Wireless networking is poised to have a massive impact on communications, and the 802.11 standard is to wireless networking what Ethernet is to wired networking. There are already over 50 million devices using the dominant IEEE 802.11 (essentially wireless Ethernet) standard, with astronomical growth predicted over the next 10 years. New applications are emerging every day, with wireless capability being embedded in everything from electric meters to hospital patient tracking systems to security devices. This practical reference guides readers through the wireless technology forest, giving them the knowledge, the hardware and the software necessary to design a wireless embedded device rapidly, inexpensively, and effectively. Using off-the-shelf microcontrollers from Microchip and Atmel, the author provides step-by-step instructions for designing the hardware and firmware for a fully operational wireless networking device. The book gives a thorough introduction to 802.11 technology and puts it into perspective against the other wireless standard options. Just enough theory and mathematics is provided to give the depth of understanding needed for practical design work. The book thoroughly covers: * Laptop wireless Ethernet card introduction and theory *Introduction to CompactFlash-to-microcontroller interfacing * Implementing the laptop wireless Ethernet card in an embedded environment

Provides step-by-step instructions, plus all the necessary software, for implementing low-cost wireless capability in thousands of electronic devices, from laptops to retinal scanners!

About the Author
As an engineering consultant, Fred Eady has implemented communications networks for the space program and designed hardware and firmware for the medical, retail and public utility industries. He currently writes a monthly embedded design column for a popular electronics enthusiast magazine. Fred also composes monthly articles for a popular robotics magazine. Fred has been dabbling in electronics for over 30 years. His embedded design expertise spans the spectrum and includes Intel's 8748 and 8051 microcontrollers, the entire Microchip PIC microcontroller family and the Atmel AVR microcontrollers. Fred recently retired from his consulting work and is focused on writing magazine columns and embedded design books.

Reviews
"The world needs this book!" --Lewin Edwards, embedded engineer and author



Book Information
ISBN 9780750678650
Author Fred Eady
Format Paperback
Page Count 400
Imprint Newnes (an imprint of Butterworth-Heinemann Ltd )
Publisher Elsevier Science & Technology
Weight(grams) 840g