Product Review
Avnet Wi-Fi dev kit designed to attach to FPGA dev boards
Clive Maxfield8/30/2012 2:48 PM EDT
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Slogan
Dr DSP, I don't know the exact history of PMOD, but I believe it's something ...
Dr DSP
Pmod seems to be a fairly universal interface now. I have seen it on a few ...
The folks at Avnet Electronics Marketing Americas have just introduced their Pmod-compatible CC3000-based Wi-Fi adapter development kit.
This fully integrated and pre-certified Wi-Fi adapter includes a built-in internet protocol stack and is designed to attach to Avnet FPGA development boards, or any other host board with a Pmod interface connector. These kits cost only $59.00 and are available for order now at www.em.avnet.com/pmodwifi
“In today’s IP-connected world, there is a growing need for OEMs to include Wi-Fi connectivity in their end-products,” said Joe Tillison, technology director for Avnet Electronics Marketing Americas. “But many devices don’t have the memory or processing power to operate a TCP/IP networking stack. With the protocol stack and network processor conveniently built into this module, even a basic 8-bit microcontroller or FPGA can have easy access to Wi-Fi networks.”
The CC3000-Pmod Wi-Fi kit is compact, measuring just over one square inch (about the size of two postage stamps), and connects to any host board with the Digilent Pmod-compatible 2 x 6 pin header. Designed in partnership with LS Research (LSR), the module features a TiWi-SL 802.11b/g module based on the Texas Instruments SimpleLink CC3000, and an onboard chip antenna.
The built-in IP networking stack provides universal Wi-Fi and Internet access without the need for a complex CPU and OS, employing a small API command set that is easily incorporated into a Xilinx FPGA using the MicroBlaze Soft Processor core. The CC3000-Pmod kit enables MCU or FPGA developers to create a variety of wireless applications requiring Wi-Fi network access, including over-the-air configuration updates. The adapter is FCC/IC/ETSI and CE certified and is RoHS compliant.
“Wi-Fi connectivity is quickly becoming required for many new product designs,” said Bill Steinike, president of LSR. “The LSR TiWi-SL module coupled with the LSR designed Pmod adapter development kit provides a fast and cost effective way for customers to easily integrate a certified Wi-Fi solution.”
If you found this article to be of interest, visit Programmable Logic Designline where – in addition to my Max's Cool Beans blogs – you will find the latest and greatest design, technology, product, and news articles with regard to programmable logic devices of every flavor and size (FPGAs, CPLDs, CSSPs, PSoCs...).
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This fully integrated and pre-certified Wi-Fi adapter includes a built-in internet protocol stack and is designed to attach to Avnet FPGA development boards, or any other host board with a Pmod interface connector. These kits cost only $59.00 and are available for order now at www.em.avnet.com/pmodwifi
“In today’s IP-connected world, there is a growing need for OEMs to include Wi-Fi connectivity in their end-products,” said Joe Tillison, technology director for Avnet Electronics Marketing Americas. “But many devices don’t have the memory or processing power to operate a TCP/IP networking stack. With the protocol stack and network processor conveniently built into this module, even a basic 8-bit microcontroller or FPGA can have easy access to Wi-Fi networks.”
The CC3000-Pmod Wi-Fi kit is compact, measuring just over one square inch (about the size of two postage stamps), and connects to any host board with the Digilent Pmod-compatible 2 x 6 pin header. Designed in partnership with LS Research (LSR), the module features a TiWi-SL 802.11b/g module based on the Texas Instruments SimpleLink CC3000, and an onboard chip antenna.
The built-in IP networking stack provides universal Wi-Fi and Internet access without the need for a complex CPU and OS, employing a small API command set that is easily incorporated into a Xilinx FPGA using the MicroBlaze Soft Processor core. The CC3000-Pmod kit enables MCU or FPGA developers to create a variety of wireless applications requiring Wi-Fi network access, including over-the-air configuration updates. The adapter is FCC/IC/ETSI and CE certified and is RoHS compliant.
If you found this article to be of interest, visit Programmable Logic Designline where – in addition to my Max's Cool Beans blogs – you will find the latest and greatest design, technology, product, and news articles with regard to programmable logic devices of every flavor and size (FPGAs, CPLDs, CSSPs, PSoCs...).
Also, you can obtain a highlights update delivered directly to your inbox by signing up for my weekly newsletter – just Click Here to request this newsletter using the Manage Newsletters tab (if you aren't already a member you'll be asked to register, but it's free and painless so don't let that stop you [grin]).
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Duane Benson
8/30/2012 5:42 PM EDT
That definitely looks work checking out. My upcoming robot design will need WiFi and this may be an easy (easy is a relative term) and fast route to get there. The only downside is that, according to their website, it comes with VHDL sample code, not Verilog. On the other hand, I suppose I should get familiar with both languages.
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Max the Magnificent
8/30/2012 5:46 PM EDT
Not the least that you already have the FPGA dev board shown in this picture...
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Duane Benson
8/30/2012 6:10 PM EDT
I just placed my order and in about a week, I should have one of these in my hands. It might be a good way to check out both the FPGA embedded processor as well as a pmod accessory. It comes with sample web server code so I can work on accessing the robot brain through a browser or Android app.
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Dr DSP
9/1/2012 2:20 PM EDT
Pmod seems to be a fairly universal interface now. I have seen it on a few different FPGA boards (the Lattice iCE40 board for example). As more expansion boards like this one are available I think you can quickly prototype a complete system. Anyone know if there is a complete listing of available (and planned) Pmod compatible boards?
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Slogan
9/6/2012 1:44 PM EDT
Dr DSP, I don't know the exact history of PMOD, but I believe it's something Digilent came up with to serve as a quick prototyping need. Here's the link on Digilent's site (http://www.digilentinc.com/Products/Catalog.cfm?NavPath=2,401&Cat=9) I believe this encompasses all of their PMODs. At Xilinx, we're also starting to incorporate more PMOD connectors on our base boards. The ZC702 has 3 of these. Avnet's ZedBoard has 5. And more of our analog partners are designing PMOD cards for their various products. For example, Maxim has a new listing of 15 PMODs that address a variety of applications and connectors. (http://www.maximintegrated.com/products/evkits/fpga-modules/)
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