .............................................................................................................................................................. 24

MAC_MlmeGetReq ( ) .........................................................................................................................25
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 25
Prototype.......................................................................................................................................................... 25
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 25
Return .............................................................................................................................................................. 25

MAC_MlmeOrphanRsp ( )...................................................................................................................25
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 25
Prototype.......................................................................................................................................................... 25
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 25
Return .............................................................................................................................................................. 25

MAC_MlmePollReq ( ) ........................................................................................................................26
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 26
Prototype.......................................................................................................................................................... 26
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 26
Return .............................................................................................................................................................. 26

MAC_MlmeResetReq ( ) ......................................................................................................................26
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 26
Prototype.......................................................................................................................................................... 26
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 26
Return .............................................................................................................................................................. 26

MAC_MlmeScanReq ( ) .......................................................................................................................27
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 27
Prototype.......................................................................................................................................................... 27
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 27
Return .............................................................................................................................................................. 28

MAC_MlmeSetReq ( ) ..........................................................................................................................28
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 28
Prototype.......................................................................................................................................................... 28
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 28
Return .............................................................................................................................................................. 28

MAC_MlmeStartReq ( ) .......................................................................................................................29
Description .................................................................................................................................................. 29
Prototype ..................................................................................................................................................... 29
Parameter Details......................................................................................................................................... 29
Return .......................................................................................................................................................... 30

MAC_MlmeSyncReq ( ) .......................................................................................................................31
Description .................................................................................................................................................. 31
Prototype ..................................................................................................................................................... 31
Parameter Details......................................................................................................................................... 31
Return .......................................................................................................................................................... 31

5.4
CALLBACK FUNCTION EVENTS .....................................................................................................................32
5.4.1
MAC_MLME_ASSOCIATE_IND ........................................................................................................32
5.4.1.1
5.4.1.2

5.4.2
5.4.2.1
5.4.2.2

5.4.3

iv

Description....................................................................................................................................................... 32
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 32

MAC_MLME_ASSOCIATE_CNF .......................................................................................................32
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 32
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 32

MAC_MLME_DISASSOCIATE_IND ..................................................................................................33

Copyright 2006-2009 Texas Instruments, Inc. All rights reserved.

802.15.4 MAC API

5.4.3.1
5.4.3.2

5.4.4
5.4.4.1
5.4.4.2

5.4.5
5.4.5.1
5.4.5.2

5.4.6
5.4.6.1
5.4.6.2

5.4.7
5.4.7.1
5.4.7.2

5.4.8
5.4.8.1
5.4.8.2

5.4.9
5.4.9.1
5.4.9.2

5.4.10
5.4.10.1
5.4.10.2

5.4.11
5.4.11.1
5.4.11.2

5.4.12
5.4.12.1
5.4.12.2

6.

SWRA192 Version 1.5

Description....................................................................................................................................................... 33
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 33

MAC_MLME_DISASSOCIATE_CNF .................................................................................................33
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 33
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 33

MAC_MLME_BEACON_NOTIFY_IND .............................................................................................34
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 34
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 34

MAC_MLME_ORPHAN_IND .............................................................................................................34
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 34
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 34

MAC_MLME_SCAN_CNF ..................................................................................................................35
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 35
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 35

MAC_MLME_START_CNF ................................................................................................................36
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 36
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 36

MAC_MLME_SYNC_LOSS_IND ........................................................................................................36
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 36
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 36

MAC_MLME_POLL_CNF ..................................................................................................................37
Description .................................................................................................................................................. 37
Parameter Details......................................................................................................................................... 37

MAC_MLME_COMM_STATUS_IND.................................................................................................37
Description .................................................................................................................................................. 37
Parameter Details......................................................................................................................................... 37

MAC_MLME_POLL_IND...................................................................................................................38
Description .................................................................................................................................................. 38
Parameter Details......................................................................................................................................... 38

EXTENSION INTERFACE...............................................................................................................................39
6.1
INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................................39
6.2
COMMON CONSTANTS AND STRUCTURES .....................................................................................................39
6.2.1
Power Mode.........................................................................................................................................39
6.3
FUNCTION CALLS .........................................................................................................................................39
6.3.1
MAC_PwrOffReq ( ) ............................................................................................................................39
6.3.1.1
6.3.1.2
6.3.1.3
6.3.1.4

6.3.2
6.3.2.1
6.3.2.2
6.3.2.3
6.3.2.4

6.3.3
6.3.3.1
6.3.3.2
6.3.3.3
6.3.3.4

6.3.4
6.3.4.1
6.3.4.2
6.3.4.3
6.3.4.4

6.3.5
6.3.5.1
6.3.5.2
6.3.5.3

Description....................................................................................................................................................... 39
Prototype.......................................................................................................................................................... 39
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 39
Return .............................................................................................................................................................. 39

MAC_PwrOnReq ( ) ............................................................................................................................40
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 40
Prototype.......................................................................................................................................................... 40
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 40
Return .............................................................................................................................................................. 40

MAC_PwrMode ( ) ..............................................................................................................................40
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 40
Prototype.......................................................................................................................................................... 40
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 40
Return .............................................................................................................................................................. 40

MAC_PwrNextTimeout ( ) ...................................................................................................................40
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 40
Prototype.......................................................................................................................................................... 40
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 40
Return .............................................................................................................................................................. 40

MAC_RandomByte ( )..........................................................................................................................41
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 41
Prototype.......................................................................................................................................................... 41
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 41

Copyright 2006-2009 Texas Instruments, Inc. All rights reserved.

802.15.4 MAC API

6.3.5.4

6.3.6
6.3.6.1
6.3.6.2
6.3.6.3
6.3.6.4

6.3.7
6.3.7.1
6.3.7.2
6.3.7.3
6.3.7.4

6.3.8
6.3.8.1
6.3.8.2
6.3.8.3
6.3.8.4

6.3.9
6.3.9.1
6.3.9.2
6.3.9.3
6.3.9.4

6.3.10
6.3.10.1
6.3.10.2
6.3.10.3
6.3.10.4

SWRA192 Version 1.5

Return .............................................................................................................................................................. 41

MAC_SrcMatchEnable ........................................................................................................................41
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 41
Prototype.......................................................................................................................................................... 41
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 41
Return .............................................................................................................................................................. 41

MAC_SrcMatchAddEntry ....................................................................................................................41
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 41
Prototype.......................................................................................................................................................... 41
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 41
Return .............................................................................................................................................................. 41

MAC_SrcMatchDeleteEntry ................................................................................................................42
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 42
Prototype.......................................................................................................................................................... 42
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 42
Return .............................................................................................................................................................. 42

MAC_SrcMatchAckAllPending ...........................................................................................................42
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 42
Prototype.......................................................................................................................................................... 42
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 42
Return .............................................................................................................................................................. 42

MAC_SrcMatchCheckAllPending .......................................................................................................42
Description .................................................................................................................................................. 42
Prototype ..................................................................................................................................................... 42
Parameter Details......................................................................................................................................... 43
Return .......................................................................................................................................................... 43

6.4
CALLBACK FUNCTION EVENTS .....................................................................................................................43
6.4.1
MAC_PWR_ON_CNF .........................................................................................................................43
6.4.1.1

7.

CALLBACK INTERFACE.................................................................................................................................44
7.1.1
7.1.1.1
7.1.1.2
7.1.1.3
7.1.1.4

7.1.2
7.1.2.1
7.1.2.2
7.1.2.3
7.1.2.4

8.

Description....................................................................................................................................................... 44
Prototype.......................................................................................................................................................... 44
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 44
Return .............................................................................................................................................................. 45

MAC_CbackCheckPending ( ).............................................................................................................45
Description....................................................................................................................................................... 45
Prototype.......................................................................................................................................................... 45
Parameter Details ............................................................................................................................................. 45
Return .............................................................................................................................................................. 45

CONFIGURATION CONSTANTS.......................................................................................................................46
COMPILE-TIME CONFIGURATION ..................................................................................................................46

SCENARIOS.......................................................................................................................................................47
9.1
9.2
9.3
9.4
9.5
9.6

vi

MAC_CbackEvent ( )...........................................................................................................................44

CONFIGURATION............................................................................................................................................46
8.1
8.2

9.

Description....................................................................................................................................................... 43

NON BEACON-ENABLED NETWORK START ....................................................................................................47

NON BEACON-ENABLED NETWORK SCAN AND ASSOCIATE ...........................................................................48
BEACON-ENABLED NETWORK SCAN AND SYNC ............................................................................................49
ORPHAN PROCEDURE ...................................................................................................................................50
DIRECT DATA TRANSACTIONS .....................................................................................................................51
INDIRECT DATA TRANSACTIONS, DATA POLL AND PURGE ...........................................................................52

Copyright 2006-2009 Texas Instruments, Inc. All rights reserved.

802.15.4 MAC API

SWRA192 Version 1.5

1. Introduction
1.1 Purpose
This document describes the application programming interface for the 802.15.4 MAC software. The API provides
an interface to the management and data services of the 802.15.4 stack.
1.2 References
1.

IEEE Std 802.15.4-2006, Part 15.4: Wireless Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY)
Specifications for Low-Rate Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs), September 8, 2006.

2.

SWRA194, Z-Stack OS Abstraction Layer Application Programming Interface, Texas Instruments.

1.3 Acronyms and Definitions

AES

Advanced Encryption Standard encryption algorithm.

API

Application Programming Interface.

CAP

Contention Access Period

CBC-MAC

Cipher Block Chaining Message Authentication Code.

CCM

Encryption using CTR with CBC-MAC.

Coordinator

A full function device that accepts associations and transmits beacons.

CSMA-CA

Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance.

CTR

Counter mode encryption.

DSN

Data Sequence Number

FFD

Full Function Device.

LNA

Low Noise Amplifier.

LQI

Link Quality Indication.

MAC

Medium Access Control.

MCPS

MAC Common Part Sublayer (data interface).

MIC

Message integrity code.

MLME

MAC Sublayer Management Entity (management interface).

MSDU

MAC Service Data Unit.

OSAL

Operating System Abstraction Layer.

PA

Power Amplifier.

PAN

Personal Area Network.

PAN Coordinator

A coordinator that is the principal coordinator of a PAN.

PHY

Physical layer.

PIB

PAN Information Base.

RFD

Reduced Function Device.

RSSI

Received Signal Strength Indicator

SFD

Start of Frame Delimiter

Copyright 2006-2009 Texas Instruments, Inc. All rights reserved.

802.15.4 MAC API

SWRA192 Version 1.5

2. API Overview
2.1 Interface Mechanisms
The following interface mechanisms are used in the MAC API.
2.1.1 Message Passing Function Calls
These API functions provide a message passing interface to the MAC by sending an OSAL message to the MAC
event handler. Unless otherwise noted, the API functions described in this document are message passing functions.
These functions do not contain critical sections and do not directly access MAC data.
2.1.2 Direct Execute Function Calls
These API functions directly execute code that performs a MAC operation. The function executes in the context of
the caller. These functions may have critical sections and may directly access MAC data.
2.1.3 Callback Functions
These functions must be implemented by the application and are used to pass events and data from the MAC to the
application. Data accessed through callback function parameters (such as a pointer to data) are only valid for the
execution of the function and should not be considered valid when the function returns. These functions execute in
the context of the MAC. The callback function implementation should avoid using critical sections and CPU
intensive operations.
2.2 Zero Copy Data Interfaces
The interfaces for sending and receiving data between the MAC and the application are designed to not require a
data copy, i.e. they are zero copy. This results in a more CPU-efficient implementation. However the application
must follow certain rules on when to allocate and deallocate data buffers, as described in Section 4.
2.3 Common Constants and Structures
2.3.1 Address Type
The following data types and values are used for the MAC address:
typedef uint8 sAddrExt_t[8];
typedef struct
{
union
{
uint16
sAddrExt_t
} addr;
uint8
} sAddr_t;

shortAddr;
extAddr;
addrMode;

addr.shortAddr The short 16-bit MAC address.

addr.extAddr The extended 64-bit MAC address.
addrMode The address mode using the following values:

NAME
SADDR_MODE_NONE

DESCRIPTION
Address not present.

SADDR_MODE_SHORT

Short 16-bit address is used.

SADDR_MODE_EXT

Extended 64-bit address is used.

Copyright 2006-2009 Texas Instruments, Inc. All rights reserved.

802.15.4 MAC API

SWRA192 Version 1.5

2.3.2 Status
The following status values are used in various API functions and callback function events.
2.3.2.1 Standard Status Values
NAME
MAC_SUCCESS
MAC_AUTOACK_PENDING_ALL_ON
MAC_AUTOACK_PENDING_ALL_OFF
MAC_BEACON_LOSS
MAC_CHANNEL_ACCESS_FAILURE
MAC_COUNTER_ERROR

DESCRIPTION
Operation successful.
The AUTOPEND pending all is turned on.
The AUTOPEND pending all is turned off.
The beacon was lost following a synchronization request.
The operation or data request failed because of activity on the channel.
The frame counter purportedly applied by the originator of the received
frame is invalid.

MAC_DENIED
MAC_DISABLE_TRX_FAILURE
MAC_FRAME_TOO_LONG

The MAC was not able to enter low power mode.

MAC_IMPROPER_KEY_TYPE

The key purportedly applied by the originator of the received frame is not
allowed.

Unused.
The received frame or frame resulting from an operation or data request is
too long to be processed by the MAC.

MAC_IMPROPER_SECURITY_LEVEL The security level purportedly applied by the originator of the received
frame does not meet the minimum security level.

MAC_INVALID_ADDRESS

The data request failed because neither the source address nor destination
address parameters were present.

MAC_INVALID_GTS
MAC_INVALID_HANDLE
MAC_INVALID_INDEX
MAC_INVALID_PARAMETER
MAC_LIMIT_REACHED

Unused.

MAC_NO_ACK

The operation or data request failed because no acknowledgement was

received.

MAC_NO_BEACON

The scan request failed because no beacons were received or the orphan
scan failed because no coordinator realignment was received.

MAC_NO_DATA

The associate request failed because no associate response was received

or the poll request did not return any data.

MAC_NO_SHORT_ADDRESS
MAC_ON_TIME_TOO_LONG
MAC_OUT_OF_CAP
MAC_PAN_ID_CONFLICT

The short address parameter of the start request was invalid.

MAC_PAST_TIME
MAC_READ_ONLY
MAC_REALIGNMENT
MAC_SCAN_IN_PROGRESS
MAC_SECURITY_ERROR
MAC_SUPERFRAME_OVERLAP
MAC_TRACKING_OFF

Unused.

The purge request contained an invalid handle.

Unused.
The API function parameter is out of range.
The scan terminated because the PAN descriptor storage limit was
reached.

Unused.
Unused.
A PAN identifier conflict has been detected and communicated to the
PAN coordinator.
A set request was issued with a read-only identifier.
A coordinator realignment command has been received.
The scan request failed because a scan is already in progress.
Cryptographic processing of the received secure frame failed.
The beacon start time overlapped the coordinator transmission time.
The start request failed because the device is not tracking the beacon of its
coordinator.

Copyright 2006-2009 Texas Instruments, Inc. All rights reserved.

802.15.4 MAC API

SWRA192 Version 1.5

MAC_TRANSACTION_EXPIRED

The associate response, disassociate request, or indirect data transmission

failed because the peer device did not respond before the transaction
expired or was purged.

MAC_TRANSACTION_OVERFLOW
MAC_TX_ACTIVE
MAC_UNAVAILABLE_KEY

The operation failed because MAC data buffers are full.

MAC_UNSUPPORTED_ATTRIBUTE
MAC_UNSUPPORTED_LEGACY

The set or get request failed because the attribute is not supported.

MAC_UNSUPPORTED_SECURITY

The security of the received frame is not supported.

Unused.
The operation or data request failed because the security key is not
available.
The received frame was secured with legacy security which is not
supported.

2.3.2.2 Proprietary Status Values

NAME
MAC_UNSUPPORTED

DESCRIPTION
The operation is not supported in the current configuration.

MAC_BAD_STATE

The operation could not be performed in the current state.

MAC_NO_RESOURCES

The operation could not be completed because no memory

resources were available.

2.3.3 MAC Security Level

The following values indicate the MAC security level. The security level defines the encryption and/or
authentication methods used on a message frame.
Note: Security is currently not implemented.
NAME
MAC_SEC_LEVEL_NONE

DESCRIPTION
No security is used.

MAC_SEC_LEVEL_MIC_32

MIC-32 authentication is used.

MAC_SEC_LEVEL_MIC_64

MIC-64 authentication is used.

MAC_SEC_LEVEL_MIC_128

MIC-128 authentication is used.

MAC_SEC_LEVEL_ENC

AES encryption is used.

MAC_SEC_LEVEL_ENC_MIC_32

AES encryption and MIC-32 authentication are used.

MAC_SEC_LEVEL_ENC_MIC_64

AES encryption and MIC-64 authentication are used.

MAC_SEC_LEVEL_ENC_MIC_128 AES encryption and MIC-128 authentication are used.

Copyright 2006-2009 Texas Instruments, Inc. All rights reserved.

802.15.4 MAC API

SWRA192 Version 1.5

2.3.4 Key Identifier Mode

The following values indicate the key identifier mode. The key identifier mode defines how the key is determined
from the key index.
NAME
MAC_KEY_ID_MODE_NONE

Key is not used.

DESCRIPTION

MAC_KEY_ID_MODE_IMPLICIT

Key is determined implicitly.

MAC_KEY_ID_MODE_1

Key is determined from the 1-byte key index.

MAC_KEY_ID_MODE_4

Key is determined from the 4-byte key index.

MAC_KEY_ID_MODE_8

Key is determined from the 8-byte key index.

2.3.5 Security Type

The following data type is used for MAC security.
Note: Security is currently not implemented.
typedef struct
{
uint8
keySource[MAC_KEY_SOURCE_MAX_LEN];
uint8
securityLevel;
uint8
keyIdMode;
uint8
keyIndex;
} macSec_t;

/*
/*
/*
/*

Key source */
Security level */
Key identifier mode */
Key index */

keySource This array identifies the originator of a key, as described in [1]. This parameter is ignored if
keyIdMode is MAC_KEY_ID_MODE_IMPLICIT or securityLevel is MAC_SEC_LEVEL_NONE.
securityLevel The security level. See 2.3.3. When set to MAC_SEC_LEVEL_NONE security is not used and all
other parameters are ignored.
keyIdMode The key ID mode. See 0. This parameter is ignored if keyIdMode is
MAC_KEY_ID_MODE_IMPLICIT or securityLevel is MAC_SEC_LEVEL_NONE.
keyIndex The key index, as described in [1]. This parameter is ignored if keyIdMode is
MAC_KEY_ID_MODE_IMPLICIT or securityLevel is MAC_SEC_LEVEL_NONE.
2.3.6 MAC Timing Values
The 802.15.4 specification describes timing values based on the symbol period of the physical layer. This document
adopts these same values as they relate to the MAC API. These values are shown in italic text in this document.
These values are described below with their timing values converted to millisecond or microsecond units for the 2.4
GHz physical layer, which uses a 16 microsecond symbol period.

NAME

DESCRIPTION

SYMBOLS

aBaseSuperframeDuration

The number of symbols forming a superframe

when the superframe order is zero.

aUnitBackoffPeriod

The number of symbols forming the basic

20
time period used by the CSMA-CA algorithm.

960

Copyright 2006-2009 Texas Instruments, Inc. All rights reserved.

2.4 GHz
TIMING
15.36 ms
320 us

802.15.4 MAC API

SWRA192 Version 1.5

3. Initialization Interface
3.1 Introduction
The initialization interface is used to configure the MAC for support of certain optional features. Additional
features are enabled by using the following API functions. All functions in the initialization interface are direct
execute functions.
3.2 MAC_Init ( )
3.2.1 Description
This function initializes the MAC subsystem. It must be called once when the software system is started and before
any other function in the MAC API is called.
3.2.2 Prototype
void MAC_Init(void)

3.2.3 Parameter Details

None.
3.2.4 Return
None.
3.3 MAC_InitDevice ( )
3.3.1 Description
This function initializes the MAC to associate with a non beacon-enabled network. This function would be used to
initialize a device as an RFD. If this function is used it must be called during application initialization before any
other function in the data or management API is called.
3.3.2 Prototype
void MAC_InitDevice(void)

3.3.3 Parameter Details

None.
3.3.4 Return
None.

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802.15.4 MAC API

SWRA192 Version 1.5

3.4 MAC_InitCoord ( )
3.4.1 Description
This function initializes the MAC for operation as a coordinator. A coordinator can start a network, accept
associate requests from other devices, send beacons, send indirect data, and other operations. This function would
be used to initialize a device as an FFD. If this function is used it must be called during application initialization
before any other function in the data or management API is called.
3.4.2 Prototype
void MAC_InitCoord(void)

3.4.3 Parameter Details

None.
3.4.4 Return
None.
3.5 MAC_InitSecurity ( )
This function initializes the MAC to allow use of security. If this function is used it must be called during
application initialization before any other function in the data or management API is called.
Note: Security is currently not implemented.
3.5.1 Description
3.5.2 Prototype
void MAC_InitSecurity(void)

3.5.3 Parameter Details

None.
3.5.4 Return
None.
3.6 MAC_InitBeaconCoord ( )
3.6.1 Description
This function initializes the MAC for operation as a coordinator in a beacon-enabled network. If this function is
used it must be called during application initialization before any other function in the data or management API is
called.
3.6.2 Prototype
void MAC_InitBeaconCoord(void)

3.6.3 Parameter Details

None.
3.6.4 Return
None.

Copyright 2006-2009 Texas Instruments, Inc. All rights reserved.

802.15.4 MAC API

SWRA192 Version 1.5

3.7 MAC_InitBeaconDevice ( )
3.7.1 Description
This function initializes the MAC to allow it to associate with and track a beacon-enabled network. If this function
is used it must be called during application initialization before any other function in the data or management API is
called.
3.7.2 Prototype
void MAC_InitBeaconDevice(void)

3.7.3 Parameter Details

None.
3.7.4 Return
None.
3.8 Example Configurations
Non beacon-enabled network or Zigbee configurations:
802.15.4 DEVICE FOR NON
BEACON-ENABLED
NETWORKS
or
ZIGBEE END DEVICE
MAC_InitDevice();

802.15.4 COORDINATOR FOR

NON BEACON-ENABLED
NETWORKS
or
ZIGBEE ROUTER
MAC_InitDevice();
MAC_InitCoord();

802.15.4 PAN COORDINATOR

FOR NON BEACON-ENABLED
NETWORKS
or
ZIGBEE COORDINATOR
MAC_InitCoord();

802.15.4 Beacon-enabled network configurations:

802.15.4 DEVICE FOR
802.15.4 COORDINATOR FOR
BEACON-ENABLED
BEACON-ENABLED
NETWORKS
NETWORKS
MAC_InitDevice();
MAC_InitDevice();
MAC_InitBeaconDevice(); MAC_InitCoord();
MAC_InitBeaconDevice();
MAC_InitBeaconCoord();

802.15.4 PAN COORDINATOR

FOR BEACON-ENABLED
NETWORKS
MAC_InitCoord();
MAC_InitBeaconCoord();

Copyright 2006-2009 Texas Instruments, Inc. All rights reserved.

802.15.4 MAC API

SWRA192 Version 1.5

4. Data Interface
4.1 Introduction
This API provides interfaces to send and receive data between the MAC and the application.
4.2 Common Constants and Structures
4.2.1 Data header type
The following data type is used by the data interface to facilitate the zero copy mechanism.
typedef struct
{
uint8
*p;
uint8
len;
} sData_t;
p Pointer to data.
len Length of data in bytes.
4.2.2 Data Constants
The following constants are used to set up data buffers for MAC_McpsDataReq().
NAME
MAC_MAX_FRAME_SIZE

VALUE

DESCRIPTION

102

Maximum application data length without security.

MAC_DATA_OFFSET

24

Data offset required for MAC header.

MAC_ENC_OFFSET

Data offset required for encryption header.

MAC_MIC_32_LEN

Length required for 32-bit authentication code.

MAC_MIC_64_LEN

Length required for 64-bit authentication code.

MAC_MIC_128_LEN

16

Length required for 128-bit authentication code.

4.3 Function Calls

4.3.1 MAC_McpsDataReq ( )
4.3.1.1 Description
This function sends application data to the MAC for transmission in a MAC data frame.
The MAC can only buffer a certain number of data request frames. When the MAC is congested and cannot accept
the data request it sends a MAC_MCPS_DATA_CNF with status MAC_TRANSACTION_OVERFLOW. Eventually the
MAC will become uncongested and send a MAC_MCPS_DATA_CNF for a buffered request. At this point the
application can attempt another data request. Using this scheme, the application can send data whenever it wants
but it must queue data to be resent if it receives an overflow status.
The data buffer passed to this function is allocated by the application. The application must not deallocate this
buffer after calling this function; it must wait until it receives the MAC_MCPS_DATA_CNF for the frame.
The application sets data pointer msdu.p to point to a buffer containing the data the application is sending. Figure
1 shows how a buffer containing the data can be constructed.

Copyright 2006-2009 Texas Instruments, Inc. All rights reserved.

802.15.4 MAC API

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p len

sData_t

data

macMcpsDataReq_t

bytes for MAC

header

application data (len bytes)

application data req type

Figure 1.
As shown in the figure, the application must allocate a certain number of bytes before msdu.p to contain the MAC
header. This number is MAC_DATA_OFFSET plus MAC_ENC_OFFSET if an encryption security suite is used.
Function MAC_McpsDataAlloc()can be used to simplify allocation and preparation of the data buffer. This
function allocates a buffer of the correct size to contain the parameters, MAC header, and application data and
prepares it as described in Figure 1.
The maximum data frame length is MAC_MAX_FRAME_SIZE bytes. This is reduced by MAC_ENC_OFFSET if
encryption is used. If authentication is used, the data frame length is additionally reduced by the length of the
authentication data, as shown in Section 4.2.2. For example, if AES-MIC-128 is used the maximum length is:
max = MAC_MAX_FRAME_SIZE - MAC_ENC_OFFSET MAC_MIC_128_LEN;
4.3.1.2 Prototype
void MAC_McpsDataReq(macMcpsDataReq_t *pData)

4.3.1.3 Parameter Details

Parameters are passed using the following data structures.
typedef struct
{
sAddr_t
dstAddr;
uint16
dstPanId;
uint8
srcAddrMode;
uint8
mdsuHandle;
uint8
txOptions;
uint8
channel;
uint8
power;
} macDataReq_t;
typedef struct
{
macEventHdr_t
hdr;
sData_t
msdu;
macTxIntData_t internal;
macSec_t
sec;
macDataReq_t
mac;
} macMcpsDataReq_t;

10

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802.15.4 MAC API

SWRA192 Version 1.5

hdr For internal use only.

msdu.p Pointer to application data.
msdu.len Length of data in bytes.
internal For internal use only.
sec Security parameters. See 2.3.5.
mac.dstAddr The address of the destination device.
mac.dstPanId The PAN ID of the destination device.
mac.srcAddrMode The source address mode.
mac.mdsuHandle Application-defined handle value associated with this data request.
mac.txOptions TX options bit mask, a combination of the following values:
NAME
MAC_TXOPTION_ACK

DESCRIPTION
Acknowledged transmission. The MAC will attempt to
retransmit the frame until it is acknowledged.

MAC_TXOPTION_GTS

GTS transmission (unused).

MAC_TXOPTION_INDIRECT

Indirect transmission. The MAC will queue the data and wait
for the destination device to poll for it. This can only be used
by a coordinator.

MAC_TXOPTION_NO_RETRANS

No frame retransmission. This proprietary option prevents the

frame from being retransmitted.

MAC_TXOPTION_NO_CNF

No confirm. This proprietary option prevents a

MAC_MCPS_DATA_CNF event from being sent for this frame.

MAC_TXOPTION_ALT_BE

Use PIB value MAC_ALT_BE for the minimum backoff

exponent.

MAC_TXOPTION_PWR_CHAN

Use the power and channel values in macDataReq_t instead

of the PIB values.

mac.channel Transmit the data frame on this channel. This value is ignored if MAC_TXOPTION_PWR_CHAN is
not used.
mac.power Transmit the data frame at this power level. This value is ignored if MAC_TXOPTION_PWR_CHAN is
not used.
4.3.1.4 Return
None.

11

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802.15.4 MAC API

SWRA192 Version 1.5

4.3.2 MAC_McpsPurgeReq ( )
4.3.2.1 Description
This function purges and discards a data request from the MAC data queue. When the operation is complete the
MAC sends a MAC_MCPS_PURGE_CNF.
4.3.2.2 Prototype
void MAC_McpsPurgeReq(uint8 msduHandle)

4.3.2.3 Parameter Details

msduHandle The application-defined handle value associated with the data request.
4.3.2.4 Return
None.
4.3.3 MAC_McpsDataAlloc ( )
4.3.3.1 Description
This direct-execute function simplifies the allocation and preparation of the data buffer MAC_McpsDataReq().
The function allocates a buffer and prepares the data pointer as described in Section 4.3.1.
If the application allocates a buffer using this function and does use the buffer to call MAC_McpsDataReq()it
must deallocate the buffer by calling mac_msg_deallocate((uint8 **)&pBuffer).
This function is a proprietary function and not defined in the 802.15.4 specification.
4.3.3.2 Prototype
macMcpsDataReq_t *MAC_McpsDataAlloc(uint8 len, uint8 securityLevel,
uint8 keyIdMode)

4.3.3.3 Parameter Details

len Length of application data in bytes.
securityLevel Security level used for this frame. See Section 2.3.3. Set to MAC_SEC_LEVEL_NONE if security
is not used.
keyIdMode Key ID mode used for this frame. See Section 0. Set to MAC_KEY_ID_MODE_NONE if security is
not used.
4.3.3.4 Return
Returns a pointer to the allocated buffer. If the function fails for any reason it returns NULL. The following
parameters in the returned macMcpsDataReq_t structure are set by the function:
msdu.p Points to the start of the application data area of the buffer.
msdu.len Set to the len parameter passed to the function.

12

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802.15.4 MAC API

SWRA192 Version 1.5

4.4 Callback Function Events

These events are sent to the application via the MAC callback function described in Section 0.
4.4.1 MAC_MCPS_DATA_IND
4.4.1.1 Description
This event sends data from the MAC to the application.
The parameters for this event point to a dynamically allocated memory buffer. When the application is finished
using the data it must deallocate the buffer by calling mac_msg_deallocate((uint8 **)&pData).
When the MAC allocates a buffer for received data it can allocate extra space in the beginning of the buffer for
application-defined data. The size of this application-defined data is set by calling MAC_MlmeSetReq() with
attribute MAC_DATA_IND_OFFSET.
4.4.1.2 Parameter Details
Parameters are passed using the following data structures.
typedef struct
{
sAddr_t
srcAddr;
sAddr_t
dstAddr;
uint32
timestamp;
uint16
timestamp2;
uint16
srcPanId;
uint16
dstPanId;
uint8
mpduLinkQuality;
uint8
correlation;
uint8
rssi;
uint8
dsn;
} macDataInd_t;
typedef struct
{
macEventHdr_t hdr;
sData_t
msdu;
macRxIntData_t internal;
macSec_t
sec;
macDataInd_t
mac;
} macMcpsDataInd_t;
hdr For internal use only.
msdu.p Pointer to data received by the MAC.
msdu.len Length of data in bytes.
internal For internal use only.
sec Security parameters. See 2.3.5.
mac.srcAddr The address of the sending device.
mac.dstAddr The address of the destination device.
mac.timestamp The time, in aUnitBackoffPeriod units, at which the frame was received.
mac.timestamp2 The time, in internal MAC timer units, at which the frame was received.
mac.srcPanId The PAN ID of the sending device.
mac.dstPanId The PAN ID of the destination device.

13

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802.15.4 MAC API

SWRA192 Version 1.5

mac.mpduLinkQuality The link quality of the received data frame. The value is based on the energy detect
calculation, with values ranging linearly from 0x00 to 0xFF with the higher value indicating higher link quality.
mac.correlation The raw correlation value of the received data frame. This value depends on the radio. See the
chip data sheet for details.
mac.rssi The received RF power in units of dBm.
dsn The data sequence number of the received frame.
4.4.2 MAC_MCPS_DATA_CNF
4.4.2.1 Description
This event is sent to the application every time MAC_McpsDataReq()is called. The event returns the status of
the data request. The event also passes back a pointer to the data buffer. The application can use this pointer to
deallocate the buffer.
4.4.2.2 Parameter Details
Parameters are passed in the following structure:
typedef struct
{
macEventHdr_t
hdr;
uint8
msduHandle;
macMcpsDataReq_t
*pDataReq;
uint32
timestamp;
uint16
timestamp2;
} macMcpsDataCnf_t;
hdr.status The status of the data request operation, as follows:
NAME

DESCRIPTION

MAC_SUCCESS

Operation successful.

MAC_CHANNEL_ACCESS_FAILURE

Data transmission failed because of congestion on the channel.

MAC_FRAME_TOO_LONG

Data is too long to be processed by the MAC.

MAC_INVALID_PARAMETER

The API function parameter is out of range.

MAC_NO_ACK

No acknowledgement was received from the peer device.

MAC_TRANSACTION_EXPIRED

Indirect data transmission failed because the peer device did not
respond before the transaction expired or was purged.

MAC_TRANSACTION_OVERFLOW

MAC data buffers are full.

msduHandle Application-defined handle value associated with the data request.

pDataReq Pointer to the data request buffer for this data confirm.
msduHandle Application-defined handle value associated with the data request.
timestamp The time, in aUnitBackoffPeriod units, at which the frame was transmitted.
timestamp2 The time, in internal MAC timer units, at which the frame was transmitted.

14

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802.15.4 MAC API

SWRA192 Version 1.5

4.4.3 MAC_MCPS_PURGE_CNF
4.4.3.1 Description
This event is sent to the application when MAC_McpsPurgeReq() is called. The event returns the status of the
purge request.
4.4.3.2 Parameter Details
Parameters are passed in the following structure.
typedef struct
{
macEventHdr_t
hdr;
uint8
msduHandle;
} macMcpsPurgeCnf_t;
hdr.status The status of the purge request, as follows:
NAME
MAC_SUCCESS

DESCRIPTION
Operation successful.

MAC_INVALID_HANDLE

The purge request contained an invalid handle.

pDataReq Pointer to the data request buffer for this purge confirm.
msduHandle Application-defined handle value associated with the data request.

15

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802.15.4 MAC API

SWRA192 Version 1.5

5. Management Interface
5.1 Introduction
The following interfaces are used for 802.15.4 network management.
5.2 Common Constants and Structures
5.2.1 Channel Masks
The following mask values are used in combination to indicate a set of channels. For example, to use channels 11,
12, and 23 do:
uint32 chan = MAC_CHAN_11_MASK | MAC_CHAN_12_MASK | MAC_CHAN_23_MASK;
NAME
MAC_CHAN_11_MASK MAC_CHAN_28_MASK

DESCRIPTION
Channel 11 through 28 mask.

Channels 27 and 28 are not defined by [1]. These channels may be outside the 2.4 GHz ISM band in some
countries.
5.2.2 Channels
These values indicate a particular logical channel.
NAME
MAC_CHAN_11 MAC_CHAN_28

DESCRIPTION
Channel 11 through 28.

Channels 27 and 28 are not defined by [1]. These channels may be outside the 2.4 GHz ISM band in some
countries.
5.2.3 Channel Page
These values indicate the channel page.
Note: Only channel page 0 in the 2.4 GHz band is supported.
NAME
MAC_CHANNEL_PAGE_0
MAC_CHANNEL_PAGE_1
MAC_CHANNEL_PAGE_2

16

DESCRIPTION
2.4 GHz band using O-QPSK.
868 and 915 MHz bands using ASK.
868 and 915 MHz bands using O-QPSK.

Copyright 2006-2009 Texas Instruments, Inc. All rights reserved.

802.15.4 MAC API

SWRA192 Version 1.5

5.2.4 Capability Information

This bit mask indicates the capability information of the device. This information is used during the association
procedure.
NAME
MAC_CAPABLE_PAN_COORD

Device is capable of becoming a PAN coordinator.

DESCRIPTION

MAC_CAPABLE_FFD

Device is an FFD.

MAC_CAPABLE_MAINS_POWER

Device is mains powered rather than battery powered.

MAC_CAPABLE_RX_ON_IDLE

Device has its receiver on when idle.

MAC_CAPABLE_SECURITY

Device is capable of sending and receiving secured frames.

MAC_CAPABLE_ALLOC_ADDR

Request allocation of a short address in the associate

procedure.

5.2.5 Get and Set Attributes

The following values are used to get and set MAC attributes using functions MAC_MlmeGetReq() and
MAC_MlmeSetReq(). The default values for an attribute, if any, are shown in bold text. Read-only attributes are
indicated by a symbol in the R column.
5.2.5.1 Standard Attributes
NAME

TYPE

RANGE R

DESCRIPTION

The maximum number of symbols to wait

for an acknowledgment frame.

MAC_ACK_WAIT_DURATION

uint8

54

MAC_ASSOCIATION_PERMIT

bool

TRUE,
FALSE

TRUE if a coordinator is currently

allowing association.

MAC_ASSOCIATED_PAN_COORD

bool

TRUE,
FALSE

TRUE if the device is associated to the

PAN coordinator.

MAC_AUTO_REQUEST

bool

TRUE,
FALSE

TRUE if a device automatically sends a

data request if its address is listed in the
beacon frame

MAC_BATT_LIFE_EXT

bool

TRUE,
FALSE

TRUE if battery life extension is enabled.

MAC_BATT_LIFE_EXT_PERIODS

uint8

MAC_BEACON_PAYLOAD

uint8 *

pointer

The contents of the beacon payload.

MAC_BEACON_PAYLOAD_LENGTH

uint8

0-52

The length in bytes of the beacon payload

MAC_BEACON_ORDER

uint8

0-15

How often the coordinator transmits a

beacon. See Section 5.3.10.3.

MAC_BEACON_TX_TIME

uint32

0x000000
0xffffff

MAC_BSN

uint8

0x00
0xff

The beacon sequence number.

MAC_COORD_EXTENDED_ADDRESS

sAddrExt_t

64-bit
address

The extended address of the coordinator

with which the device is associated.

MAC_COORD_SHORT_ADDRESS

uint16

0x0000
0xffff

The short address assigned to the

coordinator with which the device is

17

The number of backoff periods during

which the receiver is enabled following a
beacon in battery life extension mode.

The time the device transmitted its last

beacon frame, in aUnitBackoffPeriod
units.

Copyright 2006-2009 Texas Instruments, Inc. All rights reserved.

802.15.4 MAC API

SWRA192 Version 1.5

associated. A value of
MAC_ADDR_USE_EXT indicates that
the coordinator is using its extended
address.
MAC_DSN

uint8

0x00
0xff

The data or MAC command frame

sequence number.

MAC_GTS_PERMIT

bool

TRUE,
FALSE

TRUE if the PAN coordinator accepts

GTS requests.

MAC_MAX_BE

uint8

3-8, 5

The maximum value of the backoff

exponent in the CSMA-CA algorithm.

MAC_MAX_CSMA_BACKOFFS

uint8

0-5, 4

The maximum number of backoffs the

CSMA-CA algorithm will attempt before
declaring a channel failure.

MAC_MAX_FRAME_TOTAL_WAIT_TIME

uint16

14325776,
1220

The maximum number of CAP symbols

in a beacon-enabled PAN, or symbols in a
non beacon-enabled PAN, to wait for a
frame intended as a response to a data
request command frame.

MAC_MAX_FRAME_RETRIES

uint8

0-7, 3

The maximum number of retries allowed

after a transmission failure.

MAC_MIN_BE

uint8

0-8, 3

The minimum value of the backoff

exponent in the CSMA-CA algorithm.

MAC_PAN_ID

uint16

0x0000
0xffff

The PAN identifier. If this value is

0xffff, the device is not associated.

MAC_PROMISCUOUS_MODE

bool

TRUE,
FALSE

TRUE if the MAC is in promiscuous

mode.

MAC_RESPONSE_WAIT_TIME

uint8

2-64, 32

The maximum number of

aBaseSuperframeDuration intervals a
device shall wait for an associate response
after transmitting an associate request.

MAC_RX_ON_WHEN_IDLE

bool

TRUE,
FALSE

TRUE if the MAC enables its receiver

during idle periods.

MAC_SECURITY_ENABLED

bool

TRUE,
FALSE

TRUE if security is enabled.

MAC_SHORT_ADDRESS

uint16

0x0000
0xffff

The short address that the device uses to

communicate in the PAN. If the device is
a PAN coordinator, this value shall be set
before calling MAC_StartReq().
Otherwise the value is allocated during
association. Value
MAC_ADDR_USE_EXT indicates that the
device is associated but not using a short
address.

MAC_SUPERFRAME_ORDER

uint8

0-15

This specifies the length of the active

portion of the superframe. See Section
5.3.10.3.

MAC_SYNC_SYMBOL_OFFSET

uint8

The timestamp offset from SFD in

symbols.

MAC_TIMESTAMP_SUPPORTED

bool

TRUE,
FALSE

TRUE if the MAC supports RX and TX

timestamps.

MAC_TRANSACTION_PERSISTENCE
_TIME

uint16

0x0000
0xffff,
0x01f4

18

The maximum time in beacon intervals

that a transaction is stored by a
coordinator and indicated in the beacon.

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802.15.4 MAC API

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5.2.5.2 Proprietary Attributes

NAME
MAC_PHY_TRANSMIT_POWER

TYPE
uint8

MAC_PHY_TRANSMIT_POWER_SIGNED

RANGE

DESCRIPTION

0-25
0-11
(CC2590
PA/LNA)
0-19
(CC2591
PA/LNA)

The transmit power in units of -1 dBm if

external PA/LNA is not used. If external
PA/LNA is used, the transmit power is in
uints of +1 dBm.

int8

-25-0-19
0-11
(CC2590
PA/LNA)
0-19
(CC2591
PA/LNA)

The transmit power in units of 1 dBm.

This attribute allows signed dBm value.

MAC_LOGICAL_CHANNEL

uint8

11-26

The logical channel.

MAC_EXTENDED_ADDRESS

sAddrExt_t

64-bit
address

The extended address of the device.

MAC_ALT_BE

uint8

0-8, 1

The alternate minimum value of the

backoff exponent in the CSMA-CA
algorithm.

MAC_DEVICE_BEACON_ORDER

uint8

0-15, 15

How often the device tracks a beacon.

Must be equal to or larger than the
received beacon in order to track
effectively.

5.2.6 Disassociate Reason

This value indicates whether the coordinator or the device itself is the reason for the disassociate procedure.
NAME
MAC_DISASSOC_COORD

The coordinator wishes the device to disassociate.

DESCRIPTION

MAC_DISASSOC_DEVICE

The device itself wishes to disassociate.

5.2.7 Scan Type

The following values indicate the type of scan.
NAME
MAC_SCAN_ED

DESCRIPTION
Energy detect scan. The device will tune to each channel and perform
and energy measurement. The list of channels and their associated
measurements will be returned at the end of the scan.

MAC_SCAN_ACTIVE

Active scan. The device tunes to each channel, sends a beacon request
and listens for beacons. The PAN descriptors are returned at the end of
the scan.

MAC_SCAN_PASSIVE

Passive scan. The device tunes to each channel and listens for beacons.
The PAN descriptors are returned at the end of the scan.

MAC_SCAN_ORPHAN

Orphan scan. The device tunes to each channel and sends an orphan
notification to try and find its coordinator. The status is returned at the
end of the scan.

5.2.8 Special Address Values

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The following special address values are used by the MAC.

NAME
MAC_ADDR_USE_EXT

DESCRIPTION
Short address value indicating extended address is used.

MAC_SHORT_ADDR_BROADCAST Broadcast short address.

MAC_SHORT_ADDR_NONE
Short address when there is no short address.

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5.2.9 Superframe Specification

The superframe specification is an unsigned 16-bit integer with the following contents:
Bits: 0-3
Beacon
order

4-7
Superframe
order

8-11
Final CAP
slot

12
Battery life
extension

13
Reserved

14

15

PAN
coordinator

Association
permit

The following macros are provided to help parse the superframe specification:
MAC_SFS_BEACON_ORDER(s) returns the beacon order.
MAC_SFS_SUPERFRAME_ORDER(s) returns the superframe order.
MAC_SFS_FINAL_CAP_SLOT(s) returns the final CAP slot.
MAC_SFS_BLE(s) returns the battery life extension bit.
MAC_SFS_PAN_COORDINATOR(s) returns the PAN coordinator bit.
MAC_SFS_ASSOCIATION_PERMIT(s) returns the association permit bit.
5.2.10 PAN Descriptor
The PAN descriptor contains information about a network as received in a beacon frame. The PAN descriptor uses
the following structure.
typedef struct
{
sAddr_t
uint16
uint16
uint8
uint8
bool
uint8
uint32
bool
macSec_t
} macPanDesc_t;

coordAddress;
coordPanId;
superframeSpec;
logicalChannel;
channelPage;
gtsPermit;
linkQuality;
timestamp;
securityFailure;
sec;

coordAddress The address of the coordinator sending the beacon.

coordPanId The PAN ID of the network.
superframeSpec The superframe specification of the network. See Section 5.2.10.
logicalChannel The logical channel of the network.
channelPage The current channel page occupied by the network.
gtsPermit TRUE if coordinator accepts GTS requests.
linkQuality The link quality of the received beacon. The value ranges from 0x00 to 0xFF with the higher value
indicating higher link quality. The distribution of link quality values is specific to the hardware implementation.
See the chip data sheet for details.
timestamp The time at which the beacon was received, in aUnitBackoffPeriod units.
securityFailure Set to TRUE if there was an error in the security processing.
sec Security parameters. See 2.3.5.

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5.2.11 Pending Address Specification

The pending address specification is an 8-bit integer with the following format:
Bits: 0-2
Number of short
addresses pending

3
Reserved

4-6
Number of extended
addresses pending

7
Reserved

The following macros are provided the parse the pending address specification:
MAC_PEND_NUM_SHORT(pendAddrSpec) returns the number of short addresses.
MAC_PEND_NUM_EXT(pendAddrSpec) returns the number of extended addresses.
MAC_PEND_FIELDS_LEN(pendAddrSpec) returns the length in bytes of the pending address fields in the
beacon.

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5.3 Function Calls

5.3.1 MAC_MlmeAssociateReq ( )
5.3.1.1 Description
This function sends an associate request to a coordinator device. The application shall attempt to associate only
with a PAN that is currently allowing association, as indicated in the results of the scanning procedure. In a beaconenabled PAN the beacon order must be set by using MAC_MlmeSetReq() before making the call to
MAC_MlmeAssociateReq().
When the associate request is complete the MAC sends a MAC_MLME_ASSOCIATE_CNF to the application.
5.3.1.2 Prototype
void MAC_MlmeAssociateReq(macMlmeAssociateReq_t *pData)

5.3.1.3 Parameter Details

Parameters are passed using the following structure:
typedef struct
{
uint8
uint8
sAddr_t
uint16
uint8
macSec_t

logicalChannel;
channelPage;
coordAddress;
coordPanId;
capabilityInformation;
sec;

} macMlmeAssociateReq_t;
logicalChannel The channel on which to attempt association. See Section 5.2.2.
channelPage The channel page on which to attempt association. See Section 5.2.3.
coordAddress Address of the coordinator with which to associate. See Section 2.3.1.
coordPanId The identifier of the PAN with which to associate.
capabilityInformation The operational capabilities of this device. See Section 5.2.3.
sec The security parameters for this message. See 2.3.5.
5.3.1.4 Return
None.
5.3.2 MAC_MlmeAssociateRsp ( )
5.3.2.1 Description
This function sends an associate response to a device requesting to associate. This function must be called after
receiving a MAC_MLME_ASSOCIATE_IND. When the associate response is complete the MAC sends a
MAC_MLME_COMM_STATUS_IND to the application to indicate the success or failure of the operation.
5.3.2.2 Prototype
uint8 MAC_MlmeAssociateRsp(macMlmeAssociateRsp_t *pData)

5.3.2.3 Parameter Details

Parameters are passed using the following structure:

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typedef struct
{
sAddrExt_t
deviceAddress;
uint16
assocShortAddress;
uint8
status;
macSec_t
sec;
} macMlmeAssociateRsp_t;
deviceAddress The address of the device requesting association.
assocShortAddress The short address allocated to the device. This value is only set if association is successful
and the device requested a short address.
status The status of the association attempt. See Section 2.3.2.
sec Security parameters. See 2.3.5.
5.3.2.4 Return
The status of the request, as follows:
NAME
MAC_SUCCESS

DESCRIPTION
Operation successful.

MAC_NO_RESOURCES

Memory allocation failure.

5.3.3 MAC_MlmeDisassociateReq ( )
5.3.3.1 Description
This function is used by an associated device to notify the coordinator of its intent to leave the PAN. It is also used
by the coordinator to instruct an associated device to leave the PAN. When the disassociate procedure is complete
the MAC sends a MAC_MLME_DISASSOCIATE_CNF to the application.
5.3.3.2 Prototype
void MAC_MlmeDisassociateReq(macMlmeDisassociateReq_t *pData)

5.3.3.3 Parameter Details

Parameters are passed using the following structure:
typedef struct
{
sAddr_t
deviceAddress;
uint16
devicePanId;
uint8
disassociateReason;
bool
txIndirect;
macSec_t
sec;
} macMlmeDisassociateReq_t;
deviceAddress The address of the device with which to disassociate.
devicePanId The PAN ID of the device.
disassociateReason The disassociate reason. See Section 5.2.6.
txIndirect Set to TRUE if the disassociation notification command is to be sent indirectly.
sec The security parameters for this message. See 2.3.5.
5.3.3.4 Return
None.

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5.3.4 MAC_MlmeGetReq ( )
5.3.4.1 Description
This direct execute function retrieves an attribute value from the MAC PIB.
5.3.4.2 Prototype
uint8 MAC_MlmeGetReq(uint8 pibAttribute, void *pValue)

5.3.4.3 Parameter Details

pibAttribute The attribute identifier. See Section 5.2.5.
pValue pointer to the attribute value. The data type for each attribute value is shown in Section 5.2.5.
5.3.4.4 Return
The status of the request, as follows:
NAME
MAC_SUCCESS

DESCRIPTION
Operation successful.

MAC_UNSUPPORTED_ATTRIBUTE

Attribute not found.

5.3.5 MAC_MlmeOrphanRsp ( )
5.3.5.1 Description
This function is called in response to an orphan notification from a peer device. This function must be called after
receiving a MAC_MLME_ORPHAN_IND. When the orphan response is complete the MAC sends a
MAC_MLME_COMM_STATUS_IND to the application to indicate the success or failure of the operation.
5.3.5.2 Prototype
void MAC_MlmeOrphanRsp(macMlmeOrphanRsp_t *pData)
5.3.5.3 Parameter Details
Parameters are passed using the following structure:
typedef struct
{
sAddrExt_t
orphanAddress;
uint16
shortAddress;
bool
associatedMember;
macSec_t
sec;
} macMlmeOrphanRsp_t;
orphanAddress The extended address of the device sending the orphan notification.
shortAddress The short address of the orphaned device. This value is only used if associatedMember is
TRUE. The value MAC_ADDR_USE_EXT indicates the extended address is used instead of the short address.
associatedMember Set to TRUE if the orphaned device is associated with this coordinator.
sec The security parameters for this message. See 2.3.5.
5.3.5.4 Return
None.

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5.3.6 MAC_MlmePollReq ( )
5.3.6.1 Description
This function is used to request pending data from the coordinator. When the poll request is complete the MAC
sends a MAC_MLME_POLL_CNF to the application. If a data frame of nonzero length is received from the
coordinator the MAC sends a MAC_MLME_POLL_CNF with status MAC_SUCCESS and then sends a
MAC_MCPS_DATA_IND with the data.
5.3.6.2 Prototype
void MAC_MlmePollReq(macMlmePollReq_t *pData)

5.3.6.3 Parameter Details

Parameters are passed using the following structure:
typedef struct
{
sAddr_t
coordAddress;
uint16
coordPanId;
macSec_t
sec;
} macMlmePollReq_t;
coordAddress The address of the coordinator device to poll.
coordPanId The PAN ID of the coordinator.
sec The security parameters for this message. See 2.3.5.
5.3.6.4 Return
None.
5.3.7 MAC_MlmeResetReq ( )
This direct execute function resets the MAC. This function must be called once at system startup with
setDefaultPib set to TRUE before any other function in the management API is called.
5.3.7.1 Description
5.3.7.2 Prototype
uint8 MAC_MlmeResetReq(bool setDefaultPib)

5.3.7.3 Parameter Details

setDefaultPib Set to TRUE to reset the MAC PIB to its default values.
5.3.7.4 Return
Returns MAC_SUCCESS always.

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5.3.8 MAC_MlmeScanReq ( )
5.3.8.1 Description
This function initiates an energy detect, active, passive, or orphan scan on one or more channels. An energy detect
scan measures the peak energy on each requested channel. An active scan sends a beacon request on each channel
and then listening for beacons. A passive scan is a receive-only operation that listens for beacons on each channel.
An orphan scan is used to locate the coordinator with which the scanning device had previously associated. When a
scan operation is complete the MAC sends a MAC_MLME_SCAN_CNF to the application.
For active or passive scans the application sets the maxResults parameter the maximum number of PAN
descriptors to return. If maxResults is greater than zero then the application must also set
result.panDescriptor to point to a buffer of size maxResults * sizeof(macPanDesc_t) to store
the results of the scan. The application must not access or deallocate this buffer until it receives a
MAC_MLME_SCAN_CNF. The MAC will store up to maxResults PAN descriptors and ignore duplicate beacons.
An alternative way to get results for an active or passive scan is to set maxResults to zero or set PIB attribute
MAC_AUTO_REQUEST to FALSE. Then the MAC will not store results but rather send a
MAC_MLME_BEACON_NOTIFY_IND for each beacon received. The application will not need to supply any
memory to store the scan results but the MAC will not filter out duplicate beacons.
For energy detect scans the application must set result.energyDetect to point to a buffer of size 18 bytes to
store the results of the scan. The application must not access or deallocate this buffer until is receives a
MAC_MLME_SCAN_CNF.
An energy detect, active or passive scan may be performed at any time if a scan is not already in progress. However
a device cannot perform any other MAC management operation or send or receive MAC data until the scan is
complete.
5.3.8.2 Prototype
void MAC_MlmeScanReq(macMlmeScanReq_t *pData)

5.3.8.3 Parameter Details

Parameters are passed using the following structure:
typedef struct
{
uint32
scanChannels;
uint8
scanType;
uint8
scanDuration;
uint8
channelPage;
uint8
maxResults;
macSec_t
sec;
{
uint8
*pEnergyDetect;
macPanDesc_t *pPanDescriptor;
} result;
} macMlmeScanReq_t;
scanChannels Bit mask indicating which channels to scan. See Section 5.2.1.
scanType The type of scan. See Section 5.2.7.
scanDuration The exponent used in the scan duration calculation. The scan duration is calculated as follows:
scan duration (ms) = (aBaseSuperframeDuration ms) * (2 scanDuration + 1)
Valid range is 0-14.

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channelPage The channel page on which to perform the scan. See Section 5.2.3.
maxResults The maximum number of PAN descriptor results to return for an active or passive scan. This
parameter is ignored for energy detect and orphan scans.
sec The security parameters for orphan scan. See 2.3.5.
result.pEnergyDetect Pointer to a buffer to store energy detect measurements. This value is only used for energy
detect scans.
result.pPanDescriptor Pointer to a buffer to store PAN descriptors. This value is only used for active and
passive scans.
5.3.8.4 Return
None.
5.3.9 MAC_MlmeSetReq ( )
This direct execute function sets an attribute value in the MAC PIB.
5.3.9.1 Description
5.3.9.2 Prototype
uint8 MAC_MlmeSetReq(uint8 pibAttribute, void *pValue)

5.3.9.3 Parameter Details

pibAttribute The attribute identifier. See Section 5.2.5.
pValue pointer to the attribute value. The data type for each attribute value is shown in Section 5.2.5.
5.3.9.4 Return
The status of the request, as follows:

28

NAME
MAC_SUCCESS

DESCRIPTION
Operation successful.

MAC_UNSUPPORTED_ATTRIBUTE

Attribute identifier unsupported.

MAC_INVALID_PARAMETER

Value out of range.

MAC_READ_ONLY

Attribute is read-only.

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5.3.10 MAC_MlmeStartReq ( )
5.3.10.1 Description
This function is called by a coordinator or PAN coordinator to start or reconfigure a network. Before starting a
network the device must have set its short address. A PAN coordinator sets the short address by setting the attribute
MAC_SHORT_ADDRESS. A coordinator sets the short address through association.
When parameter panCoordinator is TRUE, the MAC automatically sets attributes MAC_PAN_ID and
MAC_LOGICAL_CHANNEL to the panId and logicalChannel parameters. If panCoordinator is FALSE,
these parameters are ignored (they would already be set through association).
The parameter beaconOrder controls whether the network is beacon-enabled or non beacon-enabled. For a
beacon-enabled network this parameter also controls the beacon transmission interval.
When the operation is complete the MAC sends a MAC_MLME_START_CNF to the application.
5.3.10.2 Prototype
void MAC_MlmeStartReq(macMlmeStartReq_t *pData)

5.3.10.3 Parameter Details

Parameters are passed using the following structure:
typedef struct
{
uint32
startTime;
uint16
panId;
uint8
logicalChannel;
uint8
channelPage;
uint8
beaconOrder;
uint8
superframeOrder;
bool
panCoordinator;
bool
batteryLifeExt;
bool
coordRealignment;
macSec_t
realignSec;
macSec_t
beaconSec;
} macMlmeStartReq_t;
startTime The time to begin transmitting beacons relative to the received beacon. This parameter is ignored if the
device is a PAN coordinator or when starting a non beacon-enabled network. The time is specified in symbol
periods and is rounded to the nearest aUnitBackoffPeriod symbol periods.
panId The PAN ID to use. This parameter is ignored if panCoordinator is FALSE.
logicalChannel The logical channel to use. See Section 5.2.2. This parameter is ignored if panCoordinator
is FALSE.
channelPage The channel page to use. See Section 5.2.3. This parameter is ignored if panCoordinator is
FALSE.
beaconOrder The exponent used to calculate the beacon interval. The beacon interval is calculated as follows:
interval (ms) = (aBaseSuperframeDuration ms) * 2 beaconOrder
Valid range is 0-14. For a non beacon-enabled network set to 15.
superframeOrder The exponent used to calculate the superframe duration. The superfame duration is calculated
with the same equation as the beacon interval. The superframeOrder must be less than or equal to the

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beaconOrder. It can also be set to 15 to configure a network that sends a beacon but has no CAP. For a non
beacon-enabled network this value is ignored.
panCoordinator Set to TRUE to start a network as PAN coordinator.
batteryLifeExt If this value is TRUE, the receiver is disabled after MAC_BATT_LIFE_EXT_PERIODS full
backoff periods following the interframe spacing period of the beacon frame. This parameter is ignored for non
beacon-enabled networks.
coordRealignment Set to TRUE to transmit a coordinator realignment prior to changing the superframe
configuration.
realignSec Security parameters for the coordinator realignment frame. See 2.3.5. This parameter is ignored if
coordRealignment is FALSE.
beaconSec Security parameters for the beacon frame. See 2.3.5.
5.3.10.4 Return
None.

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5.3.11 MAC_MlmeSyncReq ( )
5.3.11.1 Description
This function requests the MAC to synchronize with the coordinator by acquiring and optionally tracking its
beacons. Synchronizing with the coordinator is recommended before associating in a beacon-enabled network. If
the beacon could not be located on its initial search or during tracking, the MAC sends a
MAC_MLME_SYNC_LOSS_IND to the application with status MAC_BEACON_LOSS.
Before calling this function the application must set PIB attributes MAC_BEACON_ORDER, MAC_PAN_ID and
either MAC_COORD_SHORT_ADDRESS or MAC_COORD_EXTENDED_ADDRESS to the address of the coordinator
with which to synchronize.
The application may wish to set PIB attribute MAC_AUTO_REQUEST to FALSE before calling this function. Then
when the MAC successfully synchronizes with the coordinator it will send the application a
MAC_MLME_BEACON_NOTIFY_IND. After receiving the event the application may set MAC_AUTO_REQUEST to
TRUE to stop receiving beacon notifications.
This function is only applicable to beacon-enabled networks.
5.3.11.2 Prototype
void MAC_MlmeSyncReq(macMlmeSyncReq_t *pData)

5.3.11.3 Parameter Details

Parameters are passed using the following structure:
typedef struct
{
uint8
logicalChannel;
uint8
channelPage;
bool
trackBeacon;
} macMlmeSyncReq_t;
logicalChannel The logical channel to use. See Section 5.2.2.
channelPage The channel page to use. See Section 5.2.3.
trackBeacon Set to TRUE to continue tracking beacons after synchronizing with the first beacon. Set to FALSE
to only synchronize with the first beacon. If already tracking beacons, set to FALSE to stop tracking.
5.3.11.4 Return
None.

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5.4 Callback Function Events

5.4.1 MAC_MLME_ASSOCIATE_IND
5.4.1.1 Description
This event is sent to the application when the MAC receives an associate request from another device. The
application must call MAC_MlmeAssociateRsp()after receiving this event. This event will only be sent to FFD
applications which set PIB attribute MAC_ASSOCIATION_PERMIT to TRUE.
5.4.1.2 Parameter Details
Parameters are passed in the following structure:
typedef struct
{
macEventHdr_t
hdr;
sAddrExt_t
deviceAddress;
uint8
capabilityInformation;
macSec_t
sec;
} macMlmeAssociateInd_t;
hdr The event header.
deviceAddress The address of the device requesting association.
capabilityInformation The operational capabilities of the device requesting association. See Section 5.2.3.
sec The security parameters for this message. See 2.3.5.
5.4.2 MAC_MLME_ASSOCIATE_CNF
5.4.2.1 Description
This event is sent to the application in response to a MAC_MlmeAssociateReq(). The event indicates the status
of the associate attempt. If the associate was successful and a short address was requested then the short address is
included in the event. Otherwise the short address parameter is not valid.
5.4.2.2 Parameter Details
Parameters are passed in the following structure:
typedef struct
{
macEventHdr_t
hdr;
uint16
assocShortAddress;
macSec_t
sec;
} macMlmeAssociateCnf_t;
hdr.status The status of the associate attempt. Set to MAC_SUCCESS if successful. Otherwise, the status
parameter indicates an error code received from the peer device (see Section 2.3.2) or one of the following error
codes generated internally by the MAC:

32

NAME
MAC_CHANNEL_ACCESS_FAILURE

DESCRIPTION
Data transmission failed because of congestion on the channel.

MAC_INVALID_PARAMETER

The API function parameter is out of range.

MAC_NO_ACK

No acknowledgement was received from the peer device.

MAC_NO_DATA

No associate response was received from the peer device.

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assocShortAddress If successful, the short address allocated to this device.

sec The security parameters for this message. See 2.3.5.
5.4.3 MAC_MLME_DISASSOCIATE_IND
5.4.3.1 Description
This event is sent to the application to indicate that the device has been disassociated from the network.
5.4.3.2 Parameter Details
Parameters are passed using the following structure:
typedef struct
{
macEventHdr_t
hdr;
sAddrExt_t
deviceAddress;
uint8
disassociateReason;
macSec_t
sec;
} macMlmeDisassociateInd_t;
deviceAddress The address of the device sending the disassociate command.
disassociateReason The disassociate reason. See Section 5.2.6.
sec The security parameters for this message. See 2.3.5.
5.4.4 MAC_MLME_DISASSOCIATE_CNF
5.4.4.1 Description
This event is sent to the application in response to a MAC_MlmeDisassociateReq(). The event indicates the
status of the disassociate attempt.
5.4.4.2 Parameter Details
Parameters are passed using the following structure:
typedef struct
{
macEventHdr_t
hdr;
sAddr_t
deviceAddress;
uint16
panId;
} macMlmeDisassociateCnf_t;
hdr.status The status of the disassociate attempt, as follows:
NAME
MAC_SUCCESS

DESCRIPTION
Operation successful.

MAC_CHANNEL_ACCESS_FAILURE

Data transmission failed because of congestion on the channel.

MAC_INVALID_PARAMETER

The API function parameter is out of range.

MAC_NO_ACK

No acknowledgement was received from the peer device.

MAC_TRANSACTION_EXPIRED

Transmission failed because the peer device did not respond before
the transaction expired.

MAC_TRANSACTION_OVERFLOW

MAC data buffers are full.

deviceAddress The address of the device that has either requested disassociation or been instructed to
disassociate by its coordinator.
panId The PAN ID of the device that has either requested disassociation or been instructed to disassociate by its
coordinator.

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5.4.5 MAC_MLME_BEACON_NOTIFY_IND
5.4.5.1 Description
This event is sent to the application when the MAC receives a beacon frame and the beacon contains payload data
or attribute MAC_AUTO_REQUEST is set to FALSE. The event also contains an LQI measurement and the time the
beacon was received in addition to the beacon information.
5.4.5.2 Parameter Details
Parameters are passed in the following structure:
typedef struct
{
macEventHdr_t hdr;
uint8
bsn;
macPanDesc_t
*pPanDesc;
uint8
pendAddrSpec;
uint8
*pAddrList;
uint8
sduLength;
uint8
*pSdu;
} macMlmeBeaconNotifyInd_t;
bsn The beacon sequence number.
pPanDesc The PAN descriptor for the received beacon. See Section 5.2.10.
pendAddrSpec The beacon pending address specification. See Section 5.2.11.
pAddrList The list of device addresses for which the sender of the beacon has data. The length of the list can be
determined with macro MAC_PEND_FIELDS_LEN(), see Section 5.2.11.
sduLength The number of bytes in the beacon payload of the beacon frame.
pSdu The beacon payload.
5.4.6 MAC_MLME_ORPHAN_IND
5.4.6.1 Description
This event is sent to the application when the MAC receives an orphan notification from another device. The
application must call MAC_MlmeOrphanRsp() after receiving this event. This event will only be sent to FFD
applications.
5.4.6.2 Parameter Details
Parameters are passed using the following structure:
typedef struct
{
macEventHdr_t
hdr;
sAddrExt_t
orphanAddress;
macSec_t
sec;
} macMlmeOrphanInd_t;
orphanAddress The address of the orphaned device.
sec Security parameters for this message. See 2.3.5.

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5.4.7 MAC_MLME_SCAN_CNF
5.4.7.1 Description
This event is sent to the application in response to a MAC_MlmeScanReq() when the scan operation is complete.
The event indicates the status of the scan. For an energy detect scan a list of energy measurements is returned. For
an active or passive scan a list of PAN descriptors is returned.
5.4.7.2 Parameter Details
Parameters are passed using the following structure:
typedef struct
{
macEventHdr_t
hdr;
uint8
scanType;
uint8
channelPage;
uint32
unscannedChannels;
uint8
resultListSize;
union
{
uint8
*pEnergyDetect;
macPanDesc_t *pPanDescriptor;
} result;
} macMlmeScanCnf_t;
hdr.status The status of the scan request, as follows:
NAME
MAC_SUCCESS

DESCRIPTION
Operation successful.

MAC_INVALID_PARAMETER

The API function parameter is out of range.

MAC_NO_BEACON

The active or passive scan failed because no beacons were

received or the orphan scan failed because no coordinator
realignment was received.

scanType The type of scan requested. See Section 5.2.7.

channelPage The channel page of the scan. See Section 5.2.3.
unscannedChannels Bit mask of channels that were not scanned. See Section 5.2.2.
resultListSize The number of elements returned in the results list. This value is not used if scanType is
MAC_SCAN_ORPHAN.
result.pEnergyDetect The list of energy measurements, one for each channel scanned. This value is only used if
scanType is MAC_SCAN_ED. The distribution of energy values is specific to the hardware implementation. See the
hardware data sheet for details.
result.pPanDescriptor The list of PAN descriptors, one for each beacon found. See Section 5.2.10. This value
is only used if the scanType is MAC_SCAN_ACTIVE or MAC_SCAN_PASSIVE.

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5.4.8 MAC_MLME_START_CNF
5.4.8.1 Description
This event is sent to the application in response to a MAC_MlmeStartReq(). The event indicates the status of
the start request.
5.4.8.2 Parameter Details
Parameters are passed using the following structure:
typedef struct
{
macEventHdr_t
hdr;
} macMlmeStartCnf_t;
hdr.status The status of start request, as follows:
NAME

DESCRIPTION

MAC_SUCCESS

Operation successful.

MAC_INVALID_PARAMETER

The API function parameter is out of range.

MAC_NO_SHORT_ADDRESS

The device does not have a short address.

MAC_SUPERFRAME_OVERLAP

The beacon start time overlapped the coordinator

transmission time.

5.4.9 MAC_MLME_SYNC_LOSS_IND
5.4.9.1 Description
This event is sent to the application when the MAC loses synchronization with the coordinator or has a PAN ID
conflict. The status indicates the reason for the event.
5.4.9.2 Parameter Details
Parameters are passed using the following structure:
typedef struct
{
macEventHdr_t
hdr;
uint16
panId;
uint8
logicalChannel;
uint8
channelPage;
macSec_t
sec;
} macMlmeSyncLossInd_t;
hdr.status The reason that synchronization was lost, as follows:
NAME
MAC_BEACON_LOSS
MAC_PAN_ID_CONFLICT
MAC_REALIGNMENT

DESCRIPTION
The beacon was lost following a synchronization request.
A PAN identifier conflict has been detected.
A coordinator realignment command has been received.

panId The PAN ID of the realignment.

logicalChannel The logical channel of the realignment.
channelPage The channel page of the realignment.
sec Security parameters for this message. See 2.3.5.

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802.15.4 MAC API

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5.4.10 MAC_MLME_POLL_CNF
5.4.10.1 Description
This event is sent to the application in response to a MAC_MlmePollReq(). If the poll request was successful
and data was received the status is set to MAC_SUCESS. If the poll request was successful and no data was received
the status is set to MAC_NO_DATA. Other status values indicate failure as described below.
5.4.10.2 Parameter Details
Parameters are passed using the following structure:
typedef struct
{
macEventHdr_t
hdr;
} macMlmePollCnf_t;
hdr.status The status of the poll request, as follows:
NAME
MAC_SUCCESS

DESCRIPTION
Operation successful.

MAC_CHANNEL_ACCESS_FAILURE

Failed because of congestion on the channel.

MAC_INVALID_PARAMETER

The API function parameter is out of range.

MAC_NO_ACK

No acknowledgement was received from the peer device.

MAC_NO_DATA

No data was received from the peer device.

5.4.11 MAC_MLME_COMM_STATUS_IND
5.4.11.1 Description
This event is sent to the application for various reasons. It indicates the status of a MAC_MlmeAssociateRsp()
or MAC_MlmeOrphanRsp(). It also indicates the MAC has received a secure frame that generated an error
during security processing.
5.4.11.2 Parameter Details
Parameters are passed using the following structure:
typedef struct
{
macEventHdr_t
hdr;
sAddr_t
srcAddr;
sAddr_t
dstAddr;
uint16
panId;
uint8
reason;
macSec_t
sec;
} macMlmeCommStatusInd_t;
hdr.status The status for this event, as follows:
NAME
MAC_CHANNEL_ACCESS_FAILURE

37

DESCRIPTION
The response frame failed because of activity on the channel.

MAC_FRAME_TOO_LONG

The response frame or received frame is too long to be processed

by the MAC.

MAC_INVALID_PARAMETER

The API function parameter is out of range.

MAC_NO_ACK

The response frame failed because no acknowledgement was

received.

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MAC_TRANSACTION_EXPIRED

The response frame failed because the peer device did not respond
before the transaction expired or was purged.

MAC_TRANSACTION_OVERFLOW

The response frame failed because MAC data buffers are full.

srcAddr The source address associated with the event.

dstAddr The destination address associated with the event.
panId The PAN ID associated with the event.
reason The reason the event was generated. This parameter is not defined in [1] but may be used to distinguish
between the different uses of the event. Values are as follows:
NAME
MAC_COMM_ASSOCIATE_RSP

DESCRIPTION
Event sent in response to MAC_AssociateRsp().

MAC_COMM_ORPHAN_RSP

Event sent in response to MAC_OrphanRsp().

MAC_COMM_RX_SECURE

Event sent as a result of receiving a secure frame.

sec Security parameters for this message. See 2.3.5.

5.4.12 MAC_MLME_POLL_IND
5.4.12.1 Description
This event is sent to the application only when the MAC is configured for queueing of indirect data in the
application by setting macCfg.appPendingQueue to TRUE. If set to FALSE (the default), this event is never
sent to the application.
This event is sent to the application when a data request command frame is received from another device. The
application should call MAC_McpsDataReq() to send data to that device with TX option
MAC_TXOPTION_NO_RETRANS set. If the application has no data for that device it should send zero-length data
with TX options MAC_TXOPTION_NO_CNF and MAC_TXOPTION_NO_RETRANS set.
5.4.12.2 Parameter Details
Parameters are passed using the following structure:
typedef struct
{
macEventHdr_t
hdr;
uint16
srcShortAddr;
uint16
srcPanId;
} macMlmePollInd_t;
srcShortAddr The short address of the device requesting data.
srcPanId The PAN ID of the device requesting data.

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6. Extension Interface
6.1 Introduction
The extension interface provides an API for additional software features that are not defined by the 802.15.4
specification, such as power management.
6.2 Common Constants and Structures
6.2.1 Power Mode
The following values indicate the power mode of the MAC. The difference between lite and deep sleep modes
is dependent on the hardware being used. In general, the wakeup time for deep sleep is longer than lite sleep. See
the chip data sheet for details.
NAME

DESCRIPTION

MAC_PWR_ON

MAC and radio hardware is powered on.

MAC_PWR_SLEEP_LITE

MAC and radio hardware are partially powered off.

MAC_PWR_SLEEP_DEEP

MAC and radio hardware are fully powered off.

6.3 Function Calls

6.3.1 MAC_PwrOffReq ( )
6.3.1.1 Description
This function requests the MAC to power off the radio hardware and go to sleep. If the MAC is able to power off it
will execute its power off procedure and return MAC_SUCCESS. If the MAC is unable to sleep it will return
MAC_DENIED. The MAC is unable to sleep when it is executing certain procedures, such as a scan, data request,
or association. If this function is called when the MAC is already in sleep mode it will return MAC_SUCCESS but
do nothing.
When the MAC is in sleep mode the application must not call any MAC API function besides power management
functions until the MAC is awake.
6.3.1.2 Prototype
uint8 MAC_PwrOffReq(uint8 mode)
6.3.1.3 Parameter Details
mode The desired low power mode, either MAC_PWR_SLEEP_LITE or MAC_PWR_SLEEP_DEEP. See Section
6.2.1.
6.3.1.4 Return
The status of the request, as follows:

39

NAME
MAC_SUCCESS

DESCRIPTION
Operation successful; the MAC is powered off.

MAC_DENIED

The MAC was not able to power off.

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802.15.4 MAC API

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6.3.2 MAC_PwrOnReq ( )
6.3.2.1 Description
This function requests the MAC to power on the radio hardware and wake up. The function powers on the radio
hardware, blocking until completion.
6.3.2.2 Prototype
void MAC_PwrOnReq(void)
6.3.2.3 Parameter Details
None.
6.3.2.4 Return
None.

6.3.3 MAC_PwrMode ( )
6.3.3.1 Description
This function returns the current power mode of the MAC.
6.3.3.2 Prototype
uint8 MAC_PwrMode(void)
6.3.3.3 Parameter Details
None.
6.3.3.4 Return
NAME

DESCRIPTION

MAC_PWR_ON

MAC and radio hardware is powered on.

MAC_PWR_SLEEP_LITE

MAC and radio hardware are partially powered off.

MAC_PWR_SLEEP_DEEP

MAC and radio hardware are fully powered off.

6.3.4 MAC_PwrNextTimeout ( )
6.3.4.1 Description
This function returns the next MAC timer expiration in aUnitBackoffPeriod units. If no timer is running it returns
zero.
6.3.4.2 Prototype
uint32 MAC_PwrNextTimeout(void)
6.3.4.3 Parameter Details
None.
6.3.4.4 Return
The next MAC timer expiration in aUnitBackoffPeriod units or zero if no timer is running.

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802.15.4 MAC API

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6.3.5 MAC_RandomByte ( )
6.3.5.1 Description
This function returns a random byte from the MAC random number generator.
6.3.5.2 Prototype
uint8 MAC_RandomByte(void)
6.3.5.3 Parameter Details
None.
6.3.5.4 Return
A random byte.

6.3.6 MAC_SrcMatchEnable
6.3.6.1 Description
This function enables/disables Autopend and source address matching.
6.3.6.2 Prototype
uint8 MAC_SrcMatchEnable ( uint8 addrType, uint8 num

6.3.6.3 Parameter Details

addrType Address type that the application uses SADDR_MODE_SHORT or SADDR_MODE_EXT.
num Number of source address table entries to be used.
6.3.6.4 Return
NAME
MAC_SUCCESS

DESCRIPTION
Operation successful

MAC_INVALID_PARAMETER

Invalid parameter

6.3.7 MAC_SrcMatchAddEntry
6.3.7.1 Description
This function adds a short or extended address to source address table which can be used to configure the frame
pending subfield of the acknowledgment frame.
6.3.7.2 Prototype
uint8 MAC_SrcMatchAddEntry ( sAddr_t *addr, uint16 panID )
6.3.7.3 Parameter Details
addr A pointer to sAddr_t which contains addrMode and a union of a short 16-bit MAC address or an extended
64-bit MAC address to be added to the source address table.
panID Device PAN ID. It is only used when the addr is using short address.
6.3.7.4 Return
NAME
MAC_SUCCESS

41

DESCRIPTION
Operation successful

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802.15.4 MAC API

SWRA192 Version 1.5

MAC_NO_RESOURCES

Address table is full.

MAC_DUPLICATED_ENTRY

The address is already in the source address table

MAC_INVALID_PARAMETER

Invalid parameter

6.3.8 MAC_SrcMatchDeleteEntry
6.3.8.1 Description
This function deletes a short or extended address from source address table which can be used to configure the
frame pending subfield of the acknowledgment frame.
6.3.8.2 Prototype
uint8 MAC_SrcMatchDeleteEntry ( sAddr_t *addr, uint16 panID )
6.3.8.3 Parameter Details
addr A pointer to sAddr_t which contains addrMode and a union of a short 16-bit MAC address or an extended
64-bit MAC address to be added to the source address table.
panID Device PAN ID. It is only used when the addr is using short address.
6.3.8.4 Return
NAME
MAC_SUCCESS
MAC_INVALID_PARAMETER

DESCRIPTION
Operation successful.
Address to be deleted cannot be found in the source address
table

6.3.9 MAC_SrcMatchAckAllPending
6.3.9.1 Description
This function enables/disables acknowledging all packets with pending bit set. The application normally enables it
when adding new entries to the source address table fails due to the table is full, or disables it when more entries are
deleted and the table has empty slots.
6.3.9.2 Prototype
void MAC_SrcMatchAckAllPending ( uint8 option

6.3.9.3 Parameter Details

option acknowledging all packets with pending field set (TRUE) or acknowledging all packets with pending field
cleared (FALSE).
6.3.9.4 Return
None.

6.3.10 MAC_SrcMatchCheckAllPending
6.3.10.1 Description
This function checks if acknowledging all packets with pending bit set is enabled.
6.3.10.2 Prototype
uint8 MAC_SrcMatchCheckAllPending ( void )

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6.3.10.3 Parameter Details

None
6.3.10.4 Return
NAME
MAC_AUTOACK_PENDING_ALL_ON

DESCRIPTION
Pending all is enabled

MAC_AUTOACK_PENDING_ALL_OFF Pending all is disabled

6.4 Callback Function Events

6.4.1 MAC_PWR_ON_CNF
6.4.1.1 Description
This event is currently unused.

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802.15.4 MAC API

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7. Callback Interface
7.1.1 MAC_CbackEvent ( )
7.1.1.1 Description
This callback function sends MAC events to the application.
The application must implement this function. A typical implementation of this function would allocate an OSAL
message, copy the event parameters to the message, and send the message to the applications OSAL event handler.
This function may be executed from task or interrupt context and therefore must be reentrant.
7.1.1.2 Prototype
void MAC_CbackEvent(macCbackEvent_t *pData)

7.1.1.3 Parameter Details

Parameters are passed using the following union. There is a data type for each event.
typedef struct
{
uint8
event;
uint8
status;
} macEventHdr_t;
typedef union
{
macEventHdr_t
macMlmeAssociateInd_t
macMlmeAssociateCnf_t
macMlmeDisassociateInd_t
macMlmeDisassociateCnf_t
macMlmeBeaconNotifyInd_t
macMlmeOrphanInd_t
macMlmeScanCnf_t
macMlmeStartCnf_t
macMlmeSyncLossInd_t
macMlmePollCnf_t
macMlmeCommStatusInd_t
macMlmePollInd_t
macMcpsDataCnf_t
macMcpsDataInd_t
macMcpsPurgeCnf_t
} macCbackEvent_t;

44

hdr;
associateInd;
associateCnf;
disassociateInd;
disassociateCnf;
beaconNotifyInd;
orphanInd;
scanCnf;
startCnf;
syncLossInd;
pollCnf;
commStatusInd;
pollInd;
dataCnf;
dataInd;
purgeCnf;

Copyright 2006-2009 Texas Instruments, Inc. All rights reserved.

802.15.4 MAC API

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The hdr.event field is set to the following values:

NAME
MAC_MLME_ASSOCIATE_IND

DESCRIPTION
Associate indication.

MAC_MLME_ASSOCIATE_CNF

Associate confirm.

MAC_MLME_DISASSOCIATE_IND

Disassociate indication.

MAC_MLME_DISASSOCIATE_CNF

Disassociate confirm.

MAC_MLME_BEACON_NOTIFY_IND

Beacon notify indication.

MAC_MLME_ORPHAN_IND

Orphan indication.

MAC_MLME_SCAN_CNF

Scan confirm.

MAC_MLME_START_CNF

Start confirm.

MAC_MLME_SYNC_LOSS_IND

Sync loss indication.

MAC_MLME_POLL_CNF

Poll confirm.

MAC_MLME_COMM_STATUS_IND

Communication status indication.

MAC_MLME_POLL_IND

Poll indication.

MAC_MCPS_DATA_CNF

Data confirm.

MAC_MCPS_DATA_IND

Data indication.

MAC_MCPS_PURGE_CNF

Purge confirm.

MAC_PWR_ON_CNF

Power on confirm.

7.1.1.4 Return
None.
7.1.2 MAC_CbackCheckPending ( )
7.1.2.1 Description
This callback function returns the number of pending indirect messages queued in the application. Most
applications do not queue indirect data and can simply always return zero. The number of pending indirect
messages only needs to be returned if macCfg.appPendingQueue to TRUE.
The application must implement this function if it chooses not to use the Autopend feature. When Autopend is
enabled, the return value of this function is ignored in low level TIMAC. Otherwise, it is critical that the
application implement this function to be as fast as possible; for example, just returning the value of a global
variable.
7.1.2.2 Prototype
uint8 MAC_CbackCheckPending(void)

7.1.2.3 Parameter Details

None.
7.1.2.4 Return
The number of indirect messages queued in the application or zero.

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802.15.4 MAC API

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8. Configuration
8.1 Configuration Constants
The MAC uses a structure containing various user-configurable parameters. This structure is called macCfg and is
in file mac_cfg.c. The structure is defined as follows.
typedef struct
{
uint8
txDataMax;
uint8
txMax;
uint8
rxMax;
uint8
dataIndOffset;
bool
appPendingQueue;
} macCfg_t;
NAME

DESCRIPTION

RANGE

DEFAUL
T

txDataMax

Maximum number of data frames queued in the

transmit data queue.

1-255

txMax

Maximum number of frames of all types queued

in the transmit data queue.

1-255

rxMax

Maximum number of frames queued in the

receive data queue.

1-255

dataIndOffset

Allocate additional bytes in the data indication for

application-defined headers.

0-127

appPendingQueue

When TRUE, a MAC_MLME_POLL_IND will be

sent to the application when a data request
command frame is received from another device.

TRUEFALSE

FALSE

8.2 Compile-Time Configuration

The MAC source code has certain compile-time configurable parameters. To use these parameters most effectively
the full source code release of the MAC is recommended.
NAME

46

DESCRIPTION

RANGE

DEFAUL
T

MAC_NO_PARAM_CHECK

When FALSE, parameters to API functions

are checked as required by [1]. When
TRUE the parameter checking code is
compiled out. Code size can be reduced
slightly by setting to TRUE.

TRUE,
FALSE

FALSE

MACNODEBUG

When defined, MAC_ASSERT() run-time

error checking is enabled. When undefined
this code is compiled out. Code size can be
reduced slightly when defined.

N/A

undefined

MAC_RX_ONOFF_DEBUG_LED

When TRUE, an LED is turned on and off

when the receiver is turned on and off

TRUE,
FALSE

FALSE

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802.15.4 MAC API

SWRA192 Version 1.5

9. Scenarios
This section contains scenarios that provide additional information about the operation of the API. Each scenario
had a ladder diagram that illustrates how API functions and callback events operate.
9.1 Non beacon-enabled network Start
This scenario shows a PAN coordinator device starting a non beacon-enabled network. It first resets the MAC on
device startup. Then it performs an energy detect scan to find an unused channel. Then it performs an active scan
to find the channel with the lowest number of active networks. After the scan it sets the MAC attributes it needs to
start a network: the short address, beacon payload, and associate permit flag. Then it starts a non beacon-enabled
network.

Figure 2. Non beacon-enabled network start.

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9.2 Non beacon-enabled network Scan and Associate

This scenario shows a device connecting to a non beacon-enabled network. The device performs an active scan,
broadcasting a beacon request on each channel. When the coordinator receives the beacon request it sends a
beacon. When the scan is complete the MAC sends a MAC_MLME_SCAN_CNF with the PAN descriptors it has
received during the scan. The device application examines the PAN descriptors and selects a coordinator. The
coordinator application receives a MAC_MLME_ASSOCIATE_IND and calls MAC_MlmeAssociateRsp()
allowing the device to associate. The device application receives a MAC_MLME_ASSOCIATE_CNF indicating
success. The device application then sets the MAC short address attribute.
Device

MAC

MAC

MAC_MlmeScanReq()
[active scan]

Coordinator

non-beacon network started

Tune to
channel
beacon request
broadcast
Tune to
channel
beacon request
broadcast
beacon

MAC_MLME_SCAN_CNF
Select
coordinator
MAC_MlmeAssociateReq()

associate request
MAC_MLME_ASSOCIATE_IND
MAC_MlmeAssociateRsp()

data request and associate response

MAC_MLME_ASSOCIATE_CNF

MAC_MLME_COMM_STATUS_IND

Figure 3. Device connecting to a non beacon-enabled network.

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9.3 Beacon-enabled network Scan and Sync

This scenario shows a device synchronizing to a beacon-enabled network. First the device performs a passive scan,
tuning to each channel and listening for beacons. When a beacon is received the MAC sends a
MAC_MLME_BEACON_NOTIFY_IND. When the scan is complete the MAC sends a MAC_MLME_SCAN_CNF.
The application examines the PAN descriptors, selects a coordinator and sets the coordinator short address, beacon
order, and PAN ID. Then the application attempts to synchronize with the coordinator. When the MAC has
successfully received the coordinators beacon and synchronized it sends a MAC_MLME_BEACON_NOTIFY_IND.
At this point the application sets PIB attribute MAC_AUTO_REQUEST to TRUE to prevent further beacon notify
indications. After a while the MAC loses synchronization and after four beacon periods it sends a
MAC_MLME_SYNC_LOSS_IND to the application.

Figure 4. Beacon-enabled network scan and sync.

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802.15.4 MAC API

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9.4 Orphan Procedure

This scenario shows a device performing an orphan scan and successful orphan procedure the coordinator. The
device performs an orphan scan, broadcasting an orphan notification on each channel. When the orphan notification
is received by the coordinator the MAC sends a MAC_MLME_ORPHAN_IND to the application. The application
allows the orphan and calls MAC_MlmeOrphanRsp(). The coordinator sends a coordinator realignment message
to the device. Upon receiving the message the orphan procedure is complete and the MAC sends a
MAC_MLME_SCAN_CNF to the application. The application then sets the short address attribute.
Device
Application

MAC

Coordinator
Application

MAC

MAC_MlmeScanReq()
[orphan scan]

non beacon-enabled network started

Tune to
channel
orphan notification
Tune to
channel
orphan notification
MAC_MLME_ORPHAN_IND
MAC_MlmeOrphanRsp()

coordinator realignment
MAC_MLME_SCAN_CNF

MAC_MLME_COMM_STATUS_IND
[MAC_SUCCESS]

Figure 5. Orphan procedure.

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9.5 Direct Data Transactions

This scenario shows various direct data transactions between an FFD device and a coordinator. A basic data
transaction is as follows: The device application calls MAC_McpsDataReq() to send a data frame. The MAC
transmits this frame and receives an acknowledgement. The MAC sends the device application a
MAC_MCPS_DATA_CNF with status indicating success. On the receiving side, the MAC sends the coordinator
application A MAC_MCPS_DATA_IND containing the received data frame.
In the next part of the scenario the application calls MAC_McpsDataReq() three times without waiting for a
MAC_MCPS_DATA_CNF. After the third call the MAC sends a MAC_MCPS_DATA_CNF with status indicating it is
congested and could not send the third data frame. The MAC then transmits the first data frame successfully. Upon
receiving the MAC_MCPS_DATA_CNF, the application calls MAC_McpsDataReq() to send the third frame again.
The MAC then attempts to transmit the second frame; the frame is not acknowledged so MAC send a
MAC_MCPS_DATA_CNF with failure status MAC_NO_ACK. The MAC then transmits the third frame successfully.
Device

MAC

MAC

Coordinator

device associated to coordinator

MAC_McpsDataReq(mdsuHandle=0)
data transmitted and acknowledged
MAC_MCPS_DATA_CNF
[MAC_SUCCESS]
[mdsuHandle=0]

MAC_MCPS_DATA_IND

MAC_McpsDataReq(msduHandle=1)
MAC_McpsDataReq(mdsuHandle=2)
MAC_McpsDataReq(mdsuHandle=3)

MAC_MCPS_DATA_CNF
[MAC_TRANSACTION_OVERFLOW]
[mdsuHandle=3]
data transmitted and acknowledged
MAC_MCPS_DATA_CNF
[MAC_SUCCESS]
[mdsuHandle=1]

MAC_MCPS_DATA_IND

MAC_McpsDataReq(mdsuHandle=3)

data not acknowledged

MAC_MCPS_DATA_CNF
[MAC_NO_ACK]
[mdsuHandle=2]
data transmitted and acknowledged
MAC_MCPS_DATA_CNF
[MAC_SUCCESS]
[mdsuHandle=3]

MAC_MCPS_DATA_IND

Figure 6. Data transactions.

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9.6 Indirect Data Transactions, Data Poll and Purge

This scenario shows data poll and purge operations. The coordinator application calls MAC_McpsDataReq() to
send data to the device using indirect transmission. Since the data is indirect it is queued inside the MAC. The
device calls MAC_McpsPollReq() to poll for data. The coordinator sends the data to the device. The MAC on
the device side sends a MAC_MCPS_POLL_CNF with status indicating success and a MAC_MCPS_DATA_IND
containing the data packet. The MAC on the coordinator side sends a MAC_MCPS_DATA_CNF with status success.
In the next part of the scenario the coordinator calls MAC_McpsDataReq() and then MAC_McpsPurgeReq().
The data frame queued inside the MAC is successfully purged. The MAC sends a MAC_MCPS_PURGE_CNF with
status indicating success.
In the next part of the scenario the device polls for data again. There is no data available so the MAC sends a
MAC_MCPS_POLL_CNF with status MAC_NO_DATA.
Coordinator

MAC

MAC

Device

device associated to coordinator

MAC_McpsDataReq(mdsuHandle=0)
data queued
MAC_McpsPollReq()
data request and transmission
MAC_MCPS_DATA_CNF
[MAC_SUCCESS]

MAC_MCPS_POLL_CNF
[MAC_SUCCESS]
MAC_MCPS_DATA_IND

MAC_McpsDataReq(msduHandle=1)

data queued
MAC_McpsPurgeReq
(msduHandle=1)

data purged
MAC_MCPS_PURGE_CNF
[MAC_SUCCESS]

MAC_McpsPollReq()
data request, no data
MAC_MCPS_POLL_CNF
[MAC_NO_DATA]

Figure 7. Data poll and purge.

52

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