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Embedded WiFi recommendations?

fustini

Howdy,

 

I was wondering if anyone might have recommendations for WiFi modules for a low-end embedded system.  I'm primarily thinking of Arduino so a simple interface to the radio would be ideal (not USB).

 

Thanks,

Drew

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  • 0 in reply to Former Member

    I've been using the MRF24WB0MB/RMMRF24WB0MB/RM module from Microchip, together with their TCPIP Stack of course, on a PIC32MX795F512L. If you go down this route, I'd suggest buying a development board to quickly get a demonstration up and going. I've also got a Kinetis K60 tower kit and the AR4100 wifi module, but haven't had the time to do anything with that, so can't give a comparison yet.

     

    For the MRF24W modules, they quote 154mA when TX is on @ 0dB. I'm using an SD card and GPS as well, seeing about 230mA total draw, everything on, with the above PIC32 MCU. I've found the examples fairly easy to modify and have managed to write my own AJAX code to handle button pushes etc. The example code polls for the LEDs & buttons @ 100Hz so will use more power than button pushes sending status / update requests when pushed.

     

    You might also like to check out the WizFi 210 as a serial interfaced module - again I've yet to evaluate this but it's on my desk!

  • 0 in reply to Former Member

    Thanks for the input from everyone.  I ended up ordering the WiFly shield from SparkFun although I wish I would have pursued the Microchip module.

     

    At the time, I was in a big rush to have a basic prototype working and the shield seemed like the quickest route.  However, since the Roving Network's WiFly module has no SPI interface, the shield adds a UART to SPI bridge chip so that the Arduino's single UART is spared.

     

    In theory this sounds good, but I have found it introduced extra complexity in troubleshooting my code.  I found it very hard to implement the seemingly simple functionality I needed from the WiFly: associate, connect, GET a URL that returns small amount  of text, sleep for 5 min, repeat.

     

    At $90, I don't think the shield was a good buy and would prefer module with SPI.  I found an ATMega328 board called the Yellow Jacket with the latest Microchip module for $55 from Rugged Circuits. Great deal as module is $30 and don't think I could solder it's smaller pitch.  I am waiting for it to be back in stock - Rugged Circuits told me there is a world wide shortage of the Microchip part.

     

    Thanks,

    Drew