Microchip RN-131 and RN-171 embedded Wi-Fi development boards

Microchip Technology has integrated its Wi-Fi modules from its Roving Networks acquisition into its flexible, modular Explorer development systems supporting all of Microchip’s 8-, 16- and 32-bit PIC microcontrollers. The RN-131 and RN-171 PICtail/PICtail Plus daughter boards are the first two products developed by Microchip based on Roving Networks modules. The modules use a simple serial interface to connect with any PIC microcontroller and expand Microchip’s wireless portfolio with what is claimed to be the industry’s lowest power consumption along with an integrated TCP/IP stack in a certified Wi-Fi solution.

The Roving Networks RN-171 and RN-131 fully certified modules are comprehensive networking solutions that include an 802.11 b/g radio, baseband processor, TCP/IP stack and a host of networking application features. No external processor drivers are required, enabling Wi-Fi connectivity for 4-, 8-, 16- and 32-bit processors.  This onboard-stack approach significantly reduces users’ integration time and development effort in a small form factor, while offering low power consumption down to 4 µA in sleep, 35 mA in receive and 120 mA in transmit mode.