EtherWind ethernet-serial bridge

From MobileRobots Research and Academic Customer Support

An ethernet serial bridge converts an RS-232 serial connection to a TCP/IP connection available through an 802.11 (wifi) wireless network. The Etherwind is such a bridge device. It is mounted on a robot, and connected to the robot microcontroller's serial port. It is then configured to join a certain wireless network as a client station (including any required WEP key or other authentication in the configuration) and given an IP address. Software may then connect to a TCP port (by default 8101) at that address and send and receive data to/from the robot over the serial port connection.

The wireless bridge provides access to the robot microcontroller connection only, and any devices connected to the microcontroller's own auxilliary serial ports and other inputs. This includes robot state and odometry, sonar data, bumper data, gripper control, arm control, and more. However, it does not transmit other data such as the video signal from a video camera.

For instructions on configuring the EtherWind, see EtherWind Configuration

The Etherwind is no longer offered. The Lantronix WiBox ethernet-serial bridge has replaced it.

The EtherWind device is not externally marked. It can be identified by its 5.5 X 4 inch (14 X 10 cm) black plastic housing, with the following controls and connectors on one edge: power connector, Power LED, serial port, Activity and Connect LEDs, and DTE/DCE switch. The board inside hosts a wireless ethernet card, and will be marked with a label similar to "ELC1690 Assy. ELC1691, EW-OEM-PLUS".

Replaced

InfoWave radio modem

Discontinued

Replacement

Lantronix WiBox ethernet-serial bridge