topic Re: WiFi for MCF5223x in ColdFire/68K Microcontrollers and Processors

WiFi for MCF5223x

RValls — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 07:31:44 GMT

Hi everyone!

I am using the MCF52233 for my developement projects to achieve an ethernet conection. Now I have been asked to add WiFi connectivity (802.11 b/g at least, maybe also n). The problem is that searching the Internet, I have only found modules that convert the WiFi signal to serial (usually SPI and UART), which manage all the TCP/IP stack and so.

I was wondering if there is any solution which actually uses the Ethernet capability of the device, so the changes to the MCU firmware would be minimum. I have only found the MAX2830 transceiver, but in the reference designs it is not clear how it may be used. Somebody has tried something similar?

Also, if there is a solution like this, is the MCF52233 capable of managing two interfaces? In this case, both WiFi and wired connection. If so, how?

Best regards,

Ruben

Re: WiFi for MCF5223x

PaoloRenzo — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 18:54:46 GMT

You may want to give a look here:

Tower System Wi-Fi Peripheral Modules</title> <meta name="Keywords" content="Wi-Fi, Tower Sys…

This is part of the TWR system, very popular system to start your tests

Sad thing here is the mcf5223x is not a supported board for TWR system, but as a proof of concept you may want to explore the mcf52259, or design your own board.

As I see here, here are the steps you may want explore:

1) Download latest MQX version

2) Download MQX patch for your favorite WiFi module above

3) Currently as far as I know there's no support for mcf5223x, so you will need to change the WiFi BSP for your respective platform: ColdFire (currently mcf52259 available as a starting point), SPI being used, compiler specifics, etc

4) Build the HW system and test.

FYI, the IC included in the WiFi modules don't handle the TCP/IP stack for you. Only helps you with the lower WiFi 802.11 encapsulation. For example, for us the TCP/IP layer is handled by the RTCS from MQX. Finally all the frames are bypassed to SPI instead of MAC controller by software.

Hope this helps

Re: WiFi for MCF5223x

RValls — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 10:47:28 GMT

Thank you for the information.

I suppose that there are no devices that can use the ethernet connection of the MCF52233 for WIFI purposes, so I have to resign to use the SPI connection.

I will take a look to them.

Best regards,

Ruben

Re: WiFi for MCF5223x

TomLEE — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 14:48:22 GMT

Hello Ruben,

Take a look at NETGEAR WNCE2001. It's an Universal WiFi Internet Adapter.

Perhaps, it works fine with your application.

Which ethernet stack are you using ?

Try FNET (Freescale NET, dowload it here: http://fnet.sourceforge.net) and ask to Andrey if he didn't try before to plug a wifi ethernet adapter (link discussion with Andrey: https://community.freescale.com/thread/57196?start=60&tstart=0) ?...

Regards,

Thomas.