Connect One Delivers Versatile, Industrial-Grade SMT 802.11 b/g/n WiFi

Like its popular predecessor, Nano WiReach MAX-SMT measures 2.0 x 3.7 centimeters (0.8” x 1.45”), allowing for a quick and simple upgrade from WiFi b/g to b/g/n without hardware or software changes.

To maximize connectivity and versatility, Nano WiReach MAX-SMT offers multiple hardware interfaces, extensive firmware, and a full suite of secure Internet protocols for up to eight WiFi users in router or access-point modes. Designers gain immediate, full–featured connectivity without any WiFi driver development or porting, minimizing project development challenges and time to market.

The Nano WiReach MAX-SMT module can also serve as an independent WiFi access point where WiFi infrastructure does not exist. With the module acting as a WiFi access point, customers can connect to and manage their deployed, in-field device via standard WiFi devices, such as iPhones, iPads and other mobile phones and devices.

To ensure complete security, Nano WiReach MAX-SMT offers a highly advanced level of Internet security. The module includes the latest WiFi encryption algorithms (WPA/WPA2, in both PSK and enterprise modes), Internet SSL communication and encryption algorithms. In addition, it acts as an inherent firewall, protecting the embedded application from attacks originating from the Internet.

“The new Nano WiReach MAX-SMT device is the first member of the Nano WiReach family to support the 802.11n WiFi standard,” noted Erez Lev, Vice President Sales for Connect One. “We look forward to bringing additional pin- and form-factor-compatible products that will allow our customers to upgrade to the latest technology without design modification and while using the same AT+i command set.”

To maximize design-in flexibility, Nano WiReach MAX-SMT builds on its predecessor’s capabilities, offering firmware support for several modes of operation:
• Embedded Router—LAN or WiFi clients gain a single cellular WAN connection to the Internet (3G router) or routing between LAN and WiFi networks,

• Embedded Access Point—Devices containing WiFi can connect to the product’s embedded access point to control or manage processes,

• LAN to WiFi Bridge—Transparent bridging of LAN over WiFi enables direct RMII connection to existing MAC hardware. Any microcontroller with a built-in Ethernet MAC can be connected to WiFi with zero development effort,

• Serial to LAN/WiFi Bridge—Transparent bridging of serial data over LAN or WiFi is boosted by the module’s speedy 3-Mbps UART,

• Full Internet Controller mode—Simple microcontrollers can use Nano WiReach MAX-SMT’s rich protocol and application capabilities to perform complex Internet operations, such as e-mail, FTP, SSL, embedded Web server and others. Internet controller mode can be used with any hardware interface, and

• PPP emulation—Existing (e.g., cellular modem) designs currently using PPP to interface to the cellular modem can connect transparently over WiFi with no changes to application or drivers.

Nano WiReach MAX-SMT includes RMII, USB, SPI and fast UART interfaces for easy integration into existing or new designs. It is available with an antenna connector or a built-in antenna.

Nano WiReach MAX-SMT supports 10 simultaneous TCP/UDP sockets; two listening TCP sockets; SMTP, MIME, POP3, FTP, Telnet, and HTTP/HTTPS clients; and an HTTP/HTTPS embedded Web server with a Web site for the host application and one for configuring the module. Nano WiReach MAX-SMT supports 64-/128-bit WEP, WPA/WPA2 (PSK and Enterprise), AES-128/256, SHA-128/192/256, and 3DES encryption; and the SSL3/TLS1 protocol for a secure client socket session and a secure FTP session.

Availability and Evaluation Board
Nano WiReach SMT is available now. Pricing is less than $29 in high volume. The II-EVB-365N evaluation board, priced at $160, provides an easy environment for developing applications and testing Nano WiReach MAX-SMT. A commercial temperature grade version of this module is planned for release in Q2 this year.