RP6 ROBOT SYSTEM - 1. The RP6v2 M256 WIFI Expansion Module
1.4. Features and Specifications
This chapter gives you an idea of what the RP6 CONTROL M256 offers and is at the
same time an introduction to some terms and description of components of the mod-
ule.
Features, Components and Specifications of the RP6 CONTROL M256 WIFI:
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High performance Atmel ATMEGA2560 8-bit microcontroller
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Speed 16 MIPS (=16 million instructions per second) at a clock frequency of
16MHz, which is twice as fast as the controller on the RP6 main board.
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Memory: 256KB flash ROM, 8KB SRAM, 4KB EEPROM
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6 hardware timers (2x 8 bit, 4x 16 bit)
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Freely programmable in C (with WinAVR / avr-gcc)!
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Software library compatible with the other RP6 modules
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... and much more (s. Datasheet)!
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Energy efficient 802.11b/g 2.4GHz WLAN RF module
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Type: Roving Networks RN-171 (full specifications, see data sheet!)
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Has its own processor with complete TCP/IP stack and WPA2-AES encryption, simple
control via a serial interface
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Automatically connects to the WLAN access point within a second (typical) to start im-
mediate data transfer
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10cm long 2.4GHz antenna with 15cm pigtail cable
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Distance max. 100m line of sight (free of obstacles, depends on interference level)
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Data rate via serial interface 500kbit/s (identical to the bit rate which is used for the
bootloader via the USB interface in “high speed” mode). This is more than enough for
all kinds of telemetry transmission.
◊
Data rate via WLAN: max. 54Mbit/s (in this application this rate is of course not util-
ized), standard setting to increase the transmission distance is 6Mbit/s.
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Transparent data transmission per TCP (or UDP).
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The firmware supports many other protocols (NTP, FTP Client, HTTP Client etc.), you
will find more about it in the documentation of the WLAN module.
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Adhoc mode can be activated per jumper (and restore the factory settings)
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Firmware of the WLAN module can be updated via Internet (FTP)
◊
Level shifters for 3.3V
↔
5V are contained on the PCB. Therefore the microcontroller
can run normally with 5V and is compatible with the RP6 and many normal robot
sensors/actuators. 3.3V sensors can of course be connected via more level shifters.
●
Power consumption of the whole RP6-M256 module at 5V is only about 460mW
with an active 500kbit/s data transfer
(this value might vary depending on the
temperature, use of peripherals and software)
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