WA2000 Wi-Fi/BLE Add-On Module

Introduction

The WA2000 is an upgrade to Tibbo's GA1000 Wi-Fi add-on module. Notable improvements include:

• Support for the 5GHz Wi-Fi band (802.11a and 801.11n standards)
• Support for BLE4.2 communications
• WPA key calculation completely on the module; complex calculations in Tibbo BASIC/C are no longer necessary
• Firmware stored in the module's flash memory, thus eliminating the need to send the firmware file into the module on every boot
• The firmware can be upgraded from a Tibbo BASIC/C app or over-the-air (OTA) through the Tibbo Updater iOS, Android, and web apps
• Wide operating temperature range: –40°C to +85C

The WA2000 is fully supported on Tibbo's ARM-based programmable devices: EM2000, EM2001, TPP2(G2), TPP3(G2).

The WA2000 is also partially supported on T1000-based programmable Tibbo products. Such devices can only access the Wi-Fi interface of the WA2000, as the BLE interface is not supported by the related platforms. These devices are: DS1101, DS1102, EM1000, EM1001, EM1206, TPP2, TPP3.

Like the GA1000, the WA2000 utilizes an SPI interface and only requires five GPIOs to control. The module is supplied in two versions: the WA2000U with a U.FL connector for attaching an external antenna and the WA2000C with an onboard chip antenna.

Please note that the WA2000 is a slave device and cannot be used on its own. This add-on will only work with one of Tibbo devices listed above.

Hardware Features

• Supports the following wireless communications standards:
• 2.4GHz/5GHz Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n)
• Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE4.2)⁽¹⁾
• Nearly 100% backwards-compatible with the GA1000
• Performs WPA key calculation completely internally
• Requires only five GPIO lines to control
• Internal firmware of the WA2000:
• Stored in the WA2000's onboard flash memory
• Upgradeable from a Tibbo BASIC/C app or over-the-air (OTA)⁽²⁾
• OTA updates may cover TiOS + Tibbo BASIC/C app of the host⁽²⁾
• Tibbo supplies iOS, Android, and web apps for performing OTA updates
• The L.U.I.S. app for iOS and Android, as well as a web app, facilitates convenient HTML5-based configuration of host devices through the BLE interface⁽³⁾
• Two antenna configurations:
• WA2000U — has a U.FL connector for an external antenna
• WA2000C — carries a chip antenna onboard
• Red status LED for connection indication⁽⁴⁾
• Power: 200mA @ 3.3V (active state with data transmission)
• Dimensions (LxWxH): 42.0 x 20.0 x 5.8mm
• Prototyping-friendly 2.54mm (100mil) pin pitch
• Operating temperature range: –40°C ~ +85°C
• CE and FCC-certified (FCC ID: XOJ-WA2000)

1. BLE is only supported on ARM-based Tibbo devices.
2. Over-the-air (OTA) updates rely on the BLE interface and are only possible on ARM-based Tibbo devices.
3. Requires a programmable Tibbo device running a Tibbo BASIC/C app supporting L.U.I.S. (through the use of the L.U.I.S. library).
4. "Connection" means a BLE link or a Wi-Fi association with an access point.