Thanks Alan! SAMA5D2 has RMII so definitely a possibility. EFR32 is a much
better value device compared to SiLabs Bluetooth 5 module currently used, and
has WiFi as a bonus - so I will investigate it's IDE and see how easy it is to
implement a GATT-based solution, or to load HCI firmware so I can be reasonably
confident I'm not digging a big hole for myself if I make this change.
On 29/10/2022, 13:23, "Alan C. Assis" <acas...@gmail.com> wrote:
More info here:
https://e2e.ti.com/support/processors-group/processors/f/processors-forum/366759/am335x-rmii-direct-connection-between-two-devices
Same TI guy who said it was impossible latter talk internally and
discovered that there was a customer already using it.
BTW, you will need to have RMII supported by both MCUs (yes, ESP32 has
RMII).
BR,
Alan
On 10/29/22, Alan C. Assis <acas...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Tim,
>
> I just searched if it was possible to connect two Ethernet MAC
> directly without using PHY and it is possible, so it will not involve
> cost for you:
>
>
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/39503466/can-two-ethernet-mac-chips-be-connected-directly-without-going-thru-phy
>
> BR,
>
> Alan
>
> On 10/29/22, Tim Hardisty <t...@jti.uk.com.invalid> wrote:
>> Thanks for your clarifications Alan - I have messaged Espressif (your
>> reply
>> ended up in SPAM otherwise I might not have needed to) so I guess I'll
get
>> a
>> similar answer.
>>
>> There is HCI (RCP) firmware for the SiLabs module so I can try that -
>> it's
>> the £7 per module saving of Espressif vs. SiLabs, plus getting WiFi for
>> free
>> that appeals. SAMA5D2 has Ethernet - unused on my board so it is not an
>> idea
>> that is completely out of the question: writing USRSOCK for the
>> Espressif
>> module is probably beyond me at this time!
>>
>> On 29/10/2022, 00:20, "Alan C. Assis" <acas...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Tim,
>>
>> On 10/28/22, Tim Hardisty <t...@jti.uk.com.invalid> wrote:
>> > Bit of a tangential question this, but I know there are folk on
>> here
>> who
>> > are much more conversant with the way NuttX can be used with WiFi
>> and
>> > Bluetooth modules than I am.
>> >
>>
>> I think these are important questions and other people could face
>> similar issues in the future.
>>
>> > I may have an opportunity forced on me to have to respin my custom
>> board
>> > which currently has a SiLabs Bluetooth SoC as well as the main
>> SAMA5D2
>> > processor. I used that module as I already have experience of it -
>> but
>> that
>> > predates my NuttX journey.
>> >
>> > I see there are some very good value combined WiFi + Bluetooth
>> modules
>> now
>> > (Espressif for example...and I know there's a well-known proponent
>> of
>> those
>> > devices here lol) and, having seen a few other questions here, I am
>> thinking
>> > that I can go the HCI route and make use of the Bluetooth Stack in
>> NuttX:
>> > and add WiFi capability to my board at the same time. Winner!
>> >
>>
>> First let me explain the differences:
>>
>> Espressif modules are not used as external modules on NuttX,
>> everything is integrated inside the chip.
>>
>> During the WildernessLab's presentation on NuttX Workshop their team
>> shown an ESP32 solution sharing WiFi as an external module.
>> But they didn't use the default USRSOCK route, they implemented a new
>> solution at home.
>>
>> > I'm hoping I can program up a suitable module with generic radio
>> > co-processor software (HCI I think, and whatever is needed for
>> WiFi)
>> and
>> > access it via UART from my main processor and have it all under the
>> NuttX
>> > system in a much more easily managed manner than a separate app on
>> the
>> > SiLabs SoC that just happens to communicate on some way with my
>> main
>> app on
>> > the SAMA5D2.
>> >
>> > Have I got this right? Is an Espressif module a good choice (email
>> me
>> direct
>> > if you want to !!)?
>> >
>>
>> For Bluetooth (BLE) if there is a HCI firmware to SiLabs chip, then
>> it
>> could be possible to you use it, but you'll need to do some tests and
>> debugging to get things working.
>>
>> For WiFi things are more complex because you need to implement a
>> USRSOCK yourself to the chip.
>>
>> I never tested others possibilities: i.e. share Internet using SLIP
>> between ESP32 and SAMA5D2, should be an easier route if it works, but
>> of course you wil be limited to UART speed.
>>
>> Ethernet could be a better option (since ESP32 has Ethernet
>> hardware),
>> but it seems like an ugly and expensive workaround.
>>
>> BR,
>>
>> Alan
>>
>>
>>
>
