RN-XV WiFly WLAN Heads Up

After spending an hour troubleshooting a problem I was having with a RN-XV WiFly module I figured I’d post about here so hopefully others don’t make the same mistake I did.

Basically the data sheet leads you towards setting the wlan rate to 0 (1 Mbit/sec) with the following statement:

“Lowing the rate increases the effective range of the WiFly-GSX Module”

That’s great if you’re connecting to a 802.11b network. However if you’re trying to connect to an 802.11g network then that data rate just ain’t gonna cut it with most routers and access points. So basically what I’m saying is do your self a favor and make sure the data rate you’re using on the WiFly unit is appropriate for the wireless network your trying to connect to.

Hopefully this will save someone from pulling their hair out.

Thanks,

Andrew

I am working on this now, was hoping to see this module work by at least powering it on and then seeing a AdHoc connection available… I do not see a thing. I hooked it to an Arduino Uno, and still just flashing lights on the module.

Hopefully you can explain this issue you are having a little more to save me some trouble going forward. This is all new to me. Thanks.

To be honest with you I don’t really remember what settings were configured out of the box. The first thing I did was toss it on an xbee explorer I had and configured it for my wireless network.

When you’re configuring the device be sure to issue the ‘save’ command after making your changes. If you don’t save the changes then they’re lost when the device is rebooted/loses power/etc.

The issue I was having was that I could not get the wifly to connect to my 802.11g network. The problem was my fault because I had set the data rate to 1 Mbit/sec which is not generally supported by 802.11g access points. In order to use that data rate you’ll need an access point that’s either in 802.11b/g mode or 802.11b mode. I had mine set to 802.11g only.

Thanks,

Andrew

Thanks for the reply! I got it partly connected to my PC, and am able to get into a Putty Telnet Terminal, or their Terra Terminal as well. After messing with some settings to see if I can set it up It froze on me, then rebooted (on its own). I had to use the reset pin cause after I rebooted it 3 times the PC could not connect to it still. Once the reset pin was touched it went right into stock AdHoc programing connection.

Another issue I had, was that my two Android devices are not happy with a AdHoc connection. The G2 phone can see it, but will not connect in DHCP mode (have not tried to set static yet), and my Acer A500 tablet does not have the WPA Software Applicant to use AdHoc connections yet. Apparently on the XDA Forums they are working on a solution, and almost have it working.

That’s one of the nice things about the RN-XV. If you screw something up you can just reset it back to the stock config.

Thanks,

Andrew

I guess that you can reset it only so much… Maybe I got a defective unit, as it continued to seize, and now it will not even reset any more. I almost had it set up too!! We will see, I’ll give it one more shot today, it has been sitting without power since this morning, maybe it will snap out of its funk. Two different PCs can not connect to it at all, maybe I should power up my old MAC and see if it can get through. The nice thing is I know Sparkfun will do the right thing and exchange it for me.

Also found some odd things, like the SSID had to be 6 characters or it would not accept it and return a AOK when I was programing it in AdHoc mode.

Something doesn’t sound right about that. I’ve got three of them and I’ve only had one lock up (once and it was my fault). I’d check to see if you got one with older firmware. If that’s not it (firmware) then I’d definitely see about an exchange.

Thanks,

Andrew