www.rovingnetworks.com
Version 1.32r 10/9/2012
2
RN -W IFLY -E VAL-U M
OVERVIEW
This document describes the hardware and software setup for Roving Networks evaluation kits, which contain the
hardware you need to evaluate the RN-171 or RN-131 WiFly 802.11 b/g modules. The RN-171 and RN-131 WiFly
modules are mounted to evaluation boards. Each board contains status LEDs, connections for the programmer and UART
interfaces, a voltage regulator, and easy access to GPIO pins.
You can use the evaluation kits to configure and program the WiFly module using the command interface, create
connections, and transfer data. The command interface is made up of simple ASCII commands. See “Resources &
Related Documents” on page 13 for information on available documentation.
Evaluation Kit Description
The evaluation kits include the hardware required to connect the evaluation board to your computer. See Table 1 for
information on which hardware is provided with each kit. Additionally, Appendix A provides photographs and detailed
information on each kit’s contents. To evaluate the module on the evaluation board, you need a computer with a USB port
running the Microsoft Windows or Mac OS-X operating system.
NOTE:
Before beginning your evaluation, you may need to install the driver for the USB cable. You can download the
drivers (as well as other tools and utilities) from the Roving Networks website at
http://www.rovingnetworks.com/support.php
.
Table 1. Evaluation Kit Hardware, Note (1)
Hardware
Description
RN-131-EK
RN-171-EK
Evaluation board
Contains the WiFly module and connectors.
For RN-131
module
For RN-171
module
USB cable
Links your computer to the evaluation board.
✔
✔
Battery pack
Provides power to the evaluation board (requires 2 AA batteries).
✔
PCB trace antenna
Trace antenna included on the PCB.
✔
On-board chip antenna
and U.FL.
The PCB includes an on-board chip antenna and a U.FL.
connector.
✔
Notes:
1.
See “Appendix A: Legacy Evaluation Kits” on page 14 for more information on evaluation boards that use a serial cable.
Figure 1 shows the RN-131-EK evaluation board and pin information. Table 2 describes the LED indicators.
Downloaded from
Downloaded from
