WiFly GSX 802.11b/g Serial Module - Roving Networks

Replacement:WRL-10004. We replaced this with a slightly different version which has less extreme temperature operating conditions. This page is for reference only.

The WiFly GSX (RN-131G) module is a complete ultra low power embedded TCP/IP solution. The WiFly GSX module is a stand alone, embedded wireless 802.11b/g networking module. The combination of ultra low power and the ability to wake up, connect to a wireless network, send data and return to sleep mode in less than 100 milliseconds, allows the WiFly GSX to run for years on two standard AAA batteries. Using only 100mWatts when awake and 10uWatts when asleep, this remarkable power efficiency makes possible a new class of internet enabled products.

The WiFly GSX module incorporates a 2.4GHz radio, processor, TCP/IP stack, real-time clock, crypto accelerator, power management and analog sensor interfaces. This complete solution is preloaded with software to simplify integration and minimizes development of your application. In the simplest configuration the hardware only requires four connections (PWR, TX, RX, GND) to create a wireless data connection. The transmit range can be up to 330' (100m), depending upon environmental considerations.

  • Ultra low power 100mWatt active, 10uWatt sleep mode
  • Host Data Rate Up to 100 Mbps for SDIO, 44 Mbps for SPI and 2.7 Mbps for UART
  • Throughput 1 Mbps with TCP/IP and WPA2
  • UART hardware interfaces
  • 10 general purpose digital I/O
  • 8 analog sensor interfaces
  • Real-time clock for wakeup and time stamping
  • Accepts 3.3VDC regulated or 2-3VDC battery
  • Supports Adhoc connection
  • Real time clock for time stamping, auto-sleep and auto-wakeup modes
  • Configuration over UART or wireless interfaces using simple ASCII commands
  • Over the air firmware upgrade (FTP), and data file upload
  • Secure WiFi authentication WEP-128, WPA-PSK (TKIP), WPA2-PSK, EAP-TLS for WPA1 & WPA2 Enterprise
  • Built in networking applications DHCP, UDP, DNS, ARP, ICMP
  • Industrial operating temperature range -40 to 85 C

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  • 0.14 x 1.12 x 1.46 (3.5 x 28.5 x 37mm)

Comments

Looking for answers to technical questions?

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  • Meistro / about 15 years ago / 2

    Is the breakout board it self for sale here? I just got one of these yesterday and I only see the breakout here with the module on it.

  • kkwebs / about 15 years ago / 2

    ??

  • Bartje / about 14 years ago / 1

    Is this product coming back in stock any time soon? :)

  • marshroc / about 14 years ago / 1

    The features for this device need to be corrected. The only interface available is UART. SPI is a "future" feature that has been on its way for several years now and there is no mention of SDIO at all. Also, the maximum throughput for the UART is around 900 kbps not 2.7 Mbps.
    I've also found several conflicting specifications based on what the datasheet says and what the reference schematic does. The datasheet says SENS1 should be used to wake up the chip by tying the uart tx line (from the micro) to it. The schematic they provide and the schematic spark fun provides for the WiFlyShield have it tied to SENS0.
    Lantronix makes something similar called the MatchPort. They correctly list their wifi speeds and seems to have more features but their packaging is too big for my project. Others might want to check it out though.

  • Alex Louden / about 14 years ago / 1

    Is this capable of creating a wireless network, or just joining one?

    • Hi,
      Thanks for your question.
      "Supports Adhoc connection" (as listed in feature list) means that this device can create a network for other devices to join. Note however that a network created in "adhoc" mode is different to a network created in "infrastructure" mode which is what your typical wireless access point does.
      Some devices will only join an infrastructure network not a adhoc one.

  • King Henry the VIII / about 14 years ago / 1

    This board is absolute junk! It gets errors when trying to update it's firmware over ftp. It DOES NOT SUPPORT the listed data rates. The most you can get if you're lucky is 460kbps, or 230kbps if you're not that lucky. This board has been nothing but problems and Roving Networks have been unwilling to give us the support we need!!! Unless you're a company who can make them a ton of money you can forget about getting any of the nice features to work, they just won't help you! SDIO, SPI forget it. Analog in forget it. DMA to get the claimed 2.7Mbps on UART forget it. Waste of money!!!

  • Anywhere to get these cheaper because I need 10 of them. PLEASE REPLY.

  • Tag / about 15 years ago / 1

    How on earth would you solder this to a PCB? Is it do-able with an iron?
    I would get the breakout board but it's poorly laid out and too big for my project, I need the smallness of this module...

    • Tag / about 14 years ago / 1

      Actually - can I use dabs of solder paste combined with the hot plate reflow method?

  • JacksonBeat / about 15 years ago / 1

    Is it possible to send high quality video streaming, point-to-point,using WiFly?
    Thanks

  • Is there a breakout board planned?

    • krich11 / about 15 years ago / 1

      Was going to ask the same thing. Even though it's 2mm pitch, I'd really rather go with a breakout board. Too expensive to mess up with a home made board.

  • Ho / about 15 years ago / 1

    Does anyone know how to use "8 analog sensor interfaces"?

  • rgmiller1974 / about 15 years ago / 1

    Does anyone know of a tiny access point that would work with these devices? I've got an idea for a project that would use 3 or 4 of these things, and that means I can't use ad-hoc mode.
    Thanks.

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