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Electronics => Electronics => Topic started by: Trigger_Happy on June 23, 2009, 12:25:11 AM

Title: Interfacing WiFi USB and RS 232 systems
Post by: Trigger_Happy on June 23, 2009, 12:25:11 AM
I need to interface a WiFi unit to my bot to send some instructions wirelessly from my laptop. I know that it's very similar to the Bluetooth and Zigbee tutorials out there but i still have a couple of doubts:



PS. I need to use only Wi-Fi I can't use an alternative! Also have any of you guys come across a Wi-Fi UART module?


Cheers!!
Title: Re: Interfacing WiFi USB and RS 232 systems
Post by: awally88 on June 23, 2009, 02:47:12 AM
If you want people to read what you write, don't put it in a colour that can't be read easily.


I need to interface a WiFi unit to my bot to send some instructions wirelessly from my laptop. I know that it's very similar to the Bluetooth and Zigbee tutorials out there but i still have a couple of doubts:

    * If I use a USB to UART converter will the whole USB host-slave problem still exist? (my module is a USB slave)
    * Can I link my USB Wifi module to a USB OTG chip and then plug it into my bot?
    * How can i configure my WiFi unit's SSID (I want to make it secure and hack proof Tongue )using my PC and a USB cable (i'll get drivers from the OEM provider)
    * There's also a provider who's giving me a solution with the SDIO interface can i simply use an SDIO to UART bridge and go about my work?



PS. I need to use only Wi-Fi I can't use an alternative! Also have any of you guys come across a Wi-Fi UART module?


Cheers!!
Title: Re: Interfacing WiFi USB and RS 232 systems
Post by: SmAsH on June 23, 2009, 03:07:19 AM
making your posts doesn't make more people read it, its just annoying ;)
have you checked out the wifly? http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8869 (http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8869)
it looks alright, but you will have to get a uart to serial chip to connect to it?
Title: Re: Interfacing WiFi USB and RS 232 systems
Post by: Trigger_Happy on June 23, 2009, 06:19:02 AM
Sorry, my message preview had a really dark background so i used the colour :P

Anyways there are 2 main problems with the WiFly solution

1. It's too costly (I'm trying to build one for around 15-20 $)
2. It needs to support the 802.11G protocol

I can get an SDIO solution for 15$ but I'm not sure how to interface it with my bot  ??? I know I'd have to use an SDIO to UART converter but after that is it just a simple Tx-Rx connection or do I need to bring in a driver IC additionally?