Getting Started with WiConnect

WiConnect provides a secure wireless network link between your host microcontroller (MCU) and a network.

To join a wireless network, you need to supply the module with network credentials: the wireless network name (SSID) and password. There are several ways to do this, including:

Let's get started!

Getting Started with the WiConnect Web App

The WiConnect Web App provides a simple way to configure the module network credentials using a web browser. This is particularly convenient for configuring ACKme evaluation boards, which can be put in setup web mode without connecting a WiConnect terminal. See WiConnect Web App, Setup Web Mode.

Getting Started with the WiConnect Terminal

Before configuring your module, you can ensure your module is in a known state by performing a factory_reset.

Opening a WiConnect Terminal

You can control your ACKme module with WiConnect commands via a UART serial terminal.

For an ACKme WiConnect evaluation board, plug the computer USB port into the evaluation board micro USB port. USB provides power and UART serial connection.

For a module not in an evaluation board, connect the terminal to module UART 1 Rx and Tx and provide power to the module. See the module datasheet for details.

With the module UART connected:

Ready
>
> version
WiConnect-2.0.0.11, Built:2014-10-20 13:35:04 for AMW006.4, Board:AMW006-E03.2

If problems arise, see the WiConnect Troubleshooting Guide.

Configuring the Module for a Wi-Fi Network

You need to provide your module with your Access Point (AP) SSID and password. You can do this via the serial terminal, with the following WiConnect commands.

WiConnect Commands Description

set wlan.ssid     "YOUR AP NAME"
set wlan.passkey  "YOUR AP PASSWORD"


Name of your Access Point
Password for your Access Point

When you issue any WiConnect command that requires network access, WiConnect attempts to bring the network up using these properties.

ACKme evaluation boards have a network indicator LED to help determine successful association. Enter the network_up command (nup). The network indicator LED changes its blink rate from fast (no IP address), to medium (DHCP in progress) to slow (DHCP successful, IP address obtained).

To ensure that variables like the AP name and password persist after a reboot, use the save command: 

save

Verifying the Internet Connection

To demonstrate that the module is connecting to the Internet, try downloading a web page:

WiConnect Commands Description

http_get          http://google.com
stream_read       0 1000


<- Google web address
<- Read 1000-bytes of the web page

WiConnect Applications

Now that you have established control over your ACKme module, you can experiment with the rich set of WiConnect features. There are many application notes demonstrating WiConnect networking applications. See Application Examples.

Getting Help

As well as this WiConnect documentation, there are various WiConnect help commands:

The following help options are available ...
  help all        -> Print a list of all Commands and Variables
  help commands   -> Print a list of Commands
  help variables  -> Print a list of readable Variables
  help <command>  -> Print help for a specific Command
  help <variable> -> Print help for a specific Variable

  Additional help is available online at http://wiconnect.ack.me