Embedded WiFi recommendations?

Question

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

e14 Contributor · Accepted Answer

I've managed to get a TCP/IP stack plus WiFi drivers running on a PIC18 (also 8 bit) so don't give up hope. And I managed to port it to AVR, if I recall rightly. If you'd like to see the code, let me know. Otherwise, Microchip do a rather nice (and cheap) WiFi module ( http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1406&dDocName=en549227 ) which you control via SPI, and their TCP/IP stack is pretty standardised and should be easy to port. J

PBrunner · Answer

You are perfectly right Julian Freescale has actually 3 different Wifi modules based on 3 different chipsets from 3 different suppliers( http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/site/overview.jsp?nodeId=0152106740AFE4 ) . This allows you to select the one that is meeting your specification requirements while they are all supported into the Tower ecosystem. This opens you up the access to the Kinetis 32 bits MCUs but also to the 8 bits MCU that are also supported by this dev tool. And to MQX which is a very complete and FREE OF CHARGE RTOS.

e14 Contributor · Answer

I've been using the MRF24WB0MB/RM MRF24WB0MB/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!

Embedded WiFi recommendations?

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