Embedded Wi-Fi module

Connect One has released Nano WiReach, an embedded Wi-Fi bridge that connects any embedded device to 802.11b/g wireless LANs with minimal programming.

Based on the company’s iChipSec CO2144 IP controller chip, the device includes a full suite of internet protocols and applications, enabling immediate and full-featured connectivity for embedded solutions without any Wi-Fi driver development or porting.

Firmware supports several modes of operation: LAN to Wi-Fi bridge — allowing transparent bridging of LAN over Wi-Fi using 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; serial to Wi-Fi bridge — enabling transparent bridging of serial data over Wi-Fi using the module’s speedy 3 Mbps UART; full internet controller mode — allowing simple microcontrollers to use the protocol and application capabilities to perform complex internet operations such as email, FTP, SSL, embedded web server and others. Internet controller mode can be used with any hardware interface; embedded IP routing — allowing multiple Wi-Fi clients to use a single WAN connection to the internet, using the device as a router; PPP emulation — offering existing (eg, mobile modem) designs currently using PPP to interface to the mobile modem by connecting transparently over Wi-Fi with no changes to application or drivers.

The device includes RMII, USB, SPI and fast UART interfaces for integration into existing or new designs. It is available in two versions — one with an antenna connector and one with a built-in antenna.