SILICON LABS RAIL SDK Complete Software
Specifications
- Product Name: RAIL SDK 2.18.2.0 GA
- Simplicity SDK Suite Version: 2024.12.2 April 1, 2025
- Features: Complete software development suite for proprietary wireless applications, supports both proprietary and standards-based wireless protocols, supplied with extensive documentation and sample applications
Product Usage Instructions
RAIL Applications
New Items
- Receiver node (only).
- Runtime PHY change: During measurement, the user can switch between more Profiles/PHYs. To ensure this, more PHYs must be added to the particular Range Test application with the Radio Configurator UI.
Improvements
Changed in release 2.18.0.0
Fixed Issues
Fixed in release 2.18.0.0
- ID # 1322797
- ID # 1375449
- ID # 1401181
Known Issues in the Current Release
- ID # 1268208
- ID # 1268301
- ID # 1274248
- ID # 1375450
Description:
- The power consumption of DK2600 can’t be optimized if configuration time for EM2 if UART is being used, as the value of SL_IOSTREAM_USART_{instance}_BAUDRATE doesn’t take effect.
- Range Test DMP instabilities in case of LTO.
- Wi-SUN HAN phys aren’t supported by Standard packet assembler and Packet Assistant components.
Workaround: Update UART baud rate to 9600 bps at Simplicity Studio Admin Console. This is necessary for EM2.
Do not use LTO. Do not use Wi-SUN HAN phys with RAIL SDK sample applications.
Deprecated Items
Deprecated in release 2.18.0.0 None.
Removed Items
Removed in release 2.18.0.0 None.
Using This Release
- This SDK depends on the Simplicity Platform. The Simplicity Platform code provides functionality that supports protocol plugins and APIs in the form of drivers and other lower layer features that interact directly with Silicon Labs chips and modules.
- Simplicity Platform components include EMLIB, EMDRV, RAIL Library, NVM3, and mbedTLS.
- Simplicity Platform release notes are available through Simplicity Studio’s Documentation tab.
RAIL Applications
New Items
Added in release 2.18.0.0
- simplicity_sdk/app/flex is splitt into two:
- simplicity_sdk/app/rail (RAIL SDK)
- simplicity_sdk/app/connect (CONNECT SDK)
- RAIL SDK Services are documented at https://docs.silabs.com/rail/latest/rail-start/
Improvements
Changed in release 2.18.0.0
- The Range Test Applications are extended with 2x new features:
- Remote Control: The receiver node can configure the transmitter node. Also, the measurement can be started by the re-ceiver node (only).
- Runtime PHY change: During measurement, the user can switch between more Profiles/PHYs. To ensure this, more PHYs must be added to the particular Range Test application with the Radio Configurator UI.
- Improve sleep by using Power Manager Integration component for all sleeping capable applications
Fixed Issues
Fixed in release 2.18.0.0
| ID # | Description |
| 1322797 | Absolute time overflow has been fixed for Wireless M-Bus – Meter. |
| 1375449 | Support for Long Range phy has been fixed for Range Test and Simple TRX applications. |
| 1401181 | Fixed OFDM PA setting in Range Test Application for XG25 boards. |
Known Issues in the Current Release
| ID # | Description | Workaround |
| 12682081268301 | The power consumption of DK2600 can’t be optimized if configuration time for EM2 if UART is being used, as the value of SL_IOSTREAM_USART_{instance}_BAUDRATE doesn’t take effect. The default value used instead is 115200 bps. Typical use case is RAIL – SoC Wireless
M-bus Meter with DK2600 board. |
Update UART baud rate to 9600 bps at Simplicity Studio Admin Console. This is necessary for EM2. |
| 1274248 | Range Test DMP instabilities in case of LTO. | Do not use LTO. |
| 1375450 | Wi-SUN HAN phys aren’t supported by Standard packet assembler and Packet Assistant components. | Do not use Wi-SUN HAN phys with RAIL SDK sample applications. |
Deprecated Items
Deprecated in release 2.18.0.0 None.
Using This Release
This release contains the following:
- RAIL and Connect Sample Applications
- RAIL and Connect Components and Application Framework
This SDK depends on the Simplicity Platform. The Simplicity Platform code provides functionality that supports protocol plugins and APIs in the form of drivers and other lower layer features that interact directly with Silicon Labs chips and modules. Simplicity Platform components include EMLIB, EMDRV, RAIL Library, NVM3, and mbedTLS. Simplicity Platform release notes are available through Simplicity Studio’s Documentation tab.
For more information about the Flex SDK v3.x see UG103.13: RAIL Fundamentals and UG103.12: Silicon Labs Connect Fundamentals. If you are a first time user, see QSG168: Proprietary Flex SDK v3.x Quick Start Guide.
Installation and Use
The Proprietary Flex SDK is provided as part of the Simplicity SDK, the suite of Silicon Labs SDKs. To quickly get started with the Simplicity SDK, install Simplicity Studio 5, which will set up your development environment and walk you through Simplicity SDK installa-tion. Simplicity Studio 5 includes everything needed for IoT product development with Silicon Labs devices, including a resource and project launcher, software configuration tools, full IDE with GNU toolchain, and analysis tools. Installation instructions are provided in the online Simplicity Studio 5 User’s Guide.
Alternatively, Simplicity SDK may be installed manually by downloading or cloning the latest from GitHub. See https://github.com/Sili-conLabs/simplicity_sdk for more information.
Simplicity Studio installs the GSDK by default in:
- (Windows): C:\Users\<NAME>\SimplicityStudio\SDKs\simplicity_sdk
- (MacOS): /Users/<NAME>/SimplicityStudio/SDKs/simplicity_sdk
Documentation specific to the SDK version is installed with the SDK. Additional information can often be found in the knowledge base articles (KBAs). API references and other information about this and earlier releases is available on https://docs.silabs.com/.
Security Information
Secure Vault Integration
When deployed to Secure Vault High devices, sensitive keys are protected using the Secure Vault Key Management functionality. The following table shows the protected keys and their storage protection characteristics.
| Wrapped Key | Exportable / Non-Exportable | Notes |
| Thread Master Key | Exportable | Must be exportable to form the TLVs |
| PSKc | Exportable | Must be exportable to form the TLVs |
| Key Encryption Key | Exportable | Must be exportable to form the TLVs |
| MLE Key | Non-Exportable | |
| Temporary MLE Key | Non-Exportable | |
| MAC Previous Key | Non-Exportable | |
| MAC Current Key | Non-Exportable | |
| MAC Next Key | Non-Exportable |
- Wrapped keys that are marked as “Non-Exportable” can be used but cannot be viewed or shared at runtime.
- Wrapped keys that are marked as “Exportable” can be used or shared at runtime but remain encrypted while stored in flash.
For more information on Secure Vault Key Management functionality, see AN1271: Secure Key Storage.
Security Advisories
To subscribe to Security Advisories, log in to the Silicon Labs customer portal, then select Account Home. Click HOME to go to the portal home page and then click the Manage Notifications tile. Make sure that ‘Software/Security Advisory Notices & Product Change Notices (PCNs)’ is checked, and that you are subscribed at minimum for your platform and protocol. Click Save to save any changes.
The following figure is an example:
Support
Development Kit customers are eligible for training and technical support. Use the Silicon Labs Flex web page to obtain information about all Silicon Labs Thread products and services, and to sign up for product support.
You can contact Silicon Laboratories support at http://www.silabs.com/support.
SDK Release and Maintenance Policy
For details, see SDK Release and Maintenance Poilcy.
Disclaimer
Silicon Labs intends to provide customers with the latest, accurate, and in-depth documentation of all peripherals and modules available for system and software imple-menters using or intending to use the Silicon Labs products. Characterization data, available modules and peripherals, memory sizes and memory addresses refer to each specific device, and “Typical” parameters provided can and do vary in different applications. Application examples described herein are for illustrative purposes only. Silicon Labs reserves the right to make changes without further notice to the product information, specifications, and descriptions herein, and does not give warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of the included information. Without prior notification, Silicon Labs may update product firmware during the manufacturing process for security or reliability reasons. Such changes will not alter the specifications or the performance of the product. Silicon Labs shall have no liability for the consequences of use of the infor-mation supplied in this document. This document does not imply or expressly grant any license to design or fabricate any integrated circuits. The products are not designed or authorized to be used within any FDA Class III devices, applications for which FDA premarket approval is required or Life Support Systems without the specific written consent of Silicon Labs. A “Life Support System” is any product or system intended to support or sustain life and/or health, which, if it fails, can be reasonably expected to result in significant personal injury or death. Silicon Labs products are not designed or authorized for military applications. Silicon Labs products shall under no circumstances be used in weapons of mass destruction including (but not limited to) nuclear, biological or chemical weapons, or missiles capable of delivering such weapons. Silicon Labs disclaims all express and implied warranties and shall not be responsible or liable for any injuries or damages related to use of a Silicon Labs product in such unauthorized applications.
Trademark Information
Silicon Laboratories Inc.®, Silicon Laboratories®, Silicon Labs®, SiLabs® and the Silicon Labs logo®, Bluegiga®, Bluegiga Logo®, EFM®, EFM32®, EFR, Ember®, Energy Micro, Energy Micro logo and combinations thereof, “the world’s most energy friendly microcontrollers”, Redpine Signals®, WiSeConnect , n-Link, EZLink®, EZRadio®, EZRadioPRO®, Gecko®, Gecko OS, Gecko OS Studio, Precision32®, Simplicity Studio®, Telegesis, the Telegesis Logo®, USBXpress® , Zentri, the Zentri logo and Zentri DMS, Z-Wave®, and others are trademarks or registered trademarks of Silicon Labs. ARM, CORTEX, Cortex-M3 and THUMB are trademarks or registered trademarks of ARM Holdings. Keil is a registered trademark of ARM Limited. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. All other products or brand names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective holders.
- Silicon Laboratories Inc.
- 400 West Cesar Chavez Austin, TX 78701
- USA
- www.silabs.com
FAQ
- Q: Where can I find more information about security updates and notices?
- A: For information about security updates and notices, see the Security chapter of the Platform Release Notes installed with this SDK or on the TECH DOCS tab on https://www.silabs.com/developers/flex-sdk-connect-networking-stack. Silicon Labs also strongly recommends that you subscribe to Security Advisories for up-to-date information.
- Q: What compilers are compatible with the RAIL SDK?
- A: Compatible Compilers: GCC (The GNU Compiler Collection) version 12.2.1, provided with Simplicity Studio.
Documents / Resources
 |
SILICON LABS RAIL SDK Complete Software [pdf] User Guide RAIL SDK, RAIL SDK Complete Software, Software |
