I’ve been sifting through google results for hours now trying to find an 802.11 b/g compatible, small wifi-solution in an easily-prototypable, usable, easily-purchasable package – likely with a SPI or SDIO interface. I would like to use this with an AT91RM9200 with linux.
It seems like the signal to noise ratio on finding these wifi modules isn’t very favorable – there’s tons of press releases that are a number of years old, and a good number of companies making these small wifi modules, but seemingly no way to get ahold of them (or they’re way too expensive).
Has anyone had any luck with finding and using one of these small wifi modules?
thanks for the thoughts. unfortunately it doesn’t look like the Atheros AR6k is easily available for purchase (although i would be happy to learn otherwise!)
as i mentioned earlier, the target o/s is linux. the AT91RM9200 also has a hardware MAC, although I am still learning about the specifics of ethernet, so it’s not clear if you could simply find a wifi PHY to attach. The SPI/SDIO solutions – which are all very tiny (on the order of 1cm x 1cm) seems ideal, if only there was one that (1) has documentation and/or drivers available for linux, (2) can actually be purchased in small quantities in a hand-solderable (ie. no BGA) package, and (3) requires few (or no) external components.
I’ve send along an e-mail to inquire about the status of drivers, documentation, cost, etc… Hopefully there will be some favorable responses!
(it feels like i’ve dug through every module out there, only to find that they’re not easily available, have little potential for driver support, or are in BGA packages. i hope at least one will work itself out, or I might have to start invesigating other options – maybe including an SD card socket for an off-the-shelf unit, or a USB unit, although I would really like for it to be internal!)
I’ve banged my head against this wall a few times myself and not seen any solutions I really liked. Please keep us posted…
I think the best two approaches are either to use Linux and a USB device (one which has Linux support) or an older CF/PCMCIA device (whose Linux drivers you can maybe rip apart and run without a Linux kernel around, since the CF/PCMCIA interface is much simpler than being a USB host.)
Some of the Lantronix products advertise that there’s space on the builtin processor (an ARM of some sort) for you to run your own application code, I haven’t looked into that though. I assume there are flaming NDA hoops to jump through, which I’d rather not get into for a hobby project!
wiml:
I’ve banged my head against this wall a few times myself and not seen any solutions I really liked. Please keep us posted…
I think the best two approaches are either to use Linux and a USB device (one which has Linux support) or an older CF/PCMCIA device (whose Linux drivers you can maybe rip apart and run without a Linux kernel around, since the CF/PCMCIA interface is much simpler than being a USB host.)
Some of the Lantronix products advertise that there’s space on the builtin processor (an ARM of some sort) for you to run your own application code, I haven’t looked into that though. I assume there are flaming NDA hoops to jump through, which I’d rather not get into for a hobby project!
It’s trivial to connect a low cost micro like an AVR to the serial port of a Lantronix XPort Direct or other in that family.
As to adding your on code inside an Xport or WiPort- there is an active group doing that - it’s a by-invitation (NDA) Yahoo group.
I will definitely continue my search – there must be something out there we can use.
thanks for suggesting the lantronix models, but they are too large, slow, and high-level for my application right now.
similarly, i think a CF/PCMCIA card would be much too large, but I could definitely work with something the size of an SD card – maybe looking at those SD 802.11b/g cards would be fruitful? I’ve heard folks have attempted to get them to work with linux in the past… I wonder if anyone has had any success?
The situation for SD cards is basically the same as for modules.
There was [a similar topic on this forum some months ago. In there seulater said he got the documentation of a cheap Spectec 802.11b SDIO card (IPN2128 based) under NDA and Shifted was trying to get it for Spectec’s 802.11g card (MT5911 based). It would be interesting to know if one of them managed to make the cards work. I have not found the time to further reverse engineer the driver of that card.](ARM and SDIO WiFi Card - SparkFun Electronics Forum)
An update on the WhizNets SPI module – the hardware is fairly cheap ($15 in 1000 qty), but don’t have open drivers and the licence fee is $20k per design :(.
the external antenna is unfortunate too, it negates the size benefit of the SD card…
you’re right though… it’s odd that it’s so difficult to find something so basic. off the top of my head, i can’t think of anything else that’s so closed…
Wow denial - great find on the Silex product! I think it’s got a good chance to end up being a perfect fit for me. I absolutely need to be able to connect external antennas in my case - I didn’t think an SDIO card existed with external connectors, let alone one that works with Linux. The other likely option for me would be a standard off-the-shelf USB product with a suitable antenna connector and open source Linux drivers. (Anyone happen to know of USB-based AR6001 products to compare with…?) Either of these options gives flexibility for the future in case products are obsoleted - just swap the removable module.
Surely there are AR6001-based SDIO products out there w/out external connectors for those looking… They just might be consumer-minded and not advertised as such? Who knows… I wish you guys luck!
A quick jump back into this topic: It looks like the latest OpenMoko is using the Accton WM3236A 802.11 b/g module. This module looks great in that it’s very small, solderable (a QFN is available), and I think OpenMoko has (or is developing) linux drivers. Unfortunately I couldn’t find any information on actually purchasing the modules. The link to Accton’s product summary is:
(although i would be happy to learn otherwise!)