Introduction of Networking Module

Date：2009-03-10 Author：Shanghai ZLAN Source：Internet

The networking module is a module can be integrated into the target electronic system, here the networking is connected to the network (Internet, Ethernet, etc.), as the name implies, the networking module is to connect the network embedded system circuit module.

In the information time, electronic devices also need to informatization and networking management, such as printers and access control machines. There are basically two ways of networking scheme, a method is realizing the TCP/IP network protocol stack on the user's system, this method for system CPU demand is higher, and the technical requirements of the system developers are higher, also the stability of the developed system is difficult to guarantee; Another approach is to use networking modules. One end of the networking module is connected to the system CPU by serial port, IO port, parallel port and so on. The other end can connect to the network cable (or connect the network cable after the coupling transformer). The data sent by the system CPU to the module will then be transparently sent to the network; The data sent to the module by the computer on the network will be transparently forwarded to the CPU.

The appearance of the networking module is generally similar to the structure of the electronic chip, which can be connected by its pin and the system PCB circuit. Generally speaking, the network module requires small volume, so the system PCB can also reduce the volume to help save the cost.

The following steps are commonly used to connect the embedded device network with networking modules:
1). The user shall design the interface according to the structural specifications of the networking module on the system PCB.
2). Connect the wired (such as the serial port RXD and TXD) of the networking module which connect with user CPU; connect the wired connecting with Ethernet port RJ45 port.
3). Access the module through the Web browser (or special tool), and set the target IP, serial port rate and other parameters of the module. Destination IP is the IP address of the computer for which the module sent to when the system CPU sends data to the module.
4). Since then, the module can be used to realize the forwarding of network data and serial port data.

Short development cycle.

The requirements to user technology are not high.

Generally the networking module is tested over a long period of time, so the use of modules is more stable than the user's own network protocol.

The networking module is an electronic module embedded into the target system, and its performance directly affects the performance of the whole system.

1). Stability: stability is the most important index of the networking module, stability refers to the module of any normal use process (e.g., use for a long time, a large number of data communication, various temperature conditions) should keep normal working condition. In many cases, it needs the simultaneous forwarding data from serial to network and from network to serial, and the data length transmitted at one time may not be known. This requires the networking module to have full duplex, uninterrupted forwarding function. If the module is poorly designed, it is possible to lose data or even break the network in this high-intensity transmission. This will affect the stability of the system.
2). Small volume: small volume module can save user PCB space, thus reducing the user system cost.
3). The convenience of parameter modification: generally, it is necessary to support the Web mode to modify the parameters of the network module, and it is better to support special tools to bulk modify the various parameters of the module.