Microchip's new embedded Wi-Fi dev boards

The folks from Microchip have announced the integration of the Wi-Fi modules from their recent Roving Networks acquisition into their flexible, modular Explorer development systems supporting all of their 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.  These modules use a simple serial interface to connect with any PIC microcontroller, and expand Microchip’s wireless portfolio with 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 from Microchip are comprehensive networking solutions that include a true 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 on-board-stack approach significantly reduces customers’ integration time and development effort in a small form factor, while offering ultra-low power consumption (down to 4 µA in sleep, 35 mA in receive and 120 mA in transmit mode).


“Integrating these exceptional modules onto standard PICtail/PICtail Plus boards enables more than 70,000 Microchip customers to easily add Wi-Fi connectivity to the entire portfolio of PIC microcontrollers,” said Steve Caldwell, director of Microchip’s Wireless Products Division.  “Additionally, designers can add this connectivity without integrating a TCP/IP stack and while using standard development tools, which speeds time to market and reduces R&D resources.”

Pricing and availability
The RN-131 PICtail Daughter Board (Part # RN-131-PICtail) is available now for $44.95 each.  Likewise, the RN-171 PICtail Daughter Board (Part # RN-171-PICtail) is available now for $39.95 each.

For additional information, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorized worldwide distributor, or visit Microchip’s Website.  To purchase products mentioned in this press release, go to microchipDIRECT or contact one of Microchip’s authorized distribution partners.

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