Waveshare WIFI232-B2 User manual

WIFI232-B2 User Manual
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WIFI232 User Manual
Note: This manual is based on the version of the module with firmware V5.01.01 and
above. If the module you use is older version, some of the functions cannot be used.

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CONTENS
1QUICK START .................................................................................................................................... 5
1.1 HARDWARE CONNECTION ............................................................................................................... 5
1.2 NETWORK CONNECTION ................................................................................................................. 5
1.3 COMMUNICATION TEST.................................................................................................................... 6
2OVERVIEW.......................................................................................................................................... 8
2.1 DESCRIPTION...................................................................................................................................... 8
2.2 DEVICE FEATURES.............................................................................................................................. 8
2.3 DEVICE PARAMETERS........................................................................................................................ 9
2.4 KEY APPLICATION............................................................................................................................10
2.5 PACKAGE INFORMATION................................................................................................................10
2.5.1 Recommended Reflow Profile ................................................................................10
2.5.2 Device Handing Instruction .....................................................................................11
2.5.3 Shipping information..................................................................................................12
3. HARDWARE INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................12
3.1 PINS DEFINITION........................................................................................................................ 12
3.1.1 WIFI232 Pins Definition .............................................................................................12
3.2 MECHANICAL SIZE .....................................................................................................................14
3.2.1 Dimension of WIFI232................................................................................................ 14
3.3 ANTENNA ....................................................................................................................................15
3.3.1 On-board Chip Antenna............................................................................................15
3.4 EVALUATION KIT ........................................................................................................................16
3.5 HARDWARE REFERENCE DESIGN .............................................................................................17
3.5.1 Hardware Typical Application.................................................................................17
3.5.2 10/100M Ethernet Interface.....................................................................................18
3.5.3 UART Interface...............................................................................................................20
3.5.4 Power Interface .............................................................................................................20
4MODULES FUNCTION DESCRIPTION ...................................................................................20
4.1 USER CONFIGURATION PROCESS ............................................................................................. 20
4.2 WORKING MODE .......................................................................................................................21
4.2.1 Transparent Mode........................................................................................................21
4.2.2 Serial Command Mode ..............................................................................................22
4.2.3 GPIO Mode......................................................................................................................24
4.2.4 HTTPD Client Mode.....................................................................................................24
4.2.5 AT Command Mode ....................................................................................................25
4.3 WIRELESS NETWORKING ..........................................................................................................25
4.3.1 STA...................................................................................................................................... 26

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4.3.2 AP ........................................................................................................................................26
4.3.3 AP+STA............................................................................................................................. 27
4.4 ETHERNET INTERFACE COMMUNICATION..............................................................................28
4.4.1 WIFI232 Ethernet Interface Networking (AP)................................................... 28
4.4.2 WIFI232 Ethernet Interface Networking (STA N-Ver) ..................................29
4.4.3 WIFI232 Ethernet Interface Networking (STA, Z-Ver)..................................29
4.5 WI-FI PARAMETER SETTING.....................................................................................................30
4.5.1 Auto-Frequency Function......................................................................................... 30
4.5.2 Security .............................................................................................................................30
4.5.3 Search Function for STA ............................................................................................31
4.5.4 Address Binding............................................................................................................32
4.6 UART FRAME SCHEME .............................................................................................................32
4.6.1 UAER Free-Frame .........................................................................................................32
4.6.2 UART Auto-Frame........................................................................................................ 33
4.7 NETWORK SETTING....................................................................................................................33
4.7.1 Socket A............................................................................................................................34
4.7.2 Socket B ............................................................................................................................34
4.8 NEW FUNCTION .........................................................................................................................35
4.8.1 TCP password authentication..................................................................................35
4.8.2 Upload ID .........................................................................................................................35
4.8.3 WEB-IO .............................................................................................................................35
4.8.4 Keepalive..........................................................................................................................35
4.8.5 Multiple STA Parameters...........................................................................................36
4.8.6 Websocket Function....................................................................................................36
4.8.7 Fast access Wi-Fi (usr-link) ......................................................................................37
4.8.8 Ready Pin Signal Indication .....................................................................................39
4.8.9 Similar RFC2217 Auto-adapt Baud Rate Function.........................................39
4.8.10 Parameters Configuration ....................................................................................40
4.8.11 Firmware Upgrade ...................................................................................................40
4.9 PARAMETER SETTING ................................................................................................................41
4.9.1 Web Management Page............................................................................................ 41
4.9.2 Open Web Management Page ...............................................................................41
4.9.3 Quick Configure ............................................................................................................42
4.9.4 Mode Selection Page..................................................................................................43
4.9.5 AP Interface Setting Page......................................................................................... 43
4.9.6 STA Interface Setting Page.......................................................................................44
4.9.7 Application Setting Page...........................................................................................45
4.9.8 Ethernet Setting ............................................................................................................47
4.9.9 HTTD Client Mode........................................................................................................47
4.9.10 WEB IO Page............................................................................................................... 48
4.9.11 Advanced Setting Page..........................................................................................48

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4.9.12 Device Management Page.................................................................................... 49
4.9.13 Module Working Mode .........................................................................................50
4.9.14 Switch to Configuration Mode ...........................................................................51
5AT+ INSTRUCTION SET OVERVIEW ......................................................................................52
5.1 AT+ INSTRUCTION SET OVERVIEW ........................................................................................52
5.1.1 AT+ Instruction Set and WIFI232-Setup............................................................52
5.1.2 Instruction Syntax Format ........................................................................................54
5.1.3 AT+ Instruction Set......................................................................................................55
5.2 AT+ INSTRUCTION SET DESCRIPTION ...................................................................................58
5.2.1 Description of AT+ Instruction...............................................................................58
6MODULE DEBUG AND USE CASES......................................................................................... 88
6.1 MODE DEBUG.............................................................................................................................88
6.1.1 Software Debug Tools................................................................................................88
6.1.2 Network Connection ...................................................................................................88
6.2 DEBUGGING ................................................................................................................................89
6.3.1 Wireless Control Application...................................................................................92
6.3.2 Remote Management Application........................................................................92
6.3.3 Transparent Serial Port Application .....................................................................93
6.3.4 Wireless Data Acquisition Card Application .....................................................94
7APPENDIX A: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS........................................................................94
8APPENDIX B: EXTERNAL POWER SHUTDOWN MODE REFERENCE DESIGN.....102
9APPENDIX C: DISCLAIMER ......................................................................................................102

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1Quick Start
WIFI232 series product is used to transmit data between RS232 and WIFI TCPIP
transparently, user can update the product to WIFI control without knowing the WIFI
and TCPIP detail. All the convert work is done by the module. For users, the RS232 side
is only as a serial device, the WIFI side is TCPIP Socket data. User can setup the work
detail by sample settings which can setup via inside web pages or RS232 port. The
setup work only need do once, then it will save the setting forever.
This chapter is a user guide for WIFI232 series products. We suggest users follow
the guide to test module at first, and will have a good understanding of the modules.
Users can also choose the chapter which you are interested in to read. For specific
details and instructions, please refer to the following chapters
1.1 Hardware connection
In order to test the communication between serial and WIFI network, we need to
connect the serial port to PC, and also connect WIFI network to PC. Due to the special
need both WIFI and serial, we connect and USB WIFI network Card as below, or you
could use laptop which has WIFI.
About the serial connection, because the module is 3.3V TTL level, the computer
cannot connect to it directly. Users need to use a TTL to RS232 adapter cable and then
connect to PC. In order to facilitate the test, we provide WIFI232 evaluation board for
users to choose.
1.2 Network Connection
Figure 1 hardware connection diagram

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The following is the WIFI232 module example. Open Wi-Fi, search network, as
shown in below, WIFI232 is the default network name (SSID) of the module.
Join the network, choose to automatically obtain IP, WIFI module supports DHCP
server and it is enabled by default.
Now, the Link led of WIFI232 Evaluation board is lighting.
1.3 Communication test
Default setting of module:
•SSID: WIFI232;
Figure 2 WIFI search
Figure 3 inquiry the address via DHCP
Server

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•Encryption mode: open, none;
•UART: 57600, 8, 1, None;
•Network parameters: TCP, Sever, 8899, 10.10.100.254;
•IP: 10.10.100.254
We just need to follow the corresponding parameters to set the network
communication parameters. With the setting, we could make serial <-->WIFI
communication. The steps are as below:
1. Open the test software TCP232-test;
2. COM Setting area (left):
Choose COM port which has been used to connect the module, there is COM 10,
choose baud rate to 57600, it is the default baud rate of WIFI module. Then click Open.
3. Net Settings area (right);
Choose TCP client mode, Server IP write 10.10.100.2554. It is the WIFI default IP
address, Server port set 8899, it is the default listen Port of the WIFI module. Click
Connect to link to the module.
Now we could test send data between RS232 and WIFI.
COM port to WIFI: PC RS232->Module RS232->Module WIFI->PC WIFI.

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WIFI to COM port: PC WIFI -> Module WIFI -> Module RS232->PC RS232.
2Overview
2.1 Description
WIFI232 module is an integration of 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi module, which provide a
wireless interface to any equipment with a Serial interface for data transfer. With this
module, traditional serial devices or MCU control device could connect to Wi-Fi
network easily,
The module used to MAC, baseband chip, RF transceiver unit, as well as the
power amplifier; Embedded firmware support wi-fi protocols and configuration, as well
as the network TCP/IP protocol stack.
WIFI232 uses the industry's highest performance embedded industrial structure,
and for the application of smart furniture, smart grid, handheld devices, personal
medical, industrial control, etc. These data fields, do a professional optimization.
WIFI232 as a hot spot can accommodate 32 clients simultaneously wi-fi access, but also
can accommodate 32 TCP client.
2.2 Device Features
Figure 4 Serial/Network transmission test

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Support IEEE802.11b/g/n Wireless Standards
Support TCP/IP/UDP Network Protocols
Support UART/GPIO/Ethernet Data Interface
Support Router/Bridge Mode Networking
Support Internal/External Antenna Option
Support Transparent Transmission Mode
Support Transparent Transmission Mode
Support AT+ Instruction Set for Configuration
Support Friendly Web Configuration Page
Support Heartbeat Signal, WIFI connected prompting
Support UART auto-Frame Function
Single +3.3V Power Supply
FCC/CE Certificated
2.3 Device Parameters
Item
Parameters
Wireless
Parameters
Certification
FCC/CE
Wireless
standard
802.11 b/g/n
Frequency
range
2.412GHz-2.484GHz
Transmit
Power
802.11b：+19dBm(Max.@11Mbps)
802.11g：+18dBm(Max.@54Mbps)
802.11n：+17dBm(Max.@HT20,MCS7)
802.11n：
+17dBm(Max.@HT50,MCS7)
Configurable
Hardware
Parameters
Receiver
Sensitivity
802.11b: -89dBm
802.11g: -81dBm
802.11n: -73dBm
Antenna
Option
External: 1-PEX Connector
Internal: On-Board chip antenna
Data
Interface
UART: 300bps –460800bps
Ethernet: 100Mpbs
GPIOs

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Operating
Voltage
3.3V~3.6V
Operating
Current
165mA~305mA
Operating
Temperature
-25°C~85°C
Storage
Temperature
-40°C~125°C
Dimensions
25x40x8 mm
Software
Parameters
Wireless
Network Type
Station/AP mode
Security
Mechanisms
WEP/WAP-PSK/WPA2-PSK/WAPI
Encryption
WEP64/WEP128/TKIP/AES
Work Mode
Transparent Mode/Serial
command/HTTPD Client Mode/GPIO
Mode
AT Command
AT+ Instruction Set
Network
Protocol
TCP/UDP/ARP/ICMP/DHCP/DBS/HTTP
Max. TCP
Connection
32
User
Configuration
Web Server + AT command config.
Customized
application
Supports users customize App
Table 1 WIFI232 Module Technical Specifications
2.4 Key Application
Smart lighting
Smart plug
Industrial controls
Remote equipment monitoring
IOT applications
2.5 Package Information
2.5.1 Recommended Reflow Profile