SparkFun Forums

[currymuetze]

Good morning,

I just received my Wifly module and directly connected it to RX TX 3.3v and Gnd of my arduino nano.
I downloaded the library from Githup and started as in this tutorial:
https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/wi ... okup-guide

Installed File->Examples->WiFlyShield->SpiUartTerminal and started Serial monitor.
HOwever, after showing "Attempting to connect to SPI UART.... nothing is happening.

so few questions:
1) I bought the module, not the shield version: https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10822
Is there any difference in usage/settig it up?
2) I dont have a specific shield cause it says I can use it directly connected to RX TX 3.3v and Gnd.
3) How shall I proceed now? How do I need to set it up? Since there seem to be some libraries, which one should I really use?

Thx for any help
Thorsten

[Valen]

You have an electrical problem.

You power it from the 3.3volt pin on the Arduino nano. But that comes actually from the FT232RL chip (that handles the USB communication). This has a built-in 3.3v voltage regulator that is far to weak (upto about 50 ma) to power the Wifly (minimal 100 ma when transmitting, borderline 40 ma when idle). The wifly shield actually has a 3.3 volt regulator powerfull enough to supply it. So, you really need to add 3.3v supply circuit seperate from the 3.3 volt on the Arduino Nano to make it work. Like the following regulator. Power it from 5 volt or Vin. Do not forget to add capacitors parallel to the input and output (as shown in the datasheet):

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/526

Aside from that, the Arduino nano communicates with 5 volt logic level device, and the Wifly only with 3.3v. Without a logic voltage level translator communication between them will likely not work. The Wifly shield has a special chip (this one) to do this.