How are beacons received in IEEE 802.15.4 receiver example using radio

[Abhigya]

I'm working on IEEE 802.15.4 network using nrf52840 DK boards. I'm making use of the examples in 802.15.4 (secure). I wanted to know how the reception between a transmitter and receiver works. As per my understanding till now, the transmitter sends beacons using radio and the receiver on receiving the transmitted beacon displays the result. On receiving the first beacon the function print_scan_conf() prints the status as MAC_SUCCESS (Correct me if I'm wrong that this isn't equal to beacon received). After this, the receiver continues to receive and display data despite the staus not being MAC_SUCCESS. How does this happen? Doesn't the receiver scan the network again for beacons? If it does scan the network after each beacon is received, what parameter in the code defines it?

[Simonr]

Hi

I've gotten a reply from the devs. Again, sorry about the delay.

First, can you clarify the following points, as there is some ambiguity in your question:

• Do you use the 802.15.4 PHY/MAC from the nRF5 SDK or the 802.15.4 radio driver from nRF5 SDK for Thread and Zigbee?
• Do you use a scan primitive to request and receive beacons?
• Is it an active or a passive scan?
• It's not clear if you created a beacon-enabled network or a non-beacon enabled network. Please specify.

Next, here is one of our expert's thoughts on your initial question:

"If the customer uses MLME-SCAN.request primitive to start scanning the network, according to 802.15.4-2006 7.1.11, the device scans the network for beacons for a limited time. When this time elapses the device reports result of the scan procedure by MLME-SCAN.confirm primitive. The list of received beacons is included in the MLME-SCAN.confirm primitive or it can be delivered by a series of MLME-BEACON-NOTIFY.indication primitive, depending on the macAutoRequest configuration parameter."

Best regards,

Simon