MCUX and WICED Murata 1DX - how to integrate?

[dmarks_ls]

So I logged into my MCUX dashboard today, and saw this notice at the top right:

• MCUXpresso SDK v2.5.1 update for i.MX RT1050 and i.MX RT1060 with support for Cypress WICED WiFi SDK supporting Murata 1DX modules (CYW4343W)

Now that's kinda exciting... I'm always pleased to see options for integrating Wi-Fi into these MCU platforms.  I know that NXP already provides integration with the Qualcomm QCA4004 ("wifi_qca") on its Kinetis and i.MX RT platforms.  The Qualcomm device has a standard SPI interface to the MCU.

I can see from Murata's site that they don't yet list the i.MX RT as one of the supported host processors; they currently list the i.MX 6/7/8 parts, which are all presumed to be running Linux.  I did use my Google-fu to locate Mouser's promo page for EA's microSD adapter for Murata M.2 eval boards, however.  So that confirms that the host interface to the 4343W for the i.MX RT is SDIO.

A few questions about i.MX RT + CYW4343W:

• Which TCP/IP stack has been integrated with the 4343W?  lwIP, FreeRTOS/TCP, other?
• Does this solution require the user to develop any custom firmware for the 4343W, or is there pre-built firmware available?
• Does NXP plan to provide a Bluetooth stack to take advantage of the BT 4.2 controller available on the 4343W?  The host interface to the BT portion of the module is UART, correct?

[dmarks_ls]

Mouser just sent out a promotional email to the public about Murata's Wi-Fi + BT solutions for i.MX RT and i.MX 6 and 8.  Looks like they have all of the development boards in stock now.

https://www.mouser.com/new/Murata/ea-nxp-wifi-bluetooth-i-mx/

[PetrL]

Hi David,

• Which TCP/IP stack has been integrated with the 4343W?  lwIP, FreeRTOS/TCP, other?

  • We support lwIP stack in the package. FreeRTOS/TCP is not planned at this point.

• Does this solution require the user to develop any custom firmware for the 4343W, or is there pre-built firmware available?

  • In the MCUXpresso SDK 2.5.1 we provide pre-built firmware for 4343W for normal use (available with example applications) and also FW for production-related testing part of wiced_mfg_test example.

• Does NXP plan to provide a Bluetooth stack to take advantage of the BT 4.2 controller available on the 4343W?  The host interface to the BT portion of the module is UART, correct?

  • Bluetooth is not available at this release. We plan add it later this year. Bluetooth SW for 4343W is currently through Cypress only.  And yes, BT is connected through UART.

[scottkerr · Accepted solution]

hi David, 

You can see the new M.2 EVB's on Mouser at: 

https://www.mouser.com/Embedded-Artists/Embedded-Solutions/Wireless-RF-Modules/WiFi-Modules-80211/_/...

Murata collaborated closely with Embedded Artists on the hardware design.  Here are the EA links - first points to the new M.2 EVB's, second points to their i.MX RT 1062 Dev Kit: 

https://www.embeddedartists.com/m2/

https://www.embeddedartists.com/products/imx-rt1062-developers-kit/

Until the Murata uSD-M.2 Adapter shows up (May 3rd or 6th perhaps), the EA i.MX RT 1062 Dev Kit is the only platform supporting Type 1DX with the new software release (direct M.2 interconnect on the Embedded Artists' platform).  The Murata Adapter part number is: LBEE0ZZ1WE-TEMP.  Mouser will be the first to stock it.  

Initial support is 1DX.  However, the 1LV and 1MW will follow so all three modules will be supported on i.MX RT family.  All three M.2 EVB's use Murata's custom PCB trace antenna which is reference-certified (regulatory).  The common hardware interface is the uSD-M.2 Adapter using a standard M.2 interface.  I've attached the adapter datasheet for your reference. For more information on the M.2 EVB's: 

https://www.embeddedartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1DX_M2_Datasheet.pdf

https://www.embeddedartists.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1MW_M2_Datasheet.pdf

1LV datasheet is coming soon. 

Murata website is being updated.  It will have necessary documentation posted when the adapter becomes available.  You will want to keep your eyes on "wireless.murata.com/imx" and "wireless.murata.com/usd-m2".  The latter of the two is not launched yet; and the former is being re-worked.  

I believe the stack implementation is lwip. No custom firmware is required.  Even manufacturing test firmware is included in the release which allow users to run WLAN RF testing.  Bluetooth is going to be released.  The software has been ported from Cypress' WICED implementation; so it is the Cypress WICED BT stack.  

Best Regards,

Scott

[jonathanpardeck]

Curious if there are any updates on when the iMX RT support for the 1LV and 1MW modules is coming as well as when BT support will be released.

Thanks,

Jon