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Re: WiFi module

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On 22.02.2022 12:59, pozz wrote:
> I need to develop a custom board with WiFi connectivity and a 
> UART(RS485). The UART will be connected to a proprietary device with a 
> proprietary protocol, no problem on this.
> 
> The board should connect to a MQTT server through WiFi.
> 
> I don't know if I will choose a "transparent" WiFi module, implementing 
> all TCP/IP stack and MQTT protocol on the host controller, or choose a 
> "full-featured" WiFi module that integrates all the protocols I need and 
> TCP/IP stack.
> 
> Besides this, the most important issue is how to configure the WiFi 
> module with network settings (network name, password and so on). This 
> step is crucial, because it should be as simplest as possible.
> 

Hello pozz,

you can find some budgetable modules here: 
https://www.wiznet.io/product/wifi-module/

Nearly every WiFi module supports parallel operation as a station and as 
access point. Also, if they offer a lightweight TCP stack (mostly 
limited to 1..4 parallel connections), you can choose to use them on a 
lower level, e.g. PHY, IP... and implement the upper protocol layers 
yourself.

 > I saw many WiFi devices that start as an Access Point (for example,
 > Google ChromeCast). The user, through his smartphone and a companion
 > app, is able to make the first configuration. The steps are similar to
 > the following:
 >
 > - the app detects and automatically connects to the device in Access
 > Point mode (or the user manually connects to it)
 >
 > - the user selects the home WiFi network and type credentials (password)
 >
 > - the app sends this configuration to the Access Point
 >
 > - the device restarts in Device Mode and connects to the just configured
 > WiFi network
 >
 > This should be ok for me, but the main problem is the mobile app (for
 > Android, for iOS). I don't have the knowledge to build such an app.
 >
 > Do you know if there's some vendors of WiFi modules that support with
 > this type of app?

None that I know of.

But you don't need an app, just provide the user with a known IP-address 
(or hostname, if you want to operate a tiny DNS server) that he/she can 
navigate to with the smartphone's browser, where you serve a simple HTML 
page to configure the device.

 >
 > Do you suggest other user-friendly solutions?
 >

I've used such devices myself, and I hate reconfiguring my phone to use 
the configuration APs of them... many phones check if the access point 
provides internet access and must somehow be tricked into connecting if 
it doesn't, for example.

A much better solution is to just simply support configuration via WPS 
button.

-- 
Bernd

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WiFi module pozz <pozzugno@gmail.com> - 2022-02-22 12:59 +0100
  Re: WiFi module Pete <pjetson@yahoo.com> - 2022-02-22 23:20 +1100
  Re: WiFi module Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> - 2022-02-22 12:21 +0000
  Re: WiFi module Bernd Linsel <bl1-removethis@gmx.com> - 2022-02-22 13:23 +0100
    Re: WiFi module Dimiter_Popoff <dp@tgi-sci.com> - 2022-02-22 15:46 +0200
    Re: WiFi module Dimiter_Popoff <dp@tgi-sci.com> - 2022-02-22 15:48 +0200
      Re: WiFi module Bernd Linsel <bl1-removethis@gmx.com> - 2022-02-22 15:18 +0100
        Re: WiFi module Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> - 2022-02-22 15:14 +0000
          Re: WiFi module Dimiter_Popoff <dp@tgi-sci.com> - 2022-02-22 17:27 +0200
        Re: WiFi module Dimiter_Popoff <dp@tgi-sci.com> - 2022-02-22 17:23 +0200
      Re: WiFi module Clifford Heath <no.spam@please.net> - 2022-02-23 08:27 +1100

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