Pololu Wixel Programmable USB Wireless Module (Fully Assembled)

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:

1. Directly connect the Wixel to a PC to create a wireless USB dongle.
2. Add USB connectivity to your project via the Wixel.
3. Add wireless capabilities to a remote, self-powered device.

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. To help you get started with wireless communication, we offer a combination deal that includes two Wixels and a USB A to mini-B cable.

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.

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. 

Main Features

• Full-speed USB
• 2.4 GHz Radio with 256 available channels that can be configured dynamically
• Programmable through USB bootloader (no external programmer required)
• Pre-compiled, open-source apps available
• Wixel SDK for developing your own applications in C using open source tools and libraries
• 0.1" pin spacing (compatible with standard breadboards and 0.1" perfboards)
• 3 indicator LEDs
• 15 user I/O lines, featuring 6 analog inputs, 2 USARTs (for serial or SPI), and 7 timer channels (capable of PWM)
• 4 KB of RAM and 29 KB of application program memory (flash)

Specifications

• Operating voltage: 2.7 - 6.5 V
• Operating current: up to approximately 30 mA (can get down to ~100 µA when in sleep mode)
• Radio
  • Frequency: 2400 - 2483.5 MHz
  • Range: approximately 50 feet (under typical conditions indoors)
  • Bit rate: programmable, up to 350 kbps
  • Effective data rate: up to 10 KB/s
• Size: 0.7" × 1.5"
• Weight without header pins installed: 3.2 g

Package List:

1x Wixel Programmable USB Wireless Module (Fully Assembled)

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.