Tag: Wi-Fi

How to Set Up the Development and Programming Environment for Raytac’s AN7002Q-nRF5340 Demo Board (AN7002Q-DB-5340)?

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To help you quickly get started with Raytac’s AN7002 Wi-Fi module and nRF5340 module, here’s a simple guide on how to set up the development and programming environment using AN7002Q-nRF5340 Demo Board(AN7002Q-DB-5340)and nRF5340 DK.

This article will cover the 4 sections below:
1. Hardware setup
2. Software Development Kit and Environment setup
3. Programming/Development
4. Flashing/Uploading firmware

1. Hardware Setup
1 x Nordic nRF5340-DK: PCA10095(2.0.0)
1 x Raytac AN7002Q-DB-5340
1 x IDC Cable
1 x USB-Micro USB Cable
1 x USB-Type C USB Cable

*Note: You need to use both the “Nordic nRF5340-DK” and “Raytac AN7002Q-DB-5340 demo board” together for programming and development. *

Steps to connect the hardware:

  • Connect J-Link on Nordic DK to AN7002Q-DB-5340 using IDC Cable
  • Power Nordic nRF5340-DK up using Micro USB Cable
  • Power Raytac AN7002Q-DB-5340 up using Type C USB Cable


AN7002Q-DB-5340 Schematic Diagram:

2. Software Development Kit and Environment Setup

Download nRF Connect For Desktop: Download nRF Connect For Desktop (Please Click Me)

Download nRF Command Line Tools: Download nRF Command Line Tools (Please Click Me)

(1) Download and install the latest version of nRF Connect for Desktop (Windows 64-bit – 5.0.0 version)
nrfconnect-setup-5.0.0-x64.exe

(2) Download and install the latest version of nRF Command Line Tools (Windows X86 64 – 10.24.2 version)
nrf-command-line-tools-10.24.2-x64.exe

*Note: During set-up, the SEGGER J-LINK installation/update request might pop up on your screen. *
*(As shown in below screenshot). *
If you’re initiating Segger J-Link Driver, please check the guideline here(Click me)


After the installations are completed, you can see the following applications under the:

“Programs and Features” section in the Control Panel.

3. Programming/Development

nRF Connect SDK (NCS) supports development using the free VS (Visual Studio) Code IDE.
Here’s how to select and install the NCS SDK version (nRF Connect SDK vx.x.x):


Step1.

Open “nRF Connect for Desktop” → Choose “Toolchain Manager” → then click” Open”


Step2.

You’ll see a list of nRF Connect SDK versions. It’s recommended to install NCS v2.6.0 or later.
Here, we use NCS v2.6.0 as an example.


Step3.

Before installing NCS v2.6.0, confirm the installation path (Default path → C:\ncs).


If you want to change the path, click “Select directory”, and press OK.


Step4.

After installing the nRFConnect SDK v2.6.0, click “Open VS Code”.


Step5.

Open the Wi-Fi scan example


Step6.

Add build configuration → select the board and compile.


Select board: nrf7002dk_nrf5340_cpuapp.


Step7.

After compilation, a hex file will be generated.


Step8.

Under ACTIONS, you can choose to Build, Debug, or Flash.


Build:


Debug:


Flash:

4. Programming

nRF Connect SDK(NCS) supports programming. You can use the “Programmer” tool to flash .hex file.
Here’s how:


Step1.

Open “nRF Connect for Desktop” → Select “Programmer” → then click” Open”.


Click “Select Device”;


Since AN7002 Wi-Fi IC does not act as an MCU,
we can only flash the .hex file into the MDBT53(nRF5340) BLE IC.


Click “Add file” to add the .hex file.


Step2.

Select the .hex file you want to flash.


The hex file will be written into the part of the memory layout (where orange part is highlighted).


Slashes will be displayed in the circled part during the flash process.


Step3.

Once the flash process is completed, connect Raytac’s AN7002Q-DB-5340 development board to PuTTY.

Tx to p0.20

Rx to p0.22

GND to GND

This is a closer look into the pins that will be connected.


The flash process is completed when the LOG is displayed as circled below.


Check if hardware connection is successful using PuTTY.

Useful references:

Edited by Sales Manager: Ms. Vicky Huang
Technical guidance provided by R&D Manager: Mr. MW Lee
Hardware environment provided by Hardware Engineer: Mr. Kyle Wang

Raytac Corporation 勁達國際電子股份有限公司 
Bluetooth & WiFi module maker based on Nordic nRF54, nRF53, nRF52, nRF7002 solution
BT5.4 &BT5.3 & BT5.2 & BT5.1 Qualified, FCC/IC/CE/Telec/KC/RCM/SRRC/NCC Pre-Certified.
Bluetooth Solution: nRF54, nRF5340, nRF52840, nRF52833, nRF52832, nRF52820, nRF52811, nRF52810, nRF52805, nRF51822
WiFi Solution: nRF7002
http://www.raytac.com
email: service@raytac.com
Tel: +886-2-3234-0208

Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA) – Certification program –FlexTrack & Derivative

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Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA) – Certification program —Flex Track & Derivative
(The least effort option for Wi-Fi certification)


Source: https://www.wi-fi.org/certification

After reading through the article of WFA (Wi-Fi Alliance) QuickTrack program, you may try to seek for a seamless option that least effort made for a Wi-Fi certificate.

Raytac Corp. has took this Wi-Fi program topic into consideration already!

Raytac Corp. is working on the FlexTrack package as a source product so that end product developer can apply a Derivative program to grant a WFA(Wi-Fi Alliance) certificate by leveraging Raytac Corp. WFA source product – NRF5340 & NRF7002 IC combo solution (MDBT53 & AN7002 Module)

Let Raytac Corp. do the work ahead of your request, the FlexTrack program is provided with a fix option, the necessary Wi-Fi compliance & conformance have been done by Raytac Corporation, Raytac Corp. will get a WFA Certificate that you (end product developer) can simply leverage it and apply Derivative program seamlessly for getting your own Wi-Fi certificate ID as long as you’re the member of Wi-Fi alliance.

  • What benefits you (end product developer) by sticking to Raytac Corp. FlexTrack (Source product) program?

Source Product: NRF5340 & NRF7002 IC combo solution (MDBT53 & AN7002 Module)

  1. No-Testing required: Raytac Corp. has granted the Wi-Fi certificate ID using source product (MDBT53 & AN7002 Module) , you simply leverage Raytac Corp. Wi-Fi certified ID and apply the solution to your end product when you’re working on the certification process ; No-testing is required.

  2. Faster time-to-market end device (WiFi) : By using Raytac Corp. available WFA source product , you can get through the certification process easily without being in the process of a series of tests as long as you’re the member of Wi-Fi alliance. This helps your WiFi end device get launched at the earliest.

  3. Seamless Connectivity & Least resource required : Without involving in a series of complicate Wi-Fi compliance and conformance test, it delivers the seamless connectivity and the least effort would be took for end product developer to get Wi-Fi certificate ID.

  4. Waive cost on Wi-Fi conformance test: it significantly decreases the cost for your project budget without getting through a series of Wi-Fi compliance & conformance tests.

If you stick to Raytac Corp. combo solution (source product )- MDBT53 & AN7002 Module, given the WiFi components are pre-certified in the FlexTrack solution, you (end product developer) will be able to use the minimal resource and least effort to get Wi-Fi certificate ID for your WiFi end device.


  • Which membership level shall be applied in Wi-Fi alliance for being Derivative?

If you agree with Raytac Corp. FlexTrack program and are confident in the Raytac Corp. combo solution(source product )- MDBT53 & AN7002 Module , Wi-Fi Implementer membership would extend this benefit for you. Being the Implementer membership and participate in the Derivative program, this is the perfect option for the budget sensitive company.


Source: https://www.wi-fi.org/membership

https://www.wi-fi.org/membership/membership-benefits

 

Raytac Corp. is about to launch WiFi module AN7002(Powered up by Nordic’s nRF7002 WiFi IC) in 2024 ;

Keep your attention to the blog posts for more upcoming WiFi-related content.

Don’t forget to visit our webiste: http://www.raytac.com for more Wi-Fi related news /release notices.

 

Edited by Sales Manager: Jocelyn Tsai

Raytac Corporation 勁達國際電子股份有限公司  A company of Abietec
Bluetooth & WiFi module maker based on Nordic nRF54, nRF53, nRF52, nRF7002(WiFi) solution
BT5.4 &BT5.3 & BT5.2 & BT5.1 Qualified, FCC/IC/CE/Telec/KC/RCM/SRRC/NCC Pre-Certified. Bluetooth Solution: nRF54, nRF5340, nRF52840, nRF52833, nRF52832, nRF52820, nRF52811, nRF52810, nRF52805, nRF51822 WiFi Solution: nRF7002
www.raytac.com
email:service@raytac.com
Tel: +886.2.3234.020

Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA) – Certification program –QuickTrack

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Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA) – Certification program –QuickTrack

 -Collaboration between Solution provider & End product developer

Source: https://www.wi-fi.org/certification

 

Raytac Corp. is officially a member of Wi-Fi Alliance now!

Before stepping into Wi-Fi module selection and adoption, Wi-Fi regulatory compliance will be essential for you to know.

 

Let’s dig into the Wi-Fi certification program and investigate the possibility of WFA Qualified Solution (provided by Solution Provider) & WFA certificate (obtained by end product developer).

  • What benefits you (end product developer) by working with Rayta Corp. (Solution Provider) for QuickTrack program?
  1. Faster time-to-market : By using available WFA Qualified Solution (provided by solution provider) to waive (or partially waive) compliance test criteria/decrease testing days for end product (WiFi Device), shorter development days would be took before product launch.
  2. Reduce test and certification costs: it significantly reduces the cost and certification days for your project with minimal resource by working with Raytac Corp. (Solution Provider) using available WFA Qualified Solution.
  3. Avoid testing redundancies: Raytac Corp. (Solution Provider) has pre-certified the core Wi-Fi architecture and protocols in WiFi module AN7002, the necessary qualification tests has been conducted. You (end product developer) don’t need to test on those same criteria for end product (WiFi Device) if Raytac WiFi module is implemented in your end device.
  4. Allow flexibility of Wi-Fi functionality change: In case those minor change of Wi-Fi feature which is not relates to core/essential/architecture change may be raised someday in the future , QuickTrack program delivers the qualified product base (Source product) and lower cost with conformance test (QuickTrackTool) responding to the minor change. This is especially adaptive for the case end product developer has their own processor (MCU) working with Raytac NRF7002 module.
  • How QuickTrack certification program works?

QuickTrack certification program shall be completed by 2 different parties, one is solution provider and the other is end product developer.

(Refer to the following image)

As a Solution Provider, Raytac would proceed the essential and fundamental Wi-Fi protocol/compliance test and develop this into a Qualified solution so that end product developer can leverage this solution as a base (Source Product) to obtain a certificate entitled to end product developer.

Please note the conformance check (named QuickTrack Tool) would be required before Wi-Fi alliance certifies the application.

Conformance check (QuickTrack Tool) will be reviewed for the 8 Wi-Fi components.

  1. Chipset
  2. Wi-Fi Component Firmware Version
  3. Driver
  4. RF Architecture
  5. Wi-Fi Component Operation System
  6. Physical Interface
  7. RF Components
  8. Antenna

When you adopt Raytac WFA Qualified solution, the core/essential/architecture components are pre-certified in the solution, in most of cases, no further conformance test is required, you (end product developer) will be granted to obtain the certificate after a couple of days applying process.

Raytac leaves the right to Wi-Fi alliance for the conformance review (run QuickTrackTool).

  • Which membership level shall be applied in Wi-Fi alliance for being QuickTrack?

If you agree with QuickTrack program and are willing to participate in the partnership as end product developer with Raytac Corp. (solution provider), Implementer membership will be cost effective option for you.

Company like Raytac Corp. served as solution provider or require professional Wi-Fi alliance support, company own/multiple programs oriented or needs tasks management shall refer to the membership of top one – Contributor.

Source: https://www.wi-fi.org/membership

https://www.wi-fi.org/membership/membership-benefits

 

Raytac Corp. is about to launch WiFi module AN7002 in 2024 ;

Keep your attention to the blog post recently.

 

Edited by Sales Manager: Jocelyn Tsai

Raytac Corporation 勁達國際電子股份有限公司
Bluetooth & WiFi module maker based on Nordic nRF54, nRF53, nRF52, nRF7002 solution
BT5.4 &BT5.3 & BT5.2 & BT5.1 Qualified, FCC/IC/CE/Telec/KC/RCM/SRRC/NCC Pre-Certified. Bluetooth Solution: nRF54, nRF5340, nRF52840, nRF52833, nRF52832, nRF52820, nRF52811, nRF52810, nRF52805, nRF51822 WiFi Solution: nRF7002
www.raytac.com
email:service@raytac.com
Tel: +886.2.3234.0208

6 wireless technologies for wearables

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6 wireless technologies for wearables

Raytac Corporation
A BT4.1 & BT4.2 module maker based on Nordic nRF51 & nRF52 solution 
(nRF51822 & nRF51422 & nRF52832 & nRF51802)
www.raytac.com
Tel: +886.2.3234.0208
email: service@raytac.com  
http://raytaccorp.blogspot.tw/2016/05/6-wireless-technologies-for-wearables.html
http://bluetooth.tokyo
Quoted from Nordic Blog
http://blog.nordicsemi.com/getconnected/wireless-technologies-for-wearables?hs_preview=cRandwfB-4125023772
Which one of these wireless technologies is best for your wearable product?
Are you creating a wearable product, but not sure of what wireless technology to choose? The way modern APIs work, developers don’t necessarily need to know the technical details. But having a basic understanding of the underlying technology will help you make apps that are more efficient, more responsive and easier to use.
Which solution is best for your wearable product? This depends on your requirements for bandwidth, power considerations and range. Here’s a brief overview of the 6 most common wireless technologies to consider.

Near Field Communication (NFC)

NFC works best for wearables that require low power consumption. It involves the transfer of tiny amounts of data over a very short range, essentially by touching two devices together. The devices will switch between two different modes: Active and passive. The power consumption for NFC is similar to what we see in Bluetooth Low Energy, although higher when communicating with a passive tag.

If you need your wearable to transfer data over a longer range, you should look for other options.

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)

Today, most wearables are running on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE, formerly called Bluetooth Smart).
This technology is known as an easy to implement, low-cost option that requires very little power from your wearable. Your product can be powered by a coin cell battery for months – even years in some cases. But BLE comes with a compromise: Your data throughput will be limited. As most wearables generally transfer very little data, product owners can usually live with this.
The BLE chip is small, and fits nicely into an esthetically pleasing wearable that is convenient for the user to wear. A line-of-sight range of up to 100 meters is possible.

Using BLE requires your device to be paired with a host, most usually a cellphone with an app activated.

If you plan for your wearable to transfer higher amounts of data frequently,Bluetooth Low Energy may not be the best choice. Limited data transfer capacity makes this technology unsuitable for audio and video streaming, for example.

ANT

The wireless network technology ANT is a good option for sports wearables. A subsidiary of Garmin, ANT is huge in the sports and fitness segment where it is typically used for monitoring of heart rate, cycling power, distance and speed. Many of today’s cycling and fitness brands use ANT for their wearables. In fact, it has almost become a de facto standard in cycling.

The sensors and other nodes will act as either slaves or masters within a wireless network. Each node can transmit, receive or even function as a repeater to increase the range of the network. You can configure the network to spend long periods in low-power sleep mode, consuming extremely little power.

Bluetooth Classic

Initially a standard intended to cover a lot of use cases for wireless communication, Bluetooth Classic (originally named slimply ‘Bluetooth’, of course) found its niche in audio. Today it is the de facto standard for audio streaming, whether from your smartphone to a headset, speaker or in-car multimedia system.
Compared to BLE, Bluetooth Classic requires much higher bandwith and therefore more power. The network topology is limited and not suitable for large sensor networks.

Wi-Fi

If your wearable needs to transfer a lot of data with as little lag as possible, Wi-Fi is your best option. The technology is best when streaming huge amounts of data, like video, but its main drawback is high power consumption that will require daily battery charging.

By using Wi-Fi, your wearable product can connect directly to the Internet via a Wi-Fi Access point.
Google Glass uses Wi-Fi to transfer graphics at high data rates for a better user experience. But the high power consumption of the display, and the high CPU load, requires the consumer to charge the device frequently. Be aware that such charging requirements will be a very important factor in overall customer satisfaction.

Cellular

In a similar way to how your smartphone operates, using a cellular radio means that your wearable device can talk directly to the cellular network. Although convenient, as there is no need for a bridge device such as a smart phone to access the cloud, today’s cellular technologies are not suitable for small wearable devices. Power consumption is high and the physical dimensions are usually rather large. In the future, we will see new cellular technologies that are more competitive in the wearable space. But we’re not there yet.

The best of all worlds?

Some wearables combine different wireless technologies to take advantage of different aspects of each method. The Apple Watch uses Bluetooth Classic, BLE, Wi-Fi, and even NFC for mobile payments. Nordic Semiconductor is currently the only manufacturer delivering chips that support both ANT and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), as well as NFC – all in one low power, ‘system on chip’ solution.

Hopefully, you’re now a little clearer on which wireless technology is best for you. If you’re still struggling, consider your product priorities. Is it size, power consumption, user experience, cost, or something else? Once you’re clear on the priorities for your wearable, your wireless communication options become a lot clearer, too.