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Posted

I am looking for a wifi device that will broadcast an SSID with a web interface etc, but does not need plugging into a network, literally just broadcasting the SSID and web interface when the power is on. It does not need to do any network traffic, just receive small packets of data.

 

Is this doable?

Posted
via wireless? :p literally packet flow will be receiving a single packet every couple of hours which will tell the device to turn something else on. I am trying to create a wireless device at home to control a desk light (I know such devices exist already but want to try to make my own)
Posted
I am looking for a wifi device that will broadcast an SSID with a web interface etc, but does not need plugging into a network, literally just broadcasting the SSID and web interface when the power is on. It does not need to do any network traffic, just receive small packets of data.

 

Is this doable?

 

You could just turn a wireless router on with no cables connected and no password. It would broadcast the SSID and webpage. I can guarantee that as soon as someone realises that it is unsecured they will change the password though!!!

Posted (edited)
I know such devices exist already but want to try to make my own

 

I think you've answered your own question ;)

 

Do you have a particular reason for wanting to create your own, or just for curiosity's sake?

 

If it were me, I'd build a very cheap PC in a Micro-ITX case and have that act as a server for a basic website, then make use of a USB/serial port to control an off-board switch circuit... not that I know how of course!

 

You could have it boot from a 64mb USB stick attached the an internal USB header running Linux...

Edited by LosOjos
Posted
What you need i a microcontroller with a wireless interface. For sheer ease of use the arduno stuff with a wifi sheild would be very easy to modify and with a relay attached to one of the output ports and your done.
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Posted
What you need i a microcontroller with a wireless interface. For sheer ease of use the arduno stuff with a wifi sheild would be very easy to modify and with a relay attached to one of the output ports and your done.

 

Agreed.

 

If you still want to go down the router/AP approach, buy something like a WRT54G router that has DD-WRT compatibility, you can tinker with that to your heart's content.

Posted
What you need i a microcontroller with a wireless interface. For sheer ease of use the arduno stuff with a wifi sheild would be very easy to modify and with a relay attached to one of the output ports and your done.

 

I was going to suggest the Arduino stuff, it is rather good. Can pretty much make anything, they do an ethernet module I believe, coupled with homeplugs you could network to your hearts content :p

Posted
I'm interested to see how this turns out, are you planning on posting pics when it's done? I wouldn't know where to start programming a microcontroller for this!
Posted

Here we go:

 

1x Arduino Uno from Cool Components plus

1x Arduino WiFi Shield

 

or

Arduino WiFi BlackWidow

 

along with this library to easily generate the web pages: WiServer - AsyncLabs Documentation

 

and some port switching code tied in behind Hobby Robotics » Using Relays with Arduino – Turning on the Lights with a relay wired in as demonstrated.

 

 

Have fun and remember that these micros have eight I/O pins that you can use to control lights along with A/D converters etc. You can have it sensing all sorts of stuff like temperature and light level reporting it back to you via the web interface or use it to let the device make decisions like not turning it on if its light.

Posted (edited)

I'd also take a look at these Scratch boards (just to give you more options, I don't know whether it can do what you want): Scratch | Home | imagine, program, share

 

I'm going to be using a version of it called Sense when I start my Open Uni course next week, had a quick play and it's incredibly easy to use, though the visual "programming" interface might be a bit too limiting...

 

EDIT: sorry, I've just taken a look at the website I recommended and it's totally not what I thought it was! Turns out I have my wires crossed, Scratch is a basic visual programming language, not an electronics kit. What I actually have is a customised version of Scratch and an Arduino board. Bonus for me, not so helpful to you, sorry!

Edited by LosOjos

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