Datasheet

chipKIT™ Wi-FIRE™ Board Reference Manual

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Page 9 of 24

More detailed information about the operation of the MRF24WG0MA can be obtained from the manufacturer

data sheet available from www.microchip.com.

7 Network Library Software

The WiFi module on the Wi-FIRE is intended for use with the Digilent Embedded chipKIT network libraries, DEIPcK

and DEWFcK. The DEIPcK library provides TCP/UDP/IP protocol support for all chipKIT compatible network

interfaces supported by Digilent products, including the Wi-FIRE. The DEWFcK library provides the additional

library support required for connecting to and operating with the Microchip MRF24WG0MA wireless network

modules. Caution should be used in understanding that the DEIPcK library is different than the DNETcK network

libraries. DEIPcK is the Digilent Embedded Open Source IP stack that supports both the MX and MZ processor lines,

while the DNETcK IP stack is built on top of the Microchip MLA proprietary stack and only supports the MX

processor line, and will not work with the Wi-FIRE.

The DEWFcK library supports the MRF24WG0MA WiFi module as loaded on the Wi-FIRE. The correct header file

must be used to specify the network hardware being used by the sketch. When writing a network sketch on the

Wi-FIRE, use the following hardware library:

#include <MRF24G.h>

The Digilent Embedded chipKIT network libraries are available for download from the Digilent website:

www.digilentinc.com/Wi-FIRE.

There are reference examples demonstrating the use of these libraries in the library download.

8 USB Interface

The PIC32MZ microcontroller on the Wi-FIRE contains a USB 2.0 Compliant, Hi/Full-Speed Device and On-The-Go

(OTG) controller. This controller provides the following features:

 USB Hi or full speed host and device support.

 Low speed host support.

 USB OTG support.

 Endpoint buffering anywhere in system RAM.

 Integrated DMA to access system RAM and Flash memory.

Connector J12 is a standard USB type A receptacle. This connector will be used when the Wi-FIRE has been

programmed to operate as a USB embedded host. The USB device is connected either directly to the Wi-FIRE, or

via cable to this connector.

Connector J11, on the bottom of the board, is the Device/OTG connector. This is a standard USB micro-AB

connector. Connect a cable with a micro-A plug (optionally available from Digilent) from this connector to an

available USB port on a PC or USB hub for device operation.

The USB specification allows for two types of devices with regard to how they are powered: self-powered devices

and bus powered devices. A self-powered device is one that is powered from a separate power supply and does

not draw power from the USB bus. A bus powered device is one that draws power from the USB bus and does not

have a separate power supply.