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Expect dispatch between Apr 03 and Apr 08
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Wixel programmable USB wireless module, bottom view with Pololu quarter for size reference. |
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The Wixel Configuration Utility with 2 Wixels connected and an App file open. |
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Overview
The Pololu Wixel is a general-purpose programmable module featuring a 2.4 GHz radio and USB. The Wixel is based on the CC2511F32 microcontroller from Texas Instruments, which has an integrated radio transceiver, 32 KB of flash memory, 4 KB of RAM, and a full-speed USB interface. A total of 15 general-purpose I/O lines are available, including 6 analog inputs, and the 0.1" pin spacing makes the Wixel easy to use with breadboards and perfboards. These features give you three main ways to use this general-purpose module:
A single Wixel can be used as a computer-interface device, such as a USB-to-serial adapter, and it can even serve as the main controller for your system. Connecting the Wixel to a computer requires a USB A to Mini-B cable or a USB A to Mini-B adapter (not included). Two or more modules are required to take advantage of the Wixel’s wireless capabilities.
The Wixel features a built-in USB bootloader that can be used in conjunction with Pololu's free Wixel Configuration Utility software to upload custom programs or precompiled, open-source apps to the Wixel (no external programmer is required). Pololu's growing selection of free apps lets you turn the Wixel into whatever you need for your current project. No programming experience or compiler software is required to use these apps: simply download a different app to reuse the Wixel in your next project! Pololu plan to release additional apps in the future for wireless AVR programming, wireless sensing, wireless motor driver interfaces, and more. Read more about the available apps…
Advanced users can modify apps to suit the needs of their specific projects, and the apps serve as examples for programming the CC2511. The Pololu Wixel SDK Repository on GitHub is the central location for obtaining source code and sharing modifications with the community.
Warning about radio regulations: The Wixel has not been tested or certified for conformance with any radio regulations, and the Wixel is shipped with only a bootloader that does not use the radio. The 2.4 GHz band is relatively unrestricted in many parts of the world, but it is your responsibility to comply with your local regulations if you program your Wixel to use its wireless capabilities. More information…
The Wixel as a Wireless Serial Port
Wireless PC control of a 3pi robot using a pair of Wixels. |
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Pololu's Wireless Serial App turns a single Wixel into a USB-to-serial adapter and a pair of Wixels into a wireless USB/TTL serial link for communication between two microcontrollers (like an XBee link) or between a PC and a microcontroller. Among many other things, you can use this versatile app to enable communication between two robots or to remotely monitor or control a robot from a computer. A special version of this app is designed for use with Pololu's Wixel shield for Arduino, which makes it easy to add wireless capabilities (including wireless programmability) to an Arduino or Arduino clone.
Using an RF bit rate of 350 kbps, the serial app is capable of transmitting or receiving up to 10 KB of data per second and can reach a range of approximately 50 feet (under typical conditions indoors), and multiple serial links can be used simultaneously on different channels.
Wixel Pinout and Peripherals
The Wixel operates at a 3.3 V logic level, and its I/O lines are not 5V-tolerant. You must use level-shifters, diodes, or voltage dividers to connect the Wixel to outputs from 5V systems. Pololu's bidirectional logic level shifter works well for this.
Main Features
Specifications
Included Hardware
The Wixel is available in two versions:
The fully-assembled version ships with its header pins soldered in, so it is ready to be connected to your project with no soldering required.
The partial kit version ships with everything installed except the header pins. A 25×1 straight 0.1" male header strip is included as shown in the right picture below. This version is ideal for compact installations and allows flexibility in choice of connectors.
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People often buy this product together with:
Wixel Programmable USB Wireless Module |
Dimensions
Size: | 0.7" x 1.5" |
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Weight: | 4.5 g |
General specifications
Processor: | CC2511F32 @ 24 MHz |
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RAM size: | 4096 bytes |
Program memory size: | 29 Kbytes |
User I/O lines: | 15 |
Minimum operating voltage: | 2.7 V1 |
Maximum operating voltage: | 6.5 V |
Reverse voltage protection?: | Y |
External programmer required?: | N |
Partial kit?: | N |
Notes:
Documentation and other information
Pololu Wixel User’s Guide (Printable PDF)
User’s manual for the Pololu Wixel.
Sample Project: Wixel USB Joystick
This guide shows how the Joystick App for the Wixel can be used to convert a non-USB joystick into a USB device.
File downloads
Wixel Windows Drivers and Software (release 121129) (12MB zip)
This ZIP archive contains the installation files for the Wixel Configuration Utility, the Wixel command-line utility (WixelCmd), and the required USB drivers for Microsoft Windows.
Wixel Development Bundle for Windows (version 120127) (10MB exe)
This bundle contains all the software you need to get started developing your own Wixel apps in Windows: a copy of the Wixel SDK, the Small Device C Compiler (SDCC), the Pololu GNU Build Utilities, and the Notepad++ Text Editor.
Wixel Software for i686-linux-gnu (release 110623) (211k gz)
This tar/gzip archive contains the binary executable files for the Wixel Configuration Utility and the Wixel command-line utility (wixelcmd) for Linux i686-linux-gnu (32-bit).
Wixel Software for x86_64-linux-gnu (release 110623) (216k gz)
This tar/gzip archive contains the binary executable files for the Wixel Configuration Utility and the Wixel command-line utility (wixelcmd) for x86_64-linux-gnu (64-bit).
Wixel Software for arm-linux-gnueabihf (release 150527) (206k gz)
This tar/gzip archive contains the binary executable files for the Wixel Configuration Utility and the Wixel command-line utility (wixelcmd) for arm-linux-gnueabihf.
Wixel Software for Mac OS X (release 180411) (10MB dmg)
This disk image contains the binary executable files for the Wixel Configuration Utility and the Wixel command-line utility (wixelcmd) for Mac OS X.
Wixel Pinout and Peripherals (145k pdf)
Printable labeled pinout and peripheral diagram of the Pololu Wixel (actual size). This diagram makes a handy reference when working with the Wixel, and it is small enough to fit on a business card.
Wixel schematic diagram (51k pdf)
Printable schematic diagram of the Pololu Wixel.
Wixel EAGLE Library (5k lbr)
Customer-made EAGLE PCB library for the Wixel (by mmcp42).
Pololu Wixel guia de usuario (1MB pdf)
A Spanish version of the Pololu Wixel user’s guide, provided by customer Jaume B.
Dimension diagram of the Wixel Programmable USB Wireless Module (168k pdf)
3D model of the Wixel Programmable USB Wireless Module (8MB step)
Drill guide for Wixel Programmable USB Wireless Module (43k dxf)
This DXF drawing shows the locations of all of the board’s holes.
Recommended links
The Wixel SDK contains source code (for libraries and applications) that will help you develop your own applications for the Wixel. This SDK is included in the Wixel Development Bundle.
Pololu Wixel SDK Repository on GitHub
This is where Pololu publish the latest Wixel SDK code and documentation, and it is the central location for sharing source code with the Wixel community.
Texas Instruments CC2511 product page
Texas Instruments product page for the CC2510Fx/CC2511Fx microcontrollers, where you can find the latest datasheet and additional resources for the CC2511F32, which is used on the Wixel and features a 2.4 GHz radio transceiver, 32 KB of flash memory, and a full-speed USB interface.
SDCC – Small Device C Compiler
This is a free compiler that is used to compile the code in the Wixel SDK. This compiler is included in the Wixel Development Bundle.
Notepad++ is a free source code editor and Notepad replacement that supports syntax highlighting of C source files. This program is included in the Wixel Development Bundle.
Instructable: Introducing the Wixel USB Wireless Module
A customer-written Instructable that introduces the reader to the Wixel through a series of basic projects. By Michael Oz, May 2011.
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