Easiest way to add WIFI GDL-90 UDP TX to STM32F417

[peter-h]

And please don't tell me to get an ESP32 which, yes I know, comes with the hardware, and working code.

Ideally I'd like a module which has an SPI interface. I can go up to 21MHz SPI clock.

The actual data rate will be low - probably radiating GPS parameters at 5Hz (position, track, etc).

I also wonder what is the smallest antenna I can get away with. I reckon the box will be metal but I can put a sort of rod stuck to the outside. The rod could be say 5cm long, but it would be only about 1mm off the front panel of the thing. The only WIFI products I have seen were in a plastic box and then it's easy. The receiving device will be at most 2m away.

There is a lot of WIFI modules but I don't know which one is relatively popular and easy to use.

The WFM200S looks good. Funny chip; you load the firmware (200k) at every power-up.

[peter-h]

No response on this so far, but basically the Q is how to add wifi to a 32f4xx.

There is a new ST chip: ST67W611M1 but it is very new and sounds a lot more complicated to use. The only code is from ST so will be too buggy to be usable.

[SiliconWizard]

Well, one of the cheapest options would still be to use a "WiFi module" based on a ESP32. Just use it only as a WiFi interface and nothing more. This is commonly done, and Espressif sells very small, ready-made modules - I'd recommend looking at the ESP32-C3-MINI (or one based on the newer ESP32-C6). Dead cheap and works fairly well. Benefit is you can tailor the interface to your MCU the exact way you see fit. Espressif provides lots of examples, you'll still have to maintain some code for the ESP32 but it can be strictly to provide the WiFi connection (the code already existing in tons of libraries using their SDK) and an interface to your MCU such as SPI, I2C or whatever. The RF side is already taken care of and the module is shielded. In terms of firmware, there are probably existing solutions based on their SDK that may not require for you to write a single line of code on that side. But it will still need to be flashed with some firmware.

Another probably easier yet option (but likely more expensive) would be to use the same module as on the RPi Pico 2 W, based on a Infineon CYW43439. I think it comes with a preflashed firmware giving you a UART interface (and maybe SPI, didn't check).

Murata has one, but probably other vendors do as well:
https://www.murata.com/en-us/products/connectivitymodule/wi-fi-bluetooth/overview/lineup/type1yn

[peter-h]

That's interesting but now I need to get into running a second development kit.

The plus would be that no LWIP integration would be needed; I could talk to the ESP32 with just a UART, sending the GDL90 packets (they are only at 5Hz).

Currently I am leaning towards the WFM200S despite the slightly weird feature whereby I have to store a 200k binary block in my filesystem (which is trivial) and provide a file reading hook for its driver to call to load this into the chip.