Wi-Fi Comm Demo Board

The Wi-Fi Comm Demo Board provides a low-cost and portable development system for Microchip’s MRF24WB0MA 802.11b RF Transceiver module. The Wi-Fi Comm Demo Board demonstrates how to enable Wi-Fi capability to an embedded application.

The Wi-Fi Comm Demo Board is preloaded with the demo software for the user to explore the features of the MRF24WB0MA Wi-Fi module. It is also expandable through an expansion interface, which allows the user to extend its functionality by adding various sensor expansion boards.

The Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) provide a unique challenge for configuring embedded wireless products without a natural user interface. Unlike wired networks, wireless networks require unique items such as the Service Set Identifier (SSID), network type and security keys, and these items must be sent to the device in some form or another.

Generally, the user would enter this information using a keyboard and display. The Wi-Fi Comm demo application uses a mechanism called EasyConfig to allow for configuration of an embedded device on a wireless network. It utilizes the web server of the TCP/IP stack and a wireless ad hoc (independent basic service set) network to allow the user to input the desired network information from a client browser, and then reset the device to connect to the desired network.

Key Applications: Embedded Application

• WiFi solution compatible with IEEE 802.11 b/g/n Access Points
• Supports Infrastructure and Ad hoc networks
• MRF24WB0MA module is FCC, IC, Wi-Fi certified and ETSI compliant
• Powered by 2 AAA batteries
• Supports WEP, WPA and WPA2 security protocols
• The board has sensor I/O interface enabling application specific demos
• Wi-Fi Transceiver: The MRF24WMB0MA RF Transceiver module provides wireless connectivity to the demo board. Host communication is through SPI2 of the PIC processor on the board.
• Processor Support: The Wi-Fi Comm Demo Board is designed with a permanently mounted (soldered) PIC32MX695F512H processor.
• Power Supply: The board is powered through 2 AAA Lithium batteries. If required, the battery voltage is monitored and boosted by the MCP1642 Synchronous Boost Regulator.
• LEDs: The LED’s: LED0, LED1 and LED2 are connected to PORTE and PORTF of the PIC32MX695F512H processor. To ON the LED’s, the port pins are set high.
• Switches
  • S1 – Controls the main power to the board. To turn on the board, move S1 slider to the ON position.
  • SW0 – Push-button switch, it is an active low switch connected to RD9 of the processor. When Idle, switch is pulled high (+3.3V) and when pressed, it is grounded.
• Debug Port: Connector J14 provides easy access to the PIC32MX695F512H processors debug pins.
• Sensor Expansion Port: Connector J15 provides access to some of the processors spare I/O pins. These pins can function as an SPI, UART, or I2C port to an attached sensor board or as general purpose I/O.

• Wi-Fi Comm Demo Board
• C omplete software and hardware including Schematicsand Reference source code
• 2 AAA Lithium Batteries
• Wi-Fi Comm Demo Board Information Sheet