Introduction
21
SWRU455A – February 2017 – Revised March 2017
Copyright © 2017, Texas Instruments Incorporated
Networking Application
2.1
Introduction
This chapter explains the software blocks needed to build robust networking applications, and provides
basic guidelines and considerations while designing these applications. Programmers have complete
flexibility for using the various software blocks, and should design their own application according to their
needs. A robust network application should consider the following aspects during the design:
•
Wi-Fi connectivity – What is the connectivity model of the system? Is it always connected or connected
on-demand? Wi-Fi connectivity can be used in a wide range of products with different use cases.
Some products may be connected through the local Wi-Fi network to the Internet, some may just be
connected to the local network or may function as access points, and some products may not be
connected to a Wi-Fi network at all (uses Wi-Fi as a radio transceiver).
•
Wi-Fi provisioning – What are the possible methods to connect a new device to a Wi-Fi network in the
specific target application? Are there any graphical or other interfaces to the system?
•
Traffic type – What kind of traffic is expected from the target system? Is it connection-oriented traffic or
connectionless-oriented traffic?
•
Security – What are the major assets of the system? What kind of protection is needed?
•
User experience – What are the major experience factors for the target users? Is it response time?
Availability? Or perhaps functionality?
•
Power management – Is the system powered by batteries? What is the power budget?
•
Data – What kind of data is kept on the system? What is the update frequency?
NOTE:
TI highly recommends applying all needed configurations and settings by using the Image
Creator tool instead of using host application commands. For more information, refer to the
Image Creator user guide (
This chapter discusses the considerations and trade-offs.
2.1.1 Wi-Fi Connectivity
Wi-Fi connectivity can be used in a wide range of products with different use cases and requirements.
shows some of the available connectivity options and their considerations.