Embedded Wi-Fi modules - 21 March 2012 - RF Design

Connect One has released commercial-grade versions of its popular Nano WiReach and Nano Socket iWiFi modules at a 25% cost reduction.

Unlike the original modules that were designed for harsher conditions and an extended temperature range (-20°C to 75°C), the commercial-grade modules deliver wireless connectivity environments to in-building or climate-controlled areas in a narrow temperature range (-10°C to 65°C). The commercial-grade variants are 100% compatible in form, fit and function to the original, extended-temperature versions.

Based on Connect One’s iChipSec CO2144 IP controller chip, the modules include a full suite of Internet protocols and applications, enabling full-featured, secure connectivity. Tailored for seamless integration, the modules offer immediate connectivity without Wi-Fi driver development or porting and support several modes of operation:

By using the Nano WiReach and Nano Socket iWiFi, LAN or Wi-Fi clients gain a single cellular WAN connection to the Internet (3G router) or routing between LAN and Wi-Fi networks. Devices containing Wi-Fi can connect to the product’s embedded access point to control or manage processes. Transparent bridging of LAN over Wi-Fi enables direct RMII connection to existing MAC hardware – any microcontroller with a built-in Ethernet MAC can be connected to Wi-Fi with zero development effort.

Transparent bridging of serial data over LAN or Wi-Fi is boosted by the module’s speedy 3 Mbps UART. Simple microcontrollers can use the Wi-Fi modules’ rich protocol and application capabilities to perform complex Internet operations such as e-mail, FTP, SSL, embedded Web server and others. Internet controller mode can be used with any hardware interface. Additionally, existing (eg, cellular modem) designs currently using PPP to interface to the cellular modem can connect transparently over Wi-Fi with no changes to application or drivers.

To ensure they are fully protected from industrial network targeting by hackers, the Wi-Fi modules offer a highly advanced level of Internet security. They include the latest Wi-Fi encryption algorithms (WPA/WPA2, in both PSK and enterprise modes) and Internet SSL encryption algorithms, as well as serving as an inherent firewall for the industrial application.

Nano WiReach and Nano Socket iWiFi each support 10 simultaneous TCP/UDP sockets; two listening TCP sockets; SMTP, MIME, POP3, FTP, Telnet and HTTP/HTTPS clients; an HTTP/HTTPS embedded Web server with a website for the host application and one for configuring the module. Nano WiReach supports 64/128-bit WEP, WPA/WPA2 (PSK and Enterprise) encryption, AES-128/256, SHA-128/192/256, 3DES, the SSL3/TLS1 protocol for a secure client socket session and a secure FTP session.

For more information contact Andrew Hutton, RF Design, +27 (0)21 555 8400, sales@rfdesign.co.za, www.rfdesign.co.za