New WiFi Enabling Software for Embedded 802.11 Applications

Inventek announces new firmware for their embedded eS-WiFi embedded serial-to-WiFi module family that supports the use of simple AT Commands for controlling WiFi connectivity. eS-WiFi modules offer an easy-to-use, plug-and-play WiFi solution that enables the embedded sector to develop integrated hardware and software WiFi solutions and to control the WiFi operation using AT Commands over a serial port.

Inventek’s eS-WiFi software uses a modified Hayes AT command set and consists of a series of short text strings which combine together to produce complete commands for communicating with the eS-WiFi module and instructing the module to connect to a network and send and receive data. Basic operational command examples include:

“F0” (Find Networks), “C0” (Join Network), “T0” (Ping), “S0” (Send Data), “R0” (Receive data), “C4” (Set DHCP).

A summary of the complete list of commands is available online at our IWIN AT Command set support page. These commands are sent to the eS-WiFi module over the UART input pin or through the SPI bus. The
eS-WiFi module accepts these simple 2 digit commands, a Cortex M3 Microcomputer interprets them and through an SDIO bus communicates with Broadcom’s 802.11 MAC/Baseband/Radio chip.  This simple AT Command Set programming feature makes the eS-WiFi module agnostic and therefore not dependent on any specific operating system, microprocessor or microcomputer allowing the use of a low cost microcomputer for input to the module.

The Inventek User’s Manual for the eS-WiFi module provides program examples showing the AT Command code for several of the most popular WiFi functions such as those listed below.

• Finding Available Networks
• Join Network Access Point
• Ping Host on Network
• TCP Server Setup and Data Transport
• TCP Client Setup and Data Transport
• UDP Server Setup and Data Transport
• UDP Client Setup and Data Transport

Inventek has created a YouTube video that further describes the eS-WiFi module hardware and the AT Command/Instruction Set.

In addition to this basic configuration whereby customers use their embedded host processor to send AT commands to the eS-WiFi module over the UART pin or through the SPI bus, Inventek offers additional flexibility for customers with either minimal program Requirements or with higher power host processors.

For applications with minimal program/processing requirements, Inventek offers the capability of integrating the customer’s host program onto the Cortex M3 microcomputer on-board the eS-WiFi module.  System inputs are supplied to the module using any of the combined total of ten (10) GPIO and ADC input pins.

For applications utilizing more powerful microcontrollers, the networking stack and services can reside on the customer’s host microcontroller and communication to the eS-WiFi module uses the SDIO interface. For applications that require customized/turnkey design, Inventek also provides customer specific hardware and software design services.  Please contact Inventek for specific details and recommendations for system partitioning using these more advanced options.

Inventek’s eS-WiFi modules provide designers the ability to easily integrate WiFi connectivity into their systems independent of the operating system and independent of the system complexity. Examples of the rapidly expanding embedded WiFi space include smart appliances, building automation, smart energy control, and cloud-based interconnectivity for healthcare and medical monitoring applications.

Inventek’s eS-WiFi modules are based exclusively on Broadcom’s leading edge WiFi technology. All eS-WiFi products use the AT commands described above, have FCC certification, and the industries smallest footprint (15mmx30mm). These features minimize development time, testing routines and certification requirements and make eS-WiFi modules well suited for a wide range of embedded wireless applications.

Main Hardware Features

•  802.11 b, g and n compliant based on Broadcom MAC/Baseband/Radio device.
•  Fully contained TCP/IP stack minimizing host CPU requirements
•  Configurable though AT commands.
•  Host interfaces: UART, SPI up to 25MHz.
•  Network features – ICMP ( Ping), ARP, DHCP,TCP, UDP
•  Low power operation (3.3V supply) with built-in low power modes.
•  Secure Wi-Fi authentication WEP-128, WPA-PSK (TKIP), WPA2-PSK

Design Examples

•  PDA, Pocket PC, computing devices
•  Building automation and smart energy control.
•  Industrial sensing and remote equipment monitoring.
•  Warehousing, logistics and freight management
•  PC and gaming peripherals
•  Printers, scanners, alarm and video systems
•  Medical applications including patient monitoring and remote diagnostics

Inventek Systems Announces the Ez-WiFi Module Family Targeting Embedded Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n Applications Utilizing Broadcom’s Leading-Edge WiFi Technology. BILLERICA, MA, Nov. 29, 2011

Inventek has released three embedded Ez-WiFi modules based on the Broadcom’s (NASDAQ: BRCM) Broadcom Wireless Internet Connectivity Platform. Ez-WiFi modules offer the first plug-and-play WiFi solution that enables the embedded sector to develop integrated hardware and software WiFi solutions using Broadcom’s 802.11 components.

These modules will provide manufacturers the ability to easily integrate wireless connectivity into many MCU based designs in the consumer, industrial and medical product markets. Examples of the rapidly expanding embedded WiFi space include smart appliances, building automation, smart energy control, and cloud-based interconnectivity for healthcare and medical monitoring applications.

The Ez-WiFi module hardware system consists of a host processor, integrated antenna and Broadcom WiFi device. The module provides SPI and UART interfaces enabling easy connection to an embedded design. The module requires no operating system and has a completely integrated TCP/IP stack that only requires a simple AT command set to establish connectivity.

Inventek’s modules utilize the recently released Broadcom modular WiFi WICED platform and adds several key features such as configuration using standard AT commands, FCC certification,
and a small 15mmx28mm or 15mmx30mm form factor. These features minimize or eliminate the development time, testing routines and certification requirements and make them ideal for a wide range of embedded wireless applications.

Ez-WiFi modules are offered in three configurations: 15mmx30mm module with integrated trace antenna (ISM4319-M3-L44-E), 15mmx28mm module with ceramic antenna (ISM4319-M3-L44-C) and 15mmx28mm module with U.Fl connector for external antenna connection (ISM4319-M3-L44-U).  In addition, Inventek offers two development boards (ISM4319-M3-E-EVB and ISM4319-M3-UC-EVB) for customer evaluation and integration of the Ez-WiFi module into their system.

For applications that require customized design, Inventek also provides customer specific hardware and software design services.

Availability:

Note: 1 – Requires change of 0Ω resistor

Main Features

• 802.11 b, g and n compliant based on Broadcom MAC/Baseband/Radio device.
• Fully contained TCP/IP stack minimizing host CPU requirements
• Configurable though AT commands.
• Host interfaces:  UART, SPI up to 25MHz.
• Network features – ICMP ( Ping), ARP, DHCP,TCP, UDP
• Low power operation (3.3V supply) with built-in low power modes.
• Secure Wi-Fi authentication WEP-128, WPA-PSK (TKIP), WPA2-PSK

Design Examples

• PDA, Pocket PC, computing devices
• Building automation and smart energy control.
• Industrial sensing and remote equipment monitoring.
• Warehousing, logistics and freight management
• PC and gaming peripherals
• Printers, scanners, alarm and video systems
• Medical applications including patient monitoring and remote diagnostics

About Inventek:

Inventek Systems is a privately held, USA-based, full-service wireless solutions provider focused on 802.11 WiFi embedded solutions, GPS embedded modules and antennas. We provide a wide range of standard and custom embedded options ranging from low cost system-in-a-package (SIP) products to modular based custom solutions.

We provide complete services from consulting to custom design to cost effective high volume manufacturing.

Inventek Systems products are used in a wide range of consumer, industrial, and defense based applications. Inventek’s Ez-WiFi and Ez-GPS products are enabling customers around the world to add WiFi connectivity and GPS features at a quickening pace with minimal design effort.

Contacts:

• Martin Tierney
• Inventek Systems
• Address: 2 Republic Road, Billerica, MA 01862
• Phone: +1-978-667-1962
• email: martinm@inventeksys.com