Switch WiFi solution?

[synfinatic]

So one problem with the Xbee/WiFly board I'm using is that it only supports a single TCP port. I suspect this makes it pretty much useless for things like serial to TCP adapter mode because you can't multiplex multiple tasks (like DSC) on the same TCP port.

Looks like the WizFi210/220 supports up to 16 ports (clients) and AP mode as well.

http://media.digikey.com/pdf/Data%20Sheets/WIZnet%20PDFs/WizFi210,220_UM_v1.12.pdf

The problem here of course is that it's not available in the XBee format and so would not be compatible with v0.5 boards, but of course the software would be so completely different it really doesn't matter anyways. Also, unlike the WiFly XBee module, they're sold either as Arduino shields, etc or individual chips. There doesn't seem to be any good/inexpensive break out boards so I'd have to design the board around this chip to do any development. (Or create my own xbee format breakout PCB)

The good news is that the boards are ~$32 via Digikey and appear reasonably easy to solder and will end up taking far less PCB space then the WiFly XBee shield.

Some useful Eagle .sch/.brd are available here:

• https://github.com/Wiznet/Arduino_WiFi_Shield
• https://github.com/Wiznet/WizFiShield

UPDATE: Probably not a good pick. Looks like it only supports a single TCP server socket.

[synfinatic]

Another good option is the Bluegiga WF121. $30 via DigiKey. Has 4 UARTs and supports streaming them directly to TCP. There is also a nice breakout board & lots of good info about the WF121 here: http://www.inmojo.com/store/jeff-rowberg/item/wf121-wifi-breakout-board/

Resources:

• https://www.bluegiga.com/en-US/products/wifi-modules/wf121-wifi-module/documentation/
• https://bluegiga.zendesk.com/forums/21354592-WiFi
• http://support.bluegiga.com/

Other:

• http://www.inmojo.com/store/jeff-rowberg/item/wf121-wifi-breakout-board/
• Is basically a PIC internally with all the fun programming them. :( ICSP (special hardware like a PicKit2 on ebay for ~$20) or special DFU mode via USB/serial (serial requires CTS/RTS)
• USB is probably the best bet? Needs a 8Mhz crystal + caps for USB breakout. Could use USB/power plug. :)
• Needs a lot more power then the WiFly. 400mA minimum. May want to upgrade to a bigger 3.3V LDO if we also want to support a display on 3.3v

[synfinatic]

Recently announced is the MediaTek 7681 which seems similar to the Bluegiga, but only $9: http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/LinkIt-Connect7681-Module-Scale-for-Wifi-solution-p-2264.html

Dev kit is $20: http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/LinkIt-Connect7681-Wifi-HDK-for-IoT-p-2262.html

https://labs.mediatek.com/site/global/developer_tools/mediatek_7681/whatis_7681/index.gsp

Looks like it supports up to 4 tcp server sockets & 4 connections. Only has a single UART so would have to multiplex it (use the 5 GPIO's for signaling?). Has a Windows & Linux SDK. 3.3V and low power requirements from the looks of it (no more then 250mA) and has onboard ceramic antenna!

[synfinatic]

ESP8266. http://www.esp8266.com/

By far the cheapest solution (< $5/ea). Supports softAP mode as well as AP client. Only a single UART as is common but has some GPIO which may be used for signaling. Uncertain if it can support > 1 TCP server socket. Sounds like the code is a bit unstable, but improving.

If I don't need multiple serial ports, this is probably the best option just because it's so small & cheap

https://github.com/beckdac/ESP8266-transparent-bridge may be useful

Available ESP8266 packaged as an XBee board is $6 + $6shipping:
http://www.dfrobot.com/wiki/index.php?title=SKU:TEL0092_WiFi_Bee-ESP8266_Wirelss_module
http://www.dfrobot.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=1279&search=TEL0092&description=true

[synfinatic]

Another low cost WiFi solution. Not sure of it's featureset yet though:
http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/EMW3165-CortexM4-based-WiFi-SoC-Module-p-2488.html

There is also a dev board for it as well:
http://www.seeedstudio.com/depot/EMWE-3165-A-Development-Board-p-2489.html

[synfinatic]

ESP8266 is definitely the low cost winner. At least for the current feature set, there's no need for anything more expensive!