Project: Wifi Module

Hello everyone,

I'm looking for a cheap wifi module that I can use with a microcontroller.

Any ideas?

have you tried sparkfun?

Do you want to create your own module or do you just want to interface an existing module with a microcontroller? Most wifi modules provide a serial interface if you just want to dive in head first. I would recommend one of them wifi breakout modules from sparkfun.

Retellect,

Is the wifi breakout what you consider creating my own module? Is that is simply what I would interface with the microcontroller?

Marc

Caeous,

Have a look at the WiFly GSX 802.11b serial module, it has its own tcp/ ip stack, built in cryptography and a few analog sensors. All you need to do is connect 4 wires from that module to your microcontroller (serial RX TX PWR and GND). You would send instructions serially to the module to configure it and also to pull out data. If you have more powerful microntrollers at hand, you can get very high speed rates using SDIO and SPI. Keep in mind that it also has analog and digital input ports too!

Creating your own module would require designing a 2.4 GHz radio and a controller to power it. I don't think you are along those lines though so forget creating your own.

Where would I find more information on how to design a module (radio+controller). I'd like to learn as much as possible about wifi modules.

Nevermind, I could just look at the module datasheet.

That indeed looks like exactly what I need. Thanks Retellect.

You would first have to look for a 2.4GHz transceiver chip first, then think about what features you would want it have. If you only want basic open security then you could use a fairly low powered microcontroller. If you want to implement security algorithms then you would have to look for something more powerful to control it. You would also have to implement your firmware in such a way that it is easily interfaced with an external controller.

You can take many routes of designing your own module, its purely down to what features you want to include. Most manufacturers of wifi modules include the extra inputs only because the chip they use to control the 2.4GHz radio is very powerful. It would be a waste to sell the product knowing that the controller can do much more. If you are serious about making one, start with one radio and one controller - in other words, design a standalone device.

oops, typed all that out and you didnt need the info. Hopefully someones else can find it useful!

It wasn't a waste at all. I found it useful. =)