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WiFi Pinger
by pyxis on April 3, 2008 Table of Contents WiFi Pinger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intro: WiFi Pinger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 1: Parts List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . File Downloads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 2: Schematic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 3: Build . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 4: Adaptor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 5: Adaptor Build . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 6: Configure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 2 2 3 3 5 5 6 6 7

http://www.instructables.com/id/WiFi-Pinger/

Intro: WiFi Pinger

A Pyxis Design Project. This instructable describes an RF beacon using WiFi - we call it a 'Pinger'. It is intended to be used as an alternative to, or to complement, GPS in location based applications. The 'WiFi Pinger' has been specifically designed to operate with the mediascape software described here (nb still under development April 2008). An early application using similar non-WiFi technology is described in this press release . The Pinger uses a WLAN Compact Serial Module to transmit a pre-configured beacon signal as part of the WiFi standard. It can thus be recognised by any WiFi equipped device. It is compact and low powered and has an (approximately) omnidirectional radiation characteristic. We use it to identify (or tag) places, people or objects enabling recognition by mobile receivers such as WiFi equipped PDAs or cellphones. The range of the Pinger is around 100m outdoors - and it's intended that the mscaper software will be able to be set for short, medium or long range. It can be powered and/or charged from a USB source - its battery life is over 12 hours.

Step 1: Parts List

To build a WiFi Pinger you'll need the following (mostly from RS ):1 x 0.22 ohm resistor (RS 135-500) 1 x 47uF 6.5v capacitor (RS 547-9732) 2 x 10uF 10v capacitors (RS 547-9776) 3 x MBRA140 Schottky diodes (RS 625-5650) 1 x flashing red LED (RS 228-6032) 1 x FMMT717 pnp transistor (RS 215-6515) 1 x LM3622 LiPoly charger IC ( DigiKey ) 1 x USB socket (RS 515-2011) 1 x 4 way Molex 1.25mm socket (RS 279-9285) 1 x 12 way Molex plug case plus leads (RS 319-1042 & 279-9544) 1 x on/off switch (RS 334-268) S103 WLAN Compact Serial Module ( RF Solutions (UK) or Datahunter (US) ) pcb from expressPCB (or pyxisdesign ) (pcb shown below and file attached) 1 x dual PLF423566-S Varta LiPoly battery (RS 457-8282) Hammond case (RS 613-8319) ... and tools for surface mounting soldering.

File Downloads

wifi_ping.pcb (7 KB) [NOTE: When saving, if you see .tmp as the file ext, rename it to 'wifi_ping.pcb']

http://www.instructables.com/id/WiFi-Pinger/

Step 2: Schematic
Here's the circuit diagram :-

Step 3: Build
Here's a sequence of photos showing how to assemble the Pinger - this is where you build-it-yourself!

Image Notes 1. The blank pcb

Image Notes 1. First add the surface mounted components - 1 x IC; 1 x transistor; 3 x diodes; and 3 x capacitors

Image Notes 1. Add the wired through components - USB socket; switch; resistor; molex socket; and led (underside).

Image Notes 1. Wire in the plug for the S103 - 1 is +V; 4 is Rd; 6 is Td; and 12 is Gnd.

http://www.instructables.com/id/WiFi-Pinger/

Image Notes 1. Use double sided foam tape to fix the battery to the underside of the board. (Note one of the four pcb fixing holes will need to be obscured). Then solder the battery leads to the board (either side of the red led).

Image Notes 1. Now you can mount the S103 using 2.5mm screws and 5mm spacers - and then plug in the connector to the main board.

Image Notes 1. The case will need two slots cut in it as shown. One in the end 8mm x 22mm for the on/off switch and USB socket; and one in the side 8mm x 16mm for the configuration socket.

Image Notes 1. The pcb and battery assembly can now be fitted neatly in the box. Use another piece of double sided foam tape between the battery and the box to hold it in place - you can see this clearly in the next photo ..

Image Notes 1. The completed WiFi Pinger

http://www.instructables.com/id/WiFi-Pinger/

Step 4: Adaptor
Before using the pinger, you'll need to configure it - this requires a special adaptor lead. The schematic is below and a photos of the build process are in the next steps ....

Step 5: Adaptor Build

Here are the parts required (and RS Stock Nos) :1 x Molex 4 way plug plus leads (279-9162 & 279-9544) 1 x DS276 RS232 level convertor (138-297) 1 x 10uF 16v capacitor (538-1922) 1 x BAT41 Schottky diode (544-4679) 1 x 9w 'D' type plug (female) and enclosure (544-3749 & 425-7755) and a 1.1" x 0.6" piece of stripboard The assembly process is shown in the images. Do make sure you get the polarities of the capacitor and diode correct!

Image Notes 1. Here's the stripboard with the track cut; three links added and soldered to the D type socket. (note pins 1 and 4 are unused; the track next to pin 2 is cut; and pin 5 is ground)

Image Notes 1. Next add the DS276 and Schottky diode to the top of the board. Note also the black ground link across the board.

http://www.instructables.com/id/WiFi-Pinger/

Image Notes 1. Underneath it's a bit more fiddly! Add the capacitor, with a little insulation to be on the safe side, and a link from pin 2 on the D type to pin 4 on the DS276.

Image Notes 1. Here's the completed adaptor - do be careful to connect the molex plug correctly (look at a molex socket to identify pin1). Pin 1: V+ Pin 2: Td Pin 3: Rd Pin 4: Gnd

Step 6: Configure
You'll need to connect the Pinger to a PC running Hyperterminal using an RS232 cable and the adaptor. Set the terminal to 38,400 baud 8-N-1. After connection, on powering up the S103, the backspace key should be repeatedly pressed until 'Command' appears on the terminal screen. The following commands should then be entered to configure the pinger:Mode A (sets Ad-hoc mode instead of infrastructure) SSID Pinger_xxxx (sets SSID (name) to Pinger_xxxx) Chan x (sets channel to x where x = 1 to 11 (US) 1 to 13 (EU)) PSMode 1 (switches on power saving) SE (save and exit) Settings can be confirmed by entering the first word of the command. Once the Pinger is configured you're ready to go. Connect it to a USB host to charge the battery, then turn it on and look for pings! A fully charged Pinger should run for over 12hrs - it'll need around four hours to recharge.

Related Instructables

Uni-Directional WIFI Range Extender by tm36usa

WIFI Hunting! by WIFI Antenna Hack! by wesley1234 babblin5

DIY Hitechnic IR Beacon (Photos) by raykholo

433 MHz UHF lost model radio beacon by manuka

iRobot Create: WiFi Optimizer by vector023

http://www.instructables.com/id/WiFi-Pinger/

Comments
23 comments Add Comment

static says:

Apr 11, 2010. 2:39 AM REPLY Appears that you should have called the device a beacon and left it that. :) naming it a pinger confuses A ping is generally sent to a target, with a response from the taget expected. Beacons are generally broadcasts that can be received by multiple stations, even if only 1 or more can make use of the data broadcast, response from a receiving station may not be expected. Then again it may be HP fault for first calling something that's not a ping a ping Mar 27, 2009. 5:28 AM REPLY Hi, I'm looking to make a similar project (very similar). All I need to do is broadcast a pre-configured SSID. No traffic, just the SSID as a kind of 'hey I'm on' deal. I'm trying to find a retailer for your S103 WLAN module used, but can't find it on the recommended sites. Does ANYONE (not just pyxis) know of any other brands that might help me out? --Davedwin

Davedwin says:

pyxis says:
RF Solutions in Lewes UK have stock ... http://www.rfsolutions.co.uk/acatalog/WLAN_to_RS232_Module.html Cliff

Apr 23, 2009. 10:08 AM REPLY

Davedwin says:

Apr 24, 2009. 9:16 AM REPLY Thanks Cliff. Not sure if I'm ready to pay for shipping from the UK just yet ;-) Plus I started testing the XBee + Arduino for now. Hopefully I will be able to lose the PC and get this LCD working soon. It's always something when your inventing. LOL

agent says:
.;dHmm... It'd be pretty cool to make an SSID 'spammer'. ;P

Apr 18, 2009. 3:10 AM REPLY

Masowai says:

Apr 19, 2009. 7:09 PM REPLY Already exists, at least a software version. Its called MDK3. Its only available for a Linux-based OS, though. The SSID "spammer" you're looking for is more commonly referred to as "beacon flooding". Check out MDK3, it has sooo many cool modes. I think you'll like it.

agent says:

Jan 17, 2010. 9:02 AM REPLY I actually found this feature in Metasploit. Problem is that the wireless card needs a certain chipset (that I don't have) or to get an expensive external card.

tater killer says:

2 things can i use a mini usb cable and use on a bus

Mar 3, 2009. 11:51 AM REPLY

pyxis says:

Mar 4, 2009. 1:51 AM REPLY Hi - my design uses the USB mini AB socket, so a mini USB cable should be ok (note - this only provides power and can't be used for configuring the modules). Not sure which type of 'bus' you're asking about - if it's a USB bus, then yes, no problem; if it's a transport bus it should also be ok (though I don't know anyone who's tried this).

pierow says:

Apr 11, 2008. 8:41 AM REPLY I guess I'm still unclear on what this is used for? I read through the Mediascapes page briefly but I don't understand what role the WiFi pinger plays?

altaria1993 says:
it obviously pings your WiFi connection..

Apr 11, 2008. 2:06 PM REPLY

omnibot says:
Yes? And the practical side of that is .. what?

Apr 11, 2008. 2:28 PM REPLY

netbuddy says:

Sep 23, 2008. 5:35 PM REPLY You can "ping" a WiFi router, like a WiFi hot spot detector tells you when your in range of a WiFi point. The practical side would be that you can test for your router has its wifi "on" so that you do not spend hours trying to trouble shoot your issues with connecting to the internet... Turning off WiFi in the router when not using it is best all round security as is setting WPA and using a non-broadcast SSID.

altaria1993 says:
that you can see how fast your WiFi connection is.

Apr 11, 2008. 2:35 PM REPLY

http://www.instructables.com/id/WiFi-Pinger/

PhoenixTheAssassin says:

Apr 18, 2008. 9:52 AM REPLY It sounds more like a location based wireless appliance. Meaning that your access point( at cisco it would require an access point with lightweight software, and a Wireless Lan Controller licenses for Location. Then, using the WLC you can determine where the pinger is - or any other client on the network. That, anyway, is how it sounds to me, coming from Cisco :)

covcreo says:
BUT WHAT DOES IT DO????????

Apr 17, 2008. 6:37 AM REPLY

-Aj- says:
it transmits a "pre-configured beacon signal" ... or so ive heard. O.o

Apr 17, 2008. 10:40 PM REPLY

-Aj- says:

Apr 17, 2008. 10:39 PM REPLY Swaeet bro! use these puppies for ground based GPS. so what i have to print my own boards then? coolies, need an excuse to use up the old supplies. lol

nilmahj says:

Apr 16, 2008. 10:31 AM REPLY so...... you strap one to your kids when they're playing in the woods and you find 'em with your GPS? sounds like a hide'n'seek hack to me. looks cool though.

pyxis says:

Apr 12, 2008. 1:18 AM REPLY Thanks for your comments and suggestions. Obviously my intro didn't do its job! I've added some more background which I hope will clear things up.

NETSYS says:
lol...you guys are so funny.....cant stop laughing.... lol

Apr 11, 2008. 10:30 PM REPLY

curtosrules says:
I am with you on that one, I am lost

Apr 11, 2008. 9:40 AM REPLY

Joe Jacobs says:

Same here...can't it be used to check if a device is connected to wifi?

Apr 11, 2008. 7:27 PM REPLY

http://www.instructables.com/id/WiFi-Pinger/