Freescale公司的TWR-WIFI-AR4100是802.11n Wi-Fi超低功耗模块,采用Tower System可使物联网具有802.11n Wi-Fi 连接性,工作频率2.4GHz,网络标准包括802.11b, 802.11g和802.11n,模块集成了MAC/BB/RF/PA/LNA,硬件加密有WEP,WPA/WPA2,WAPI SPI通信接口.该模块能和Tower System的其它MCU和外设模块一起使用.本文介绍了AR4100主要技术指标,方框图和TWR-WIFI-AR4100模块主要特性,方框图,电路图和材料清单.
TWR-WIFI-AR4100: Tower System 802.11n Wi-Fi Module
Do you need an ultra-low power, easy wireless solution? The TWR-WIFI-AR4100 peripheral module enables the Internet of Things with 802.11n Wi-Fi connectivity using the Freescale Tower System. This fully FCC & CE-certified Atheros "System-in-Package" module comes with MQX software and enables you to quickly go from the lab to production with the same Wi-Fi hardware module.
The on-board Atheros silicon features easy to use wireless for the whole home and pre-certification will save you time and money getting your product to market. This peripheral module is designed to be combined and used with other microcontroller and peripheral modules in the Tower System.
TWR-WIFI-AR4100模块主要特性:
Low energy and low system resource requirements
Integrated RF front end, RF shield, 32kHz sleep clock, and system clock
Best in class Rx sensitivity for superior throughput rate-over-range performance
Integrated high-power, high efficiency linearized Power Amplifier
Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) encoding for improved uplink robustness over range
Space ock Coding (STBC) for improved downlink robustness over range
Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)
Wi-Fi Direct™ ready
Compatible with the Tower System, including MQX based driver support
SPI interface to Tower MCU modules
On-board SPI Flash for enabling minimal impact to MCU resources
Access to expansion GPIO and debug signals for advance development
The TWR-WIFI-AR4100 Module contains:
802.11n Wi-Fi board with Atheros "System-in-Package"
Quick Start Guide
The AR4100 is a small form-factor, single stream, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi “System-in-Package” (SIP) solution. The AR4100 has been developed to support applications hosted by low-resource microcontrollers that send infrequent data packets over the network. Typically, these 802.11 applications will place a higher priority on system cost, power consumption, ease of use, and fast wake-up times as compared to high throughput. The AR4100 integrates all Wi-Fi functionality into a low-profile, 8.3mm x 9.2mm LGA package that can be easily mounted via low-cost PCB manufacturing flows. The device requires only a few external bypass capacitors and a connection to an antenna for a board level design. As an added cost reduction and convenience, the SIP module is pre-certified with the FCC and other major regulatory bodies.
The AR4100 employs the world’s lowest power consumption embedded architecture. It has been optimized for client applications in the home and enterprise that have lower data rates, and transmit or receive data on an infrequent basis. The AR4100 features standby current consumption as low as 5uA. Additional optimizations, including a reduced host driver footprint, allow easy integration with low-cost microcontrollers.
The AR4100 also includes Atheros’ industry leading high-efficiency, high-output EPA™ power amplifier with zero calibration and integrated LNAs. RF matching circuits, a reference crystal, and a T/R switch are also integrated, eliminating the need for an external RF components and thus enabling direct antenna connection. The end result is a device that is the best-in-class for ease of system design.
At the heart of the AR4100 is an ultra low-power radio architecture and proprietary power save technologies. This low-power architecture can enable multi-year battery life from AA cells. The AR4100 also includes an on-chip, high-efficiency PMU (power management unit) that enables a direct-connect to battery, eliminating the need for external regulators. An on-chip embedded CPU handles complete 802.11 b/g/n processing to minimize host processor loading.
AR4100主要技术指标:
图1.AR4100方框图
The Atheros Wi-Fi Tower Module (TWR-WIFI-AR4100) is a low-cost evaluation, demonstration and development board that features an ultra-low power 802.11n solution from Atheros.
The TWR-WIFI-AR4100 Wi-Fi Tower System module features the AR4100 solution from Atheros. The following is a brief summary of the TWR-WIFI-AR4100’s features:
The Atheros AR4100, an ultra-low power, single stream (1x1) IEEE 802.11n System-in-package featuring:
Low energy and Low system resource requirements
Simple low cost wireless system integration
Near zero RBOM
Integrated RF front end, RF shield, and clocks
Direct connect to a 50-ohm antenna
Integrated PMU for battery operation
Atheros world class leading 802.11n Wi-Fi:
Integrated high-power, high efficiency Power Amplifier
Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) encoding for improved uplink robustness over range
Space Time Block Coding (STBC) for improved downlink robustness over range
Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS)
Wi-Fi Direct™ready
Compatible with the Tower System, including MQX based driver support
SPI interface to Tower MCU modules
On-board SPI Flash for enabling minimal impact to MCU resources
图2. TWR-WIFI-AR4100外形图
图3.TWR-WIFI-AR4100方框图
The TWR-WIFI-AR4100 module connects to the Freescale Tower platform using the SPI interface and can be easily integrated using the TCP/IP stack of the Freescale MQX system.
图4.TWR-WIFI-AR4100电路图(1)
图5.TWR-WIFI-AR4100电路图(2)
图6.TWR-WIFI-AR4100电路图(3)
