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Ultra96v2 Wi-Fi certification

mindaugas

Hello everyone,

 

We have developed end product in which we are using Ultra96v2 board. Currently we are trying to certificate our product. In order to complete Wi-Fi tests in lab we need to be able to set Ultra96v2 Wi-Fi module (ATWILC3000) in TX only mode and later in RX only mode, we also need to be able to select working channel and mode.

 

Has anyone faced same issue? Maybe someone has example code or tips how can we achieve this through linux?

 

We tried using USB to UART adapter with Microchip MCHPRT2 software by connecting adapter directly to ATWILC3000 with wires. MCHPRT2 software gives us error that it cannot connect to Wi-Fi module. This method is also very inconvenient.

 

Thank you

  • I don't know the answer to your question, but I have forwarded to a few people.

     

    I'm also not a lawyer, but I do know that the ATWILC3000 module is pre-certified in 75 countries around the world. See Appendix A of this document. Based on that, is additional certification necessary?

    https://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/IEEE-802.11-b-g-n-Link-Controller-Module-with-Integrated-Bluetooth-5.0-…

     

    Bryan

  • in reply to bhfletcher

    Thank you Bryan for your reply. Currently we are discussing with our local certification labaratory if additional Wi-Fi tests are necessary in order to certificate our product.

  • in reply to bhfletcher

    According to RED TGN 01 (Radio Equipment Directive) pg. 12 tests related to EMC, radio, health and safety needs to be fully assested for final radio product in which radio module is used. Exception can be only applied to RF Exposure test.

    We still have problem putting ATWILC3000 module into test state with MCHPRT2 software. We have not received any help from Microchip forum because there is no many active users. Any help would be welcome.

    Thank you,
    Mindaugas

  • in reply to mindaugas

    We opened support ticket on Microchip website and got some answers. We misunderstood module datasheet. The module can not be connected directly to MCHPRT2 software with USB to UART adapter. The only two methods to do this are:

    1. Via I2C interface using Aardvark USB TO I2C hardware tool.

    2. Via UART interface using serial bridge firmware on the host MCU (MCHPRT2 Tool <--> UART <--> Host MCU <--> SPI Interface <--> WiFi device/module.

  • in reply to mindaugas

    thank you for sharing! I wanted to follow up and see if your certification was successful.

    Bryan

  • in reply to mindaugas

    Currently we are porting Microchip ATWILC3000 Serial Bridge application to Ultra96v2. This application will be needed to access variuos test modes on ATWIL3000 chip. I will let everyone know how certification process went.

  • Update on our certification process:

    • For certification process we had to provide Wi-Fi module parameters: chanel occupancy and clear channel assesment times. These parameters were not provided in datasheet so we opened support ticket at Microchip once again Slight smile They gave us screenshot from older revision datasheet in which these parameters were specified. 

    image

    • To succesfully use MCHPRT2 software for Wi-FI module control during certification process we had to port wilcsbridge kernel module and wilcsbridge embedded linux app to Ultra96 board. Oh boy you should try to look at the source code of linux app... After copying source code to Xilinx Vitis IDE and hitting compile button we got more than 100 (literaly 100) warnings just because of C language syntax Slight smile
    • The Microchip MCHPRT2 software works only with MCP2221 USB to UART converter. We tried several USB to UART converteras (based on FTDI232, CH340 and others) but they all failed to update ATWILC3000 module firmware. Without special firmware funcionality required for Wi-Fi certification process (like channel selection and continuous transmit function) will not work. To find out about this little USB to UART converter nuance we had to open support ticket at Microchip once again.. Slight smile

    All I can say after this is that I really liked Microchip support team because of fast and helpful answers but this does not redeem poor documentation guilt Smiley

    After solving all these problems we started certification process in our local labaratory. Currently our product in which we use Ultra96v2 board succesfully completed radiated emission tests according to IEC 60601-1-2 Class B. Next is variuos immunity tests and Wi-Fi module testing accordin to RED. I will update this post after we get answers from our certification laboratory.

    If someone is interested and would like to know more about how we used Ultra96v2 board in our product please feel free to read Powered by Xilinx case study of our product.

  • in reply to mindaugas

    Well done, ! Thank you for sharing these details. Were you using the Microchip Technical Support Portal? I thought I would add a link for others to reference. https://microchipsupport.force.com/s/

    Bryan